April is Rosacea Awareness Month and with it being such a common skin concern raised here in clinic, I thought it the best time to shine a spotlight on this skin condition and how it can best be managed.
So a bit of background first.
Rosacea is a long-term chronic skin condition that most will see symptoms of in the face. It's more common in women and those with lighter skin, however symptoms can be more severe in men.
The typical symptoms of rosacea are:
Redness (a blushing) across the nose, cheeks, forehead, chin, neck and chest - this can come and go with a light flush being more permanent across the cheeks
A warm, hot and sometimes painful burning/stinging sensation when using water or skincare products
Tiny broken blood vessels can appear amongst the flushing which don't go away
Small pink or red bumps on your face, sometimes filled with a yellowish liquid
It's still not known what exactly causes rosacea, however there are a few known triggers which can make symptoms worse:
Alcohol
Spicy foods
Hot drinks
Sunlight
Hot or cold temperatures
Aerobic exercise
Stress
Unfortunately rosacea cannot yet be cured, however the symptoms can be managed effectively with appropriate skincare and treatment.
My suggested approach for my clients will usually include a holistic package of both medical grade skincare and the most appropriate treatments for their skin, including:
Anti-redness gentle medical grade skincare products
Regular IPL laser therapy to target the deeper layers of skin to calm inflammation and remove facial thread veins
LED light therapy
Regular Hydrafacials to improve the compromised skin barrier and health of the skin
It's important to understand that rosacea is not caused by poor hygiene, nor is it contagious. It's also a far more common skin condition than many suffering with this may believe - leading them to feel isolated or unable to reach out for help.
Alongside treatment, there are also many ways in which you can look to minimise the symptoms you're experiencing yourself, such as:
If you know your trigger(s) try to avoid these wherever possible
Wear a high SPF sunscreen - at least SPF 30 every day
Try to avoid severe heat, sunlight or humid conditions where possible
Try to cover your face in harsh cold conditions
Use gentle skincare products for sensitive skin
Take steps to manage stress
As with any skin concerns you may have, I am always here to help advise you on how you can manage or treat rosacea - just book a skin consultation and we can start your journey to healthier skin together.