A flushed face is a natural reaction to excitement, embarrassment, anger, warm weather, exercise and other triggers, but for some people, facial redness is a sign of a more serious condition: rosacea.
Rosacea is a chronic and sometimes progressive skin disorder that causes redness, swelling and sensitivity on the face. It may begin as a tendency to blush or flush easily, then evolve into persistent redness that involves the central part of the face.
Early diagnosis and treatment are key to successful management of rosacea. This chronic condition can be medically managed to decrease inflammation and redness and prevent formation of new thread veins.
Rosacea Symptoms
Common rosacea symptoms include:
- Redness in the face accompanied by sensitive, dry skin that may sting
- Bumps or pimples on the face
- Small, visible blood vessels on the face
- Skin that gets coarser and thicker
- Red, dry, irritated, or swollen eyes
In most cases, rosacea symptoms will flare up for several weeks or months at a time and then subside for a while in between flare-ups. If left untreated, these symptoms will progressively worsen.
What Are the Most Common Types of Rosacea?
Rosacea encompasses a wide range of signs and symptoms that often combine in recognisable ways. These combinations are used to classify rosacea into four main subtypes:
- Erythematotelangiectatic: Individuals with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea often develop visible blood vessels on the face. Intermittent flushing and fixed redness are characteristics of this subtype.
- Papulopustular: Papulopustular rosacea is characterised by pimple-like lesions. These lesions may be small bumps or filled with watery pus, and are often mistaken for acne.
- Phymatous: Phymatous rosacea affects men more often than women. It is associated with thickened skin and prominent pores that typically develop on the nose.
- Ocular: Ocular rosacea affects the eye area. Symptoms may include a gritty, dry sensation in the eyes.
Many patients experience characteristics of more than one type of rosacea at the same time.
What Causes Rosacea?
The precise causes of rosacea remain unknown. Heredity appears to play a role, as rosacea often runs in families and it is very common in people with a Celtic lineage such as Irish and Scottish. The complex relationship between the immune system, nerve endings and blood vessels of the face also seems to influence an individual’s vulnerability to rosacea. Rosacea is most likely to affect women, people with fair skin (often with blonde hair and blue eyes), and people between the ages of 30 and 60.
What Triggers Rosacea?
There are many potential triggers for rosacea and it may take time to identify what causes your skin to flare. Some of the more common triggers include:
- Alcohol (particularly red wine)
- Caffeine
- Hot beverages
- Exercise
- Heat (showers, saunas, hot tubs, sun etc.)
- Extreme weather conditions (cold, heat, wind)
- Sun exposure
- Certain foods (mainly spicy)
- Skincare products or makeup with irritating ingredients (glycolic)
- Prescription steroid creams
- Stress, anxiety and other strong emotions
What Skincare Products Should I Use When I Have Rosacea?
A simple, gentle skincare routine is essential for managing rosacea.
- Use non-foaming cleansers to wash your face, we have particular cleansers that we recommend with a gentle makeup eraser cloth
- Wear rosacea-friendly sunscreen regularly (ideally physical sunscreen)
- Use a mineral-based foundation that can be applied without excessive pressure or pulling on the skin
- Choose products that contain protective silicones (dimethicone or cyclomethicone), ceramides, glycerin and niacinamide (an anti-inflammatory ingredient that improves skin barrier function), non-inflammatory oils and pre and pro-biotics.
- Conceal red areas with green-tinted makeup or tinted sunscreen
- Carefully introduce a retinoid and exfoliant under medical supervision once the inflammatory rosacea settles to help build up skin barrier function.
What Should I Avoid When I Have Rosacea?
To minimise flares, abide by the following guidelines for your skincare routine:
- Do not wash your face using hot water or in the shower under hot steam
- Do not vigorously rub your skin while washing or drying
- Do not use harsh products or ingredients (including toners, scrubs, exfoliants, retinol, vitamin C, acetone, alcohol or benzoyl peroxide)
- Do not use wipes to cleanse your face or remove makeup
- Do not apply heavy cream moisturisers to oily skin; light serums or lotions are preferred
- Do not use thick and/or waterproof cosmetics that are difficult to apply and remove
- Do not undergo treatments that could irritate the skin (including regular facials, non-rosacea friendly chemical peels or microdermabrasion, microneedling)
What Medical Treatment Is Available For Rosacea?
While there is no cure for rosacea, the symptoms can be managed through treatment. Depending on the nature and severity of your symptoms, wemay recommend:
- Topical treatments including metronidazole cream or gel, azelaic acid cream or lotion, and ivermectin cream
- Oral antibiotics with an anti-inflammatory effect
- Vitamin A oral supplements
- LED Light Therapy
- Fractional Intense Pulsed Light
- Micro neurovascular-modulator injections (micro-toxin)
- Usually a combination of above
Request An Appointment
If you think that you may be suffering from rosacea book a dermatology consultation at Blush Clinic by calling us on 087 4223492 or booking in online.
