Hello. I am Lee Sang-ju, a dermatologist. Today, I would like to discuss facial redness, a topic many people are curious about. If you are interested in the general aspects of facial redness, please refer to the previous video.
Can facial redness be treated?
Facial redness refers to the phenomenon where both cheeks turn red when we are embarrassed or nervous. When we are nervous, the autonomic nervous system secretes substances that cause blood vessel dilation, which in turn expands the blood vessels and makes the face red.
Laser treatment can help improve such emotional flushing by targeting the dilated blood vessels.
Can facial redness laser treatment be received at a young age?
Vascular lasers, such as the Vbeam laser used for facial redness treatment, are a proven safe treatment method, widely used even for treating neonatal vascular malformations. Therefore, treatment can be started at a young age.
However, during laser treatment, there may be a stinging sensation like a rubber band snapping, which may be difficult for very young children to tolerate. Generally, treatment can be considered from late elementary school age onwards.
When is treatment for facial redness necessary?
Facial redness is essentially a cosmetic treatment considered when it interferes with daily life. While most people may experience slight facial redness when nervous, if the degree is too severe and causes discomfort, treatment may be necessary.
In particular, active treatment should be considered in the following cases:
- If acne-like lesions appear in addition to facial redness: This could be an early sign of Rosacea, so it is advisable to treat it as early as possible.
- Even if facial redness develops at a young age, if it is severe enough to interfere with daily life, treatment can be considered, although it may sometimes improve naturally with age.
Does alcohol worsen facial redness?
Drinking alcohol does not cause facial redness in everyone. However, if you are constitutionally prone to flushing or have a predisposition to rosacea, excessive alcohol consumption can worsen facial redness.
Are cold compresses or steroid ointments effective?
Facial redness is caused by dilated blood vessels. Therefore, applying cold compresses or ice packs may temporarily constrict blood vessels, making it feel as if the flushing symptoms are relieved.
"While cold compresses or ice can temporarily alleviate symptoms, they are not a fundamental treatment method, so it is advisable to seek fundamental treatment methods whenever possible."
Steroid ointments can also temporarily constrict blood vessels, appearing to improve flushing symptoms. However, long-term use of steroid ointments can actually dilate blood vessels and progress facial redness to rosacea, making treatment even more difficult. Therefore, steroid ointments should be avoided as much as possible and used only temporarily under a specialist's prescription when absolutely necessary.
Is the rumor that vascular laser treatment thins the skin true?
There are various misunderstandings about laser treatment. However, vascular lasers actually play a role in strengthening the skin. In cases of sensitive skin or allergic reactions, vascular lasers are known to not only reduce inflammatory reactions on the face but also increase skin thickness. Therefore, the claim that vascular lasers thin the skin is not true.
What is the relationship between facial redness and Rosacea?
Facial redness often appears as the earliest symptom of rosacea. If acne-like lesions appear in addition to facial redness, this is due to inflammation, so early treatment is important to prevent it from progressing to rosacea.
In such cases, the following lifestyle changes should also be made:
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
- Avoid consuming hot or spicy foods.
- If there is inflammation on the face, it is advisable to combine it with treatments that reduce inflammation.