Rosacea is a skin condition caused by a variety of factors including genetics, possible involvement of the immune system, and the presence of microbes.
With rosacea, there is an increase in blood flow to the affected skin area which causes the pinkish or redness appearance .
What are the triggers?
– cosmetics
– alcohol
– hot temperatures
– hot drinks or spicy foods
– menopause
– anxiety
The triggers vary between individuals but each person usually gets to know what their triggers are over time.
Rosacea does not just cause redness of the skin. It can affect the eyes too, causing ocular rosacea or an enlarged nose.
Quality of life can be affected also. A survey by the National Rosacea Sociaety found that 90% of patients had a lower self esteem and some had symptoms of depression.
Treatment
Fortunately there are several treatments now available. Firstly, only use gentle cleansers and avoid hot water. Avoid or try to minimize your triggers. There are cleansers and moisturizers now made specifically for red or rosaceous skin.
Sunscreens are SO important. Your sunscreen should have UVA and UVB protection. The SPF number alone is not enough. This only tells you about the UVB. Preferably use a sunscreen with a physical blocker such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which do not contain chemical filters that can irritate the skin.
Several prescription medications are available. Please consult your physician or visit our Clarité clinic for an assessment.
Light and laser based treatments can also be effective. IPL – Intense Pulsed Light -is a form of light energy that helps to reduce the redness, while also improving the texture of the skin. Note that using poor quality or abrasive at home products after IPL treatments can defeat their purpose. Facials specifically for rosacea are also effective.
At Clarité we can combine treatments to provide the most effective results in treating your rosacea.