Rosacea Treatment · Dermatologist · Cosmetic, Laser Dermatology NYC

Rosacea Treatment

Rosacea is a non-infectious and non-contagious skin condition that manifests itself as inflamed blood vessels on your face. Pimples, red bumps, and an enlarged nose are also symptoms. Unfortunately, since nobody has yet identified the cause of rosacea, no cure is known.

Qualified professionals in New York City dermatology practices employ a myriad of treatments to combat your symptoms if you’re suffering from rosacea. Whenever you get treatment for a disease, it’s usually a good idea to start with the simplest and most conservative techniques first and then graduate to stronger ones only if necessary.

Self-Care First

If you suspect you have rosacea, visit a dermatologist in NYC to confirm the diagnosis. Other skin conditions may mimic rosacea, so before you begin any treatment, make sure you know what’s wrong. During your visit, the doctor can also provide tips for battling the symptoms on your own. The simplest and easiest way to treat your rosacea is by:

1. Keeping a daily journal of activities, foods, drugs, and supplements, noting when the rosacea symptoms appear or are at their worst
2. Identifying the things that are triggering your flare-ups
3. Avoiding those things

For instance, you may notice a redder face after a night of heavy drinking. Your eyes may feel irritated after a day in the sun. Whatever the potential cause, avoid the activity and see if it had any impact on your symptoms. You may also benefit from skincare products made especially for sensitive skin, taking special care to keep your eyelids clean. You can also wear green-tinted makeup to mask the condition.

Topical Treatments

If your home care doesn’t deliver the results you expect, professional medical care from a Manhattan dermatology professional may be your next best option. After evaluating your symptoms, your skin doctor helps you decide on comprehensive treatment for your condition. For instance, if you’re suffering from the appearance of red bumps (called papules) or pus-filled pimples (called pustules), your NY dermatologist may recommend some medicated topical creams, such as:

• Metronidazole cream or gel: The entry-level topical treatment, this medication can be effective on mild flares and moderate cases of rosacea. While not as potent as other treatments, it’s also not as irritating to your skin. You may need to use this medication for as long as three to six weeks, during which time you have to avoid direct sunlight and any other UV exposure.
• Topical azelaic acid: This rosacea treatment is also indicated for moderate cases of rosacea. It has two significant benefits over metronidazole, but it’s known to cause more side effects:

1. Azelaic acid may cause you to suffer from dry skin, a burning sensation, and itchiness.
2. Compared to metronidazole, azelaic acid is more potent, but it won’t make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

• Brimonidine or oxymetazoline: Your NYC dermatologist may use this as another topical gel to inhibit the dilation and inflammation of the blood vessels in your face. This rosacea treatment reduces the redness on your face. It begins to work after about 30 minutes and can last as long as 12 hours. You may itch or feel a burning sensation wherever you apply the gel. Dry mouth, headaches, and dry skin are also side effects. Some patients have complained that their rosacea is worse than before once the treatment wears off.
• Ivermectin cream: This is the newest topical medication on the market. It’s similar to azelaic acid in that it’s stronger than the metronidazole for moderate cases, but it’s shown less of a propensity to cause side effects. It’s both anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic. You may notice positive results within one or two weeks after starting the treatment, but while it’s less likely than the azelaic to produce side effects, you may still experience mild burning or skin irritation.

Oral Treatments

If the topical rosacea treatments are ineffective or causing intolerable side effects, your dermatologist in Manhattan may begin treating you with oral antibiotics. Rosacea isn’t a bacterial infection, rather, it’s a chronic inflammatory condition. Low dosages of doxycycline help because of its anti-inflammatory properties, not its powerful antibiotic effect. Though not as effective, other antibiotics — such as tetracycline, minocycline, and erythromycin — are also widely prescribed.

Oral antibiotics can be effective for moderate to severe cases of rosacea, especially if the affected area is widespread. Several weeks of this rosacea treatment is necessary, and you may experience some side effects. For example, these antibiotics can cause gastrointestinal tract distress with conditions such as stomach pain or diarrhea.

Other Treatments

If your rosacea doesn’t respond to any other treatment, these options may be indicated:

• Laser or IPL treatment: Laser or intense pulsed light treatment may be recommended to shrink the blood vessels on your face. It may improve your condition, and the side effects are mild and tend to pass quickly. In the short term, however, you may suffer from moderate bruising, swelling, or blisters. You’ll need to stay out of the sun immediately after rosacea treatment.
• Surgery: If you’re suffering from an enlarged nose (known as rhinophyma), surgery could be an option for you. In this case, your dermatologist may use a laser, scalpel, dermabrasion, or electrocautery to shrink and reshape your nose to a more attractive appearance.

Important Reminder: This information is only intended to provide guidance, not definitive medical advice. Please consult dermatologist NYC about your specific condition. Only a trained, experienced board-certified dermatology doctor or pediatric dermatologist can determine an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.