How Might A Dermatologist Treat Your Rosacea

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Rosacea can be quite difficult to treat on your own. You can use mild cleansers, light moisturizers, and even mild acne creams but still suffer from the redness, irritation, and blushing associated with this condition. Your best bet is to see a dermatologist for professional treatment. Here are some of the treatments they might recommend for you.

Oxymetazoline

It's quite common for dermatologists to prescribe oxymetazoline to rosacea patients. This medication is applied topically, and it functions to reduce the size of blood vessels in your skin. As a result, your face begins looking less red. The results last about 12 hours, so you'll need to apply the oxymetazoline gel twice per day, ideally after washing your skin but before applying your moisturizer. 

Doxycycline

Doxycycline is an oral antibiotic and the most common one prescribed to rosacea patients. A growing number of researchers believe that rosacea is due, at least in part, to the presence of certain bacteria in the skin. Using an oral antibiotic, therefore, can help ease your rosacea symptoms. Most patients notice a marked improvement within a few days of beginning antibiotics. Your doctor will likely have you cycle on and off antibiotics as needed to manage your flare-ups.

UV Therapy

Exposing the skin to a controlled dose of UV radiation can help temporarily ease rosacea symptoms. Your dermatologist may, therefore, recommend UV therapy as a supplemental treatment, especially if you're not getting enough relief from prescription medications alone. You'll sit with your face in a device that's basically a small tanning station. (You'll be wearing specialized goggles to prevent your eyes from being damaged by the UV light.) If this therapy works well for you, then you might want to consider buying a UV device for home use.

Laser Therapy

Your dermatologist may also recommend that you have laser therapy performed on the areas of your face more affected by rosacea. The laser, which is a low-powered one, will function in a few ways. It will kill the bacteria associated with the symptoms, and it will also help shrink any larger pores that make the symptoms more obvious.

If you are struggling with rosacea, don't hesitate to contact your dermatologist. They can take a look at your face, talk to you about the treatments you have already tried, and recommend treatments that may work better. Whether you prefer to take prescription drugs or try non-invasive therapies, there is a solution to ease your redness. 

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29 June 2020

Clean, Clear, and Healthy: A Dermatologist Blog

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