Rosacea is a skin disorder that over 16 million Americans suffer from people do not know what it is, even rosacea patients themselves. This skin condition can describe as persistent redness, visible blood vessels, frequent flushing, bumps and pimples, facial itching, stinging, burning and even skin thickening. Doesn’t sound so appealing, right? So what causes this condition and what can we do to help the skin to calm down?
What are the causes to this skin condition?
There are no known causes unfortunately. Some research points to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors, while other studies suggest bacteria, fungi and mites that live in our hair follicles. Everyone can get this skin condition, but people with lighter skin color are more likely to be affected. Also people that live in a city, with pollution may be another factor for getting Rosacea.
Rosacea patients do not usually have all of these symptoms at once, but it can flare up with curtain outside influences. Those common triggers include sun, wine, citrus, chocolate, spicy foods, liver and dairy products. People that are taking steroids like prednisone or other drug compounds that dilate the blood vessels are also at increased risk to get rosacea.
If you have rosacea, it is critical that you eliminate the parts of your normal skin-care routine that increase inflammation, and make your skin redder. So if your have rosacea avoid scrubbing your skin, limit the use of toners with alcohol and harsh cleansers and exfoliants, also keep away from products that dry out your skin. Try to keep sun exposure and emotional stress in check as well. I know that the last thing is easier said then done may times..
Skin-care ingredients that can make rosacea worse include the following:
- Fragrant plant extracts such as cinnamon, rosemary, lavender, and rose
- Synthetic fragrances
- All essential oils (which are really just more fragrance)
- Lemon, lime, menthol, peppermint, pine, and cedar
- Alcohol (listed as SD alcohol or alcohol denatured)
- Witch hazel
Shockingly, theses ingredients often show up in skin-care products whose labels claim they are specifically for those with rosacea.
What Can We do at to Help You with Your Rosacea?
I would recommend a couple of things for this condition. For home skin care I would definitely use a mild cleanser, but you can use a salicylic acid (BHA) that reduce the redness and eliminates dry flaky skin. I suggest Purity Clean by Cosmedix, but always ask your skin care professional before start using an exfoliant.
Use a moisturizer with abundant antioxidants, healing and skin-repairing ingredients. If you have normal to dry skin use cream or lotion , I like Phytoharmony by Cosmedix. If you have more oily skin use a gel or lighter serum, like Phytoclear with a serum like CPR.
A serum with retinol like Serum 16 is fine to use under your moisturizer; retinol has research showing it helps reduce the inflammatory factors that contribute to rosacea.
When it comes to a SPF, I would recommend one with titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide. I absolutely love Tizo, which has a tint and can hide some of the redness. The moisturizer and sunscreens should be free of alcohol and other irritating ingredients.
A skin-care routine for anyone with rosacea should do the following:
- Eliminate irritating or sensitizing ingredients
- Include products that reduce redness and soothe skin
- Improve cell turnover to remove the buildup of dead skin cells
- Protect from sun damage without causing irritation
- Fight wrinkles with products loaded with antioxidants and repairing ingredients
- Absorb oil if skin is oily
- Have barrier repair properties to help skin build healthy collagen and have a smoother surface
For laser treatments I would recommend the Laser Genesis. The Laser Genesis procedure breaks down the diffused redness by targeting the facial vessels which cause rosacea. It is a comfortable, non-ablative form of skin therapy with additional benefits. Patients can expect the reduction in fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage. Laser Genesis treatment also enhances the collagen production in your skin.
IPL “Photo-Facial” is also a terrific laser treatment for treating rosacea. It decreases the rosacea and you can realize remarkable results in just a few treatments. A combination of these two laser treatments with proper home care and you will see dramatic reduction in rosacea and love your skin again!
To choose the right treatment for you, and for your concerns, can sometimes be difficult. I always recommend coming in to our office and getting a complimentary consultation with one of our nurses and aestheticians, so you can decide together what would be best for you. The Laser Image Company, your place for treatment & education.
