Do you have rosacea?

Rosacea can be irritating. It would be helpful to keep a diary to help identify what triggers make your rosacea worse, and our treatment can help to reduce the symptoms.

How does the treatment work?

Short, safe bursts of intense pulsed light (called SWT^®, but often referred to as a laser) are directed at the skin. The system filters the light to ensure the wavelengths used are absorbed by haemoglobin in the blood in your problem vessels. The light is converted to heat, which destroys the protein in the wall of the blood vessels, causing the vessels to gradually disappear after treatment. To ensure the best light transmission, a thin layer of gel (like that used in ultrasound examinations) is applied to your skin before treatment.

What can be treated?

The most common treatment deals with the diffuse redness found in the early stages of Rosacea, but the individual vessels which develop later can also be treated. Treatments are most efficient in patients with light skin who are not suntanned at the time of the treatment. If your skin is less tanned, the contrast between the blood vessels and background colour of the skin is greater, making treatment easier.

How long does the treatment take?

The treatment time depends on the area to be covered and the number of distinct vessels to be treated. A single session typically lasts 10-20 minutes.

Do I need to take special precautions before and after treatment?

The light used is completely safe, visible light. It is, however, important to avoid tanning (sun, solarium or self-tanning products) before and during the treatment period. Otherwise your tanned skin will absorb more light, which makes treatment less effective and less comfortable. It is also a good idea to avoid smoking in the 4 hours prior to treatment. Generally, no special care is necessary after treatment, but people with sensitive skin may benefit from applying a cold compress (a cold damp cloth) to the face immediately after treatment. After treatment, you should avoid sun exposure for 30 days, even if there is no sign of inflammation in the treated area. Use sun protection (minimum SPF30) if sun exposure cannot be avoided.

How many treatments do I need?

The number of treatments depends on location and number of your thread veins. Clinical studies have confirmed that 1-4 treatments usually are needed, and these are timed about one month apart.

Does the treatment hurt?

No anaesthetics are required, and many patients describe the treatment as practically pain-free, like a flick from a rubber band followed by a sensation similar to the feeling of gentle warmth after a day on the beach.

How can I be sure the treatment is safe and effective?

Clinical trials documenting treatment’s safety and effectiveness were carried out by leading doctors prior to the launch of the treatment, and these were published in respected, referenced medical journals.