Rosacea Treatment
Rosacea Treament - What you need to know
If you find yourself blushing and flushing excessively, with the presence of ‘pimples’, you may actually be having rosacea.
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder involving mainly the mid facial region. Although it is a condition affecting mostly individuals of Celtic and North-eastern European heritage, it can affect some Asian individuals. The onset of rosacea is between 30-50 years, with females more often affected than males.
Rosacea is characterized by episodic flushing and blushing, increased facial redness, the presence of small blood vessels (telangiectasia) on the background of inflamed skin. In some cases, the eyes, nose, ears and chin may be affected.
The exact reason of what causes rosacea remains unknown. However, several factors such as abnormal blood supply, climate exposure, dermal skin degeneration, inflammation and reactive oxygen species may be factors contributing to the condition.
What can Trigger Rosacea?
- Stress
- Spicy Foods
- Hot drinks
- Exercise
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Hot showers or Hot Baths
- Hot or Cold weather
- Skin care products
Rosacea Treatment
At present, there is no cure for Rosacea, but that does not mean there are no rosacea treatment options. Treatments provide a method of reducing the signs and symptoms of the condition. These may include topical medications, oral antibiotics and even oral isotretinoin in severe cases of rosacea.
Physical sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are recommended. We advise a sunscreen of SPF 30-50 and PA +++ to protect against both UVA and UVB light.
Mirvaso is the first FDA-approved topical treatment for persistent facial erythema (redness) of rosacea. Mirvaso has been shown in clinical trials to be safe and effective. In clinical trials, Mirvaso has proven to work as quickly as 30 minutes and last as long as 12 hours. Common side effects include skin irritation, stinging sensation, flushing and redness.
Laser Rosacea Treatment
Pulsed Dye Lasers are an established rosacea treatment modality. Lasers of a specific wavelength (585nm), that are preferentially absorbed by oxyhemoglobin can improve the redness of rosacea. It does this by reducing the size of the blood vessels, and causes remodelling of the skin’s connective tissue.
Lasers are safe and effective in all skin types. You may experience some transient redness following laser rosacea treatment.
A few laser sessions spaced a few weeks apart will give the best results.
Related Information:
References:
- Two AM, Wu W, Gallo RL, Hata TR. Rosacea: part I. Introduction, categorization, histology, pathogenesis, and risk factors. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015 May. 72 (5):749-58; quiz 759-60.
- Gupta AK, Chaudhry MM. Rosacea and its management: an overview. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2005 May. 19(3):273-85.
- Lonne-Rahm S, Nordlind K, Edstrom DW, Ros AM, Berg M. Laser treatment of rosacea: a pathoetiological study. Arch Dermatol. 2004 Nov. 140(11):1345-9.
- Fowler J Jr, Jackson JM, Moore A, et al; Brimonidine Phase III Study Group. Efficacy and safety of once-daily brimonidine tartrate gel 0.5% for the treatment of moderate to severe facial erythema of rosacea: results of two randomized, double-blind, and vehicle-controlled pivotal studies. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013;12(6):650-656.
