ROSACEA, FACIAL CAPILLARIES AND REDNESS

Quick facts

• Rosacea is a common condition that affects 1 in 20 people and is characterised by facial redness
• It is best treated with a combination of laser and medical grade skin care that is appropriate for rosacea.
• The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, and the above treatments can help to reduce the visible aspects of the condition.

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a condition that is characterised by facial redness – especially around the nose, cheeks, chin and in between the brow. People with this condition are consistently red or flush easily. Broken facial capillaries and acne-like pustules on the face are also a common consequence of having rosacea. Other signs of rosacea include; bloodshot or watery eyes, burning/stinging sensations on the face, and sensitive skin. It is a common condition that affects approximately 1 in 20 people.

What causes rosacea?

The exact cause of rosacea is unknown. Exposure to certain climates, radiation (including UV radiation) resulting in vessel wall abnormalities may play a role in the development of the disease. Previously, it was believed that Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, was involved.

How is rosacea treated?

The first step in the treatment of rosacea is to avoid any triggers that may exacerbate the condition. Common triggers of rosacea include; certain foods including liver, yogurt, cheese, and spicy/chilli foods, direct sunlight, extremes of weather, alcohol, hot drinks, stress, heavy physical exercise, and hot flushes/menopause.

Particular skin care regimes may also exacerbate rosacea, especially those containing alcohol (e.g. in toners), topical steroids (can help initially, but in the long-term will exacerbate rosacea), and any skin care that irritates the skin such as Retin-A/Stieva-A (tretinoin). Changing your skin care or avoidance of certain skin care chemicals may be advisable.

The use of non-irritating sunscreens is important. Physical sunscreens with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide tend to irritate skin less than chemical sunscreens. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide do not enter the skin and are not absorbed by the body, as opposed to chemical sunscreens that are absorbed by the body and skin and increasing the potential for skin irritation and exacerbation of rosacea.

Using skin care with anti-inflammatory ingredients is appropriate in the treatment of rosacea. These include; aloe vera, arnica, calendula, chamomile, cucumber, provitamin B5, feverfew, green tea, licochalone, perilla leaf extract, red algae, red clover, thyme, willow herb, and zinc.

Mineral make-up, such as Young Blood that contain these anti-inflammatory agents can also help. In addition, they do not tend to enter the skin and exacerbate rosacea.

Laser Treatment.

The treatment of redness and capillaries due to rosacea is often more rapidly corrected with laser treatments. In many cases, broken facial capillaries can only be properly treated by laser. Lasers for the treatment of rosacea include Laser which specifically targets capillaries. Deeper vessels can also be targeted with the ND Yag infra red laser to reduce the flushing effects of Rosacea, assisting in delaying the progression of the condition.

One of our Dermal Clinicians will advise you on the best treatment program for your skin condition.