Rosacea Awareness

1 in 10 people in the UK are affected by Rosacea, it is a long-term skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels in the face, affecting both men and women particularly past the age of 30.

It is not known what causes rosacea, but some external triggers can worsen symptoms such as alcohol, certain foods, and hot drinks. Rosacea is nothing to be ashamed of, but it can cause anxiety and low self-esteem for those who suffer with it. Fear of blushing can increase social anxiety causing people to avoid situations which may trigger their symptoms.

Whilst there is no ‘cure’ for Rosacea people can take steps in their daily life to help manage it, including:

• Use gentle skincare products for sensitive skin – rosacea and sensitive skin often go hand in hand. Avoiding common skin irritants is a great way to help manage symptoms. It is best to use specially formulated products for rosacea.
• Wear SPF daily – where possible it is best to avoid sun exposure, as well as hot, humid environments as these conditions are likely to trigger a flare up.
• Avoid certain foods – triggers can vary from person to person, however the most common include hot beverages of any kind, caffeine, alcohol, dairy and spicy foods. 

Rosacea product recommendations…

Oxygenetix Oxygenating Hydro-Matrix (RRP £55, available from: Face the Future, Dermacare Direct)

Oxygenetix Oxygenating Hydro-Matrix is a pro-healing complex suitable for all skin-types which has made it a celebrity, dermatologist, and makeup artist favourite and a holy grail moisturiser for those suffering with rosacea.

Its key ingredient is CeravitaeTM; a supercharged oxygen complex which promotes collagen productions and connective tissue growth, helping to support youthful, firm, and smooth skin. The Aloe Vera gel base helps to heal damaged and compromised skin whilst removing dead surface cells and naturally hydrating the skin. Delivering long-lasting hydration all day long.

Youth Perfect Finish Cream SPF 50, 30ml (RRP: £56.50, available from guinotshop.co.uk)

The skin is instantly illuminated and even skin tone is restored thanks to encapsulated pigments which release colour. Supported by high quality Vitamin C and Melanoxyl which smooth the skin by boosting synthesis of elastic fibres and minimising dark spots when used daily, leaving skin looking radiant and youthful.

sk:n Clinics (sknclinics.co.uk)

sk:n the UK’s largest network of specialist skincare clinics is able to provide treatments to help people manage their Rosacea symptoms. Charlotte Lundy, Regional Nurse Trainer lets us know all about what sk:n can do to help…

How can sk:n help people with rosacea?

At sk:n we tailor our treatment of rosacea depending on the person and how severe their symptoms are, all patients are required to have a thorough consultation prior to starting treatment.

What happens during the consultation?

During your consultation your dermatologist will gain a thorough understanding of your medical history. Then using magnifying lamps and skin scanners we will do a thorough assessment of the skin and then make an individualised treatment plan.

What treatments does sk:n offer for Rosacea?

For mild rosacea we offer Mandelic Peels from Enerpeel. For moderate to severe rosacea, we recommend people to see one of our dermatologists for laser treatments such as PDL (Pulsed Dye Laser) to treat facial thread veins associated with rosacea, or to prescribe antibiotics or topical cream.

How do these treatments work and how long will it take to see results? 

Mandelic peels work by instigating the inflammatory response in our skin which increases cell turnover, collagen, and elastin production. This helps to reduce redness by increasing vascular turnover. To obtain the best results a course of treatments will be required. 

PDL helps to reduce visible broken capillaries by shrinking the vessel with laser. After treatment there may be some bruising which can take one to two weeks to fade. Once skin has settles you should notice that capillaries and redness has reduced. 

Medications can be used to reduce breakouts associated with rosacea by reducing inflammatory lesions along with reducing redness. Treatment with medications usually requires the patient to take a course of antibiotics over 4 – 6 weeks. 

Those with rosacea must remember to use gentle skincare alongside any treatment to avoid irritating the skin.

When is the best time to have treatment for rosacea?

Clients should avoid having treatments during the height of summer as post treatment they will need to avoid sun exposure for at least a few days.