Your Calgary Guide to Effective Rosacea Treatment with IPL and LaseMD Ultra
Rosacea is a common, chronic skin condition characterized by persistent facial redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps. It affects millions of people worldwide and is especially noticeable on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. While the exact cause is unknown, rosacea likely involves inflammation and blood vessel changes. In Calgary’s high-altitude sunshine and dry climate, patients often notice their rosacea symptoms flare up more easily, making effective management essential.
This article explores how Point of View Medical Aesthetics in Calgary can help you conquer rosacea with state-of-the-art treatments like IPL photofacials and LaseMD Ultra laser resurfacing, combined with lifestyle tips. We’ll cover what rosacea is, common triggers to avoid, and why these advanced therapies at Point of View Medical Aesthetics can reduce redness and restore your skin’s health. By the end, you’ll understand how to achieve calmer, clearer skin in Calgary’s unique environment.
Understanding Rosacea: Chronic Facial Redness
Rosacea is a long-term inflammatory skin disorder that most often causes persistent facial flushing or a sunburn-like redness that doesn’t go away. It can also produce tiny red bumps or pimples, and enlarged blood vessels. Symptoms vary from person to person, but the redness is usually the hallmark sign. There is no cure for rosacea, so management focuses on reducing symptoms and preventing flare-ups.
Rosacea often starts after age 30 and is more common in adults with fair skin. However, it can affect any skin tone and even children in rare cases. Women are affected more often, but men can experience more severe signs. Because rosacea tends to come and go in flare-ups, many people mistake it for acne or normal flushing. Even when symptoms improve with treatment, the condition can recur if not carefully managed. This chronic nature means a comprehensive, ongoing treatment plan is needed.
Symptoms and Impact
Common rosacea symptoms include:
- Facial redness on cheeks, nose, or forehead that may look like a constant sunburn or blush.
- Visible blood vessels or spider veins, especially on the nose and cheeks.
- Bumps and pimples that resemble acne but without blackheads.
- Skin thickening (in severe cases, the skin, often on the nose, becomes thicker and bumpy).
- Burning or stinging sensations on the skin.
- Eye symptoms (ocular rosacea can cause dryness, irritation or redness in the eyes and eyelids).
Living with rosacea can be frustrating and affect self-esteem. The persistent redness and texture changes can make people feel self-conscious about their appearance. Calgary patients often report that Calgary’s sunny days or cold Chinooks trigger their rosacea. Fortunately, effective aesthetic treatments can markedly improve skin tone and confidence.
Identifying and Managing Triggers (Lifestyle Tips)
Because there is no cure, trigger management is a crucial part of rosacea care. Each person’s triggers are unique, but common culprits can be identified and avoided to minimize flare-ups. A gentle skincare routine and sun protection can help keep rosacea under control.
- Sun exposure: UV light is a major trigger. Calgary’s high UV index means sunscreen is non-negotiable. Always apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily, reapplying every 2–3 hours outdoors. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and avoid mid-day sun.
- Temperature extremes: Both hot and cold conditions can dilate skin blood vessels. Sudden heat (like hot showers or saunas) or cold wind can cause flushing. When exercising or outside in winter, cover your face or use a scarf.
- Dietary triggers: Alcohol (especially red wine), hot beverages, spicy foods, and certain foods like tomatoes or chocolate are known to worsen rosacea. Keep a food diary to identify personal triggers.
- Skincare products: Harsh skincare ingredients (fragrances, alcohol, exfoliating acids) can irritate sensitive rosacea skin. Use only gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizers formulated for sensitive skin.
- Stress: Emotional stress is a common trigger. Try meditation, yoga, or leisurely Calgary walks to keep stress levels down.
- Exercise and environment: Vigorous activity can cause flushing. Go slower, keep cool with a spray or ice water, and avoid gym steam rooms or hot-weather workouts.
These lifestyle modifications can drastically reduce rosacea flares. Once triggers are managed and mild skincare is used consistently, symptoms become milder, making treatments like IPL and LaseMD even more effective.
IPL Photofacial: Calming Redness with Light Therapy
One of the most powerful tools for rosacea at Point of View Medical Aesthetics is the IPL photofacial (Intense Pulsed Light therapy). IPL emits multiple wavelengths of light that penetrate the skin and are absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood and melanin in pigmentation. Because hemoglobin is red, IPL energy is drawn to areas of redness and broken capillaries, which means it can shrink dilated blood vessels and reduce facial redness without damaging the skin’s surface.
The IPL session is non-invasive and relatively quick (usually 20–30 minutes per session). During treatment, the clinician will cover your eyes and glide an IPL handpiece over the treated area. Patients often feel a mild snapping or warm sensation, but discomfort is minimal. A cooling gel helps keep you comfortable. Because IPL is not an ablative laser, there is very little downtime—most people can return to normal activities immediately.
