A guide to diagnosing and resolving rosacea
In his more than 40 years of practicing dermatology locally, Dr. Barry Ginsburg has established himself as an authority, innovator, and early adopter in treating many common skin conditions. Our dermatology center represents the first med spa to call Birmingham “home.” Residents who suspect they have rosacea in Mountain Brook, Trussville, Pell City, Anniston, and surrounding north-central Alabama know that healthy, beautiful skin is in the future with the considerable experience and skill of our team at Ginsburg Dermatology Center.
Rosacea “basics”
This skin condition is primarily characterized by flushing, blushing, bumps or pus-filled, acne-like spots, as well as visible blood vessels in areas such as the nose and cheeks. However, it is essential to note that rosacea has different forms or subtypes. For instance, “Subtype No. 1” (vascular) features characteristic flushing and lasting redness, particularly in the midface. “Subtype No. 2” (inflammatory) is characterized by those bumps and pimples. “Subtype No. 3” produces thick plaques and a bulbous swelling of the nose. Lastly, “Subtype No. 4” is ocular rosacea, which affects the eyes and can lead to corneal damage if not treated promptly and adequately.
As you might imagine, many different skin conditions and non-dermatological diseases can produce the same or similar types of symptoms. Fortunately, Dr. Ginsburg has established himself as proficient in conditions such as acne. He can accurately differentiate between acne flare-ups and rosacea flare-ups that produce similar lumps and bumps. Dr. Ginsburg is adept at distinguishing rosacea symptoms from other skin conditions (such as sun damage called “telangiectatic photoaging”) and immune system diseases like lupus, which feature characteristic rashes.
Understanding rosacea; effective treatment options
Dr. Ginsburg can recommend appropriate treatments with an accurate diagnosis in hand. For instance, there are many lifestyle and environmental “triggers” that aggravate existing rosacea symptoms or trigger flare-ups. These factors include:
- Certain spicy or “thermally hot” foods
- Alcoholic beverages
- Stress
- Fragrant or harsh skincare products
- Hot baths
- Sun exposure
- Dramatic temperature fluctuations, including extreme cold
- Strenuous exercise
- Some medications; for example, blood pressure drugs that dilate the blood vessels
So, lifestyle modifications such as avoidance of known triggers may be recommended. Likewise, while sun exposure is a known trigger, exposing the skin to controlled amounts of certain types of therapeutic light can improve the severity and frequency of flares. The Forever Young BBL™ treatment uses broadband light to clear rosacea and signs of aging and sun damage (such as hyperpigmentation) from the skin.
A type of intense pulsed light (IPL), BBL is absorbed by the pigment or melanin in the skin or the hemoglobin in the blood vessels that produces redness. This process safely damages the targeted pigments and blood vessels and also encourages the formation of new, fresh, and undamaged skin cells. We have supported dramatic skin improvements with minimal downtime and undesirable side effects. This therapy may be combined with customized professional-grade skincare products and medications. Many of our patients have been able to reduce their reliance on prescription meds, thanks to the effectiveness of Forever Young BBL™ treatment. Improved quality of life and the beautiful skin that fosters self-confidence is a phone call away. We encourage you to schedule your consultation at our Birmingham office by calling (205) 209-4780. Or, book your visit now at the “Schedule Appointment” button on this website.