April is rosacea awareness month. Around 3 million people each year are diagnosed with rosacea but signs and symptoms are often difficult to miss because they resemble acne and other skin conditions. Here is everything you need to know about the key symptoms of rosacea and how you can achieve clear and healthy skin.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a progressive vascular disorder that affects the face and the eyes. It presents itself with facial redness and skin flaking or irritation. Skin thickening, especially on the nose, and spider veins or visible blood vessels are also common symptoms of rosacea. If rosacea goes untreated, it can develop into ocular rosacea which causes severe eye irritation and can be damaging to your eyesight. Acne rosacea is also another form of the condition, and it results in pus-filled bumps that may be tender to the touch.

What Causes Rosacea?

There is no one cause of rosacea since flare-ups can be caused by various factors. However, people with fair skin or those with a family history of rosacea are often more at risk for developing this skin condition. It’s important to know your triggers. Of course, everybody’s skin is different and requires different care. The same goes for rosacea. Some of the most common triggers are:

• Exposure to sunlight
• Stress
• Strenuous exercise
• Hot or cold weather
• Hot beverages
• Alcohol or caffeine
• Certain foods like seafood or spicy foods

How Can You Treat Rosacea? 

Rosacea can be extremely difficult to treat on your own. So many individuals believe that, after being diagnosed with rosacea, there really isn’t anything that can be done to reduce the persistent redness, flaking, irritation, broken capillaries, and acne bumps. But that isn’t true at all! Skincare products alone typically are not effective but here are a few tips on helping to control a rosacea flare.

Make sure you were using the appropriate skin care for your condition. Using products containing actives, like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and retinoids can be irritating to the skin when used improperly. This can also trigger a rosacea flare. Consulting with a licensed medical aesthetician to establish a customized skincare routine is key! As we enter into warmer months, it’s important to remember to try and keep your body hydrated. Seek shade when possible. Too much sun exposure is not only damaging to your skin, but it can also trigger a rosacea flare faster than you think!

In-Office Rosacea Treatments

Based on your concerns and goals, a licensed medical aesthetician will plan accordingly with your rosacea in mind.

Photofacial

Treatments like BBL or IPL Photofacial can help to reduce skin redness and inflammation. It also helps to kill P acne, which will help reduce acne breakouts associated with rosacea. The broadband light heats up the broken capillaries and broken blood vessels, eliminating them from the skin. Photofacial treatment also helps to stimulate collagen production, which will help to strengthen the skin, improving its overall quality.

Topical Medications

Since rosacea can come with a slew of side effects, irritation is one of the top concerns. Thankfully, there are topical treatments that can help reduce the irritation that comes with rosacea. The Rozatrol Hydrafacial booster is a safe way to relieve the visible signs of red, sensitized skin and detox the skin. While it replenishes the hydration within the skin, it also helps to support a healthy skin barrier. 

Schedule a Consultation

When you combine custom skincare treatments and medical-grade skin care, managing your rosacea will become easier and less stressful. To treat your rosacea, know that you are not alone! There will always be somebody alongside you, helping you along this journey. Being on a skincare journey can sometimes feel like a roller coaster. But know that you are in control.

Schedule a consultation with our team to discuss rosacea treatment in Scottsdale, AZ.