Rosacea

Many people incorrectly believe that rosacea just means you tend to flush more easily than others. But it’s more than that. It's a chronic skin condition that progresses without treatment but responds well when managed correctly.

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Persistent facial redness, visible blood vessels, and inflammatory bumps resembling acne are the hallmarks of rosacea. This condition affects an estimated 16 million Americans and is frequently undertreated because patients often assume it's just sensitive skin. Rosacea doesn't go away on its own, and it tends to worsen over time without management. The good news is that the combination of prescription treatments and light-based therapies available at Element Dermatology in Sartell, MN, produces real, visible improvement, often within a few sessions.

About This Condition

Understanding Rosacea and What Drives It

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the central face (the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, and sometimes the eyes). It's driven by a combination of immune dysregulation, abnormal vascular reactivity, and sometimes overgrowth of Demodex mites in the skin.

It’s not caused by poor skincare, alcohol consumption, or anything patients have done wrong; in fact, it has a strong genetic component and is more common in people with fair skin and Northern European ancestry, which means it's especially common in Central Minnesota.

The four subtypes of rosacea:

Erythematotelangiectatic (ETR)

Persistent facial redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels (telangiectasia). The most common presentation. Skin is often sensitive and reactive. BBL Hero and Aerolase address the vascular component directly by targeting visible vessels and reducing background redness that doesn't resolve between flares.

Papulopustular

Red bumps and pus-filled lesions on a reddened background, frequently mistaken for acne and distinguished from acne by the absence of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and the characteristic central facial distribution. Responds to prescription topicals and oral antibiotics alongside laser treatment for the underlying redness.

Phymatous

Skin thickening and irregular surface changes, most commonly on the nose (rhinophyma). More common in men, and develops gradually over years of unmanaged vascular rosacea. Early medical management reduces the likelihood of phymatous changes developing, and laser resurfacing can address early-stage thickening.

Ocular Rosacea

Rosacea that affects the eyes and eyelids, producing redness, dryness, grittiness, and sensitivity. Often coexists with facial rosacea but can occur alone. Requires specific management, including eyelid hygiene and, in some cases, systemic treatment. Dr. LaBine will identify ocular involvement and coordinate appropriate care.

Rosacea is treatable in men as well as women. We see a good number of male rosacea patients at Element Dermatology. It's a condition that's often underdiagnosed in men because it presents slightly differently and is less often discussed in that context. Rosacea in men frequently involves more pronounced redness across the cheeks and nose, and phymatous changes are more common. BBL Hero and Aerolase are both effective for male patients, including those with heavier skin or beard growth in the treatment area.

Targeted Treatments

How We Treat Rosacea

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rosacea

Is rosacea curable?

There's no permanent cure, but rosacea is very manageable. With a combination of laser treatment, prescription topicals, and trigger management, most patients achieve a real reduction in redness, fewer flares, and a noticeable improvement in how their skin looks day to day. The key is treating it consistently rather than only during bad flares. Maintenance treatment keeps the vascular and inflammatory components under control and prevents the gradual progression that happens when rosacea goes unmanaged for years.

I’ve been told I have sensitive skin. How do I know if it’s rosacea?

Rosacea and sensitive skin often overlap in their presentation, which is why the distinction can be overlooked. The features that point more specifically toward rosacea include persistent central facial redness that doesn't fully resolve, a tendency to flush intensely with heat, exercise, or alcohol, visible small blood vessels on the cheeks and nose, and inflammatory bumps without comedones. If you've been managing "sensitive skin" for years without improvement, it's worth having a dermatologist assess whether rosacea is the underlying diagnosis.

Can men get rosacea?

Absolutely. Rosacea affects men and women, though it's often underdiagnosed in men because it tends to present as more pronounced redness rather than the flushing pattern commonly discussed in women, and men are less likely to seek evaluation for skin concerns. Phymatous rosacea (the skin thickening that can affect the nose) is more common in men and is directly related to unmanaged vascular rosacea over many years. We see a good number of male rosacea patients, and BBL Hero and Aerolase work well regardless of skin thickness or beard growth.

Will laser treatment make my rosacea worse?

Not when the right device is used for your skin. There is temporary post-treatment redness and warmth for a day or two after BBL Hero, which can look like a flare but isn't one. It's the normal healing response as treated vessels clear. The VISIA skin analysis we perform before any laser treatment identifies subsurface pigmentation and vascular patterns that guide device selection and settings. We've treated many rosacea patients over the years and know how to calibrate treatments to be effective without provoking lasting irritation.