June 22, 2023
Are you tired of living with the persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and acne-like breakouts caused by rosacea? This chronic skin disease isn’t cured but can be managed and minimized with the right approach. Learn more here.Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects more than 14 million people in the United States. Commonly mistaken for adult acne, this complex condition can trigger periodic flare-ups of redness and flushing, visible blood vessels, and pimple-like breakouts across the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead.  Although rosacea isn’t curable, it can be managed and minimized with the right approach. As skin and facial vein experts offering a full scope of advanced, energy-based rosacea treatment options at Colorado Skin and Vein in Englewood, Colorado, our skilled team can help you reduce rosacea flare-ups and clear your skin.   Read on as David Verebelyi, MD, RVT, and Christina Jordan, FNP, CANS, discuss the ins and outs of rosacea, including the main components of an effective rosacea treatment plan.   A short tutorial on rosacea A tendency to blush or flush more easily than before is often the first sign of rosacea, an incurable skin condition that causes red patches across the nose and cheeks that may spread to the forehead or chin. People with rosacea may also notice redness on their neck, ears, eyes, scalp, chest, and back.  Given that the signs (what you see) and symptoms (what you feel) of rosacea can vary from one person to the next, experts have categorized the disease into four distinct subtypes.    Rosacea subtypes It’s possible to have more than one rosacea subtype at once. Each subtype has a different treatment approach.   Erythematotelangiectatic Subtype one causes a persistent redness in the center of your face and visibly broken blood vessels (spider veins). The skin may swell, sting, burn, or feel dry and rough.    Papulopustular Subtype two causes acne-like breakouts of pus- or fluid-filled pimples that tend to appear unexpectedly. The skin may be oilier and more sensitive than usual or swell and develop raised skin patches called plaques.  Phymatous Subtype three, which is rare and usually preceded by symptoms of subtype one or two, causes your skin to swell, thicken, and become bumpy, especially along the nose. Oily skin, large pores, and visible spider veins may also occur.  Ocular Subtype four affects the eyes, causing bumps (styes) on your lids. It can also make your eyes appear bloodshot, cause blurry vision, and leave your eyes feeling irritated, gritty, watery, or light-sensitive.   Symptom triggers A defining characteristic of rosacea is that its symptoms typically flare up in the presence of specific triggers. Although rosacea triggers are highly individual, common symptom-activating factors include:  Alcohol consumption Sunlight and heat Emotional stress Wind and cold Physical exertion Hormonal changes Spicy foods; hot drinks Some medications and specific hair, skin, or makeup products can also trigger rosacea. These factors are by no means an exhaustive list, and you may determine that you have other triggers.  Rosacea treatment solutions Rosacea management falls into two general categories: Basic control care and individualized treatment therapies.   Foundational care No matter which rosacea subtype (or combination of subtypes) you have, it’s important to build a basic preventive care plan to minimize flare-ups and support healthy skin, which includes:  Trigger avoidance Determining what triggers your rosacea symptoms and learning how to avoid those triggers is one of the best ways to control the condition and maintain clear, healthy-looking skin.   Sun protection Most people with rosacea find their skin quite sensitive to the sun. Before you head outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your face, neck, and other exposed skin areas. Stick to the shade when you can, and avoid the midday sun.   Gentle skin care Harsh skin care products and habits (such as scrubbing) can aggravate rosacea and cause a symptom flare-up. Our team can recommend mild products and show you gentle cleansing techniques to ensure your daily skin care routine doesn’t intensify your rosacea.  Individualized treatment Depending on the subtype and severity of your rosacea, you may also benefit from a more targeted treatment approach, such as:  Topical or oral medication Several FDA-approved topical medications can treat skin inflammation, persistent redness, and acne-like breakouts caused by rosacea. Most are applied once or twice a day to help keep skin calm and clear. Sometimes, a prescription of oral antibiotics helps control particularly severe rosacea.  Laser therapy Noninvasive laser therapy uses targeted energy to erase visible spider veins, minimize skin redness, and ease subdermal inflammation. It can also correct the thickened skin and textural changes caused by advanced rosacea. Most people see substantial skin improvement with a series of laser treatments.  Get clear, healthier skin today Ready to gain the upper hand over rosacea? We can help. To learn more about the rosacea treatment solutions at Colorado Skin and Vein in Englewood, Colorado, call or click online and schedule an appointment today.Â
