Rosacea

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition on the face with typical symptoms such as permanent erythema, papules and blisters, dilated blood vessels, and sensation of itching. It is usually seen in women with pale skin over 30 years of age, and manifests in men in its most severe form – rhinophyma. According to international statistics, 45 million people have been diagnosed with rosacea worldwide.
The development of rosacea is gradual, mainly on the cheeks, nose, eyes and chin. Rosacea can be exacerbated due to the effects of various factors such as exposure to sunlight and severe weather conditions, stress, consumption of spicy food and alcoholic drinks. Hence, rosacea should be treated timely to remain in remission. The team of Derma-Act offers an appropriate treatment for every patient, also giving them advice for daily control of the disease.

Types of rosacea

Depending on its characteristics and the grade of severity – mild, moderate and severe, rosacea is divided into several types:

Erythematous
A temporary redness on the cheeks, tip of the nose, chin and glabella occurs. The development of symptoms is gradual. Erythematous rosacea is accompanied with telangiectasia (dilated blood vessels), seborrhea and a burning sensation. Desquamation and coarsening of the skin may also occur.

Papulopustular
The redness of the skin is permanent and erythematous papules, which may be covered with blisters, occur. Symptoms of irritation and severe seborrhea are obvious, spreading to different areas of the face, most often on tbhe cheeks, forehead and eyelids.

Phymatous
Swollen papules and nodular lesions which bulge become purple-red and have a rough surface, appear on the nose. Fatty gland hyperplasia with telangiectasia and fibrosis are also observed. Occasionally, lesions may extend to the forehead or chin. Swelling of the nose is considered a serious type of rosacea and affects men more commonly than women.

Ocular
The symptoms of ocular rosacea occur first in eyes and then spread to the skin. They include irritation, watering, dry eyes, swollen eyelids, itching, but loss of vision due to injury of the cornea is also possible. The disease affects both men and women.

Symptoms of rosacea

Rosacea is typically seen in the center of the face. It can more rarely spread to the neck, the sternum, scalp or ears.

Temporary redness
The first symptom of rosacea is an intermittent redness on the face.

Permanent redness
It looks like sunburn and is considered the most common symptom of rosacea.

Blisters and papules
They resemble acneic papules with pus or small red bulges accompanied with a sensation of burning or itching.

Telangiectasia
Visibly dilated blood vessels on the face skin.

Eye irritation
Eyes look red and watery, eyelids are swollen and red.

Itching and burning
This symptom is seen in almost all patients with rosacea.

Epidermal spots
They are red spots or plaques bulging on the skin.

Dry and coarse skin
In some cases, similar symptoms may lead to eczematous or seborrheic dermatitis.

Swelling
It appears when a permanent erythema occurs, remains for days on the skin, or may worsen due to an existing inflammation.

Deformation and swelling of the nose
Thickening and swelling of nose.

Diagnosis

Rosacea manifests with different symptoms and severity in individual patients. This is due to the variety factors accountable for the pathogenesis of the disease which is often confused with other skin diseases. For example, Haber’s syndrome, mastocytosis, lupus erythematosus, and Polycythemia vera are some of diseases with symptoms similar to rosacea. Hence, it is important that people with rosacea consult dermatologists immediately and timely.

At Derma-Act, diagnosing and treatment of rosacea are performed and strictly monitored by a specialist with year-long experience in the treatment of the disease. The aim of the treatment approach is to minimize exacerbations for a long period and to maintain the disease in remission, which can be achieved by:

Detection of the Demodex acari on the face skin with microscopic analysis;
A digital dermal analysis;
A study of the reasons for persistent rosacea.

Treatment of rosacea with Excel V+

For the treatment of rosacea symptoms, at Derma-Act we employ the most updated and safe laser light technologies. Treatment is painless and surrounding tissues are not affected since the laser emits light, which is absorbed selectively. The required number of procedures is defined by the patient’s clinical characteristics and the results of the dermal analysis. In mostcases of rosacea, we recommend 2 to 4 sessions for an optimal result.

The Excel V+ vascular device with its short and long waves of light wave effectively removes broken blood vessels, inflammation and redness on the skin of the face, neck and chest and decreases the swelling of soft tissues of the nose in the cases of rhinophyma.

Benefits of treatment with Excel V+

Combined therapies

For an effective treatment of Rosacea, we recommend combining:

Laser therapy with Palomar IPL
Palomar ® is a device that can use pulsed energy and delivers energy assisting the destruction of vascular lesions associated with rosacea. Using the principle of selective photothermolysis, the procedure with Palomar IPL is directed to the chromophores of haemoglobin in skin. Vascular lesions turn pale and symptoms resolve within 10 to 14 days.

Chemical peeling

pH Formula CR
The active ingredients of pH Formula CR facilitate skin regeneration and strengthen its natural defence forces. They decrease vasodilatation and have a potent antibacterial effect.
Easy Droxy Azelaic Peel
This is a new solution for skin prone to irritation and contamination or to acne and rosacea. Easy Droxy Azelaic Peel contains four different types of acids: glycolic, lactic, azelaic and citric acid.

Equipment

Laser System Excel V+

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have rosacea forever?

Rosacea is a condition that cannot be completely healed. The available treatment methods – laser therapy with or without medications, are administered individually for each patient with the aim to remove the symptoms of rosacea and maintain it in remission. For this reason, you should periodically undergo treatment courses and avoid the factors causing the exacerbation of rosacea such as alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine, saunas, hot tubs, exposure to sunlight and wind and generally extreme weather conditions.

What is the cause of rosacea?

Lifestyle and environmental factors are among the causes of occurrence of rosacea. It may also be provoked by the presence of the Demodex acari on skin, various bacteria, inflammation of hair follicles, impaired immune function, inflammatory reaction or psychological factors. Recent studies, however, point out mostly the Demodex acari and bacteria released by them in the skin when their life cycle ends.

What food should I avoid when suffering from rosacea?

According to scientific research, the foods that may cause rosacea are: liver, yoghurt, sour cream, cheese (except for cottage cheese), chocolate, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract, vinegar, eggplants, avocado, spinach, beans, peas, citric fruits, bananas, plums, raisins, figs, spicy and hot food, and histamine-rich food. You should also generally avoid alcohol, especially red wine, beer, bourbon, gin, vodka or champaign as well as hot drinks such as chocolate, coffee or tea.

Is rosacea diagnosable?

Typically, rosacea occurs in adults over 30 years of age. Nevertheless, adolescents and young people at about 20 years of age may present to examination with severe redness on the cheeks, chin, nose or forehead which persists for a longer period than usual. In these cases, after identification of the disease with specific clinical and microscopic studies, the dermatologists in Derma-Act give them advice for daily care and treatment to avoid conditions which can lead to recurrent foci of rosacea. So, if you identify early symptoms of rosacea, you should consult an experienced dermatologist.

Will my rosacea get worse over the years?

The symptoms of rosacea are likely to become increasingly severe when they are not treated properly. Once a patient administers treatment properly following the dermatologist's instructions, rosacea will be effectively controlled on a long-term basis.