IPL for rosacea and facial redness
IPL for rosacea uses light absorbed by haemoglobin to collapse the dilated vessels causing persistent facial redness. At ALBA Skin & Beauty Clinic in Cirencester it is delivered with the Zemits QuantumPeak at 480 to 750nm. Most people have three sessions four weeks apart. Rosacea is managed rather than cured, so an annual maintenance session is usually needed.
3
SESSIONS TYPICALLY NEEDED
XX
PRICE
4 weeks
SESSIONS INTERVAL
How it works
Haemoglobin in the small dilated vessels absorbs the light and converts it to heat, damaging the vessel wall so the body reabsorbs it. Radiofrequency raises dermal temperature slightly, which allows the light energy to be reduced while still reaching the vessels, an important safety margin in skin that is already inflamed.
What it treats
Persistent facial redness, flushing, background erythema across the cheeks and nose, and the visible vessels that accompany rosacea. It does not treat the papules and pustules of papulopustular rosacea, which need a different approach.
RESULTS TIMELINE
Gradual reduction after each session, with the fullest effect 4 weeks after the last.
AVERAGE NR OF SESSIONS
3
TREATMENT TIME
30 to 45 minutes
SESSION INTERVAL
4 weeks
DOWNTIME
Redness and warmth for a few hours, occasionally into the next day.
After Treatment
Do
✔️ Apply SPF 50 daily
✔️ Use a cool compress if flushed that evening
✔️ Keep skincare simple for a wee
✔️ Note and avoid your personal flare triggers
Don’t
✖️ No alcohol, spicy food or hot drinks for 24 hours
✖️ No exercise, sauna or steam for 48 hours
✖️ No acids or retinoids for 5 days
✖️ No sun exposure for 4 weeks
Is it right for you?
Suits most people with vascular rosacea. If your rosacea is currently flaring, treatment is postponed until it settles, because treating inflamed skin tends to set it back. Skincare is reviewed first, since the wrong products undo the result.
NOT SUITABLE IF YOU ARE
Pregnant or breastfeeding
Recent sun exposure, sunbed use or fake tan in the last 4 weeks
Taking photosensitising medication, including isotretinoin within the last 6 months
Active infection, broken skin or an outbreak of cold sores in the area
Photosensitive epilepsy
History of keloid scarring
Tattoos or permanent makeup in the treatment area
Under 18
Active rosacea flare at the time of the appointment
Questions people ask
Will IPL cure my rosacea?
No. Rosacea is a long-term condition and IPL manages it rather than curing it. A course of three sessions substantially reduces persistent redness and visible vessels, and most people maintain that with one session a year plus suitable skincare and trigger awareness.
Will IPL make my rosacea flare?
It can cause flushing for a few hours afterwards, which settles. A genuine flare is uncommon when the skin is calm at the time of treatment, which is why ALBA postpones sessions if you arrive mid-flare rather than treating anyway.
Does IPL help the bumps as well as the redness?
IPL targets the vascular component, so it treats redness and visible vessels rather than papules. If your rosacea is predominantly bumps, that is assessed separately and may need a prescription approach or a GP referral.