Rosacea Treatment
Do you experience facial redness, broken capillaries, flushing and blushing?
From creams to lasers, the best rosacea treatment is one that is personalised to your unique condition.
- Professional | Established | Trusted
- Consultation | Diagnosis | Treatment
- Individualised rosacea treatment plan
- Over 15 years of clinical experience
What Is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects mainly the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. You may experience inflammed red bumps, visible small blood vessels and episodic flushing. It may lead to a thickening of the nasal skin and commonly involves eye symptoms.
Successful treatment of rosacea hinges upon proper skin care, avoiding trigger factors and utilising clinically proven medical therapies. Symptoms often start with flushing and redness in this chronic condition. Not uncommonly, it can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem and can negatively affect your quality of life. With early diagnosis, the symptoms of rosacea can be managed effectively
OUR APPROACH
HOW DR.NG TREATS rosacea
As a member of the American Acne and Rosacea Society, Dr Ng uses the latest treatment backed with years of experience to restore confidence to individuals affected by this chronic inflammatory skin condition. Characterized by persistent facial redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps, rosacea can significantly impact one’s quality of life. Through a comprehensive and personalised approach, Dr Ng offer a range of treatments tailored to address the specific symptoms and triggers of each patient’s rosacea.
Who Gets Rosacea?
Rosacea usually begins from the ages of 30-50 years and is typified by episodes of flares and remissions. Women are characteristically affected more than men. Although it is common in fair skin individuals of Celtic origin, it is not an uncommon occurence in fair skin Asian individuals as well.
What Does Rosacea Look Like?
The National Rosacea Society Expert Committee has classified rosacea into 4 subtypes:
- Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea: Flushing with persistent central facial redness
- Papulopustular Rosacea: Central facial redness with papules, pustules with or without burning sensation
- Phymatous Rosacea: Thickened, irregular skin nodularities
- Ocular Rosacea: Watery, blood-shot eyes, burning sensation, light sensitivity and blurred vision
Affecting mainly the central region of the face, rosacea can appear as inflammed papules, pustules, telangiectasia (small visible blood vessels) and skin redness that may be persistent or transient (flushing). You may also notice the skin to be dry, sensitive and stinging as the skin barrier is disrupted. Eye-related symptoms include irritation, redness, dryness, tearing and light sensitivity. Indeed, rosacea may progress from one subtype to another with periods of exacerbations and remissions in between.
What Causes Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that primarily affects the face, causing redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps. While the exact cause of rosacea is not fully understood, several factors are believed to contribute to its development. These factors can be broadly categorized into genetic, environmental, vascular, inflammatory, and microbial aspects.
- Genetic factors: Rosacea often run in families, and more common in those with fair skin and of Celtic descent.
- Blood vessel abnormalities: There appears to be hyper-reactive blood vessel associated with inflammation within the skin.
- Inflammation: An overt inflammatory response and release of chemical mediators makes the skin sensitive in susceptible individuals.
- Microbial factors: The Demodex mites have been implicated in Rosacea.
- Skin barrier dysfunction: A weakened skin barrier often leads to sensitivity, burning and rendess.
Diagnosing Rosacea
Most cases of rosacea can be diagnosed based the clinical history and examination findings. While it can be confused with acne vulgaris, the latter is associated with the presence of comedones. It may overlap with eczema as the skin barrier is disrupted leading to dry and itchy skin.
How is rosacea different from acne?
Rosacea and acne are both common skin conditions, but they have distinct characteristics, causes, and treatments. Here are the main physical differences between the two:
Characteristics | Acne | Rosacea |
|---|---|---|
Papules/Pustules | Yes | Yes |
Comedones (Blackheads/Whiteheads) | Yes | No |
Nodules/Cysts | Yes | No |
Flushing/Bushing | No | Yes |
Scarring | Yes | Yes |
Visible blood vessels | No | Yes |
Eye irritation | No | Yes |
Thickened Skin | No | Yes |
What can Trigger off Rosacea?
- Sun exposure
- Stress
- Spicy Foods
- Hot drinks
- Heavy Exercise
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Hot showers or Hot Baths
- Hot or Cold weather
- Humidity
- Skin care products and cosmetics
Most people with rosacea feel that their symptoms are not well-controlled. As rosacea is a chronic condition with the potential for skin scarring, early treatment and maintenance therapy is essential. The best rosacea treatment plan is one that is designed for sensitive rosacea skin in mind.
Rosacea Treatment
Rosacea treatment options would depend upon the severity of your condition, the rosacea subgroup and your skin type.
Generally, use of cosmetics (e.g. exfoliants, sodium lauryl sulphate, glycolic acid) that can irritate the skin are to be avoided. A gentle moisturizer to repair the skin barrier is encouraged.
As sun exposure is a major trigger factor, physical sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are advised due to lesser risks of side effects. We advise a sunscreen of SPF 30-50 and PA +++ to protect against both UVA and UVB light.
Treatment For Facial Redness And Flushing
Facial redness is usually due to underlying inflammation and abnormal vasculature.
- Mirvaso gel, containing 0.5% Brimonidine is FDA-approved and clinically proven in studies to effectively reduce facial redness. The onset of effect is about 30 minutes, and results may last for up to 12 hours. Common side effects include redness, itchiness, burning sensation and rebound erythema.
