Do you have redness or look like you’re blushing? You’re not alone. Rosacea is a common skin condition that affects over 14 million people in the United States.

Rosacea is a condition that can be difficult to manage, as many of its causes are either unknown or hard to specify and the ways in which it presents itself vary greatly from one patient to the next. Symptoms of rosacea can last anywhere from weeks to months and can disappear entirely only to return in the future.

While there is no cure for rosacea, proper treatment can reduce signs and symptoms as well as lessen the frequency of appearance.

Some Known Causes and Aggravators of Rosacea

There are several factors rosacea patients can encounter on a daily basis that may bring about and exasperate rosacea symptoms. While certain factors—such as drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods—can be avoided entirely with lifestyle changes, others—like stress, sun exposure, extreme temperature changes, wind, and physical exertion—can be much more difficult, if not impossible, to avoid.

Treatment Options

There are some things you can start to do before you see a dermatologist:

• Avoid triggers: The first step in any rosacea treatment regimen is to first identify the things in your life that may be contributing to your discomfort. Some of these will be easy to pinpoint, while others may be more difficult. Pay attention to what exacerbates redness and try to avoid those triggers.
• Adjust your products: Fragrances in certain skincare and cosmetic products, for instance, are one of the greatest aggravators of rosacea symptoms, but can be extremely troublesome to avoid, as they are often cleverly hidden in the ingredient lists of many products. Using skincare products that are 100% free of fragrances (such as those offered through our Clara and Focus lines) is a great place to start. In addition to avoiding fragrances, many skincare products (including our Soothe Redness Relief) are specifically formulated with ingredients shown to reduce redness and inflammation.
• Wear sunscreen: While sunscreen should aways be used, those with rosacea will need to be extra diligent in protecting the skin.

When to See Your Dermatologist

Although many patients experiencing rosacea have only mild to moderate symptoms, there are some serious effects of this condition that can show in patients with more active and undertreated cases, such as the thickening of the skin on the nose (also known as rhinophyma) and certain prolonged eye irritation.

For these reasons, it is important that patients seek the advice of a trusted dermatologist, even if their rosacea symptoms appear to be tolerable.

A dermatologist can also provide treatment options to manage the symptoms of rosacea. These include the following:

• Topical prescriptions
• Oral prescriptions
• Laser/light therapy (IPL)

How Rosacea Effects More Than the Skin

Living with rosacea can cause feelings of anxiety and embarrassment. To help understand and manage your rosacea diagnosis, speak with a dermatologist.

For more information about rosacea or to schedule your dermatology consultation, contact Vanguard Skin Specialists at (719) 355-1585. If you’d like to speak with a skin consultant about your skincare products, call clara, our aesthetic retail division, at (719) 579-5555 for a complimentary consultation.