If you are one of the 16 million Americans living with rosacea, you know that this condition can be emotionally and mentally challenging. Beyond the physical discomfort from symptoms, your self-esteem may take a hit when you experience a flare-up.
While there is no way to get rid of rosacea permanently, the good news is that various treatments can help control symptoms and improve your skin’s appearance. The expert team at the Berman Skin Institute knows the complexities of rosacea and can tailor a treatment plan to your needs. To begin feeling good in your skin again, schedule a consultation today.
What Is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes facial redness and flushing, typically on the cheeks and nose. It may also lead to visible blood vessels, a rash, skin thickening and eye irritations. Stress and sun exposure can trigger these symptoms, which may last weeks or months before disappearing again.
Here’s a closer look at each symptom:
- Prolonged redness: This can start as being more prone to blushing, but over time, you notice that your skin stays red. You may also feel a prickling or stinging sensation, with your skin being hot to the touch.
- Inflamed bumps: Some people develop a rash that is often mistaken for acne, as these bumps can contain pus.
- Noticeable veins: You may have fine red lines across your nose and cheeks. These blood vessels, also known as spider veins, have broken and become enlarged.
- Thicker skin: If left untreated, rosacea may cause the skin on the nose to thicken, giving it a larger appearance. This condition, known as rhinophyma, is one of the more significant concerns associated with rosacea. It tends to be more common among men.
- Irritated eyes: Rosacea can lead to dry, red and itchy eyes, known as ocular rosacea. Your eyelids may also become swollen, and you may be prone to styes. These symptoms can occur before, after or at the same time as a skin outbreak.
Even if you have one or more of these symptoms, you should never try to self-diagnose the condition. Instead, book a consultation with a dermatologist. A medical professional will analyze your skin and ask questions about your symptoms to determine whether you have rosacea.
What Causes Rosacea?
While scientists don’t know the exact cause yet, there are various theories, such as the connection between rosacea and the immune system. Studies show that the following four factors can be linked to or worsen the condition:
Genetics
The condition likely runs in your family if you have rosacea. However, some family members are more prone to flare-ups than others, and genetic makeup is not the be-all and end-all. Additionally, fair skin and British ancestry may increase sensitivity. However, many people of Northern European descent with a light skin tone are unaffected.
The Immune System
Although researchers are still trying to determine whether rosacea is an autoimmune disease, many skin experts have theorized that the condition is connected to the immune system. More specifically, outbreaks are considered to be an exaggerated immune response to everyday stressors.
For example, spending too much time in the sun can cause an immune response in humans, commonly known as sunburn. Most people experience redness and inflammation before their immune system eventually acclimatizes.
Yet, if you have rosacea, experts believe overexposure to the sun can send your immune system into overdrive. This can lead to excessive blood vessel dilation and too much blood being brought to your skin’s surface.
Blood Vessels
Another factor that can cause rosacea symptoms is poorly connected superficial blood vessels — these veins are found just beneath your skin and are easily visible. As nerves are responsible for signaling blood vessels to relax and contract, a poor connection is related to the nervous system. If your nervous system’s messaging is inefficient, you may experience excessive blood flow to the skin’s surface, producing redness and flushing.
Infections
Research suggests that a particular strain of bacteria called H. pylori — which infects the stomach and leads to ulcers — contributes to rosacea symptoms. However, many people exhibit symptoms without this bacteria in their intestinal tract.
Methods for Treating Rosacea
As each case of the condition is unique, seeking a professional’s help is a must — your provider will tailor a rosacea treatment plan based on the different methods they believe are best for you.
Oral and Topical Medications
Medications for treating rosacea often include:
- Topical products: Your provider may prescribe medicated creams and gels containing ingredients such as brimonidine or oxymetazoline, which can minimize redness by narrowing the blood vessels. If symptoms are mild, topical products with ingredients like azelaic acid or metronidazole can help reduce pimples by minimizing inflammation and restricting bacteria growth.
- Antibiotic medication: If you have more significant concerns about the pimples or rash caused by rosacea, your provider might prescribe an oral antibiotic. Medications such as doxycycline can clear skin lesions in as little as four weeks and prevent their return for up to a year.
- Acne medication: Providers may use isotretinoin when symptoms don’t improve with other medications. Studies show this oral acne medicine can successfully treat rosacea, even at a low dose.
Laser and Light Therapies
Laser and light treatment can help improve the appearance of spider veins. Patients report a 50% to 70% reduction in noticeable blood vessels after one to three laser treatments, with results lasting for up to five years. Gentler procedures, such as broadband light therapy (BBL), may need up to five sessions.
Laser therapies can also reduce prolonged redness by 20% and effectively remove thickened skin or bumps. As with most laser procedures, you will likely need repeat treatments to maintain your skin, with optimum results becoming visible after a couple of weeks.
At Berman Skin Institute, we typically recommend the following light and laser therapies for rosacea:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT): This two-step procedure applies a medication with a photosensitizing agent to the affected area before treating it with a blue light. You can receive PDT once or twice a month until symptoms subside.
- Intense pulsed light (IPL): The IPL PhotoFacial uses a bright beam of light that is absorbed by the skin’s underlying layers, stimulating collagen growth. This procedure can minimize redness and remove broken capillaries. While you may initially require treatment every three weeks, you will only need a session every four months to maintain the results.
- Pulsed dye laser (PDL): V-Beam PDL can reduce or eliminate redness and veins in only one session. Additionally, it can be performed once every four or six months to keep symptoms at bay. Although this treatment involves a laser and can lead to short-term bruising, it is relatively pain-free.
Surgery for Rhinophyma
Surgery is sometimes necessary to remove the thickened skin from the nose, especially if the condition has caused blocked nasal passages and breathing difficulties. These surgeries use lasers, such as carbon dioxide lasers, or scalpels to cut away or sand down the excessive skin tissue. While surgery for rhinophyma may not entirely remove the uneven texture, redness or asymmetrical nose shape, it can drastically improve its appearance and ensure better breathing.
Tips for Managing Rosacea
In addition to the above treatments, the following lifestyle modification tips can also help you manage rosacea:
- Identify your triggers: Learn which factors trigger flare-ups so that you can avoid them. These can range from consuming alcohol, spicy foods or hot beverages to being exposed to stressful situations, excessive sunlight or strong winds.
- Look after your skin: Use a soap-free cleanser and a suitable moisturizer twice daily. Choose fragrance-free products with ingredients like niacinamide, dicarboxylic and azelaic acid. Be cautious of rubbing or touching your face and using products containing alcohol, urea, menthol and camphor.
- Protect yourself from the elements: Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 daily and reapply frequently. Take additional steps to protect yourself, such as staying indoors during midday. In chillier, windier weather, wear a scarf.
Treat Rosacea at Berman Skin Institute
While rosacea flare-ups can be a physical and emotional burden, the right treatments can help manage your symptoms, allow you to regain confidence and improve your quality of life. Berman Skin Institute aims to provide the best dermatologic care, blending cutting-edge medical technology and research to prioritize your well-being and healing.
When you schedule a consultation at one of our Northern California locations, one of our expert providers will discuss your concerns and assess your skin. They will then devise a treatment plan combining oral and topical medications with therapies like PDT and V-Beam PDL. To help you access the treatment you need, we offer several financing options and accept many types of insurance.
To take the first step to treating your rosacea and feeling good in your skin, schedule a consultation today!
