A commonly occurring skin condition, rosacea occurs when the blood vessels in the face start to become visible, resulting in a blotchy redness. This often occurs with small red bumps filled with pus. When rosacea flares up, it can often last for weeks or months at a time before disappearing again for a while. It can also be quite common for those suffering with rosacea to mistakenly believe that it’s simply acne they’re dealing with, or alternatively other skin issues or a natural ruddiness.

While most commonly afflicting middle-aged women with lighter skin tones, rosacea can affect just about anyone. Unfortunately, there’s no actual cure available for rosacea; however, there are treatments available that are able to effectively control and reduce any signs and symptoms.

The cost to treat rosacea at Clarkston Dermatology depends on the best treatment options for you and your health insurance coverage. We accept many forms of health insurance to make treatment more affordable. Contact us to schedule an appointment to find out your individual cost for treatment.

You may have rosacea if you have the following:

Red, swollen bumps: Acne-like pimples can develop on the face. In fact, many will mistake their rosacea for acne due to the similarities. It may also make your skin feel somewhat tender and warm.
Redness in the face: The clearest tell that you have rosacea is a persistent redness in the face. Usually appearing around the cheeks and the nose, this is a result of the blood vessels swelling and becoming visible.
An enlarged nose: More commonly occurring in men than women, the skin on the nose can become thickened over time from rosacea, which in turn leads the nose to appear somewhat bulbous.
Eye issues: For many people, rosacea can also cause issues to the eyes. Known as ocular rosacea, symptoms can include swollen, irritated, dry eyes, along with red, swollen eyelids. If you are to develop any eye-related symptoms, they’ll precede any of the aforementioned skin symptoms.

Ultimately, what causes rosacea in those that develop it is something of an unknown. What is known is that it’s not caused by poor hygiene, and it’s believed that the following can cause flare-ups:

Certain cosmetic products
Spicy foods
Drugs, such as blood pressure medications, that dilate blood vessels
Hot drinks
Exercise
Sunlight
Temperature extremes
Alcohol such as red wine
Wind
Strong emotions

One of the most effective treatments we offer for rosacea is the IPL® photofacial. With a special laser shined towards the afflicted area, the light penetrates the skin where it is then transformed into heat energy which will in turn damage the walls of the visible blood vessels responsible for redness. This then leads to the body breaking down and removing the damaged tissue, leaving you with clearer skin. In addition to the IPL® photofacial treatment, topical and oral medications are also available to treat rosacea.