Vascular lesions and Rosacea

* Individual results may vary.

Platinum Dermatology treats a wide range of skin concerns at our busy practice in Ultimo. Whether the problems are medical, cosmetic, or a combination of the two, our goal is to help our patients refresh and rejuvenate their appearance.

Rosacea and vascular lesions are two common problems in Australia. In this article our specialist dermatologists review the basics of each and offer insights into the causes and effective available treatments.

Rosacea in Australia, Explained by Platinum Dermatology

The specialist dermatologists at our specialist dermatology practice are well versed in this all-too-common skin condition affecting thousands of Australians.

  • Approximately 10% of the population struggles with Rosacea. Some specialists suggest a significantly higher number, with the majority of minor and moderate cases never diagnosed.
  • Rosacea affects more women than men, although in men the condition tends to be more severe.
  • Rosacea is most common in people with sun-damaged skin. As you know, Australians have a very high incidence of sun-damage due to our wonderful, but skin-stressing, climate.

What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a common, chronic skin condition that mainly affects the faces of people in their 30’s and older. Rosacea generally begins as persistent, unexpected flushing that lasts for a short time, usually just a few minutes. Skin becomes red and there may be an unpleasant feeling of heat.

Most rosacea sufferers experience periods when their symptoms are particularly troublesome, followed by periods when the symptoms are less so. When in an active stage, rosacea outbreaks can be severe enough to disrupt the sufferer’s life.

Symptoms of Rosacea

Rosacea is most likely to present itself as facial redness on the

  • Cheeks
  • Nose
  • Chin
  • Forehead

But may also be found on the

  • Chest
  • Neck
  • Scalp
  • Ears

As time goes on, the red skin of rosacea becomes even ruddier, and blood vessels beneath the skin become more visible. Other symptoms associated with rosacea include:

  • Sensitive skin (burning, itching, stinging, pain)
  • Dry, rough skin
  • Raised red patches (plaques) on the skin
  • Facial swelling

Many people with rosacea have a history of frequent blushing or flushing. This facial redness may come and go, and is often the earliest sign of the disorder. Left untreated, it can lead to

  • Persistent facial redness
  • Skin thickening and enlargement (especially around the nose)
  • Bumps and pus-filled pimples
  • Eye irritation (watery, bloodshot, burning, and stinging)

Laser Treatment for Rosacea

Mild and moderate rosacea can be helped with topical treatments and oral medications that clear up breakouts and reduce inflammation. Severe rosacea responds better to laser treatment.*

At our practice, rosacea patients are treated with the gold standard in lasers, the Sciton Broad Band Light (BBL) system, the most advanced form of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. The specialist dermatologists at Platinum Dermatology use it to destroy the small, unwanted blood vessels that accompany rosacea. The beauty of this treatment is that it effectively improves rosacea for men and women of all skin types and colours.*

Most importantly for our patients, the Sciton BBL can be calibrated to meet the individual needs of each patient’s unique skin condition.

Platinum Dermatology Explains the Basics of Vascular Lesions

Vascular lesions are relatively common abnormalities of the skin. They include

  • Acquired vascular lesions (pyogenic granuloma)
  • Vascular birthmarks including vascular tumours (infantile hemangioma)
  • Vascular malformations (congenital, life-long, localised defects)

While vascular lesions are displeasing in appearance, they have no effect on normal bodily function. They are not cancerous or contagious. Vascular lesions grow in proportion to total body growth, becoming larger and more unsightly over time.

The port wine stain is the most common type of capillary malformation. The lesion starts out flat at birth, but over time raised lesions can occur within the patch. Port wine stains are rarely acquired after birth, but when they are, they are likely attributable to

  • Skin trauma
  • Chronic UV exposure
  • Hormonal Influences
  • Infections
  • Brain tumour
  • Vascular disorders

Generally speaking, the best treatment for vascular lesions is laser treatment*. The new generation of lasers can be carefully calibrated to deliver power that matches the location, extent, and rate of growth of the lesion.

Sciton BBL Treatments for Vascular Lesions

Laser science allows the specialist dermatologists at Platinum Dermatology to treat an extraordinary number of diverse skin problems. The excellent results we achieve are made possible at our practice thanks to our powerful, multi-functional Sciton Broadband Light (BBL) system.*

  • For vascular lesions, the laser light energy is selectively absorbed by the body, resulting in heating of the blood vessels. With the correct wavelengths, a vascular lesion can be heated to the specific temperature that causes the blood vessels to break down and shrink, leading to a reduction of the lesion.

  • For rosacea sufferers, our BBL system allows us to treat targeted areas with tremendous accuracy and precision. As in the treatment for vascular lesions, the laser gently heats blood vessels, causing them to break down and shrink. The result is a reduction in redness or visible veins.

Your treatment will be tailored to address your individual skin condition and desired result. Healing time will depend on the specific treatment, but there is generally no downtime. You may experience some temporary redness after the treatment.*

During your consultation, the specialist dermatologists at Platinum Dermatology will determine the best course of treatment to meet your individual skin care needs and optimise the results and benefits you receive

Help for Vascular Lesions & Rosacea at Platinum Dermatology

If you or someone you know is suffering from rosacea or vascular lesions, or if you have a skin complaint of any kind, the specialist dermatologists at Platinum Dermatology want to help. You can reach our practice in Ultimo by phone during business hours on 02 8014 6500 or use the contact form to learn how we can help you keep your skin healthy and beautiful, by eradicating vascular lesions and rosacea.

* Individual results may vary.