April 24, 2022
Skin conditions can crop up at any time in life for virtually any reason. One of these skin conditions, rosacea, is fairly common. In fact, more than 14 million people in the U.S. live with rosacea, and most people who have the condition are between the ages of 30 and 50. So what is rosacea? It’s an inflammatory condition characterized by broken capillaries on the face, facial redness, prominent facial blood vessels, red bumps, and pustules. For people who have rosacea, the severity of breakouts varies, as well as the underlying causes. For some, rosacea is marked by redness or flushing, as well as visible blood vessels. For others, rosacea causes thickened skin, red or irritated eyes, and even breakouts that resemble acne. While the exact cause of rosacea is still unknown, autoimmune conditions and genetics may play a role. Rosacea treatment also varies, with some forms being treatable by oral antibiotics and others treated by certain types of lasers. If you are determining the best rosacea treatment for you or have already scheduled an option, it’s important to prepare accordingly. Treatment options range in time and intensity, so speak with your healthcare provider about steps you can take before and after your treatment so that it goes as smoothly as possible. Before you know it, your treatment will be finished and your rosacea symptoms will hopefully improve. Preparing for a Rosacea Treatment for the Best Outcomes Rosacea can be treated with oral antibiotics minocycline and doxycycline, isotretinoin, various topical medications, a pulsed dye laser, and a CO2 laser. The type of rosacea treatment you choose determines how you should prepare for it, but there are a few best practices dermatologists recommend for anyone who has rosacea. Over time, these steps can help your skin feel more comfortable, improve the overall health of your skin, and reduce the occurrence of rosacea flare-ups. Here are a few tips for how to prepare for treatment of facial redness and broken capillaries on the face: 1. Cleanse your face daily. According to dermatologists, one factor that increases the severity of rosacea is not washing skin enough. Many people who struggle with rosacea have irritated skin, and cleansing the face might make it feel more irritated. However, gently cleansing the face before bed and when you wake up removes the oil and dirt that can worsen the severity of rosacea. To get the best results, choose a mild cleanser that is rosacea-friendly, apply the cleanser gently with your fingertips, rinse with lukewarm water, and pat your face gently with a towel. 2. Moisturize every day. Moisturizing your skin each day traps water in your skin, which can reduce irritation and make your face feel more comfortable. Importantly, moisturizing daily also helps patients see better results from rosacea treatment. In one study, rosacea patients applied a rosacea treatment gel all over their face and a moisturizer on one side. After 15 days, the moisturized side of their faces had visibly less drying, peeling, and roughness. 3. Use sun protection. While it’s great to spend time outdoors and soak up vitamin D, exposure to sunlight can actually exacerbate rosacea symptoms. To prevent excessive flare-ups due to sun exposure, apply sunscreen each day before heading outdoors. To best protect your skin, look for sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium oxide, silicone, broad spectrum protection, SPF 30 or higher, and make sure it is fragrance-free. Dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen even on cloudy days, as sun exposure is still a risk. 4. Focus on rosacea-friendly skincare. When it comes to face cleansers and moisturizers, it’s important to remember that skincare is not one-size-fits-all. Before you buy any products, read the list of ingredients before you buy them. Steer clear of any products that contain any irritants, such as alcohol, camphor, fragrance, glycolic acid, lactic acid, menthol, sodium laurel sulfate, and urea. When it comes to rosacea and skincare, it’s important to remember that your skincare routine can make all the difference in the effectiveness of rosacea treatment. Before beginning treatment, consult with your healthcare provider about which products to use, especially when it comes to cleansers and moisturizers. For more information about treating rosacea, contact the professionals at Colorado Skin & Vein to discover your options.