Faces can reveal so much about a person—a single expression can tell us what a person’s thinking or how they’re feeling. But for rosacea sufferers, persistent blushing isn’t a reflection of their emotions, it’s a source of embarrassment and self-consciousness. Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes an inflamed, red appearance, sometimes along with visible blood vessels and swelling, on the cheeks, forehead, and chin. While it’s unknown what exactly causes rosacea, symptoms are triggered by certain stimuli that are specific to each patient, like sun exposure, certain foods, and stress. Unfortunately, despite patients’ best efforts to track and avoid their triggers, flare-ups can still occur, and while rosacea is a chronic condition, there are many options available to manage the symptoms.

Oral and Topical Antibiotics for Rosacea
For some flare-ups, the patient’s rosacea becomes irritated due to bacteria in the skin’s pores or on the surface of the skin. In this case, symptoms can be eased by using prescribed antibiotics. While topical antibiotics can kill the bacteria on the surface of the skin, oral antibiotics can address the bacteria that is deep within the skin’s pores. This can be an effective short-term treatment option, but because the bacteria gradually becomes more and more resistant to the drug, antibiotics aren’t generally used long-term. It’s also important for patients to be cautious with their use of antibiotics and take them exactly as prescribed by your Dermatology Associates of Atlanta (DAA) provider—don’t stop earlier than you’ve been instructed to, and don’t take anything that hasn’t been prescribed to you.

Laser Treatments for Rosacea
Unlike antibiotics, laser treatments can be effective in the long-term control of rosacea symptoms. By sending precisely-controlled heat and light energy into the treatment area, laser therapy can interfere with the blood vessels that are causing the appearance of redness and swelling, causing the treated blood vessels to be naturally absorbed by the body. Since 1997, our Laser Institute of Georgia has offered the highest quality of medical-grade lasers, and after decades of experience in treating rosacea, our physicians have both the expertise and the resources to use the precise laser and settings that are best suited to each patient’s skin type and condition, whether it be the Perfecta™, the Smoothbeam, or the FotoFacial® laser.

New Treatments for Rosacea
Soolantra® is the latest topical treatment for rosacea symptoms. By addressing another common irritants found on every person’s skin, once-daily application of Soolantra® can ease rosacea symptoms like inflammation. As an added bonus, the prescription-only cream has moisturizing elements too, so it can even replenish the much-needed hydration in your skin. Because rosacea can have a number of triggers at the same time, other prescription medications and topical compounds may also be prescribed.

Throughout our 35 years of treating rosacea at DAA, we recognize that while all of these rosacea treatments have been proven effective, every patient’s skin is unique. The only way to successfully treat your rosacea symptoms for the short-term and long-term is to work with a dermatologist who’s experienced in the treatment of rosacea. If you have rosacea (or if you think you might), schedule an appointment with us to work toward an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.