One in ten people in the UK have Rosacea which is a skin condition that causes facial flushing, redness and sensitivity across the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. It can also cause redness and irritation on the scalp, eyes, ears and neck. This condition tends to affect those with fair skin, and people who blush easily are more likely to experience Rosacea.
It usually begins with red flushes, and over time areas of the skin become consistently red. Sometimes the flushed skin might become a little lumpy with acne-like spots and tiny spidery thread veins may show on the skin as time progresses; this is known as Acne Rosacea.
People who develop Rosacea first start to notice a tendency to blush or flush easily, and this can progress to burning or stinging sensations, constant redness, spots and pimples and visible blood vessels appearing on the face. For some people, the facial flushes can become a big problem which can really affect their self-confidence.
The delicate capillaries can stay dilated, resulting in permanent broken veins on the skin if they are left untreated. The visible symptoms are very upsetting for sufferers, leading to a drop in their self-confidence. It’s important to know what the symptoms are, as well as the treatments available to help you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin.
Flushing – Usually the earliest sign is a recurrence of a bright red facial complexion that looks as though you’ve just completed an intense workout.
Intense redness – This may resemble a blush or sunburn on the nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead that doesn’t subside.
Bumps and pimples – Small red or pus-filled bumps develop that may resemble acne without any blackheads. These may burn or sting.
Visible blood vessels – Small blood vessels become visible on the skin.
The specific cause for Rosacea remains unidentified, but it’s thought that certain elements can worsen the condition:
- Stress
- Hot drinks
- Exposure to sunlight
- Intense exercise
- Caffeine
- Excessive Alcohol
- Spicy foods
Ways to help those with Rosacea take care of their skin:
* Regulate your temperature. Try not to get overheated
* When outside in the wind and the cold, cover the face
* Apply high factor sunscreen every day for the greatest protection from the sun
* Shield the face when you spray your hair as hairspray can aggravate Rosacea
* Too many products can irritate the skin so keep your skin care routine simple
* Use only gentle skin care products which are alcohol free
* Avoid scrubbing, rubbing, or massaging the face when washing
* Try to stop smoking
* Avoid exposure to strong sunlight
* Avoid spicy food, hot drinks and alcohol, they can aggravate facial flushing
Rosacea is a frustrating skin condition which although it’s not curable, it is manageable. Laser treatment offers an effective therapy for this upsetting condition. The laser energies give excellent results, with a marked reduction in the flushing attacks of Rosacea and leaving the skin’s complexion a lot clearer.
