Question:
I'm new to this group and have only just started learning about rosacea. Nobody, not even my dermatologists have told me I had it until I went to the Baywood Laser Clinic to see about removing spider veins. In retrospect I figured out I've had it for at least 10 years and have noticed the increasing no. of spider veins on my face over the past 5 years. Also I've suffered from severe flushing and blushing social, heat, food, alcohol triggers for many many years and have been teased and embarrassed about it. I started Vbeam laser treatment last month to my entire face and spot treatment with the same laser to large evident veins on sides and bridge of nose, inner nostrils, chin and cheeks. Ist treatment was fine with some redness and swelling for 2 days, followed by major exfoliation for the next week after...peeled off like a sunburn! My 2nd treatment today resulted in multiple bruises the size of a pencil end..about 7 in total on my nose, cheeks. The Dr. made a few passes with the laser over larger veins and said he would have to bruise me. They are very dark purple and I'm a bit freaked...can't go out in public like this and wonder how long it takes to fade? Wondering if this skin reaction (bruising) is normal??? (Dr. assured me I'd be bruised..it would fade and I could cover with some concealer.)...I don't think any makeup could cover dark purple on a fair skin complexion..besides I'm a guy and don't have any concealer on hand! I've heard that arnica or vinegar can help fade purple bruising faster? True or false? Does this bruising cause permanent pigment changes? Comments and tips more than welcome!!

Answer: -Last time I had V-beam I was extensively bruised. I used Arnica, but to be honest I dont think it increased the healing process. It took me about a week and a half to heal. Yeah bruising after v-beam is normal, and to be honest with you I tend to feel the more bruising the better(tends to average from around 2 weeks to heal). For me I have found v-beam to be by far the most effective light/laser treatment in treating rosacea. Re covering up, I dont think there would be many products that can conceal the type of bruising you get from v-beam, I would probably suggest some sort of small dressing on the area if anything.

-The bruising will fade and disappear completely I'd say within a week to ten days. I know they look really, really purple! Yellow colored concealer (neutralizes purple) applied JUST to the bruised area, followed by a few thin layers of mineral makeup powder that matches your skin tone should cover it pretty well without giving you a "make- up" look. I was able to do this for a few days with no problem, even though my skin is sensitive to mineral makeup. Many with rosacea do very well with it, though, so I may be in the minority. I suggest you apply it using natural light - by a window.