Rosacea

Rosacea (pronounced “roh-ZAH-sha”) is a chronic skin disorder that manifests as redness on the cheeks, nose, chin &/or forehead. However, it may also occur on the neck, chest, scalp or ears. It is estimated that 79% of the 14 million Americans who suffer from Rosacea don’t even know they have it.*

The cause is unknown.

The diagnosis is based on clinical findings.

There is no confirmatory laboratory test.

*American Academy of Dermatology and the National Rosacea Society

Rosacea generally begins around or after the age of 30. Although Rosacea can affect all populations, individuals with fair skin who tend to easily flush & blush are at the highest risk. The disease is more frequently diagnosed in women, but men tend to develop more severe symptoms, which may be due to men’s tendency to delay medical help before reaching more advanced stages. If left untreated, the complexion may become ruddy and redness/flushing more persistent. Visible blood vessels tend to develop and the skin thickens. In severe cases, the skin on the nose thickens and becomes bumpy. This condition is called rhinophyma (pronounced “rhi-no-FY-muh”) and is much more common in men than women with Rosacea.

Primary signs of rosacea

Flushing ~~ Many people with rosacea have a history of frequent blushing or flushing. This facial redness may come and go, and is often the earliest sign of the disorder.
Persistent Redness ~~ Persistent facial redness is the most common individual sign of rosacea, and may resemble a blush or sunburn that does not go away as quickly as normally expected.
Bumps and Pimples ~~ Small red solid bumps or pus-filled pimples often develop. While these may resemble acne, blackheads are absent and burning or stinging may occur.
Visible Blood Vessels ~~ In many people with rosacea, small blood vessels become visible on the skin, also known as telangiectasia.

Other signs and symptoms

Dry Appearance ~~ The central facial skin may be rough, and appear very dry.
Burning or Stinging ~~ Burning or stinging sensations may often occur on the face. Itching or a feeling of tightness may also develop.
Swelling ~~ Facial swelling, known as edema, may accompany other signs of rosacea or occur independently.
Skin Thickening ~~ The skin may thicken and enlarge from excess tissue, most commonly on the nose. This condition, known as rhinophyma, affects men more often than women.
Plaques ~~ Raised red patches, known as plaques, may develop without changes in the surrounding skin.
Eye Irritation ~~ The eyes may be irritated and appear watery or bloodshot, a condition know as ocular rosacea. The eyelids may also become red and swollen, and styes can develop. Ocular rosacea should be managed by an Ophthamologist.

Four Subtypes have been identified

Subtype 1 Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea is characterized by flushing and persistent redness, and may also include visible blood vessels.
Subtype 2 Papulopustular rosacea is characterized by persistent redness with transient bumps and pimples
Subtype 3 Phymatous rosacea is characterized by skin thickening, often resulting in an enlargement of the nose from excess tissue.
Subtype 4 Ocular rosacea is characterized by dry eye, tearing, eye burning and potential loss of vision.

Many patients experience characteristics of more than one subtype. While rosacea may or may not evolve from one subtype to another, each individual sign or symptom may progress from mild to moderate to severe. Early diagnosis and treatment are therefore recommended.

Treatment of rosacea

The exact cause of rosacea remains a mystery and there is no cure. However, there are treatment options to help control signs and symptoms. The first method of controlling symptoms is identification and avoidance of "triggers" that exacerbate one's condition. The following are typical "triggers", but what worsens one person's rosacea may not affect another.

Common “Triggers” that tend to aggravate Rosacea:

Emotional stress
Sun exposure
Extremes of Hot & Cold weather
Wind, High Humidity
Heavy exercise
Hot baths, saunas, showers
Spicy foods & hot drinks
Alcohol consumption
Menses, menopausal hot flashes
Harsh skin products such as soaps, astringents, exfoliants, and perfumes
(especially those containing alcohol, witch hazel, fragrance and menthol)
Topical Corticosteroids
Drugs that dilate blood vessels

Skin Care

Proper skin care is paramount. DermaRenew offers two lines of home skin care that are excellent for Rosacea. Obagi Rosaclear is the only complete system that incorporates a therapeutic prescription component (Metronidazole Gel), as well as products that effectively reduce and minimize the visible redness and blotchiness associated with Rosacea. Calming agents are also incorporated to soothe the skin, while light-reflecting minerals balance the complexion. Just three steps in the morning and three steps at bedtime make it easy to use.

Revision Black Label products which includes a topical vitamin K. It is the highest concentration available of pure naturally derived vitamin K (phytonadione) for vascular support within the skin.

Other topical medications used for Rosacea include clindamycin, erythromycin, tretinoin and azelaic acid.

Tips for the Rosacea

Rinse with lukewarm water and blot the face dry with a soft cotton towel. Never pull, tug or use a rough washcloth or other abrasive method of cleansing. Avoid scrubbing or massaging the face. Microdermabrasion should never be performed on Rosacea prone skin.
Sun protection is an absolute must. Our Obagi Skin Balancing Sun Protection SPF30 is a specially formulated, chemical-free, tinted UVA/AVB sunscreen for Rosacea which helps reduce the appearance of redness and blotchiness.
High grade Mineral makeup provides excellent sun protection and does not contain irritating chemicals. Minerals are also innately anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. We offer GloMinerals which provide excellent coverage and offer a wide selection of colors. Crème foundations are also available for the more mature skins that do not wear powders well. We also recommend Colorescience Line Tamer with a yellow base to counter the red tones associated with Rosacea.
Avoid spraying perfumes and hairsprays on the face.

Oral medications are sometimes prescribed, usually in the form of antibiotics such as tetracycline, amoxicillin and doxycycline. Antibiotics specifically target the inflammation associated with Rosacea. Topical steroids are also used on occasion for severe cases which also reduce inflammation. However, prolonged use of these topical agents can have adverse effects and should be monitored by your dermatologist.

Laser and/or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is also offered at DermaRenew to remove visible blood vessels and reduce redness. Three to five treatments spaced 3-4 weeks apart are generally needed. Maintenance treatments can be performed once or twice a year thereafter.

Rosacea can be distressing. The condition can cause embarrassment, self-consciousness or anxiety. You may be frustrated by other people's reactions and find yourself withdrawing from social situations.

Let us help.

Call for your FREE consultation to discuss your options.

715.355.1616