For years I felt self-conscious about my red cheeks. I didn't understand why my companions had a perfectly even complexion while mine was a brilliant scarlet. In college, I finally took the initiative to find answers to my condition and that's when my dermatologist told me about rosacea.
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterized by redness, visible blood vessels, and even small bumps on the face. However, there is expert advice that can help people manage this condition and mask its effects. Below, I explain what rosacea is and then provide five skin care tips to improve and reduce the appearance of rosacea.
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What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face, causing persistent redness and visible blood vessels on the face and sometimes other areas of the body. Rosacea is very common, affecting more than 14 million people in the United States alone . Rosacea can affect anyone of any age, gender, race or ethnicity, but is most commonly diagnosed in middle-aged and older adults, fair-skinned people and postmenopausal women.
Rosacea is chronic and incurable, highly treatable and well controlled with over-the-counter products, treatments, medications or surgery. It is important to speak to a dermatologist about a formal diagnosis and treatment plans as the condition can worsen over time if left untreated.
Where does rosacea occur?
Rosacea can occur anywhere on the body , but is primarily found in the following areas:
- Face, especially nose, chin, cheeks, forehead and eyes.
- ears
- Breast
- neck
- scalp
What are the signs of rosacea?
Rosacea is usually diagnosed when a chronic rash, persistent redness, and other symptoms appear on the face.
Other signs of rosacea can include:
- Redness, especially on the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin.
- Inflammation and swelling of the face, called edema.
- Small blood vessels that look like red lines on the skin.
- A permanent blush
- Non-painful pustules
- Bumps and pimples
- Burning or tingling sensations.
- Itching, feeling of tightness or dryness.
What can make rosacea worse?
Over time, certain behaviors, treatments, or topical solutions can help mask the redness and make it less visible or even completely unnoticeable.
Certain risk factors can trigger rosacea, worsen its appearance, or worsen symptoms , such as:
- Prolonged exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet light)
- Extremely high temperatures
- Subzero temperatures
- wind
- hot baths
- Intense cardio/physical activity
- stress
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoke
- spicy food
- Hot food and drinks.
Tips for improving and reducing the appearance of rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic disease, meaning symptoms can fluctuate unexpectedly. In the event of an outbreak, the following methods of treatment or camouflage exist:
1. Choose the right skin care products
You probably wash your face twice a day and that's exactly what your dermatologist wants you to do. Rosacea is an additional obstacle because your skin is more sensitive. When developing a daily skin care routine, it is important to use rosacea-friendly products.
It is recommended to avoid products such as toners and astringents that contain harsh ingredients including:
- alcohol
- Glycolic acid
- lactic acid
- Fighter
- Fragrance
- menthol
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (commonly found in shampoos and toothpastes)
- urea
Here's what you should use to soothe inflamed skin and prevent irritation:
- Fragrance-free topical products
- Gentle cleaning products
- A daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
- Products with soothing ingredients like niacinamide, green tea extract, aloe vera, bitters, tormentilla and licorice root extract.
- Sensitive skin and non-comedogenic products.
Remember that it's important to test any new product on a patch of skin on your hand or arm first, then introduce it little by little to see how your skin reacts. If you notice irritation or worsening of rosacea symptoms, stop use immediately.
2. Take medication
Oral and topical medications may be prescribed to treat redness, inflammation, bumps, and pimples caused by rosacea. Here are some of the most common over-the-counter rosacea treatments :
- Antibiotics such as doxycycline (oral)
- Brimonidine (topical gel)
- Topical creams or gels containing azelaic acid, ivermectin, or metronidazole.
- Acne medications such as isotretinoin (oral)
These medications may require a prescription from your doctor. If you have insurance, your copay may be as low as $7, but the medication would cost more than $120 without insurance. There are simple over-the-counter products, like those mentioned in the previous section, that can treat rosacea and only cost between $5 and $50 on average, depending on which product you purchase.
3. Laser treatment
In more severe cases, your dermatologist or healthcare professional may use lasers to remove visible blood vessels and limit the amount of skin redness.
There are different types of laser treatments, such as pulsed dye lasers, CO2 lasers, and Erbium-YAG lasers, but in general, lasers work by converting light energy into heat energy to selectively target and penetrate blood vessels while maintaining the safety of surrounding skin to preserve. . Ablative lasers, such as CO2 lasers, can reshape areas of the face that have been scarred or enlarged by tissue inflamed by rosacea.
These treatments can be very effective. According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, lasers used to treat visible blood vessels produce excellent results: Between 50 and 75 percent of people who have undergone treatment experience noticeable relief from their symptoms after one to three treatments. Light therapies are expensive and can cost between $500 and $700.
4. Cleanse your skin properly
Preventing rosacea flare-ups isn't just about avoiding certain skin care products. It also depends on how you clean your skin. Here are some dermatologist-recommended tips to rid your skin of rosacea:
- Cleanse your face twice a day every day.
- If you are taking medication to treat rosacea, apply it first and then apply a moisturizer suitable for rosacea.
- Do not use a facial washcloth or sponge to clean your skin. Just use your fingers
- Avoid rubbing, scrubbing or massaging the skin.
- Stop exfoliating
- After washing, pat your face gently with a clean cotton towel.
5. Use green-tinted makeup
In minor cases, a green concealer or cream can hide redness or visible blood vessels on the face. Thanks to color theory it works. Green and red are complementary colors, meaning they are opposite each other on the color wheel and cancel each other out when mixed. When green makeup is applied to red skin, the green absorbs the red, neutralizing the red pigments. Some products, like L'Oréal Paris Makeup's BB Cream Tinted Moisturizer Magic Skin Beautifier , have received thousands of reviews praising their effectiveness in hiding the signs of rosacea.
Some makeup products can irritate sensitive skin. Therefore, always do a patch test before applying the product to the face and neck. For more sensitive or irritated skin, dermatologists also recommend water-based or powder makeup.
Incorporating these tips into your skin care routine will help you better manage and care for your rosacea-prone skin. Before trying any of these tips or products, it is best to consult your dermatologist as every skin type is different and your doctor knows your skin best.
To learn more, explore these 10 sun protection myths to stop believing in them this summer and find out whether tretinoin or retinol is better for your skin .
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