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Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition of the facial skin that affects about one in twenty adults. At Rejuvenation Dermatology Calgary South, Dr. Paul Kuzel, a board-certified dermatologist, diagnoses the subtype, treats it with prescription therapy, and treats the persistent redness and visible vessels with vascular laser in the same clinic.
Rosacea is not acne, not an allergy and not caused by alcohol, although alcohol worsens it. It is a disorder of the facial blood vessels and the skin's innate immune system, and it tends to progress if it is not treated.
Most patients have features of more than one subtype. The treatment plan is built from the features present, because the drugs that clear the bumps do nothing for the redness, and the laser that clears the redness does nothing for the bumps.
Persistent redness of the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead, with flushing episodes and visible small vessels. Often stings and burns with skincare products that other people tolerate.
Red bumps and pus-filled spots on a background of redness, on the central face. Frequently mistaken for adult acne, but without blackheads and whiteheads, and worsened by acne treatments.
Thickening of the skin and enlargement of the oil glands, most often on the nose, producing a bulbous, irregular surface. Predominantly affects men, and develops over years.
Dry, gritty, red or watering eyes, recurrent styes, and inflamed eyelid margins. Present in about half of rosacea patients and often unrecognised as part of the same condition.
Rosacea is commonly misdiagnosed and commonly mistreated. Acne products, topical steroids and aggressive skincare all make it worse. A dermatologist establishes what it is and what it is not before prescribing.
Anything that dilates the facial blood vessels provokes rosacea. Calgary supplies several of the strongest triggers in a single winter day: cold wind outdoors, dry heat indoors, and sun at elevation year round.
Assessment and prescription treatment of rosacea is medical care, generally covered by Alberta Health Care with a referral from your family physician. Ask your doctor to refer you to Dr. Paul Kuzel at Rejuvenation Dermatology Calgary South, or have the referral faxed to (403) 225-2914.
Laser treatment for redness does not require a referral and can be booked directly. If you do not have a family doctor, call (403) 286-6888 and the team will advise on the fastest route to be seen.
The plan usually has two parts. Medical treatment settles the bumps, the burning and the flushing. Vascular laser removes the fixed redness and vessels that remain once the inflammation is controlled.
For inflammatory lesions: metronidazole, ivermectin or azelaic acid, applied daily, with improvement over eight to twelve weeks. For redness: brimonidine or oxymetazoline, which constrict the vessels for up to twelve hours and are used on the days it matters.
Low-dose doxycycline, at a dose that is anti-inflammatory rather than antibiotic, for papulopustular rosacea that is widespread or has not responded to topicals. Low-dose isotretinoin for resistant disease and for early phymatous change.
The VBeam pulsed dye laser and the GentleMax Pro Plus target the haemoglobin in dilated vessels, closing them without damaging the surrounding skin. The treatment of choice for persistent redness, visible vessels and flushing that medication does not control.
Early thickening of the nose responds to oral isotretinoin. Established rhinophyma is reshaped with the fractional or fully ablative CO₂ laser, which removes the excess tissue and restores the contour in one or two sessions.
CO₂ laser resurfacingA gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, a barrier-repair moisturiser and a mineral sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day of the year. Removal of the acids, retinoids, scrubs and alcohol-based products that keep the skin inflamed. This is treatment, not an adjunct to it.
Warm compresses and eyelid margin cleaning daily, lubricating drops, and oral doxycycline where symptoms persist. Referral to ophthalmology where there is pain, light sensitivity or reduced vision, which can indicate involvement of the cornea.
The first visit establishes what is present and sets the medical treatment. Laser is planned once the inflammatory component has settled.
Rosacea is a chronic condition and is managed rather than cured. With correct treatment, inflammatory lesions clear in most patients within eight to twelve weeks and stay clear on topical maintenance. Burning, stinging and sensitivity settle as the barrier recovers and the provoking products are removed.
Persistent redness and visible vessels respond to vascular laser, with most patients seeing a substantial reduction after two to four sessions. Because the underlying tendency remains, a maintenance session every one to two years is usual.
Daily sun protection and trigger avoidance reduce flares and slow progression. Patients who begin treatment while flushing is still intermittent generally avoid the fixed redness and thickening that develop when rosacea is left untreated.
No. The two can look alike, and rosacea was once called acne rosacea, but they have different causes and different treatments. Rosacea has no blackheads or whiteheads, is centred on the mid-face, and is worsened by most acne products. Treating rosacea as acne is the most common reason it fails to improve.
Not at present. It is controlled with treatment and trigger management, and most patients achieve clear or nearly clear skin and keep it with maintenance. Early treatment also prevents the progression to fixed redness and thickening.
Assessment and prescription treatment of rosacea is medical dermatology and is generally covered with a referral from your family physician. Prescriptions are covered by most drug plans. Laser treatment for redness and visible vessels is cosmetic and is quoted at the consultation.
For medical treatment billed to Alberta Health Care, a referral from a physician is the normal route, and it can be faxed to (403) 225-2914. Laser consultations do not require a referral. If you do not have a family doctor, call (403) 286-6888 and the team will advise.
Most patients need two to four sessions, four to six weeks apart, to clear persistent redness and visible vessels. Because rosacea is a lifelong tendency, a maintenance session every one to two years keeps the result. The number is confirmed at the consultation after examination.
No, but it worsens it. Alcohol dilates the facial blood vessels and provokes flushing, and red wine is the most common dietary trigger patients report. Rosacea occurs in people who do not drink at all, and the association between rosacea and drinking is a misconception that many patients find distressing.
Involvement of the eyes and eyelids, present in roughly half of rosacea patients. It causes dryness, grittiness, redness, watering, recurrent styes and inflamed lid margins. It is treated with lid hygiene, lubricants and oral doxycycline, and referred to an ophthalmologist if there is pain, light sensitivity or any change in vision.
Anything containing alcohol, fragrance, menthol, camphor, witch hazel, glycolic or salicylic acid, retinoids, or physical exfoliants. Foaming cleansers and hot water. Dr. Kuzel provides a short list of what to use, which is more useful than a long list of what to avoid.
Yes. Mineral-based, fragrance-free foundations with a green tint are well tolerated and neutralise redness. Apply over a mineral sunscreen and remove with a gentle cleanser rather than a wipe.
Dr. Paul Kuzel, MD FRCPC, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder and Medical Director of Rejuvenation Dermatology Calgary South. He sees patients in English and Czech.
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Book a consultation with Dr. Kuzel, or ask your family physician for a referral.
Rejuvenation Dermatology Calgary South
10201 Southport Rd SW #102
Calgary, AB T2W 4X9
Two blocks west of the Delta Hotel
(403) 286-6888
Referrals by fax: (403) 225-2914
Open seven days a week, with early mornings and evenings on weekdays.
Take the first step toward achieving healthy, radiant, and flawless skin. Contact Rejuvenation Medical Aesthetics today to schedule your personalized consultation and explore the advanced treatments tailored to your unique needs.
