What is rosacea? The term ‘rosacea‘ refers to a treatable skin condition that primarily affects the face. If you have rosacea, you will experience redness or blushing across your face, especially on your cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. This redness may be transient or permanent and may be accompanied by a stinging sensation when water or skincare products are applied to the face. You may also experience small, pus-filled pink or red bumps on your skin.
While some people with this skin condition choose to embrace it and draw confidence from their unique looks, others find that it causes them great physical and emotional discomfort and makes them feel self-conscious. If this is the case for you, read on to discover how to treat rosacea and tips for avoiding and calming flare-ups.
What Is Rosacea? Our Guide To Understanding & Treating Rosacea
At our cosmetic clinic in Milton Keynes, we’ve supported many patients living with rosacea, from mild cases to more severe forms. Our experience and expertise allow us to help reduce symptoms while improving comfort and confidence. Patient well-being is always our top priority, which is why we encourage you to book a consultation to discuss your goals and explore the most suitable treatment options. If you have any questions or would like further information, our friendly team is here to help.
- What Is Rosacea Skin?
- What Does Rosacea Look Like?
- Are There Different Types of Rosacea?
- What Causes Rosacea?
- Does Rosacea Go Away?
- How To Treat Rosacea
- What Helps Rosacea Day To Day?
- How To Calm A Rosacea Flare-Up
- Rosacea FAQs
What Is Rosacea Skin?
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that primarily affects the face. It has various symptoms that can vary from person to person, but they all usually come and go in flare-ups. It is believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune system factors, rather than being caused by bacteria or viruses. It presents itself differently in each person who suffers from it; some may experience mild symptoms, such as redness and occasional flushing, whereas others may experience more severe symptoms, including visible blood vessels, inflammation, and severe redness.
What Does Rosacea Look Like?
If you’re unsure whether you have rosacea, you may wonder what the skin condition looks like. Here are some common signs of rosacea to look out for:
- Redness across the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin
- Stinging or burning sensations
- Visibly broken blood vessels at the surface of the skin
- Small red or pink bumps known as papules and pustules
- Dry skin
- Swelling and pain around the eyes
- Yellow/orange patches on the skin
Rosacea is commonly misdiagnosed as regular acne, but there are several differences between these skin conditions. For example, acne tends to be more widespread across the face, while rosacea typically presents in the centre of the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin. For more tips on differentiating between rosacea and regular acne, check out the video below.
Are There Different Types of Rosacea?
There are four different types of rosacea; some individuals may experience symptoms of one or more of these types. They are characterised by the following:
- Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea – Persistent redness on the face, flushing, and visible blood vessels under the skin.
- Papulopustular rosacea – Pus-filled spots (pustules) and red, swollen bumps (papules) similar to the appearance of acne.
- Phymatous rosacea – Thickened and scarred skin, creating a bumpy, swollen, and sometimes discoloured appearance.
- Ocular rosacea – Dry, irritated, or sensitive eyes, sometimes with cysts on the eyelids.
Erythematotelangiectatic remains the most common type of rosacea, with phymatous being the least. During your initial consultation, we will assess your skin to ensure your treatment targets the symptoms of your most prominent type of rosacea.
What Causes Rosacea?
While the exact cause of rosacea is not known, several factors are known to trigger flare-ups of the condition. These include the following:
- Drinking alcohol and hot beverages
- Consuming caffeine
- Eating spicy foods and dairy
- Extremely hot or cold temperatures
- Sun exposure
- Strong emotions
- Aerobic exercise
- Some medications and cosmetic products
Try to monitor how your symptoms respond to these common triggers to determine which ones apply to you. If you are aiming to minimise your rosacea symptoms, avoiding these triggers may help ease pain and redness.
Does Rosacea Go Away?
As rosacea is a chronic skin condition with no cure, it does not typically resolve on its own over time; however, it can enter a remission phase. This means it can cycle between flare-ups and periods where symptoms are minimal. Treatment, as well as identifying and avoiding triggers, play a vital role in managing and reducing flare-ups. The key to successful rosacea treatment is patience; while some people may see improvements within just a few weeks, others may take several months to notice significant changes.
How To Treat Rosacea
If your rosacea is affecting your self-esteem, you don’t have to put up with it. Our specialised rosacea treatments in Milton Keynes is highly effective and can help minimise the appearance of rosacea by reducing facial redness, papules and pustules, and red thread veins. Each treatment plan is created bespoke to the patient, based on their goals and health history. Below are the various treatment options we offer:
Intense Pulsed Light
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is used to reduce the facial flushing characteristic of rosacea by shrinking blood vessels in the face. It is also used to treat the appearance of papules and pustules, which commonly occur in people with rosacea. It works by using light energy to target unwanted pigmentation, resulting in a more even skin tone. Our highly trained team will work with you to design a tailored treatment plan that aims to significantly reduce symptoms through multiple sessions over a period of 4 to 6 months.
