You don’t have to live with 24/7 redness.
1. It’s either your mom’s fault or your dad’s fault that you have it.
“Rosacea is caused by genetic factors, so its inherited in families, but it’s primarily a condition of abnormal inflammation in the skin,” says Dr. Shannon Humphrey, dermatologist and spokesperson for the Acne and Rosacea Society of Canada. Rosacea typically only occurs on the face and most common in people between the ages of 30 and 50.
2. There’s more than one type.
Vascular rosacea causes redness, dilated blood vessels and flushed skin. Then, there’s papular rosacea, which results in acne-like bumps. Sinusitis rosacea (also known as rhinophyma) results in a lumpy nose, chin cheeks or forehead. And finally there’s ocular rosacea. Yup, that’s right, rosacea can occur around the eyes causing dryness, redness and styes. Sigh. Remember to allow your derm, not Google, to diagnose your rosacea because several skin conditions can mimic it.
3. Topical treatments aren’t always the best bet.
Topical antibiotics can help to reduce bumps that come with papular rosacea. But those who suffer from vascular rosacea may want to look into in-office laser treatments. “They can…reduce redness, reduce dilated blood vessels and stimulate some extra collagen so the skin is just a little more robust, a little bit smoother and less reactive,” says Humphrey.
4. Put down your Tabasco sauce and glass of wine.
We all know that spicy food can trigger a reaction, but foods that are hot in actual temperature, as well as caffeine and alcohol, can also induce redness. You should also avoid the sun and use gentle cleansers.
5. The more you flush, the worse your rosacea can get.
Kinda like how blushing when you talk to your crush only leads to more blushing. “That’s why you really want to try and minimize the triggers to minimize the number of flares that patients get,” says Humphrey.
6. You can wear makeup if you have rosacea.
The caveat? The fewer the ingredients in a product and the fewer the products you use, the better. Humphrey recommends mineral-based makeup; these products are gentler on skin because they don’t have irritating additives.
8 rosacea-friendly products
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