Our face is our first point of contact with the world. That’s why living with rosacea can be so tough.
Rosacea is a common skin condition with symptoms that include flushing, redness, pimples and visible blood vessels. Because it affects the face, it can be a big source of stress—and a big blow to self-confidence. But there are effective treatments that can reduce redness and help you look your best. The most important first step is to see a qualified professional who can develop a customized treatment plan especially for you.
What Causes Rosacea?
No one knows exactly what causes rosacea. There are a number of theories about possible causes, including bacteria, microscopic skin mites, sun damage, and immune or inflammatory response to foods or the environment. It’s likely that more than one of these factors comes into play in most cases. Both environmental and psychological factors also appear to trigger rosacea. Winter can be a particularly tough time since rosacea can be triggered or made worse by both cold air and dry heat, both part of a mid-Atlantic winter.
What Are Some Rosacea Triggers?
Rosacea is different for every individual and it’s important to know your own specific triggers. While every case is different, triggers identified by the National Rosacea Society include certain foods (cultured dairy products, high acid fruits like citrus and tomatoes, high iron foods like spinach and liver, and spicy foods are frequently mentioned); overheating brought on by saunas, baths and other factors; weather factors like wind, sun exposure and cold; alcohol and some hot beverages; stress and anxiety. Once you can identify your own rosacea triggers, try to avoid those conditions or behaviors to help minimize flare ups.
What Are My Treatment Options for Rosacea?
While there’s no cure for rosacea, there are a number of highly effective treatment options. The symptoms of rosacea can vary widely so it’s important to create an individual treatment plan with your doctor or medi-spa. Radiance Salon & Medi-Spa has helped a number of clients treat rosacea with great results. The medical director at Radiance is a board certified plastic surgeon, and the medi-spa staff also includes a team of highly qualified physician assistants and registered nurses who can provide advice and a customized treatment plan including both in-spa treatments and products for your home skin care regimen.
BBL Treatments For Rosacea
Broad Band Light (or BBL) is one of the most promising treatments for rosacea and helps relieve symptoms for patients. Radiance Salon & Medi-spa has had great results for rosacea treatment with its BBL Photofacial, which uses tiny pulses of light to diminish the redness of rosacea.
BBL is similar to laser treatment but generates a broader spectrum of light specifically matched to the type of skin being treated. One of the huge upsides of BBL is that it generally causes little or no bruising or swelling and can bring about dramatic improvements with very little down time. You’ll be ready to go soon after treatment—in most cases the only side effect is temporary redness, which generally disappears within an hour.
Combined with eliminating lifestyle and environmental factors that can cause flare-ups (and with oral antibiotics or other medications in some cases), IPL can make a big difference in reducing the redness and inflammation associated with rosacea. Many Radiance clients opt to take things to the next level, with the medi-spa’s Double Laser Package, including an BBL treatment and a Laser Micro Peel (an erbium laser resurfacing). Radiance’s team of experts can help you decide which procedure will work best for you.
Skin Care Products For Rosacea
In addition to in-spa treatments, Radiance offers a number of skin care products that are highly recommended for rosacea. Since dryness is a big factor in triggering rosacea, hydration is key. A gentle skin care regimen can go a long way to helping control rosacea symptoms and reduce redness.
The Visual Changes line of unique corrective skin care products offers several products that are designed with rosacea in mind. Visual Changes’ Advanced Calming Serum reduces redness, and Retexture Crème calms irritation and heals blemishes. Gentle washing is key in caring for skin affected by rosacea, and Visual Changes’ Ultra Gentle Enzyme Cleanser is exactly what the doctor ordered. Another staff favorite– the Obagi skin care line– is also highly recommended for clients with rosacea. Obagi’s Gentle Rejuvenation line (including cleanser and calming cream) helps gently cleanse and hydrate while reducing redness and irritation.
Don’t Let Rosacea Bring You Down
Living with rosacea can be frustrating. We don’t yet know everything about it, and we don’t yet have a cure. But there are safe and effective treatment options that can reduce redness and other symptoms in a significant way. Choosing a medi-spa staffed by experienced medical professionals is an important first step to finding a treatment plan that will help you look and feel your best.