Benefits of IPL for Rosacea:
- Targets and collapses broken blood vessels.
- Reduces flushing and redness.
- Improves skin tone and stimulates collagen production.
Many patients notice improvement after one session, but a series of 3–6 treatments spaced a few weeks apart yields the best results.
LaseMD Ultra Laser Therapy: Rebuilding Skin Health
While IPL targets blood vessels, the LaseMD Ultra facial laser addresses the skin barrier and texture component of rosacea. This non-ablative fractional laser creates microscopic channels in the skin, stimulating collagen production and enhancing topical product absorption.
How LaseMD Ultra Works:
The laser delivers precise bursts of energy while leaving most of the skin’s surface intact. This triggers a healing response—new collagen and elastin fibers form, improving skin texture and resilience. Treatments also include customized serums that penetrate through the micro-channels to boost hydration and calm inflammation.
Benefits for Rosacea:
- Strengthens the skin barrier.
- Reduces diffuse redness and inflammation.
- Improves overall skin tone and texture.
With minimal downtime, LaseMD Ultra is ideal for patients seeking a gentler but highly effective treatment.
Combining IPL Photofacial and LaseMD Ultra
Point of View Medical Aesthetics often recommends combination therapy for chronic rosacea patients. IPL tackles the vascular redness, while LaseMD strengthens the skin. This synergistic approach helps deliver faster and longer-lasting results.
By layering light therapy (IPL) with fractional laser therapy (LaseMD), the clinic provides a comprehensive rosacea solution—reducing redness and improving skin health simultaneously.
Maintaining Clear Skin
- Use a gentle cleanser twice daily.
- Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer.
- Wear sunscreen daily.
- Avoid skincare irritants.
- Manage known lifestyle triggers.
- Schedule follow-up treatments as recommended.
Key Takeaways
- Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that requires ongoing care.
- Identifying and avoiding personal triggers reduces flare-ups.
- Gentle skincare and sun protection are essential.
- IPL photofacial is highly effective for shrinking blood vessels and reducing redness.
- LaseMD Ultra strengthens skin and prevents future flare-ups.
- Combination therapy offers the most comprehensive results.
Conclusion
Living with rosacea doesn’t have to mean enduring constant redness or covering up your skin. At Point of View Medical Aesthetics in Calgary, we specialize in combining innovative treatments with practical lifestyle guidance to help you find relief. The IPL Photofacial targets dilated blood vessels and diffuse redness, while the LaseMD Ultra laser reinforces skin strength and reduces future flare-ups. Together with gentle skincare and trigger avoidance, these therapies can dramatically reduce rosacea symptoms over time.
If you’re frustrated by persistent redness or bumps, consider visiting Point of View Medical Aesthetics for a personalized consultation. Our experienced team can design a rosacea treatment plan using IPL, LaseMD, or other modalities best suited to your needs. A clearer face is possible with the right approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of result can I expect from IPL treatment?
A: You can expect to see a decrease in the appearance of brown spots, sun damage and vessels for a more even skin tone. You will see a continued improvement over the first 6 weeks after your treatment.
Q: Is IPL Photofacial painful?
A: The Cynosure Icon uses cooling gel and air cooling for comfort. Most people feel only a slight “snap” like a rubber band followed by warmth of your skin. You will also feel cooling on your skin as the handpiece glides over the treatment area to help in providing a comfortable session.
Q: Are there any side effects to IPL ?
A: Immediately after the treatment, it is common to feel a mild sunburnlike sensation around the treatment site, which typically lasts 2-24 hours. Redness and/or swelling may accompany this and usually resolves in 2-3 days. We will discuss any other possible side effects and the necessary post-treatment care with you during the consultation.
Q: What is LaseMD Ultra?
A: LaseMD Ultra is an advanced 1927nm thulium laser that delivers gentle, non-ablative fractionated treatments to promote skin rejuvenation. It effectively addresses various skin concerns, including fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation issues, and overall skin texture.
Q: What should I expect after my LaseMD Ultra treatment?
A: After the treatment, you may experience mild redness for a few hours and up to a few days. Keep your skin moisturized, avoid harsh products, and use sunscreen daily. Mild flaking or peeling may occur.
If you have any additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us at Point of View Medical Aesthetics in Calgary.
Q: Where can I find laser and IPL treatments near me?
A: Point of View Medical Aesthetics is centrally located in North Calgary, just minutes from Downtown and nestled between the vibrant communities of Renfrew and Crescent Heights. Our prime location makes us easily accessible for all your LaseMD Ultra or Icon IPL treatments, including skin rejuvenation, laser resurfacing, pigmentation correction, and overall skin revitalization. We also offer Mosaic 3D laser skin rejuvenation treatments.