Skin Peels
Skin peels exfoliate the skin’s surface and stimulate the production of new, healthy skin cells, allowing them to be used to even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of bumps. This makes them an ideal option for those looking to reduce rosacea symptoms. We specialise in both The Perfect Peel and skin peels by IMAGE Skincare, and will determine the best fit for your desired results through your initial skin consultation.
Ndyag Laser
The Ndyag laser is used to remove the thin red facial veins that appear in people with rosacea. It works by producing heat energy that causes the blood inside the thread veins to coagulate, resulting in the vein collapsing and sealing. The Ndyag laser will be incorporated into your rosacea treatment in Milton Keynes and only ever used by a qualified practitioner, meaning that you can be confident that you will be in the best hands, and your safety, well-being and satisfaction will be the top priority.
HydraFacial
The HydraFacial is a highly popular cosmetic treatment that cleanses, hydrates, and nourishes the skin. Not only is it completely safe for those with rosacea, but it can also help reduce symptoms of the condition. This treatment deeply detoxifies and cleanses the skin, helping to reduce the formation of papules and pustules. It also thoroughly hydrates the skin, which is perfect for those who experience dry, itchy skin due to rosacea. The massaging techniques used during our HydraFacial in Milton Keynes can also help soothe red, inflamed skin, leaving you with a brighter, more even complexion. Take a look at our previous article to find out more!
If you are interested in any of our treatments, contact our cosmetic clinic in Milton Keynes to get started on your journey with us!
What Helps Rosacea Day To Day?
Between cosmetic treatments, you can manage your rosacea at home by using skincare products specifically designed to target redness. We recommend the IMAGE Skincare redness and sensitivity set, which contains four specialised products that comprise a complete skincare routine for both the AM and PM. This routine is designed to be cleansing yet soothing and hydrating, helping combat rosacea-associated acne, redness, and dryness. The SPF 50 moisturiser in this set offers protection against UV rays, which is absolutely essential to avoid a flare-up.
How To Calm A Rosacea Flare-Up
People with rosacea typically experience flare-ups, which may be caused by one of the previously mentioned triggers or have no discernible cause. Either way, it is essential to know how to reduce symptoms should you experience a flare-up, so that you can minimise pain, redness, and the formation of bumps. Here is how to calm a rosacea flare-up:
- Moisturise – use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser to soothe inflamed skin.
- Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water to prevent your skin from feeling dry and irritated.
- Avoid harsh products – ensure that you only use rosacea-friendly skin products with calming, gentle ingredients.
- Avoid triggers – take note of activities and products that seem to trigger your rosacea and do your best to avoid them.
These tips for calming rosacea flare-ups are especially effective when used in conjunction with our rosacea treatment in Milton Keynes. If you have any questions about managing your rosacea symptoms through treatments, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team.
Rosacea FAQs
To finish our guide, we thought we’d answer some common questions people have surrounding rosacea:
Is Rosacea Itchy?
Burning, stinging, and itching sensations in the face are commonly reported by those with rosacea. Facial itchiness can be alleviated through the use of a gentle, fragrance-free, and rosacea-friendly moisturiser.
Is Rosacea Genetic?
It is believed that both genetics and the environment influence the development of rosacea. Individuals with the skin condition are more likely to have a family history of it than those who do not, suggesting that genetics plays a role in its development.
Does Rosacea Get Worse With Age?
If left untreated, rosacea can usually worsen with age, developing over time. While it affects people of all ages, it is more common in those over 30. Different factors, such as sun exposure, diet, alcohol consumption, stress, and temperature changes, can exacerbate rosacea, causing symptoms to become more pronounced and severe over time.
Is Rosacea Contagious?
There are myths surrounding rosacea, such as the notion that it is triggered by poor hygiene and that it is contagious; however, this is not the case. It cannot be spread from person to person and is a condition that develops within an individual.
Can Rosacea Be Cured?
There is no known cure for rosacea; however, treatments can help alleviate flare-ups and their associated symptoms. For example, topical creams, oral medications, lifestyle changes, and skincare. Many people can successfully manage their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life even though there is no complete cure for the condition!
What Ingredients Should You Avoid If You Have Rosacea?
Certain ingredients in cosmetic products are suspected of triggering rosacea flare-ups in some people. These include alcohol, menthol, fragrances, lactic acid, glycolic acid, camphor, urea, and sodium laurel sulphate, which can be found in shampoos and toothpaste.
Treating Rosacea Symptoms
While rosacea is nothing to be ashamed of, many people find the pain, discomfort, redness, and bumps caused by the condition to be unpleasant and negatively impact their confidence. We hope that our guide to rosacea and its treatments has helped inform you on how to seek relief from your symptoms, whether they are severe or mild. If you are interested in the treatments outlined in this article and would like to find out more, please feel free to get in touch with our team at our skin clinic in Milton Keynes who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have