Rosacea

Do you have rosacea?

Rosacea can be irritating. Other people do not no- tice the diffuse redness on your face, or the small blood vessels (called telangiectasias) as much as you do. Your doctor has probably asked you to keep a diary to help identify what triggers make your ro- sacea worse, and Ellipse treatment can help to re- duce the symptoms.

How does Ellipse treatment work?

Short, safe bursts of intense pulsed light (called I2PL technology by Ellipse, but often referred to as a laser) are directed at the skin. The system filters the light to ensure the wavelengths used are absorbed by hae- moglobin in the blood in your problem vessels. The light is converted to heat, which destroys the protein in the wall of the blood vessels, causing the vessels to gradually disappear after treatment. To ensure the best light transmission, a thin layer of gel (like that used in ultrasound examinations) is applied to your skin before treatment.

What can be treated?

The most common treatment deals with the diffu- se redness found in the early stages of rosacea, but the individual vessels which develop later can also be treated. Treatments are most efficient in patients with light skin who are not suntanned at the time of the treatment. If your skin is less tanned, the con-

trast between the blood vessels and background co- lour of the skin is greater, making treatment easier. However, Ellipse has pre-programmed settings for different skin types that deliver the correct energy output for your complexion.

How long does an Ellipse treatment take?

The treatment time depends on the area to be cove- red and the number of distinct vessels to be treated. A single session typically lasts 10-20 minutes.

Do I need to take special precautions before and after treatment?

The light used is completely safe, visible light. It is, however, important to avoid tanning (sun, solarium or self-tanning products) before and during the treatment period. Otherwise your tanned skin will absorb more light, which makes treatment less effec- tive and less comfortable. It is also a good idea to avoid smoking in the 4 hours prior to treatment. Ge- nerally, no special care is necessary after treatment, but people with sensitive skin may benefit from applying a cold compress (a cold damp cloth) to the face immediately after treatment or from using an ointment prescribed by the doctor. After treatment, you should avoid sun exposure for 30 days, even if there is no sign of inflammation in the treated area. Use sun protection (minimum SPF 30) if sun exposu- re cannot be avoided.

How many Ellipse treatments do I need?

The number of treatments depends on location and number of your thread veins. Clinical studies have confirmed that 1-4 treatments usually are needed, and these are timed about one month apart.

Does the treatment hurt?

No anaesthetics are required, and many patients describe the treatment as practically pain-free, like a flick from a rubber band followed by a sensation similar to the feeling of gentle warmth after a day on the beach.

How can I be sure Ellipse is safe and effective?

Clinical trials documenting Ellipse’s safety and effec- tiveness were carried out by leading doctors prior to the launch of the treatment, and these were publis- hed in respected, referenced medical journals. You are welcome to view these scientific papers on the Ellipse website at www.ellipse.com.