Here at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, we often discuss the concept of providing skin care from head to toe. And while this is always our mission, some areas do demand more attention than others for many of our patients and the face is obviously among this group. Being able to properly diagnose, advise, and treat common dermatological conditions that affect the appearance of the face like rosacea is a huge part of what we do. So with this in mind, we wanted to answer a few commonly asked questions about rosacea and how it can be treated and managed.

Question #1: If I don’t notice rosacea symptoms for an extended period of time does that mean my condition has been cured?

Unfortunately, not necessarily. Rosacea is a chronic condition that does not have a traditional cure. It can lurk beneath the surface even in people who do not experience any flushing or other rosacea symptoms for an extended period of time. Certain triggers like sun exposure, drinking alcohol, overly strenuous exercise, hot weather, spicy foods, stress, and using certain skin care products, can still cause flare-ups and symptoms to emerge in these cases. So if you have any of these symptoms and are not sure if it’s rosacea, we can properly diagnose your issue so we may provide the best treatment options.

Question #2: What are the other symptoms associated with rosacea?

Facial redness or flushing are what most people think of when rosacea comes to mind, but it’s a fact that there are other symptoms to be aware of. This includes bloodshot or irritated eyes, burning or stinging sensations in the face, dry or rough facial skin, raised red patches (plaques) that resemble a rash or certain forms of acne, a thickening or enlarging of the skin and blood vessels, or facial swelling.

Question #3: What are the best treatment options available for rosacea?

“Best” is a fairly subjective term in this instance and every person’s rosacea condition is different. However, we have had remarkable success using cosmetic laser treatments to address rosacea. Specifically, Vbeam® Prima and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments that attack rosacea by treating excess blood vessels under the skin that cause facial redness to occur. Certain CO2-based laser treatments may also be able to help people who experience type 3 (or late) rosacea. Once we diagnose your type of rosacea, we can prescribe oral or topical medication, as well as recommend skin care products to help minimize your symptoms.

If you experience rosacea, our team of board-certified dermatologists, physicians assistants and other skin care experts is here to help. For more information on rosacea and our available treatment options, contact Dermatology Associates of Atlanta to schedule an appointment today. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more skin care tips and practice updates.