To consider expensive laser for mild rosacea?

[Winterfor80]

I don’t have intense redness or papules but I have red areas on my cheeks and chin that mean I am very uncomfortable about not wearing foundation. I have very fair skin so the high tone is very noticeable. If I wear foundation it is completely invisible.

There is a place doing laser opened near me and it’s got me thinking of having a few sessions but the price is pretty eye watering. I have a good job etc but care about spending on the right things. If I knew it would definitely work I think I would go for it.

Has anyone had laser for facial redness? Was it worth it?

There are no certainties in life. If you can make this work financially without clearing you out and leaving you a buffer to e.g fix a car or broken boiler then go for it. If not, save up. This is a discretionary spend. The question is a financial one.

No but I would be interested in success stories as well as it's something I've considered.

It’s unfortunate that I can’t see the before and after in advance! Maybe I need to go for a consultation but I imagine they will say go for it. It’s several hundred per session and as far as I know you generally need 3 or 4 sessions for rosacea.

I have added an image of the redness on one cheek. It is hard to see properly from this but this is against a background of being very fair skinned.

I had it, the effect was probably quite subtle (to other people) but it did improve and lasted years. My rosacea was 'just' redness, but it was over my nose and cheeks and I was very aware of it (not helped by coming from a family of heavy drinkers and not liking how it looked to me like that alcoholic flush!)
One caution though - the treatment leaves a bizarre looking pattern of purple-ish circular bruises. Using cold compresses on them helps, but I had my treatment during covid when mask wearing was still a thing, I'm not sure whether I'd have it now!

Woah I hadn’t imagined bruises! Most people wouldn’t notice anything but they never see me without foundation. I would love to feel I could sometimes go without it. How many sessions did you have @Hibernatingtilspring ?

Have you tried other creams? I use the ordinary azaelic acid and it's been tremendous

FWIW I am also fair skinned and my dermatologist advised against laser treatment as it would be likely to make it worse long term, I only have redness. Antibiotics a couple of times a year and Rozex as required keeps on top of it. Took me many years to get it even taken seriously by GPs in the first place.

I had laser last summer - 3 sessions, 4 weeks apart. From your pics , I would say my rosacea was a little worse than yours.
The results were amazing , and I’m so pleased I went ahead with it. I had no bruising whatsoever, but my face did swell ( around the cheeks / under eyes). This lasted around 4-5 days. No regrets whatsoever- skin is now clear , with no need for make up.
The clinic told me results are not permanent ( if you’re prone to rosacea it can return), but not to let it get so bad next time. They advised to book a single laser treatment should it start to flare again. Hope this helps.

Someone posted another thread (was under beauty I think). They had rosacea and everyone raved about this product that had completely sorted it. It's a personal prescription to each person, based on their concerns...hopefully you can find this thread & the name to then give this try before spending a fortune on laser. Sorry I can't remember the actual name but hadn't heard of it before (I'll try and find it again myself)! 🤞

Skinoren (Azelaic acid)

Have you tried this? Takes about 6-8 weeks to see results.

@Winterfor80 I can't remember but it was one course, so probably 3 I think. I don't know if the treatment has changed at all, but what I had, the laser heats up the blood vessels and causes them to break down. So where that happens the blood vessels go very dark and then fade over about a week, hence the weird pattern.

Whilst my rosacea didn't look that bad, it was hypersensitive and I couldn't wear make up over it and it didn't react well to creams or other treatments. Since I've had treatment I've used azaelic acid and it seems to have kept it under control - I'd recommend looking at that option first.

It is frustrating if you're pale as people don't take it seriously, my GP just said it was my skin tone - but Im not a cool English rose, only on my face!

I like my Rosalique cream, for days when I want a bit of a cover up but can't be arsed doing my make-up.

Thanks so much for replying. I have tried over the counter rosacea products but not prescription and I think I need to try that next rather than leaping into super expensive laser. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that! Posting here has really helped keep clarifying what I need to do next so thank you.

I agree about it not being taken seriously. I have the palest skin imaginable and these areas on my face look like they were taken from another person!

I take oxy- tetracycline for mine. It has cleared it up . I've taken it for years. No side effects at all. I have a break from it every year but it flares up again.

Copied this for skincare...
TRETINOIN is the cream I was thinking of!! 💐

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5274707-your-life-changing-beautygrooming-tips?reply=142205766

LunchBoxPolice · 15/02/2025 09:09
Tretinoin is the only product that I’ve found really makes a difference, I’ve finally got a bit of glow back

Nooooo!

Be really careful with tretinoin, it can give great results for a lot of people dealing with regular aging issues, but it's usually far too harsh for rosacea. I tried it not realising (there was a warning that it could make rosacea worse but given everything triggered my rosacea I didn't think it was that specific) Very quickly developed peri oral dermititis which is basically rosacea spots around the mouth and chin, which was far more difficult to deal with than the bit of melasma that I'd originally got the tretinoin for

I had really fantastic results using Soolantra (prescription cream). It took a few months, but almost completely cleared up my redness/flushing.

@Hibernatingtilspring

I do use Tretinoin without an issue, but I have a routine from my dermatologist that allows me to use it safely. Not an advert, but it's this:

https://theskindiary.com/pages/chapters

I would start with creams and see if they make a difference first. Start with a 10% Azelaic Acid - The Ordinary, Paula's Choice, Q+A - then a stronger version from isisPharma or Dermatica. If you've not seen results in 12 weeks then reconsider laser.

cant comment on the lazer treatment but I keep mine under control with sulphur soap. You can buy it off amazon. I use it every morning, lather up and leave in for 20 seconds, then a good rinse and lots of moisturiser.

i know some people can’t stand the smell though (rotten eggs!) and some people have said it can turn their jewellery black.

i keep mine wrapped up when not using and don’t wear any jewellery when using if so never had any issues.

Do you get this via an NHS prescription? Antibiotics are the only thing that’s worked for my rosacea so far, but my GP doesn’t want to keep prescribing them (which I do understand, antibiotic resistance is a thing…)

I find face facts ceramide cream really helps the mild rosacea I get on my cheeks

Hi, please can I know what exact laser treatment you had so I can try it? I went to an aesthetician and wasted £250 on 5 sessions on some coloured light laser treatment that did nothing so I did not complete the ten sessions they suggested to waste more money.