What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is an extremely frustrating condition for many people. It is often broadly referred to as having persistent facial redness and is usually characterised by intermittent redness along the cheeks and nose. However, it is slightly more complicated than that as there are three stages of Rosacea:

  • Flushing
  • Persistent facial redness and broken veins
  • Acne like spots, papules and pustules
  • Thickened skin

You may also experience symptoms such as bloodshot eyes, burning or stinging sensation, rough dry skin or facial swelling.

Some people only experience one or two of these symptoms while others will experience several.  The only way to be absolutely sure you do have Rosacea is to see a dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis.

What are the Causes?

The exact cause of rosacea is unknown but there are a number of possible factors such as abnormalities with the blood vessels in the face or simply genetics. At the moment there isn’t enough evidence to prove any of these for certain. However, one thing that is certain is if left untreated rosacea almost always gets worse.

So your best option is to manage your rosacea with over the counter topical creams, prescription medication or aesthetic treatments such as light therapy or red vein removal systems.

What are your triggers?

However, before you get started on any kind of treatment programme one of the first things you need to look at are your triggers are.  Triggers can range from environment to food, drink or medication. These may vary from person to person but the main triggers are:

  • Sunlight
  • Strenuous exercise
  • Hot or cold, windy weather, humidity
  • Hot drinks & Caffeine or Alcohol
  • Hot baths
  • Certain foods
  • Medical conditions such as a cold, cough and fever or high blood pressure
  • Vasodilatory medicines

Once you know what your triggers are you can help manage your rosacea by trying to avoid them and by following a skincare regime or aesthetic treatment programme that will help control and improve the appearance of your rosacea.

What products to avoid?

Before you get started you must make sure you eliminate any potentially irritating or sensitizing ingredients that can make rosacea worse. Avoid products that are heavily fragranced, contain SD alcohol or essential oils and plant extracts.  Avoid any products that increase inflammation and make skin redder such as:

  • Harsh cleansers like bar soap and cleansing scrubs
  • Drying liquid cleansers
  • Toners with alcohol
  • Abrasive scrubs
  • Rough washcloths or facial brushes

Instead you should be using products like:

  • Gentle non-drying cleansers
  • Products that reduce redness and soothe skin
  • Improve cell turnover to remove build-up of dead skin cells with gentle AHA’s or BHA’s
  • Use an good SPF to protect from sun damage without causing irritation
  • Use products loaded with antioxidant, skin repairing ingredients and retinol
  • Absorb oil if skin is oily
  • Use barrier repair properties to help skin build healthy collagen and have a smoother surface

At Clinic33 in Hove, East Sussex we have a range of Sesderma products and treatments that can help you manage your rosacea and can tailor a treatment package specific to you.  For more information send us message on Facebook or Twitter and tell us about your skin.