Rosacea

Rosacea is a skin disease characterized by chronic red patchiness, papules, pustules, rough skin texture and broken capillaries. The condition is common among women and men aged 30 and above, although its severity and presentation can vary considerably.

Despite its commonality, rosacea is poorly diagnosed and medical treatment options are generally unsatisfactory over the longer term.

In the last 50 years therapists have come to understand and treat acne with great success using a variety of flexible approaches. For rosacea, the available knowledge and treatment is remarkably poor.

Although more than 600 rosacea papers have been published over the last decade, no single or multiple cause has been identified, and no single or multiple treatment agreed upon.

At this stage we can only be sure of one thing: that the appearance of rosacea is made more apparent by accumulative sun damage. There is another potential quandary here, for most sunscreen chemicals are skin irritants and skin with rosacea can tend to be highly reactive to foreign substances.

Rosacea Development and Progression

In its early stages, rosacea symptoms come and go, and there can be long periods of remission even without any rosacea treatment being initiated.

Ultimately, rosacea becomes relatively constant, varying only in severity. Papules, pustules, itching and burning sensations are signs of advanced rosacea.

A significant number of rosacea patients will also experience ocular rosacea, a condition that results in very sensitive eyes prone to conjunctivitis. This variant of rosacea is serious; left untreated eyesight can become damaged.

Rosacea Treatment

Identification is the most critical step in rosacea treatment. The earlier rosacea is caught, the less chance it has to do permanent damage.

Left untreated, the condition can develop a momentum that is highly resistant to therapy. Advanced rosacea cases are expensive and difficult to improve.

Ideally, rosacea treatment should be carefully tailored to the individual.

The experience and sensitivity of therapists with a variety of products is useful in arriving at a good treatment with an improved outcome.

Systemic Rosacea Treatment

Oral antibiotics produce the fastest results and are often recommended in for aggressive rosacea. However they are not ideal for long-term use and have a variety of secondary unwanted effects.

Topical Rosacea Treatment

Although cortisones rapidly clear redness, its now acknowledged that they are responsible for the initiation of some rosacea cases, and that their injudicious use leads to worse rosacea overall once their use is stopped.

Metronidazole (0.75 to 1%), Sodium Sulfacetamide and Azelaic Acid can be used underneath suitable rosacea skin care.

These are the most popular agents used, and although they perform reasonably for many people, they produce uneven results and are inadequate in and of themselves.

Sunscreens

Murad Sun Block (SPF 15) for sensitive skin should be used on a daily basis, including winter and cloudy days.

Jane Iredale Minerals provide broad spectrum (UVA + UVB) protection of SPF 20 and may be an option for rosacea sufferers that don't like the texture and smell of sunscreens.

Elly's Skin Clinic also provides its own SPF 30.

Rosacea Skin Care

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Murad Redness Therapy

This is one of the first skin care regimens created for chronically red skin that is easily sensitized.

The line consists of a Soothing Gel Cleanser, Treatment Gel, SPF 15 (with moisturizer) and Treatment Powder.

Treatment ingredients include Goji Berry (which is effective against skin inflammation), Azelaic Acid (the most modern and arguably effective rosacea treatment agent to date) and Vitamin K (which aids in calming capillaries, reducing the likelihood of breakage).

A professional facial procedure for rosacaa including two calming facial masks is available.

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Paul Scerri Sensitive Skin Care

Swiss skin care specialist Paul Scerri provides a skin de-sensitizing serum for use with a day and night cream formulated for sensitive, delicate and reactive skin.

Rosacea Make Up

Jane Iredale

Medical experience has shown that rosacea sufferers are especially susceptible to irritation from sunscreens.

Cyclomethicone and dimethicone in Jane Iredale Purepressed Make Up Bases greatly reduce the irritating potential of sunscreen chemicals.

These ingredients also provide a good moisturizing action that won't block pores and encourage the formation of lesions.

Free of fillers and providing excellent coverage, Jane Iredale Make Up is well recommended by plastic surgeons and dermatologists.

 

Disclaimer

The information provided here is for information purposes only and is not intended to replace professional advice. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information here with other sources and to contact their physician for medical advice.

Copyright 1994 Melbourne Dermatology. Reproduced by Elly's Skin Clinic at www.beautyhub.com with permission. The contents of this article must not be reproduced without the prior written permission of the author.