- 1% Oxymetazoline hydrochloride cream
- Vascular Lasers to improve appearance of erythema by targeting oxyhemoglobin in the skin.
Treatment For Inflammatory rosacea
Mild to Moderate Rosacea:
- Topical Azelaic acid cream: Reduces inflammation, pigmentation and redness.
- Topical Metronidazole: Reduces bumps of rosacea through its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties
- Topical Soolantra (1% Ivermectin) cream: Improves papules and pustules through its anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory action.
- Microencapsulated Benzoyl Peroxide cream: Inflammed lesions of rosacea are reduced through its anti-bacterial and keratolytic properties.
Moderate to Severe Rosacea:
- Combination topical therapies with Oral Antibiotics e.g. doxycycline.
- Side effects of oral antibiotics include nausea, bloatedness, acid reflux.
- Treatment may need to be repeated when rosacea flares up.
Recalcitrant Rosacea:
- Low dose Oral Isotretinoin has shown to be effective.
- Side effects include dry lips, skin and eyes.
- Contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women
Vascular laser for Rosacea
Vascular lasers improve the signs and symptoms of rosacea through its action on the superficial blood vessels within the skin. The FDA-approved Advatx laser uses a 589nm wavelength to safely and effectively reduce the redness of rosacea. Vascular lasers are helpful in managing the microvascular manifestation of the disease:
- Redness (erythema)
- Flushing and Blushing
- Broken capillaries (telangiectasia)
- Inflammed papules and pustules
Rosacea Treatment Singapore Price
TREATMENT | PRICE |
|---|---|
Oral Antibiotics | from $30 |
Topical therapy | from $40 |
Oral Isotretinoin | from $80 |
Mirvaso gel | from $96 |
Soolantra cream | from $120 |
Laser Rosacea Treatment | from $399 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Rosacea
The exact cause of rosacea is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and vascular factors. Triggers such as sunlight, hot or spicy foods, alcohol, stress, and certain medications or skincare products can exacerbate symptoms in susceptible individuals.
Currently, there is no cure for rosacea, but various treatments can help manage symptoms and reduce flare-ups. With appropriate treatment and lifestyle modifications, many people with rosacea can effectively control their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
A gentle skincare routine is essential for individuals with rosacea. This may include using mild, non-abrasive cleansers, avoiding harsh skincare products or irritants, using sunscreen daily, and moisturizing to help maintain the skin’s barrier function.
While diet may not directly cause rosacea, certain foods and beverages can trigger flare-ups or exacerbate symptoms in some individuals. Common triggers include spicy foods, hot beverages, alcohol (particularly red wine), caffeine, and histamine-rich foods.
Yes, laser therapy, such as intense pulsed light (IPL) or vascular lasers, can be effective for reducing redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels associated with rosacea. Laser treatments work by targeting and destroying abnormal blood vessels in the skin, resulting in improved skin tone and texture.
The timeframe for seeing results from rosacea treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition, the chosen treatment method, and individual factors such as skin type and response to treatment. Improvement may be noticeable within a few weeks to months of starting treatment.
It’s advisable to see a dermatologist or healthcare provider if you experience persistent or worsening symptoms of rosacea, such as facial redness, flushing, or skin irritation. A dermatologist can evaluate your condition, recommend appropriate treatment options, and provide personalized skincare advice tailored to your specific needs and concerns. Early intervention can help prevent complications and improve outcomes for individuals with rosacea.
Rosacea treatment insights
With a focus on patient education, empowerment, and ongoing management, I believe that in a strong partnership with individuals affected by rosacea to develop personalized treatment plans that optimize results and enhance quality of life. Through a combination of medical expertise, cutting-edge technology, and compassionate care, rosacea treatment endeavors to restore comfort, confidence, and a sense of well-being to those living with this challenging condition.
Schedule a consultation for rosacea treatment in Singapore
Contact us today to schedule a consultation, so that Dr. Ng can develop a personalized rosacea treatment plan for resolving your skin concerns and helping you to achieve long-term improvements in the health and appearance of your skin.
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Get in touch with us with any questions, pricing, or bookings.
Or give us a call at +65 6769 6007 | WhatsApp us +65 9855 3022
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.
- Chang HC, Chang YS. Pulsed dye laser versus intense pulsed light for facial erythema of rosacea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2022 May 19;33(4):2394-6.
- Zhang H, Tang K, Wang Y, Fang R, Sun Q. Rosacea treatment: review and update. Dermatology and therapy. 2021 Feb;11:13-24.
ABOUT DR MOSES NG
MBBS (London) with distinction
Dip Practical Dermatology (Cardiff) with distinction
Member of American Acne & Rosacea Society
Fellow of American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery
LinkedIn Profile 
Dr. Moses Ng is a distinguished professional in the field of aesthetic medicine, renowned for his expertise in advanced cosmetic procedures. With over 15 years of experience, extensive training and a keen eye for detail, Dr. Ng specializes in a wide range of treatments, including injectables, laser therapies, and acne scar management.
Dr. Moses Ng’s commitment to excellence and patient-centric approach have earned him a reputation as a trusted clinician in aesthetic medicine. His continuous pursuit of the latest advancements in the field ensures that his patients receive the highest standard of care and the most effective treatments available.
