What exactly is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic, often hard-to-treat skin condition that affects men and women usually over the age of 30. It is characterized by redness or pimple-like bumps on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin, or both. Without appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes, Rosacea will likely worsen with time. Like other skin conditions of the face, Rosacea will make those who suffer with this skin disease to be self-conscious, lowering self-esteem and self-confidence when it goes untreated.
What causes Rosacea?
Are there different types of Rosacea?
Yes. The most common type of Rosacea is characterized by telltale facial redness and telangiectasias (or small red visible or broken blood vessels) on the face. In the second most common type, red bumps and puss bumps develop on the face. Rarely, Rosacea can affect the eyes, so you should discuss any new or worsening eye symptoms with your doctor. Ocular Rosacea can be treated with oral antibiotics or eye drops.
Is there a cure for Rosacea?
Unfortunately, no. But there is more known about Rosacea and there are many focused treatments and actions to follow to improve the appearance of Rosacea and help keep this condition under control.
Treatment and Practices.
This is the single most important lifestyle change you can make for healthier skin and fewer Rosacea flares. Just a quick walk across the grocery store parking lot or an hour at the beach (even if it’s cloudy) is enough to exacerbate Rosacea. It’s also enough to damage the DNA in your skin, predisposing you to skin cancer and premature skin aging.
Use sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays (labeled with Broad-Spectrum). The vast majority of the sun’s radiation that reaches the earth is actually UVA. Use sunscreens that contain zinc or titanium dioxide and silicones (listed as dimethicone, orcyclomethicone, or cyclomethicone). These ingredients are less likely to irritate your skin and provide the best overall coverage and protection.
Sunscreen should be worn year around and on cloudy days as damage from the sun can occur every day of the year and despite clouds.
For more protection or if you aren’t able to reapply sunscreen repeatedly throughout the day, try UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) clothing lines such as Coolibar, Mott50, Naviskin, etc. These brands create light weight shirts, pants, shorts, swimsuits, wraps, dresses, and skirts to protect your skin from the summer sun.
Wear a wide brimmed hat whenever you are outside (even for that quick walk into the grocery store). Always wear your sunscreen as well because light reflects off the ground and can cause damage, even with a hat on.
UVA rays come right through most house and car windows, so consider installing UV blocking film on your car and home windows. 3M is a reliable brand and many auto shops offer this service.
Consider purchasing blue light blocking films for your electronics as more and more studies are showing detrimental effects of blue light on skin.
Avoid exposure and activities outside during the sun’s peak hours: 10am to 5pm in the summertime and 11am to 2pm in the wintertime. Broad Spectrum sunscreen is always recommended and with a level of SPF 30 or higher.
Stop any and all tanning bed use. Tanned skin may look good, but it is a sure sign of damage (often permanent) to your skin.
Avoid Triggers.
There are many known triggers of Rosacea, however, triggers can differ for individuals. Some more commonly known Rosacea triggers to avoid are:
- Alcohol, especially red wine
- Chocolate
- Spicy foods
- Hot beverages
- Hot environments
- Cold environments
- Stress and trauma
- Skin and hair care products (peels, dermabrasion, toners, astringents, and products containing alcohol, camphor, peppermint, fragrance, urea, sodium laurel sulfate, menthol, lactic acid, and glycolic acid).
- Certain medications such as niacin, beta blockers, and long-term use of topical steroids. Please speak with your doctor before making any changes to your prescriptions.
Practice Self-Care.
When you take care of your physical and mental self, you are taking care of your skin and helping to prevent Rosacea flares. Here are some small changes you can make in your life to produce big effects on your skin down the road.
Try to reduce stress in your life. This means something different to everyone. Take time out of your day just for you, spend time with friends, go for a short walk, or consider meditation. If you are unable to deal with your stress on your own, consider speaking with a close friend, find a support group or consult a health care professional.
Monitor your diet. Make better choices. Avoid processed foods. Cook at home as much as possible but especially avoid chain restaurants as the ingredients are more likely to be heavily processed. Visit local farmer’s markets where everything is fresh and good for you.
