Managing rosacea

Rosacea is a common, chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting the face which may be recurrent or persistent. It occurs in approximately 1 in 10 Irish adults and it is known as the “curse of the Celts” as it is found most commonly in fair skinned, blue eyed individuals. It most commonly affects adults in their 30’s/40’s, however, can affect those in their teens and 20’s. It is characterized by redness of the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead with or without inflammatory lesions – whiteheads and red spots. It may also be associated with dry, gritty eyes, facial flushing and sensitivity of the facial skin.

The cause of Rosacea is unknown but is thought to be due to a number of hereditary and environmental factors. Common triggers include: UV exposure, Hot and spicy food or drink, rapid change in environmental temperature (such as a hot room, shower, exercise), and topical steroids, among others.

Not everyone reports the same triggers for their Rosacea, however it is very important that anyone suffering with Rosacea should protect their skin from UV exposure.

We recommend the following skincare routine to our patients who are trying to manage their Rosacea:

Wash the face with oil-free products daily. Apply prescription, topical therapies each morning or evening to clean, dry skin. This must be followed by daily use of a Zinc physical/mineral based SPF like @eltamd clear or tinted, with make-up applied last. Ensure all make-up is removed each evening. Avoid using harsh products which contain alcohol, glycolic acid, salicyclic acid, benzoyl peroxide which may be more suitable for Acne prone skin and may actually flare Rosacea. Be very cautious using retinoids on Rosacea-prone skin as it may flare the skin. It may be introduced slowly once the skin is more settled.

People often report feeling self-conscious, particularly when it comes to social situations, due to the redness of the skin and flushing associated with Rosacea. Men in particular do not have the luxury of being able to conceal their redness with make-up. Therefore IPL (Intense Pulse Light) is one of the most effective, non-surgical and simple treatments used to treat redness and broken veins.

Our M22 Lumenis has minimal downtime therefore is a lunch-time procedure. For those who have inflammatory Rosacea with “spots” they may also use topical therapies such as antibiotics, anti-parasitics for milder rosacea and maintenance therapy, however for more extensive rosacea oral antibiotics called tetracyclines are used, which have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.