Home > CONDITIONS > ROSACEA
Zimmet on Facebook Blog Yelp Google Places Follow us on Twitter Add us on Google +

ROSACEA

WHAT IS ROSACEA

Rosacea is a common chronic skin disease of the face which may appear as redness, flushing, broken capillaries, and acne type eruptions. Sometimes the nose enlarges, a condition called rhinophyma. Fortunately, this is uncommon. Rosacea can also cause eye irritation, which if untreated can cause significant complications.

WHAT CAUSES ROSACEA

The cause is unknown, but it is more common in those with fair skin, adults, and women. Men, when affected, usually suffer a more severe case. Some evidence suggests rosacea can be inherited.

There are a number of “triggers” which may flare rosacea. These include hot beverages, alcohol, certain foods, stress, menopause, exercise, exposure to heat and others.

WHAT DOES ROSACEA LOOK LIKE?

The first sign is often transient blushing and facial redness across the cheeks. Over time, the redness may increase in intensity, and become becoming more persistent and widespread, across the chin and forehead. Facial spider veins often develop. Some people have experience breakouts which resemble the red bump and pustule type of acne. When rhinophyma occurs, the nose gets larger and bumpy.

TREATMENT

While there is no known cure for rosacea, various treatments can be effective in managing it. Often a combination of treatments is used. These can include individualized skin care, prescription topical treatment, and antibiotics. Pulsed light and VariLite laser treatment can be notably useful in reducing redness, flushing, facial veins and may help reduce breakouts. Rhinophyma can be treated with CO2 laser resurfacing and/or surgery.

TIPS FOR MANAGING ROSACEA

  • Adopt a positive attitude about the situation. Prescription medications, proper skin care, pulsed light treatments and lifestyle modifications can make a real improvement in rosacea, so be open to these approaches and stay positive! Remember you are not alone – many people suffer from this aggravating skin condition.
  • Make a list of trigger factors which exacerbate the symptoms of rosacea. Common triggers include outdoor or indoor heat, heavy exercise, caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, and stress. Try to minimize or reduce these triggers as much as possible. For example, opt for one cup of coffee or switch to green tea or exercise indoors during the hottest and coldest times of the year. The goal is to minimize triggers without affecting your quality of life!
  • Use all prescription medications as directed by your dermatologist. Some medications may take a month or more before results are visible, so stick with the program and report any unusual side effects immediately.
  • Schedule a skin consultation with an aesthetician to get information on proper products, topical antioxidants, and appropriate sunblocks.
  • Use a mild gentle cleanser in the mornings and evenings. Generally, cleansers with fragrances, dyes, and perfumes irritate skin and should be avoided. Apply the cleanser to your facial skin with the fingertips, and using gentle circular and up and down motions to remove dirt, oil, and makeup. Tissue off cleanser and rinse. Do not use washcloths.
  • Avoid harsh scrubs, toners and astringents. It is best to let an aesthetician properly exfoliate the skin in a customized facial for rosacea skin once a month. Floral waters such as rose water refresh the skin without irritating or over-drying it.
  • After cleansing, use a gentle moisturizer followed immediately by a physical sunblock (a physical sunblock contains Zinc, Titanium Dioxide, or Iron Oxides, or a combination of these. These ingredients reflect UV light and have anti-inflammatory properties).
  • Avoid moisturizers and sunscreens with chemical sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV light to protect the skin and often trigger redness and irritation in patients with rosacea.
  • Use a mineral makeup to reduce inflammation and cover redness. Mineral make-up should be applied to hydrated skin for the best coverage.
  • Treatment with lasers and/or pulsed light sources may be the most effective treatment for the redness and broken capillaries associated with rosacea. Schedule a consultation with a physician experienced with this treatment method.