Rosacea can be a real drag. It’s not just a bit of blush—it’s a persistent skin condition that can cause significant discomfort and affect your confidence. But don't worry! At Dream Clinic, we're by your side, and together, we can keep rosacea under control. Now let’s run through what you need to know about rosacea.
Image source: Freepik
The Rosacea Family: Subtypes and Symptoms
Rosacea is like that unexpected guest who shows up uninvited and overstays their welcome. It comes in four main subtypes, each with its own set of symptoms:
1. Erythematotelangiectatic (ETR) Rosacea: Think persistent facial redness (erythema) and visible blood vessels (telangiectasia). Your face feels like it's constantly blushing, but without the charm.
2. Papulopustular (PPR) Rosacea: Characterized by acne-like breakouts. Dome-shaped papules and pustules take center stage, often accompanied by a burning or stinging sensation.
3. Phymatous Rosacea: This type causes the skin to thicken and become bumpy, often affecting the nose (rhinophyma), leading to a bulbous appearance.
4. Ocular Rosacea: It’s not just skin-deep; this subtype affects the eyes, causing redness, irritation, and a gritty feeling.
From the top left to right, followed by bottom left to right. The 4 different types of rosacea are: A) erythematotelangiectatic rosacea; B) papulopustular rosacea; C) rhinophyma (phymatous rosacea) and D) ocular rosacea.
Image source: Mikkelsen, C.S. et al. (2016) ‘Rosacea: A clinical review’, Dermatology Reports, 8(1). doi:10.4081/dr.2016.6387.
It’s worth noting that you can experience more than one subtype at the same time, and there can be a progression from one to another.
Decoding Rosacea: What Causes It?
Rosacea is more than skin-deep; it’s a complex interplay of factors:
- Immune Response Gone Wild: Your immune system’s dysregulated response leads to excessive inflammation and vasodilation.
- Inflammatory Cascade: Triggered by various factors, it results in a flurry of inflammatory and vasoactive peptides. This is heightened by increased local blood flow and mast cell degranulation which lead to higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines.
- Leukocyte Chemotaxis and Angiogenesis: An influx of white blood cells (leukocytes) and the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) contribute to the symptoms.
Image shows cytokines and chemokines involved in the activation of rosacea.
Image source: Gerber, P.A. et al. (2011) ‘Rosacea: The cytokine and Chemokine Network’, Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings, 15(1), pp. 40–47. doi:10.1038/jidsymp.2011.9.
Trigger Happy: What Sets Rosacea Off?
Rosacea triggers can be a minefield, but knowing them can help you avoid flare-ups. Let’s explore these triggers in more detail:
Environmental Factors
The environment plays a significant role in triggering rosacea. Exposure to UV radiation can cause skin damage and inflammation, leading to flare-ups. High temperatures, whether from hot weather or activities like saunas and hot baths, can also provoke rosacea symptoms. Additionally, harsh weather conditions, such as strong winds and cold temperatures, can irritate the skin, causing redness and discomfort.
Diet
What you eat and drink can significantly impact your rosacea. Spicy foods and hot drinks, such as coffee and tea, are common culprits that can trigger flare-ups. Specific foods like tomatoes, citrus fruits, cinnamon, and chocolate contain compounds that may irritate the skin and exacerbate symptoms. It's essential to monitor your diet and identify which foods might be causing your rosacea to worsen.
Image source: Freepik
Stress
Psychosocial stress is another major factor that can exacerbate rosacea. Stress can trigger the release of certain hormones and inflammatory responses in the body, leading to increased redness and irritation. Finding ways to manage stress, such as through relaxation techniques, exercise, and mindfulness, can help reduce rosacea flare-ups.
