IPL Treatments for Rosacea: What to Expect

If you have rosacea, you know what it’s like to look like you’re constantly blushing. Experts aren’t certain what causes rosacea, but you might notice flare-ups after spending time in the sun or wind, being stressed, or eating certain foods. 

Redness, broken blood vessels, and bumps from rosacea affect your appearance, and you might wonder how you can  reduce the signs. Advanced laser rejuvenation treatment might be the key to restoring your skin’s appearance.

At Orlando Dermatology Center in Oviedo and Orlando, Florida, dermatologist Vitaly Blatnoy, MD, and his team specialize in intense pulsed light (IPL) laser rejuvenation for rosacea and related conditions like sun damage. IPL laser rejuvenation gently eliminates broken blood vessels and rosacea-related redness.

Here’s what you can expect from the IPL treatment:

How IPL treats rosacea

IPL uses flashes of broadband light (BBL) to break down discoloration and help your skin heal. It treats targeted skin conditions while leaving surrounding skin unharmed. The team at Orlando Dermatology Center can adjust the settings on the IPL device to target only specific pigments in your skin, like redness. 

Also called a photofacial, IPL laser rejuvenation is more effective than other laser treatments for reducing broken blood vessels, which are common in rosacea. 

What to expect during IPL treatments for rosacea

You can expect to visit Orlando Dermatology for multiple IPL sessions to treat rosacea. 

Before treatment, the team examines your skin and creates a custom treatment plan. They decide how to set the IPL device based on targeted pigments and tell you how many sessions you’ll need. They might also ask if you want numbing cream to keep you comfortable. 

You lie on an exam table wearing protective eyewear during each session. The light from the IPL device looks similar to a camera flash: bright, white, and scattered. With every flash, you feel a stinging sensation similar to a rubber band snapping against your skin. 

After each session, you can expect some amplified redness and scabbing on your skin for a few days. However, you won’t need any downtime after treatment and can return to your daily routine right away. 

The Orlando Dermatology Center team gives you complete instructions for aftercare so you can help your skin heal between treatments. 

Benefits of IPL for rosacea

When treating rosacea, IPL laser rejuvenation has some specific benefits. The treatment is:

• Flexible and adjustable based on your needs
• Gentle on the skin
• Cost-effective
• Unlikely to cause side effects

IPL therapy can eliminate 50-75% of broken blood vessels from a rosacea flare-up while reducing overall redness. The treated blood vessels never come back, though you might see new ones appear in the future.

For more information on IPL laser rejuvenation for skin with rosacea, call Orlando Dermatology Center or book an appointment online today.