What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a common skin condition resulting in redness spreading across the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead. It is a cyclic condition, meaning the symptoms come and go. Besides looking red and flushed, rosacea also produces small bumps, pimples and tiny visible blood vessels. While it mostly affects middle-aged women, it can occur in anyone and usually much worse cases for men.  Rosacea can spread to other parts of the body, like the neck, chest or scalp.

For those affected by rosacea, flare-ups can be life-disrupting. It can be irritating, painful and make the sufferer feel self-conscious.

What causes Rosacea?

The cause of rosacea is unknown. However, according the National Rosacea Society, there are commonly known triggers. They recommend that individuals with rosacea pay close attention to what factors may trigger their rosacea.  Some known rosacea triggers include: sun exposure, heat, wind, medications, intense exercise and alcohol consumption.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for rosacea, but there are a variety of medical treatments and life-style management tips to reduce flare-ups or improve the chances of maintaining remission. It is important to seek professional help to properly diagnose and treat rosacea. Due to the diverse complexity of rosacea, it has been classified into subtypes: Facial Redness, Bumps and Pimples, Skin Thickening, Eye Irritation.

How can I treat my Rosacea?

For the most common subtypes, Facial Redness and Bumps and Pimples, there are great medical-grade treatments and skin care products that have proven to help.

Intense pulse light (IPL) treatments can help reduce redness by causing the visible blood vessels to shrink, making them less visible. Skin peels that are infused with Vitamin C and dedicated to soothing the skin are also beneficial to treating rosacea. Aside from treatments, it is important for sufferers to maintain a daily recommended skin care regimen for success in avoiding flare-ups. The best skin care products for treating rosacea will be those that are heavy in Vitamin C, like Image’s Vital C line. Along with a daily dose of Vitamin C, those with rosacea must protect their skin from the effects of the sun. It is important to apply SPF 15 or higher every day.

Image Skincare. Blog. May 2012. <http://blog.imageskincare.com/help-for-rosacea/>.

National Rosacea Society. 2016. <http://rosacea.org/>.