Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen to ConsiderTypesWho Is Eligible?EffectivenessDuring the ProcedureSkin AftercareRisks and Side EffectsCost

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

When to Consider

Types

Who Is Eligible?

Effectiveness

During the Procedure

Skin Aftercare

Risks and Side Effects

Cost

When to Consider Laser Treatment

Laser treatmentis one of many treatment options for rosacea, an inflammatory skin condition causing the nose and cheeks to appear flushed.If you see a healthcare provider such as a dermatologist (skin specialist) or facial plastic surgeon for rosacea symptoms, they will typically consider other options before recommending laser treatment. Options include:

If these methods don’t work for you or if your symptoms are persistent, laser therapy is worth considering.

Laser and light therapieswork to heat small areas of skin, causing veins and vessels to collapse and disappear and managing discolored or thickened areas.Dermatologists have an array of laser and light therapy technologies to choose from.

Pulsed-Dye Laser (PDL)

PDL is a longer-standing laser treatment for facial redness and visible veins. These lasers emit short bursts (pulses) of laser light to areas 13 to 15 millimeters (mm) in diameter (about half an inch). A dye makes the laser yellow, dictating wavelengths of light that hit the skin.

Neodymium YAG Laser

Neodymium yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers are especially effective for visible blood vessels in the face. Under the names FOTONA Dualis, Skinlight, and others, these also deliver pulsed beams of light to areas of 2 to 3 mm in diameter.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser

Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers are primarily used to reshape skin, targeting rough or abnormally shaped areas. This type can also treat rhinophyma—thick, puffy growths on the nose that can occur with rosacea.

Erbium YAG (Er:YAG) Laser

This type of laser is especially effective for reshaping and recontouring the faces, treating thickened skin. Like CO2 lasers, Er:YAG lasers can manage excess skin and scarring on the face or the nose due to rhinophyma.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy

Unlike laser treatments,IPL therapyrelies on multiple wavelengths of light to treat effective areas of discolored, darkened, or red skin. In addition, recent research showed IPL treatments effective in managing skin lesions: bumps or patches of irregular skin.

How Laser Types CompareThe laser used to treat rosacea depends on the symptoms. PDL and Nd:YAG lasers do well treating visible veins and patches of red or discolored skin.Er:YAG and CO2 lasers work on exterior layers of skin to reshape or treat thickened patches or scarring.IPL is particularly effective for red or flushed skin and may help with bumps or other symptoms.

How Laser Types Compare

The laser used to treat rosacea depends on the symptoms. PDL and Nd:YAG lasers do well treating visible veins and patches of red or discolored skin.Er:YAG and CO2 lasers work on exterior layers of skin to reshape or treat thickened patches or scarring.IPL is particularly effective for red or flushed skin and may help with bumps or other symptoms.

Broadly, laser therapies are safe for most adults, but there are exceptions. The ideal candidate for these therapies has the following characteristics:

Laser treatments for veins aren’t recommended if you’re pregnant because the safety of this treatment for the fetus hasn’t been established.

You should also tell your dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon about any medications or supplements you’re taking or your past history of skin or bleeding problems. You may have to stop blood-thinning medications (anticoagluants), such as Jantoven (warfarin), andnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) like Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen).

How Effective Are Laser Treatments?

Since their emergence, laser treatments have proven effective in managing rosacea. However, results are not always permanent. Veins may reappear within three to five years of treatment. Nonetheless, most patients see a 50% to 75% reduction in symptom severity, and some see complete resolution.

Specific outcomes vary based on your body chemistry and the technology used. For instance, in a study of pulsed-dye lasers for rosacea, researchers found sessions with one type of laser led to an average symptom reduction of over 53.9% two months after treatment. Of 19 subjects, 17 saw an improvement of 40% or more; for 11 people, this was over 50%.

Researchers looking at a type of Nd:YAG laser for two kinds of rosacea also found promising results. In 66 adults who had between two and 10 treatments, the average symptom improvement was between 62.96 and 79.49%. More than half of the participants reported “excellent” results.

IPL Treatment EfficacyIPL treatments have grown in popularity. Since IPL relies on a broader array of light wavelengths, it’s particularly effective for chromatophores: cells that influence skin color. Dermatologists use it to manage patches of discolored skin as well as bumps or rosacea-related growths.IPL causes minimal side-effects and is a suitable alternative when other laser therapies don’t yield results.

IPL Treatment Efficacy

IPL treatments have grown in popularity. Since IPL relies on a broader array of light wavelengths, it’s particularly effective for chromatophores: cells that influence skin color. Dermatologists use it to manage patches of discolored skin as well as bumps or rosacea-related growths.IPL causes minimal side-effects and is a suitable alternative when other laser therapies don’t yield results.

