Rosacea is a chronic dermatosis that affects 10% of the population. Fair-skinned women are more prone to rosacea. It is not a serious disease but has an aesthetic component that can be a significant emotional burden.
Causes of rosacea
The causes of rosacea are not clear but several triggers have been demonstrated, such as extreme temperature changes, excessive intake of spicy foods, chocolate or soy sauce, alcohol consumption, situations of increased emotional stress, physical exercise, etc.
Symptoms of rosacea
Rosacea mainly affects the face, central areas of the forehead, cheeks, chin and nose. Lesions may also occur on the ears, neck, upper trunk and scalp; however, this involvement is less common.
Laser treatment of rosacea
Currently none of the available treatments (topical, seismic and laser) are considered to be curative. The aim of the therapy will be to reduce the symptomatology, to lengthen the inter-crisis periods and to improve the aesthetic appearance.
Laser treatment is especially useful in the treatment of erythematous-telangiectatic rosacea as it effectively improves the vascular component of rosacea, reducing diffuse erythema, telangiectasias and the incidence of new rosacea outbreaks.
The most suitable laser for treating rosacea is the pulsed dye laser (PDL). Within vascular lasers, less selective lasers such as the 532nm KTP laser, 1,064nm Nd:YAG laser and intense pulsed light can be used. For phymatosis forms the CO2 laser can be used, which is absorbed by water and allows us to destroy precisely the exuberant tissue.