Do you find that when you are overwhelmed with emotions of stress, anxiety or embarrassment, your whole face flushes involuntarily? Or even after having a nice glass of your favourite wine, you feel the heat building up and colouring your skin red?
You might suffer from the skin condition called Rosacea.
Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition characterised by telangiectasia (small, inflamed blood vessels), erythema (persistent redness), flushing and blushing of the facial skin. It commonly affects fairer skinned and light-haired individuals.
The exact cause is unknown, but there are several factors that can trigger the above-mentioned symptoms:
- Extreme temperature
- Sunlight, humidity, or wind
- Stress, anxiety, anger, or embarrassment
- Vigorous exercise
- Hot baths or saunas
- Hot foods and beverages
- Spicy food
- Alcohol
Treatment may involve a combination of prescribed topical medications, oral medication as well as laser treatments to help relieve and reduce symptoms. These include:
Topical medications: Help to reduce inflammation and redness and can be used in combination with some oral medications. (Skinoren or Rosex gel)
Oral antibiotics: Tend to give faster results than topical ones and are prescribed for their anti-inflammatory properties. (Tetralysal / Erythromycin)
Roaccutane / Accutane (Isotretinoin): This oral medication is sometimes used for severe cases of inflammatory rosacea if other treatments have not succeeded. The main function of Isotretinoin is that it inhibits the production of oil by the sebaceous glands.
Laser Treatment
For patients with visible blood vessels (telangiectasia) and persistent redness, laser treatments like intense pulsed light or pulsed dye laser can be used to shrink them, as well as strengthen the skin as it stimulates collagen production. These treatments must be done as part of a maintenance programme in order to keep the rosacea from flaring up. Laser treatment can sometimes cause bruising, swelling, and tenderness.
Rosacea is not a life-threatening condition, but the effect it has on one’s appearance often leaves you feeling embarrassed, frustrated, anxious, and lacking in self-confidence.
Contact Cosmetic Dermatology Centre to find the best treatment options available to you and wave farewell to Snow White’s rosy cheeks.
“Blog articles are written by staff members of CDC as a reflection of their own professional experience in the aesthetic world.”