Rosacea is a common skin condition that affects many people. If you are one of the many people impacted by this long-term condition mainly affecting the face, you are not alone.
While it is more common in women and people with lighter skin, men can also experience more severe symptoms. However, the good news is that effective treatment options are available to help manage symptoms and improve your skin’s appearance.
In this blog post, we will dive deeper into rosacea and explore the various treatment options to help you achieve the clear, smooth complexion you desire.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a common, long-term skin condition that primarily affects the face. It’s estimated that around 1 in 10 people in the UK may be affected by the condition, which tends to be more prevalent in women and people with fair skin.
Rosacea isn’t contagious, so you can’t pass it on through skin-to-skin contact. The condition can flare up and there may be times when your symptoms aren’t as bad — the condition, however, is lifelong.
Rosacea symptoms
Rosacea can cause a range of symptoms, including:
- Persistent facial redness that can look like a blush or sunburn and tends to affect the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin
- Small bumps and pustules on the skin, like acne
- Visible blood vessels on the face
- Burning or stinging sensations on the skin
- Dry, rough or scaly skin that may feel tight
- Eye irritation, including redness, dryness, and sensitivity to light
- Thickened skin around the nose, resulting in a swollen appearance (in severe cases)
- Flushing or blushing easily in response to specific triggers, such as spicy foods, alcohol, or emotional stress
It’s worth noting that rosacea symptoms can vary from person to person and may come and go over time.
If you suspect you may have rosacea, it’s important to seek medical advice for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Types of rosacea
Rosacea can present in different ways, and it’s classified into four subtypes. At City Skin Clinic in London, our team of skincare experts has extensive experience diagnosing and treating all types of rosacea.
Here’s a breakdown of the four subtypes.
Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea
Persistent facial redness and visible blood vessels characterise erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. The skin may feel sensitive or burning, and people may also experience flushing or blushing easily in response to triggers such as heat or cold weather.
Papulopustular rosacea
A subtype that produces small, red bumps and pustules (pimples) on the skin that resemble acne. People with this type of rosacea may also experience persistent facial redness and sensitivity.
Phymatous rosacea
Phymatous rosacea is less common but can cause thickened skin and a swollen appearance around the nose, resulting in a condition known as rhinophyma. In severe cases, phymatous rosacea can also affect the chin, forehead and ears.
Ocular rosacea
This subtype affects the eyes and can cause redness, dryness and sensitivity to light. People with ocular rosacea may also experience blurry vision, styes, or recurrent eye infections.
Rosacea causes
While the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, several factors may contribute to its development. These include:
- Genetics
- Environmental triggers such as sunlight
- Stress
- Certain foods
- An overgrowth of bacteria on the skin
The good news is that various effective treatments are available to help manage rosacea symptoms, including topical creams, oral medications and laser therapy.
As rosacea is normally caused by a trigger like certain foods or stress, you can sometimes decrease the chances of it flaring up by eliminating triggers from your lifestyle. Some risk factors can’t be helped, such as genetics — but that doesn’t mean the symptoms can’t be treated.
Treatments for rosacea
At City Skin Clinic, our team of skincare experts can provide a personalised treatment plan to help you manage your rosacea and achieve healthy-looking skin.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels are a popular treatment option for people with rosacea. We use chemical peels to help manage the redness and inflammation associated with rosacea.
During a chemical peel treatment, a solution containing alpha-hydroxy acids or beta-hydroxy acids is applied to the skin, causing the skin’s outer layer to peel off. The process stimulates the growth of new skin cells and collagen, resulting in a smoother, more even skin tone.
Chemical peels can also improve skin texture and tone, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots — as well as rosacea.
We offer a range of chemical peels tailored to meet each patient’s unique needs. In addition, our aesthetic practitioners will work closely with you to determine the best treatment plan for your specific skin concerns and goals.
Laser treatment
Laser treatment is a widely used option for managing rosacea symptoms, including redness, inflammation, and visible blood vessels. Laser therapy uses high-intensity beams of light to penetrate the skin and target the blood vessels causing visible symptoms.
Different types of laser treatments are available for rosacea, including pulsed dye laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. During the procedure, the blood vessels absorb laser energy, causing them to collapse and be naturally removed by the body.
This reduces the visible symptoms of rosacea, such as redness and visible blood vessels.
Laser treatment for rosacea is generally safe and effective, with minimal discomfort and downtime. However, it is essential to choose a qualified and experienced aesthetic practitioner who can determine the best treatment plan for your specific skin concerns and goals.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a non-invasive skincare treatment that involves creating tiny punctures in the skin with a small device called a derma-roller. At City Skin Clinic, our team of aesthetic practitioners uses microneedling to help manage rosacea symptoms like redness and inflammation.
During a microneedling treatment, the derma-roller is rolled over the skin, creating tiny punctures that stimulate the skin’s natural healing response. This process encourages collagen and elastin production, which can help improve the skin’s texture and tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Microneedling can also help reduce the appearance of redness and inflammation associated with rosacea. By stimulating collagen and elastin production, microneedling can help strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, reducing the likelihood of inflammation and flare-ups.
Facials
Facials can be an effective treatment option for rosacea because they can help reduce inflammation, unclog pores, and improve skin texture. We offer advanced clinical facials designed to target the underlying causes of rosacea.
One of the key benefits of facials is that they are customised to meet each person’s unique needs. An experienced aesthetic practitioner will work with you to identify the specific triggers that aggravate your rosacea and tailor the facial to address them.
Another benefit of facials is combining them with other treatments to maximise their effectiveness. For example, a facial combined with laser therapy or prescription medications to achieve the best possible outcome.
Other treatment methods for rosacea
There are other methods of treatment for rosacea, such as prescribed creams. These can help soothe inflammation and repair the skin — helping the rosacea symptoms heal. Tretinoin, a prescription retinoid, is a good option for Rosacea. It can help alleviate some of the inflammatory symptoms such as pustules, papules and redness.
A doctor or a dermatologist must prescribe these, as they aren’t available over the counter.
Some people find results with natural remedies, but there’s no guarantee they’ll work as the research into them is limited. Some natural remedies include:
- Aloe vera
- Coconut oil
- Green tea
- Turmeric
You may already have these at home, but make sure you don’t apply anything to your rosacea before consulting with a doctor first.
How long will the results last?
The results of a rosacea treatment can last for different lengths of time, depending on which treatment type you get.
For example, if you have advanced clinical facials or IPL therapy, the results may last longer than if you use natural remedies. Clinical treatments are stronger and typically yield better, more permanent results.
It will also depend on how your rosacea is triggered. For example, if your trigger is a particular food or stress or alcohol, and you keep being exposed to this after treatment, then the rosacea will likely flare up again.
Book a rosacea consultation with City Skin Clinic
Although rosacea is a life-long condition, you can manage the symptoms with the help of City Skin Clinic. We offer many facial treatments that target rosacea symptoms and work to heal and soothe the affected area.
Book a consultation with City Skin Clinic today and begin your journey to clear up your rosacea.
Sources
- https://patient.info/skin-conditions/skin-rashes/rosacea
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rosacea/
- https://cityskinclinic.com/treatments/volite-skin-booster-treatments/
- https://cityskinclinic.com/treatments/advanced-clinical-facials-london/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353820