What Happens During the Procedure

Usually, it takes multiple laser therapy treatments to see complete results, and treatments are uncomfortable. Expect to wait three weeks to one month between treatments. You won’t need to do any special preparation unless your healthcare provider directs you otherwise.

Significant recovery isn’t required following laser therapy unless it’s used to treat thickened skin. If that is the case, it may take several weeks for the skin on the face to heal. To promote healing and good results, your dermatologist will recommend you take special care of your skin. This involves:

Though laser treatments for rosacea are relatively safe, they can cause some side effects, most of which are temporary. In rare cases, there’s a risk of adverse effects after treatment. Side effects and risks include:

Cost Varies Based on Your Symptoms

The average cost for non-ablative treatments—those aimed at reshaping the skin—is around $1,200 per treatment. Laser therapy that removes visible blood vessels is a little costlier: about $1,960. However, the cost varies based on the practice, location, and severity of the case.

Summary

Laser therapy is an option for visible blood vessels, skin redness, and other rosacea symptoms. Dermatologists use several types of lasers to direct heat to discolored and affected areas on the face. This therapy causes few side effects and is usually reserved for recurrent or hard-to-manage cases.

Avoiding the UV rays that are in sunlight and practicing healthy skin care are essential following laser therapy. Overall, laser treatments for rosacea are highly effective, with most seeing a significant reduction in symptoms after treatment.

13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bernstein EF, Schomacker K, Paranjape A, Jones CJ.Pulsed dye laser treatment of rosacea using a novel 15 mm diameter treatment beam.Lasers Surg Med. 2018;50(8):808-812. doi:10.1002/lsm.22819National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rosacea.Zhang H, Tang K, Wang Y, Fang R, Sun Q.Rosacea treatment: review and update.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(1):13-24. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00461-0Galluccio G, D’Onghia M, Malvaso D, et al.Advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of rosacea: a phenotype-based therapeutic approach.Cosmetics. 2024;11(1):11. doi:10.3390/cosmetics11010011Say EM, Okan G, Gökdemir G.Treatment outcomes of long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser for two different subtypes of rosacea.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(9):16-20.Sakhiya J, Sakhiya D, Sakhiya M, Daruwala F.Rhinophyma successfully treated with ultra plus CO2 laser: report of a case and literature review.Indian Dermatol Online Ju. 2020;11(4):619-622. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_385_19Piccolo D, Fusco I, Zingoni T, Conforti C.Effective treatment of rosacea and other vascular lesions using intense pulsed light system emitting vascular chromophore-specific wavelengths: a clinical and dermoscopical analysis.J Clin Med. 2024;13(6):1646. doi:10.3390/jcm13061646American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: diagnosis and treatment.Maliyar K, Abdulla SJ.Dermatology: how to manage rosacea in skin of colour.Drugs Context. 2022;11:2021-11-1. doi:10.7573/dic.2021-11-1Allameh F, Javadi A, Dadkhahfar S, et al.A systematic review of elective laser therapy during pregnancy.J Lasers Med Sci. 2021;12:e50. doi:10.34172/jlms.2021.50American Academy of Dermatology.Lasers and lights: how well do they treat rosacea?American Academy of Dermatology.7 rosacea skincare tips dermatologists recommend.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Plastic surgery statistics report.Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Lasers and lights: how well do they treat rosacea?

13 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bernstein EF, Schomacker K, Paranjape A, Jones CJ.Pulsed dye laser treatment of rosacea using a novel 15 mm diameter treatment beam.Lasers Surg Med. 2018;50(8):808-812. doi:10.1002/lsm.22819National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rosacea.Zhang H, Tang K, Wang Y, Fang R, Sun Q.Rosacea treatment: review and update.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(1):13-24. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00461-0Galluccio G, D’Onghia M, Malvaso D, et al.Advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of rosacea: a phenotype-based therapeutic approach.Cosmetics. 2024;11(1):11. doi:10.3390/cosmetics11010011Say EM, Okan G, Gökdemir G.Treatment outcomes of long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser for two different subtypes of rosacea.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(9):16-20.Sakhiya J, Sakhiya D, Sakhiya M, Daruwala F.Rhinophyma successfully treated with ultra plus CO2 laser: report of a case and literature review.Indian Dermatol Online Ju. 2020;11(4):619-622. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_385_19Piccolo D, Fusco I, Zingoni T, Conforti C.Effective treatment of rosacea and other vascular lesions using intense pulsed light system emitting vascular chromophore-specific wavelengths: a clinical and dermoscopical analysis.J Clin Med. 2024;13(6):1646. doi:10.3390/jcm13061646American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: diagnosis and treatment.Maliyar K, Abdulla SJ.Dermatology: how to manage rosacea in skin of colour.Drugs Context. 2022;11:2021-11-1. doi:10.7573/dic.2021-11-1Allameh F, Javadi A, Dadkhahfar S, et al.A systematic review of elective laser therapy during pregnancy.J Lasers Med Sci. 2021;12:e50. doi:10.34172/jlms.2021.50American Academy of Dermatology.Lasers and lights: how well do they treat rosacea?American Academy of Dermatology.7 rosacea skincare tips dermatologists recommend.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Plastic surgery statistics report.Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Lasers and lights: how well do they treat rosacea?