Sleep reduces stress. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Dim or remove any lights that are on in your bedroom while sleeping, including lights from chargers, night lights, phones, television or clocks. Try black out curtains and eye shades. Limit noise in your bedroom. Put your phone on silent. Try a white noise machine, a fan, or ear plugs to block out noise you can’t control.
Limit daytime naps and avoid stimulants like nicotine and caffeine within 8 hours of your bedtime. Avoid eating and limit alcohol two hours before bedtime to avoid symptoms of reflux.
Choose Cosmetics and Personal Care Products carefully.
Hiding the symptoms of Rosacea, especially those experiencing persistent redness, can be challenging. To conceal and diminish redness. Green-tinted makeup primers cover Rosacea best.
Use oil-free foundations with a silicone base. Mineral powders often have fewer irritating ingredients than liquid foundations.Choose products that have Broad Spectrum UVA and UVB coverage. Always test new products on your arm before using them on facial skin and stop using any products that burn, itch, or sting.
Go easy on the blush, highlighting powders and shimmer oils. Skin is already prone to redness.
Use easy to remove mascara and eyeliner so there is no tugging or rubbing when washing them off that can further irritate skin and cause Rosacea flareups.
Use antibacterial makeup brushes and clean them between uses. Use only fingertips to gently apply makeup.
Consult a Dermatologist.
If your Rosacea seems out of control, consider seeing a board-certified dermatologist who can discuss available options including:Prescription medications for Papulopustular Rosacea: Topical medications such as Metronidazole, Clindamycin, Ivermectin, Azelaic Acid, and Sodium Sulfacetamide Sulfur may be recommended. A low dose of an oral antibiotic, such a Doxycycline, is frequently recommended as well.
Prescription medications for Erythema and telangiectatic type Rosacea: Topical medications such as Metronidazole, Clindamycin, Ivermectin, Azelaic Acid, and Sodium Sulfacetamide Sulfur may be recommended. A low dose of Doxycycline, is frequently used as well. Topical Brimonidine can also be helpful. Oral oxymetazoline (Rhofade) is frequently used for more severe conditions. These medications must be prescribed by a medical professional.
Lasers, such as the pulsed dye light laser, work well on treating Rosacea. It can take several treatments of laser therapy to achieve the desired reduction in redness. While effective, this laser does not prevent further visible blood vessels from forming, so yearly touch ups with the laser are often required. Intense pulsed light (IPL) lasers also work well for Rosacea.
Choose gentle and effective skincare personalized for your skin needs and issues.
Gentle skin care is key to good rosacea control. Some basic tips to follow:
- Use only lukewarm water on your face as both hot and cold water can cause flareups.
- Use soap free cleansers that are pH balanced such as a personalized Proven cleanser.
- Apply all cleansers and products, including cosmetics, gently with fingertips. Never rub, pull, or scrub. Gently pat face dry with a soft cloth. Avoid waterproof cosmetics and heavy foundations that are difficult to remove without scrubbing.
- Bacteria on the skin can irritate Rosacea, so use only antibacterial makeup brushes, cleaning them between uses.
- Avoid peels or dermabrasion as these will exacerbate your Rosacea.
- Always test products on an area of your body other than your face first.
- Keep skin hydrated. This will trap water in your skin, reduce irritation, and make your skin feel more comfortable. Choose creams over lotions or gels.
- Avoid personal care products that contain these irritating ingredients: alcohol, camphor, peppermint, fragrance, urea, sodium laurel sulfate, menthol, lactic acid, and glycolic acid. Also avoid toners, astringents, and abrasive exfoliators.
- Fewer products are better than many when it comes to Rosacea as so many products irritate Rosacea-prone skin.
PROVEN SKINCARE formulates products based on a person’s individual needs based on living environment, lifestyle, diet, stress levels, frequency of travel, as well as skin sensitivities and conditions, that will be most effective on Rosacea-troubled skin prone. Go to provenskincare.com to take the complimentary skin quiz to discover your personalized skincare formulations.
For more information on Proven Skincare, please go to www.provenskincare.com and follow us on Instagram @provenskincare.
