What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that makes your face turn red and may cause swelling and skin sores that look like acne. It typically occurs in people with fair skin between the ages of 30 and 50 and is more common in women than men. Rosacea is often caused by the swelling of the blood vessels that are situated right beneath the skin. This results is the characteristic redness of the face and other associated symptoms. Rosacea is a harmless condition and does not usually cause any pain or discomfort, but in the most severe cases, people with rosacea may experience burning, stinging or itching skin.
It is not known what causes rosacea, but there are certain triggers which can cause the condition to flare up. These triggers vary from person to person. Rosacea is not contagious and is not caused by poor hygiene. Many people choose to seek rosacea treatment as the condition can have a major impact on self-esteem and confidence, often having a negative effect in social situations and even impact upon career prospects.
Unfortunately, rosacea cannot be cured. However, there are a number of different rosacea treatments which can help to control the symptoms. A rosacea specialist here at the Dermavision Clinic will be able to advise you on which treatment will be best for you. It is worth remembering that rosacea symptoms can get worse if not treated.

What are the causes and symptoms of rosacea?

The symptoms of rosacea vary depending on the type of rosacea a person has and which stage of rosacea they have. Typical rosacea symptoms include:
– Redness, rash or blushing across the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin. This redness may disappear quickly or may last for weeks of even months, depending on the severity of the condition.
– Burning or stinging when using water or skin care products: Gentle oil-free, water-based skincare products should be used to avoid exacerbating rosacea.
– Avoid skincare products which contain alcohol, menthol, exfoliating agents or witch hazel.
– Acne–like breakouts
– Dry skin
– Swelling
– Irritated, bloodshot eyes. This applies to ocular rosacea. Ocular rosacea can precede the skin symptoms of rosacea, develop at the same time, develop later or appear independently to skin rosacea.
– Thickened skin: This typically occurs on the nose, but can also occur on other parts of the face, including the cheeks.
– It is not known exactly what causes a person to develop rosacea. Genetics, the immune system and environmental factors may all play a part.

However there are a number of things which can cause symptoms to flare up. Diet in particular plays a major role in managing rosacea symptoms.

People who have rosacea should identify what triggers their symptoms and avoid them wherever possible. We recommend you keep a diary to record your food intake and to help you identify any potential triggers. Common rosacea triggers include: alcohol, spicy foods, cheese, hot drinks, cinnamaldehyde foods.

Rosacea Treatment by Clarity 2

Fast and effective, we consider the laser Clarity 2 to be the gold standard in terms of rosacea treatment. The laser works by delivering photothermal energy to the skin. The light is specifically absorbed by the blood vessels in the dermis. These blood vessels are are coagulated and then reabsorbed by the body during the natural healing process. Clarity 2 targets the blood vessels, therefore making the laser treatment more effective. The laser makes your skin sensitive to sunlight and bright indoor light, therefore you are required to stay indoors for a full 24 hours after the procedure and avoid sunlight for 7 days.

Rosacea Treatment IPL

IPL treatment for rosacea focuses on the visible blood vessels of the skin. The heat from the light targets the widened blood vessels and causes them to shrink until their visibility is significantly reduced. The side effects of IPL are usually minor and temporary. ypical side effects include itching, light bruising, redness, swelling, skin peeling and scabbing. The amount of procedures needed to get the desired results will vary depending on the patient and the severity of the condition. One of our rosacea specialists will be able to advise you on the number of procedures that you may need.

What to expect?

You will meet with one of our highly trained esthetician at Dermavision Clinic for an in-person assessment of your skin.
Your consultant will discuss the following with you at this consultation

– The best options for treatment for you given your rosacea condition, and the results that you would likely achieve with each treatment
– An explanation of the treatment or treatment plan
– Answer any questions you may have