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Bernstein EF, Schomacker K, Paranjape A, Jones CJ.Pulsed dye laser treatment of rosacea using a novel 15 mm diameter treatment beam.Lasers Surg Med. 2018;50(8):808-812. doi:10.1002/lsm.22819National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rosacea.Zhang H, Tang K, Wang Y, Fang R, Sun Q.Rosacea treatment: review and update.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(1):13-24. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00461-0Galluccio G, D’Onghia M, Malvaso D, et al.Advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of rosacea: a phenotype-based therapeutic approach.Cosmetics. 2024;11(1):11. doi:10.3390/cosmetics11010011Say EM, Okan G, Gökdemir G.Treatment outcomes of long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser for two different subtypes of rosacea.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(9):16-20.Sakhiya J, Sakhiya D, Sakhiya M, Daruwala F.Rhinophyma successfully treated with ultra plus CO2 laser: report of a case and literature review.Indian Dermatol Online Ju. 2020;11(4):619-622. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_385_19Piccolo D, Fusco I, Zingoni T, Conforti C.Effective treatment of rosacea and other vascular lesions using intense pulsed light system emitting vascular chromophore-specific wavelengths: a clinical and dermoscopical analysis.J Clin Med. 2024;13(6):1646. doi:10.3390/jcm13061646American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: diagnosis and treatment.Maliyar K, Abdulla SJ.Dermatology: how to manage rosacea in skin of colour.Drugs Context. 2022;11:2021-11-1. doi:10.7573/dic.2021-11-1Allameh F, Javadi A, Dadkhahfar S, et al.A systematic review of elective laser therapy during pregnancy.J Lasers Med Sci. 2021;12:e50. doi:10.34172/jlms.2021.50American Academy of Dermatology.Lasers and lights: how well do they treat rosacea?American Academy of Dermatology.7 rosacea skincare tips dermatologists recommend.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Plastic surgery statistics report.

Bernstein EF, Schomacker K, Paranjape A, Jones CJ.Pulsed dye laser treatment of rosacea using a novel 15 mm diameter treatment beam.Lasers Surg Med. 2018;50(8):808-812. doi:10.1002/lsm.22819

National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rosacea.

Zhang H, Tang K, Wang Y, Fang R, Sun Q.Rosacea treatment: review and update.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(1):13-24. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00461-0

Galluccio G, D’Onghia M, Malvaso D, et al.Advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of rosacea: a phenotype-based therapeutic approach.Cosmetics. 2024;11(1):11. doi:10.3390/cosmetics11010011

Say EM, Okan G, Gökdemir G.Treatment outcomes of long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser for two different subtypes of rosacea.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(9):16-20.

Sakhiya J, Sakhiya D, Sakhiya M, Daruwala F.Rhinophyma successfully treated with ultra plus CO2 laser: report of a case and literature review.Indian Dermatol Online Ju. 2020;11(4):619-622. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_385_19

Piccolo D, Fusco I, Zingoni T, Conforti C.Effective treatment of rosacea and other vascular lesions using intense pulsed light system emitting vascular chromophore-specific wavelengths: a clinical and dermoscopical analysis.J Clin Med. 2024;13(6):1646. doi:10.3390/jcm13061646

American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: diagnosis and treatment.

Maliyar K, Abdulla SJ.Dermatology: how to manage rosacea in skin of colour.Drugs Context. 2022;11:2021-11-1. doi:10.7573/dic.2021-11-1

Allameh F, Javadi A, Dadkhahfar S, et al.A systematic review of elective laser therapy during pregnancy.J Lasers Med Sci. 2021;12:e50. doi:10.34172/jlms.2021.50

American Academy of Dermatology.Lasers and lights: how well do they treat rosacea?

American Academy of Dermatology.7 rosacea skincare tips dermatologists recommend.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Plastic surgery statistics report.

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