Blushing redness on your cheeks may be a sign of couperose or rosacea. In both cases, an efficient way of dealing with it would be IPL treatment (IPL laser treatment/photo light therapy).
Couperose
Couperose is a condition characterised by redness of the skin, which is the result of dilated blood vessels that appear on the skin as fine red or bluish lines. At a closer look, dilated capillaries look like fine red threads or tiny spider webs.
Main reasons for developing couperose are genetically weak capillaries, the climate, lifestyle as well as hormonal changes in the body. Couperose is the problem of the northern countries. It is a cold, windy and humid climate that affects skin the most. Whether that changes from cold to warm, the dry air in homes because of the heating systems – all this leads to skin irritation and bursting of blood vessels. Furthermore, you have to be careful with sun exposure as excessive sunbathing dilates blood vessels and causes capillaries to burst. In addition, hot food, smoking and consumption of alcohol decrease the elasticity of capillaries; damage may also be done by incorrect skin care.
Couperose is more common for thin, dry and sensitive skin and is usually localised on the face, neck and in the décolletage area.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin condition, which results in redness, red pimples, pustules and dilated blood vessels. Rosacea is a chronic disease with flare-ups; approximately 10% of the population is affected by it.
Although the cause of rosacea has not been established, genetic predisposition, environmental factors and ageing skin play a major role in developing this condition. One of the adverse factors causing the condition is damage to skin blood vessels and skin inflammation caused by ultraviolet radiation. Spicy food, excessive heat, cold, wind, sun exposure, or UV radiation, and alcohol may aggravate rosacea.
Rosacea is most frequently localised in the central part of the face – on the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin.
Both couperose and rosacea manifest as redness. However, you can easily discern them – with couperose, the skin usually remains smooth and only spider blood vessels can be seen on the skin, while in case of rosacea the skin looks inflamed and has pimples (this is why it is frequently mistaken for adult acne).
Solution to the problem – IPL treatment
Both conditions are chronic and cannot be completely cured, but with certain measures, changes in the skin can be alleviated and kept under control. There is an effective solution for treating couperose and rosacea, namely, IPL laser treatment, or photo light therapy. Capillaries absorb IPL light impulses and blood vessels start to contract. Besides, the body starts to produce collagen, which strengthens the walls of blood vessels and they will not burst so easily.
To achieve a result, it is recommended to undergo a course of IPL treatment, which consists of 3 to 5 procedures (depending on the severity of the condition). There should be a minimum interval of 4 weeks between the procedures.
After completing the treatment course, redness will have considerably reduced or completely disappeared, and, as a rule, the condition remains under control for 1-2 years. However, since the problem is internal and conditioned by the weakness of blood vessel walls, redness may return as the result of the impact of external factors and an unhealthy lifestyle.
In the flare-up stage (itching, burning sensation or red pus-filled pustules) the treatment should be combined with the treatment prescribed by the dermatologist.
Good to know:
- The procedure cannot be done to tanned skin. Avoid sunbathing for two to four weeks before and after the treatment.
- After the treatment, you may develop a slight redness of the skin.
- Do not use self-tanning lotions for at least two weeks before and after the treatment.
- Do not go to the sauna and swimming for 1 week after the treatment.
- Contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- We provide treatments to under 18-year-olds only with parental consent.
