The Redness Is Real…And It’s Treatable
April is Rosacea Awareness Month, and if you’ve been living with chronic redness, visible blood vessels, or unpredictable flushing, this one’s for you.
Rosacea affects an estimated 3 million Canadians. It shows up as persistent redness across the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. Sometimes it’s broken capillaries. Sometimes it’s burning, sensitivity, or acne-like bumps. It’s not something you outgrow, and it’s not something that clears up with the right moisturizer. But it is something that can be treated—effectively—with the right technology in the right hands.
At Lucere Dermatology & Laser Clinic in Edmonton, we offer two of the most clinically proven treatments for rosacea and facial redness: Excel V+ and IPL Photofacial. Under the care of Dr. Zaki Taher, Board-Certified Dermatologist and founder of Lucere, both treatments are tailored to your specific skin presentation because rosacea doesn’t look the same on everyone, and your treatment plan shouldn’t either.
What Is Rosacea, Really?
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the central face. It’s commonly misunderstood as simple sensitivity or adult acne, but it’s more complex than that.
There are four recognized subtypes of rosacea:
- Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea — persistent redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels
- Papulopustular rosacea — redness with acne-like breakouts
- Phymatous rosacea — thickening of the skin, most often on the nose
- Ocular rosacea — irritation and redness affecting the eyes
The most common presentations—redness, flushing, and broken capillaries—respond exceptionally well to laser and light-based treatments. That’s where Excel V+ and IPL come in.
Common rosacea triggers include sun exposure, heat, alcohol, spicy food, stress, and exercise. Managing triggers matters, but it won’t undo the vascular damage that’s already accumulated. That requires treatment.
Excel V+: The Gold Standard for Vascular Redness
The Excel V+ is one of the most advanced vascular lasers available and it’s one of the most powerful tools we have at Lucere for treating rosacea.
How Excel V+ Works
Excel V+ uses two wavelengths of laser energy (532nm and 1064nm) to target the haemoglobin in visible blood vessels and damaged capillaries beneath the skin’s surface. The light energy is absorbed by the blood vessel, causing it to collapse and be gradually reabsorbed by the body without damaging the surrounding skin. The result: less redness, fewer visible vessels, and a more even complexion.
What makes Excel V+ exceptional for rosacea is its precision. The laser can selectively target specific vessels and areas of redness while leaving surrounding tissue untouched. This is particularly important for patients with sensitive, reactive skin, which describes most people with rosacea.
What to Expect with Excel V+
A typical Excel V+ session at Lucere takes 20–45 minutes depending on the area being treated. Most patients describe the sensation as a mild snapping feeling against the skin, generally well tolerated. Some redness and minor swelling is expected immediately post-treatment; for most patients, this resolves within a few hours to a couple of days.
Most patients see noticeable improvement after one to three sessions, though this varies depending on the severity of rosacea and skin type. Dr. Taher will assess your skin and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your specific presentation.
Who Is Excel V+ Best For?
Excel V+ is ideal for patients dealing with:
- Persistent facial redness that doesn’t go away
- Visible blood vessels (telangiectasia) around the nose, cheeks, and chin
- Flushing that’s become chronic
- Redness that no skincare routine has been able to address
It’s also an excellent option for patients with fair to medium skin tones where vascular concerns are particularly visible.
IPL Photofacial: Broad-Spectrum Skin Rejuvenation for Rosacea
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Photofacial takes a different approach and for the right patient, it’s equally powerful.
How IPL Photofacial Works
Unlike a traditional laser that emits a single focused wavelength, IPL delivers broad-spectrum light energy across multiple wavelengths simultaneously. This makes it remarkably versatile: it can target redness, vascular irregularities, sun damage, pigmentation, and dull texture, often in the same treatment session.
For rosacea specifically, IPL works by delivering pulses of light energy into the skin, which is absorbed by the blood vessels and pigment causing redness and discolouration. Over time, those vessels break down and are cleared by the body, visibly reducing redness and diffuse flushing across the face.
IPL Photofacial is sometimes referred to as a “photofacial” because of its dual benefit: treating the vascular concerns associated with rosacea while simultaneously improving overall skin tone and texture. Patients often walk away with brighter, more even skin that looks refreshed, not just less red.
