When you are diagnosed or suspected with rosacea (rosacea on your nose, cheeks or around your eyes), you have usually already noticed several changes to your skin. Your skin is red faster and longer. There are restless spots or you occasionally suffer from irritated eyes. Know that you are not the only one! Most people have just never heard of this skin condition. In this article you will read more about this chronic skin condition, my own experience and what you can best do about it.
What is rosacea?
Red as a rose literally means rosacea. Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that is incredibly common. About 1 in 5 women in the Netherlands will experience this condition. Do you recognize your skin in the following characteristics? Redness in the face, a warm feeling, small dilated blood vessels (rosacea), bumps (papules)/pimples (pustules), faster blushing and eventually a permanent redness and visible vessels especially on the cheeks, nose and forehead. Then chances are you are dealing with rosacea.
What types of rosacea are there?
Rosacea manifests itself in several subtypes.
In rosacea subtype one, the facial redness is particularly prominent. There are also those in whom the redness is not prominent. For some, this is the case and for others, rosacea manifests itself mainly in suffering from bumps, pimples and skin thickening. This form is called rosacea subtype 2. The symptoms sometimes resemble acne. The scientific literature identifies four different subtypes, with thickened skin, especially around the nose (rosacea type 3) and irritation of the eyes (rosacea type 4) least common. Unfortunately, there are also many people who suffer from multiple subtypes at the same time.
What factors aggravate rosacea?
Wrong skin products can aggravate rosacea. Smoking, stress, little sleep and diet can perpetuate or trigger rosacea. In addition, sunlight, heat, cosmetics, certain drugs and certain foods are also triggers. Foods such as dairy products and sugars, have been shown to negatively affect the skin and can trigger rosacea. It varies from person to person which trigger affects you the most. Rosacea or rosacea sensitivity is additionally seen frequently in families making genetic predisposition suspected.
Cause unknown
Unfortunately, the cause for rosacea has not yet been found. What is known, however, is the role of one of our skin inhabitants. In fact, the Demodex skin mite is seen in greater numbers in the microbiome in people with rosacea. It is also known to be an inflammatory (inflammatory) chronic skin condition. Therefore, it is extra important to know what specific triggers aggravate rosacea on your skin.
Is Rosacea contagious?
No, you cannot pass on rosacea to others. However, it is known to be seen more often within families. It is therefore plausible that susceptibility does get passed on through your genes.
Personal story
Around age 25, the first signs of rosacea began to catch my eye. Redness around the nose, dilated blood vessels, faster blushing, and a stinging sensation with prolonged sun exposure. Others did not notice it yet, nor did the family doctor take it seriously. This is currently more than 10 years ago and back then less was known about rosacea. During a vacation in Italy, it flared up so much that I received medication and a course of antibiotics upon my return. The diagnosis was quick at that point. Most people develop symptoms of this skin condition at a slightly later age. The medication took out the worst inflammation but did not help enough. Since I was already working as a skin therapist at that time, I started trying different treatments and products. It has taken quite a while but for the past 8 years my rosacea is pretty much under control. Okay, of course I sometimes have a small flare-up when I drink a glass of wine or have had too little rest. Strawberries also give me a flare-up pretty quickly. But the peace of mind it gives that I know and see that my skin is stronger, smoother and more radiant than ever I begrudge everyone!
During conversations with clients, I frequently hear that rosacea has a great impact on social life and that the desire is there for many to go out the door without makeup. The freedom that gives a calmer and more even skin appearance is what ultimately matters. Don’t keep walking around with this annoying skin condition any longer and make an appointment for a no-obligation, no-cost intake, I will be happy to help you find an appropriate solution and tools.
Treating Rosacea
Appropriate skin therapy treatments can help reduce disturbing symptoms. Redness can be treated with laser or IPL (light pulses). Blemishes and impurities are reduced with the use of therapeutic skin products. The skin can be strengthened by employing medical microneedling. These are some examples of treatments, which you can use to stabilize your skin. Do realize that this is a chronic skin condition and the sensitivity does not go away.
There are also a number of medicated creams, which temporarily reduce skin redness. Only, the effect of this is not visible in everyone and is always temporary. To keep the skin as calm as possible, it is advisable to avoid triggers. At the Laser Clinic, you will receive a comprehensive skin scan and trigger list to take home during a no-obligation intake. This will make it easier to figure out what your triggers are. Want to start tracking your triggers right away? Then start keeping a food diary, note in it also the times when you experience stress or had a bad night’s sleep.
Want to know what works specifically for your skin to reduce rosacea?
Feel free to make an appointment for a free skin scan.
