Rosacea Laser Treatment – How it Works

As the name implies, an rosacea laser treatment involves the use of a laser to send out brief pulses of high-energy light that are absorbed by the water and substances in the skin called chromophores. The laser treatment’s high-energy light pulse is converted into heat energy. The energy then destroys thin patches of skin, layer by layer.

Consequently, as the treated area heals, layers of new skin grow to replace the damaged skin that was removed during the laser treatment.

How Does the Laser Treatment Work?

The most common type of laser used in this resurfacing treatment is a CO 2  (carbon dioxide) laser.  Another type that is often used is the Erbium laser.  Another alternative is a Q-switched laser that can remove specific colors from the skin and, therefore, is ideal for removing tattoos.     The laser resurfacing treatment for the removal of acne rosacea skin damage is usually a very precise procedure. It is so area-specific that it causes little damage to the surrounding skin and tissue. This procedure is performed most often on the face, but can also be used effectively on other areas of the body.

The skin on the neck, hands, and chest may not be candidates for laser surgery because the skin in these areas doesn’t heal as well. The results in these areas tend to scar and thicken upon recovery from laser treatment. That said, there are some surgeons that are willing to treat the neck through the use of a lower intensity laser.

How is the Laser Treatment Performed?

As far as the laser procedure itself, the rosacea affected areas to be treated are gently cleaned and marked with a pen. A local anesthetic is administered to numb the area before treatment.

If you tend to be a nervous type, a sedative or antianxiety medication may also be administered to help you relax. In some cases, if the rosacea area to be treated is large, you may be provided a stronger anesthesia, sedation and pain relievers. As a safety precaution, you will need to wear goggles to prevent eye damage from the laser. As an added precaution, wet towels may be placed around the treatment area to absorb excess laser pulses.

As the procedure begins, the laser is passed over the designated treatment area. The emitted pulses each lasts less than a millisecond. As the laser treatment continues, the skin will be wiped with water or a saline solution after each pass to cool the skin and remove tissue that the laser has destroyed.

The number of laser passes required will depend on how the size of the treated area and the type of skin being treated. For example, thin skin surrounding the eyes only requires a few passes with the laser instrument. Thicker skin, or skin with scar issue or more severe lesions, requires a greater number of passes.

The sensation from the laser pulses may sting or burn slightly. You may even feel a snapping sensation against your skin. Interestingly, there is generally little or no bleeding involved, unless the rosacea damage has been severe.

When the rosacea laser treatment is finished, the area affected is usually covered with a clean dressing or ointment. The laser treatment, as a rule, is generally performed in your doctor's office or at an outpatient surgery center.