What to Expect with IPL Photofacial
An IPL Photofacial at Lucere typically takes 30–45 minutes. A cool gel is applied to the treatment area, and a handheld device delivers precise pulses of light to the skin. Patients often describe the sensation as a light snap followed by warmth. There’s minimal downtime. Some patients experience mild redness for a few hours post-treatment.
For rosacea, most patients benefit from a series of three to six treatments spaced three to four weeks apart, followed by periodic maintenance sessions. Sun avoidance before and after treatment is important to protect results.
Who Is IPL Photofacial Best For?
IPL is particularly well suited for patients who have:
- Diffuse redness and flushing across the face
- Sun-induced redness combined with rosacea
- A mix of rosacea and pigmentation concerns
- Skin that would benefit from overall brightening and tone correction alongside redness reduction
Excel V+ vs. IPL: Which Is Right for You?
Both Excel V+ and IPL Photofacial are highly effective for rosacea, but they work differently and are suited to different presentations. Here’s a simplified comparison:
| Excel V+ | IPL Photofacial | |
| Best for | Targeted, visible blood vessels; pronounced redness | Diffuse redness; mixed rosacea + pigmentation |
| Approach | Precise laser targeting | Broad-spectrum light |
| Sessions needed | 1–3 (varies) | 3–5 series |
| Also treats | Vascular lesions, redness | Sun damage, pigmentation, tone |
| Downtime | Minimal | Minimal |
The truth is, many patients benefit from a combination approach or from one treatment transitioning to the other over time. That’s why a consultation with our Skin Consultants is the best starting point. He’ll assess your rosacea subtype, severity, skin tone, and goals before recommending the right path forward.
Curious where to start? Lucere offers complimentary consultations with our team. No pressure. Just an honest conversation about what’s possible for your skin. Book at lucereskin.com or call 780-461-1188.
Why Rosacea Deserves Medical-Grade Treatment
Rosacea is a medical skin condition. It deserves more than drugstore remedies and hoping for the best.
The vascular damage that creates chronic redness and visible capillaries doesn’t reverse on its own, but with the right energy-based treatments, it absolutely can be addressed. At Lucere, Dr. Taher brings over a decade of experience in laser and dermatological treatments specifically for Edmonton patients dealing with vascular skin concerns. He understands the nuances of rosacea, the importance of treating sensitively, and how to deliver results without aggravating a skin condition that’s already reactive.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Your rosacea is yours and your treatment plan should be built around it.
It’s Rosacea Awareness Month — Make It Count
Every May, Rosacea Awareness Month shines a light on a condition that affects millions of people who’ve often been told to just “manage” it. We think you deserve more than management. We think you deserve results.
If you’ve been living with redness, flushing, or visible vessels and haven’t explored what modern laser technology can do, this is the month to find out.
At Lucere Dermatology & Laser Clinic, we’ve helped countless Edmonton patients finally feel comfortable in their own skin. Not by masking rosacea. By treating it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rosacea Treatment
Is rosacea curable?
Rosacea is a chronic condition without a permanent cure, but it can be effectively managed and significantly improved with the right treatments. Excel V+ and IPL Photofacial can dramatically reduce redness and visible vessels, with results that are long-lasting when paired with proper skincare and trigger management.
Does laser treatment hurt?
Most patients describe both Excel V+ and IPL as a mild snapping or warm sensation, generally well tolerated. Topical numbing cream can be applied beforehand if needed.
How many treatments will I need for rosacea?
It depends on your specific presentation. Excel V+ may show results in one to three sessions; IPL Photofacial is typically done in a series of three to five. Dr. Taher will outline a realistic treatment plan during your consultation.
Can I have these treatments if I have sensitive skin?
Yes. Both treatments can be calibrated to suit sensitive skin. Because most rosacea patients have reactive skin, our team is experienced in treating with precision and care. A thorough skin assessment before treatment is always the first step.
How do I book a consultation at Lucere?
Book online at lucereskin.com or call 780-461-1188. We have two Edmonton locations — South (Parsons Road SW) and Downtown (109 Street NW) — and consultations are complimentary.
