What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a common skin condition, usually occurring on the face, which predominantly affects fair-skinned but may affect all skin types in people aged 40 to 60 years old. It is more common in women but when affecting men, it may be more severe.  It is a chronic condition, and can persist for a long time and, in any individual, the severity tends to fluctuate. Rosacea tends to affect the cheeks, forehead, chin and nose, and is characterised by persistent redness caused by dilated blood vessels, small bumps and pus-filled spots similar to acne There may also be uncomfortable inflammation of the surface of the eyes and eyelids.

What causes Rosacea? 

The cause of rosacea is not fully understood. Your genetics, immune system factors, and environmental factors may all play a part. Factors that trigger rosacea cause the blood vessels in the skin of the face to enlarge (dilate). The theory that rosacea is due to bacteria on the skin or in the gut has not been proven. However, antibiotics have proven helpful to treat rosacea. This is because of their anti-inflammatory effect. Rosacea is not contagious.

Is Rosacea hereditary?

Rosacea does seem to run in some families, but there is no clear genetic link.

What are the symptoms of Rosacea?

The rash and the blushing associated with rosacea can lead to embarrassment, lowered self-esteem and self-confidence, anxiety and even depression. Furthermore, the skin of the face is often sensitive, and the affected area can feel very hot or sting.

Some people with rosacea have eye symptoms. A few patients with rosacea may develop more serious eye problems, such as painful inflammation involving the front part of the eye (rosacea keratitis) and this may cause blurred vision. It is important that you consult a dermatologist or an optician if you develop symptoms affecting the eyes.

What does rosacea look like?

  1. Redness (blushing) across you rose, cheeks, forehead and chin that come and go. Usually across the cheeks
  2. A burning or stinging feeling when using water or skincare products
  3. Small pink or red bumps. Sometimes these become filled with a yellowish liquid.
  4. Dryness
  5. Swelling (especially around the eyes)
  6. Sore eyelids or crusts around the roots of eyelashes
  7. Thickened skin, mainly on the nose

 Occasionally, there may be some swelling of the facial skin (lymphoedema), especially around the eyes. Occasionally, an overgrowth of the oil-secreting glands on the nose may cause the nose to become enlarged, bulbous and red (called rhinophyma). Rhinophyma is more common in men than women.

Treatments available in the clinic;

 LED Facials

Cryoglobe facial

Mesotherapy

Signature Facials

Triggers

Rosacea is definitely triggered by one or more of the following triggers, its individual to each sufferer, you will probably know what yours are, but worth making a note f how your skin behaves after the following;

  • Alcohol
  • Spicy food
  • Cheese
  • Caffeine
  • Hot drinks
  • Aerobic exercise

Can rosacea be cured?

No, but long-term treatments can be helpful.

How can rosacea be treated?

The inflammation that accompanies rosacea can be treated with preparations applied to the skin or taken by mouth; however, not all these will help the redness or blushing that may be associated with rosacea.

Treatment

Rosacea cannot be cured, but can be controlled and managed. Skincare works best when there’s not too many products. Less is more.  It is important to be gentle with the skin and avoid heavy make-up.

Skincare Ingredients that are helpful in Rosacea;

  • Niacinamide
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin K
  • Teprenone
  • Caffeine
  • Vitamin C
  • Titanium Dioxide
  • Zinc Oxide

Products recommended;

Cleansers – Medik8 Calmwise Cleanser, Medik8 Cream Cleanse, Medik8 Lips balance Cleanser, Jan Marini C’esta cleanser.

Serums -Jan Marini Bioclear Serum, Medik8 Calmwise Serum, Medik8 C Tetra

Moisturisers – Jan Marini Transformation Cream, Medik8 Calmwise Colour correct, Medik8 C Tetra Cream

SPF- Jan Marini SPF 30, Heliocare water gel, Heliocare mineral tolerance

Make Up – Green cover up can camel out redness on the skin.  BPC Mineral Powder foundation, cover is amazing and it is treating your skin at the same time.  A must for rosacea sufferers.

Local applications:

The inflammatory element of rosacea may be controlled with a medication applied to the affected areas It takes at least 8 weeks for their effect to become evident and some applications work specifically to reduce the redness associated with rosacea

Oral antibiotics:

These are helpful for the inflammatory element of moderate or severe rosacea. The most commonly used antibiotics belong to the tetracycline group and include tetracycline, oxytetracycline, doxycycline, lymecycline and minocycline. Erythromycin is another commonly used antibiotic. The duration of an antibiotic course depends on your response. Your doctor may suggest that you use a cream and oral treatment together.

Other treatments:

  • An eye specialist should manage the severe types of eye involvement.
  • A bulbous nose affected by rhinophyma can be reduced by a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon
  • Redness and dilated blood vessels can be treated with laser therapy.by a dermatologist.
  • A beta-blocker tablet or clonidine may be prescribed by the dermatologist it may help if blushing is a significant problem.
  • Isotretinoin tablets are sometimes prescribed by a dermatologist for severe rosacea.

Self Care (What can I do?)

  • Protect your skin from the sun by using a sun block (with a sun protection factor of at least 30) on your face every day and needs re-applying frequently if outdoors.
  • Do not rub or scrub your face when cleansing as this can make rosacea worse.
  • Do not use perfumed soap as this can make rosacea worse.
  • Use a soap substitute (emollient) to cleanse your face.
  • Use an unperfumed moisturiser on a regular basis if your skin is dry or sensitive.
  • Consider the lifestyle factors that can worsen rosacea and avoid them; a written record of your flare-ups may help.
  • Some Cosmetics can often cover up rosacea effectively, and some rosacea patients may benefit from the use of skin camouflage. This may help hide excessive redness. A skin camouflage consultation can be discussed with your health care professional. or by contacting the organisations listed at the end of this leaflet
  • Do not use topical preparations containing corticosteroids, unless specifically recommended by your dermatologist as these may make rosacea worse in the long run.
  • If your eyes are affected, do not ignore them - consult your dermatologist or an eye specialist doctor.
  • Some drugs can aggravate blushing, and your doctor or dermatologist may make appropriate changes to your medication.