Lifestyle
Certain lifestyle choices can also trigger rosacea. Alcohol and tobacco are known to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow to the skin, leading to redness and flare-ups. Even certain facial masks, especially those that are warm, humid, or occlusive, can disrupt the skin barrier and cause a change of a healthy environment of the skin flora (dysbiosis), triggering rosacea symptoms. It's essential to be mindful of your lifestyle habits and make adjustments to reduce the likelihood of triggering rosacea.
Who’s at Risk?
While rosacea can occur at any age, it’s more common in individuals over 30. Interestingly, men and women are equally affected, although women are more likely to seek treatment.
Battling Rosacea: Treatment Options
Dealing with rosacea can feel overwhelming, but there are effective treatments available beyond medications prescribed during your consultation. Let’s explore the various options:
→ Skincare Routine
A gentle skincare routine can make a world of difference:
- Cleansers: Choose mild, synthetic detergents (non-soap cleanser) with a pH of 4.5-5.5.
- Toners: Clinisept, a solution made of sodium hypochlorite, can help reduce flares and encourage healing.
Image source: Clinisept+ - a completely new approach to skin cleansing, Clinisept.
- Moisturizers: Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid (HA) as humectants and niacinamide as emollients. (Check out our previous blogs on selecting the right moisturizer for more tips! - Skin SOS: Cracking the Code to Hydration)
- Sunscreen: A broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 and PA++++ is essential to protect your skin from UV radiation.
→ Flare control
Polynucleotides (PN): These are natural polymers that help in skin repair and regeneration. Plinest and Rejuran focus on reducing inflammatory actions, scaffolding the skin barrier and enhancing the skin’s natural healing process.
Vascular Laser Treatments: With our Fotona SP Dynamis Nx Line, we are able to adapt long pulsed Nd:YAG technology to assist in targeting the vascular feeding system, so it equally distribute the heat to the vessel wall, hence shrinking the excessive vascular networks.
Redermalization: Hyalual Electri combines the power of hyaluronic acid (HA) and succinic acid in redermalization. Hyaluronic Acid (HA), known for its intense hydration properties, also plays a crucial role in reducing proinflammatory cytokines, which helps in managing inflammation and redness. On the other hand, succinic acid improves microcirculation and reduces macrophage activity, leading to better skin health and reduced rosacea symptoms.
Image source: Electri, Hyalual. Available at: https://hyalual.com/catalogue/product/46-electri
Lifestyle and Home Care
While we are working our best towards your rosacea control, here’s something you can do to make the situation even better!
Avoid Triggers: Identifying and steering clear of known triggers can significantly reduce flare-ups.
Consistent Skincare: Maintain a gentle and consistent skincare routine tailored to your skin’s needs.
Oral Sunscreens: These can provide additional protection against UV radiation and help in managing rosacea symptoms.
Want to take charge of your rosacea? Dream Clinic is here to help you achieve radiant, healthy skin. Book your appointment now and start your journey to a more confident you. Your skin will love the transformation!
References
Rainer, B.M., Kang, S. and Chien, A.L. (2017) ‘Rosacea: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment’, Dermato-Endocrinology, 9(1). doi:10.1080/19381980.2017.1361574.
Schauber, J. and Gallo, R.L. (2008) ‘Antimicrobial peptides and the skin immune defense system’, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 122(2), pp. 261–266. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2008.03.027.
Use of long pulse nd:YAG 1064nm laser for treatment of ... Available at: https://www.laserandhealthacademy.com/media/objave/academy/priponke/5_use_of_long_pulse_nd_yag_1064_nm_laser_for_treatment_of_rosacea_telangiectatica.pdf (Accessed: 30 June 2024).
Woo, Y.R. et al. (2016) Rosacea: Molecular mechanisms and management of a chronic cutaneous inflammatory condition, MDPI. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/17/9/1562 (Accessed: 30 June 2024).
Yamasaki, K. and Gallo, R.L. (2011) ‘Rosacea as a disease of Cathelicidins and skin innate immunity’, Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings, 15(1), pp. 12–15. doi:10.1038/jidsymp.2011.4.
