A Spectrum of Solutions for Facial Redness
If you’ve ever wondered why your face is red—and why some redness never seems to go away—you’re not alone. Facial redness is a common concern, but not all redness is the same. The cause matters, and so does the treatment. Here’s a look at the main types of redness we see in the clinic, and how we achieve real, long-lasting results for each.
1. Rosacea Flushing and Persistent Redness
Rosacea often starts with episodes of flushing— cheeks, nose, or chin turning pink or red, especially after triggers like heat, spicy foods, or stress. Over time, this redness can become permanent as small blood vessels near the skin surface become more visible and the skin barrier weakens.
SOLUTION:
The best way to treat rosacea related redness is with vascular lasers such as VBeam® or DermaV™. These devices deliver targeted pulses of light energy that collapse the extra blood vessels responsible for the redness— reducing both flushing and background color. For ongoing control, gentle skincare and daily sunscreen are essential. I often recommend EltaMD® UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint SPF 50 or Colorescience® All Calm Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50, both available at skinfo®, to deliver sun protection along with instant redness-neutralizing coverage.
2. Visible Blood Vessels (Telangiectasia)
Some patients develop fine, thread-like blood vessels—often on the nose, cheeks, or chin. These can result from genetics, sun damage, or untreated rosacea. Unlike general flushing, these vessels don’t fade on their own and can make skin look “ruddy” or uneven.
SOLUTION:
For these stubborn vessels, VBeam® and DermaV™ are again highly effective, often clearing visible veins in a few short treatments. When vessels are deeper or larger (for example, along the jawline or temples), a Nd:YAG laser may be needed to reach below the surface. Most patients notice a significant difference with just minimal downtime.
3. Redness from Sun Damage or Old Acne
Chronic sun exposure or healing acne can leave behind diffuse redness, pink patches, or marks that linger even after breakouts resolve. This type of redness often coexists with brown spots or uneven texture.
SOLUTION:
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) with radiofrequency (Elos Plus) is especially effective here, as it targets both red and brown discoloration in a single session—restoring a more even, luminous complexion and improving skin quality. We typically recommend a series of treatments for best results.
4. Sensitive, Reactive, or Irritated Skin
Some people have redness that flares with products, weather, or seemingly no reason at all. This can be a sign of a weakened skin barrier, underlying inflammation, or subclinical rosacea.
SOLUTION:
Laser or light treatments are sometimes used with a gentle hand, but restoring the skin’s barrier is key. I recommend products like Colorescience® All Calm Multi-Correction Serum, available at skinfo®, to calm and strengthen skin over time, paired with mineral sunscreens to reduce reactivity. For ongoing support, at-home LED therapy with MMSphere2Go™ or Omnilux® Contour Mask, also available at skinfo® can help manage inflammation and speed recovery.