Rosacea (pronounced ìroh-ZAH-shaî) is a chronic skin disorder that manifests as redness on the cheeks, nose, chin and/or forehead. However, it may also occur on the neck, chest, scalp or ears.
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. If left untreated, the complexion may become ruddy and redness/flushing more persistent.
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.
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
Other treatment options:
Laser and/or Broad Band Light (laser) Phototherapy is offered at dermarenew to shrink 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.
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 prescriptive products such as metronidazole, tretinoin and azelaic acid are also commonly used as part of a maintenance program to control symptoms.
Tips for the rosacea:
Avoid excessive scrubbing or massaging the face. Microdermabrasion should never be performed on rosacea prone skin.
Sun protection is an absolute must.
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 in a wide selection of colors. Créme foundations are also available for the more mature skin that donít wear powders well. Avoid spraying perfumes and hairsprays on the face.
Let us help.
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