How to Treat Rosacea: Skin Care Tips

For years I was embarrassed by my red cheeks. I couldn’t understand why so many of my classmates had perfectly even skin while mine burned bright red. In high school I finally took the initiative to find answers to my condition and that’s when my dermatologist told me about rosacea.

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterized by redness, visible blood vessels, and even small bumps on the face, but there are expert-backed tips that can help people manage the condition and mask its effects. Below, I’ll explain what rosacea is and provide five skin care tips to improve and reduce the appearance of rosacea.

Read more: Is Your Skin Suffering From Sun Damage? We Asked Experts If You Can Reverse It

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a common, chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face and causes permanent redness and visible blood vessels on the face and sometimes on other parts of the body. Rosacea is extremely common and affects more than 14 million people in the US alone. Rosacea can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or ethnicity, but it is more commonly diagnosed in middle-aged and older adults, people with fair skin, and postmenopausal women.

Rosacea is chronic and has no cure, it is highly treatable and can be managed well with over-the-counter products, treatments, medications, or surgery. It is important to speak with a dermatologist about an official diagnosis and treatment plans, as the condition can worsen over time if left untreated.

Where does rosacea develop?

Rosacea can occur all over the body but is mainly found near these areas:

• Face, especially the nose, chin, cheeks, forehead and eyes
• Ears
• Chest
• Neck
  
• Scalp

What are the symptoms of rosacea?

Rosacea is usually diagnosed when there is a chronic rash, persistent redness, and other symptoms on the face.

Other signs of rosacea may include:

• Redness, especially on the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin
• Facial inflammation and swelling, also called edema
  
• Small blood vessels that look like red lines on the skin
  
• A permanent flush
  
• Non-painful pimples
  
• Bumps and pimples
  
• Burning or stinging sensations
  
• Itching, tightness or dryness
  

What can aggravate rosacea?

Over time, certain lifestyle habits, treatments, or topical solutions may help mask the redness and make it less or completely noticeable.

There are certain risk factors that can worsen or worsen symptoms of rosaceasuch as:

• Prolonged exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet light)
• Extremely high temperatures
  
• Freezing temperatures
  
• Wind
  
• Warm baths
  
• High cardio/vigorous physical activity
  
• Tension
  
• Alcohol use
  
• Smoking
  
• Spicy food
  
• Hot dishes and drinks
  

Tips to Improve and Reduce the Appearance of Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic condition, which means your symptoms can fluctuate unexpectedly. In the event of a flare-up, here are a few methods to treat or conceal it:

1. Choose the right skin care products

You are probably wash your face twice a day, which is exactly what your dermatologist wants you to do. Rosacea poses an additional hurdle because your skin is more sensitive. When developing a daily skin care routine, it is important to use rosacea-friendly products.

It is wise to avoid products, such as toners and astringents, that contain harsh ingredients, including:

• Alcohol
• Glycolic acid
  
• Lactic acid
  
• Camphor
  
• Smell
  
• Menthol
  
• Sodium lauryl sulfate (commonly found in shampoos and toothpaste)
  
• Urea
  

You can use this to soothe and calm inflamed skin, or to prevent irritation:

• Fragrance-free topical products
• Gentle cleansers
  
• A daily broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
  
• Products with soothing ingredients such as niacinamide, green tea extract, aloe vera, bitter wood, tormentil and licorice root extract
  
• Sensitive skin and non-comedogenic products
  

Remember, it is important to test new products on a small patch of skin on your hand or arm first and introduce them gradually to see how your skin reacts. If you experience any irritation or worsening of your rosacea symptoms, discontinue use immediately.

2. Use medication

Oral and topical medications may be prescribed to treat redness, inflammation, bumps, and pimples caused by rosacea. Here are some of the most common OTC treatments for rosacea:

• Antibiotics such as doxycycline (oral)
• Brimonidine (topical gel)
  
• Topical creams or gels containing azelaic acid, ivermectin, or metronidazole
  
• Acne medications such as isotretinoin (oral)
  

These medications may require a prescription from your healthcare provider. If you have insurance, your co-pay may be as low as free to $7, but medications can cost upwards of $120 without insurance. There are basic over-the-counter products, such as those mentioned in the previous section, that can treat rosacea and will only cost you an average of $5-50, depending on the product you purchase.

3. Laser treatment

In more severe cases, your dermatologist or health care provider may use lasers to remove visible blood vessels and reduce the redness of your skin.

There are several types of laser treatments, such as pulsed dye lasers, CO2 lasers, and erbium YAG lasers, but in general, lasers work by converting light energy into heat energy to selectively target and penetrate blood vessels while leaving the surrounding skin safe. Ablative lasers, such as CO2 lasers, can reshape areas of your face that have become scarred or enlarged due to rosacea-inflamed tissue.

These treatments can be very effective. According to the American Academy of DermatologistsLasers used to treat visible blood vessels have excellent results, as 50% to 75% of those who undergo treatment see a noticeable reduction in their symptoms after one to three treatments. Light therapies come at a hefty price and can cost you between $500 and $700.

4. Cleanse your skin properly

Preventing rosacea flare-ups isn’t just about avoiding certain skin care products. It also has to do with how you cleanse your skin. Here are a few dermatologist-approved tips for cleansing your skin when you have rosacea:

• Cleanse the face twice a day, every day
• If you are taking medications to treat rosacea, apply the medications first and then follow with a rosacea-friendly moisturizer.
  
• Don’t use a washcloth or facial sponge to clean your skin. Just use your fingertips
  
• Avoid rubbing, scrubbing or massaging the skin
  
• Stop exfoliating
  
• After washing, gently pat your face with a clean cotton towel
  

5. Use makeup with a green tint

For minor cases, a green-tinted concealer or cream can help cover up redness or visible blood vessels on your face. This works thanks to color theory. Green and red are complementary colors, meaning they are opposite on the color wheel and cancel each other out when mixed. When green makeup is applied to red skin, the green will absorb the red and neutralize any red pigments. Certain products, such as the L’Oréal Paris Makeup Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream Tinted Moisturizerhave thousands of reviews touting their effectiveness in masking signs of rosacea.

Some makeup can irritate sensitive skin, so always do a patch test before applying to your face and neck. Dermatologists also recommend water-based or powder makeup for people with more sensitive or irritated skin.

Incorporating these tips into your skincare routine will help you better manage and care for your rosacea-prone skin. Before trying any of these tips or products, it’s best to consult your dermatologist, as every skin type is different and your healthcare provider knows your skin best.

To learn more, discover these 10 sunscreen myths to stop believing this summer and whether Tretinoin or Retinol is best for your skin.