“I’M NOT BLUSHING, I HAVE ROSACEA.”
According to the National Rosacea Society, more than 16 million Americans struggle with rosacea.?
What is rosacea?
Rosacea (pronounced “roh-ZAY-sha”) is a chronic but treatable skin condition that primarily affects the central face and is often characterized by flare-ups and remissions. Although rosacea may develop in many ways and at any age, patient surveys indicate that it typically begins any time after age 30 as flushing or redness on the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead that may come and go.?
Studies have shown that over time the redness tends to become ruddier and more persistent, and visible blood vessels may appear. Left untreated, inflammatory bumps and pimples often develop, and in severe cases — particularly in men — the nose may grow swollen and bumpy from excess tissue. In as many as 50 percent of patients, the eyes are also affected, feeling irritated and appearing watery or bloodshot.
Although rosacea can affect all segments of the population and all skin types, individuals with fair skin who tend to flush or blush easily are believed to be at the greatest risk. The disorder is more frequently diagnosed in women but tends to be more severe in men. There is also evidence that rosacea may tend to run in families, and may be especially prevalent in people of northern or eastern European descent. (National Rosacea Society)
It is a medical condition that can be attributed to many rosacea causes and shows up in many ways.??
? Rosacea can present with dry irritated eyes (ocular rosacea).??
? Rosacea can present with sensitive skin on the face (altered barrier).??
? Rosacea can present with bumps and pimples (papulopustular rosacea).??
? Rosacea can present with flushing and blushing and red face and broken blood vessels (erythematic rosacea).??
? Rosacea can present with thickened skin and large pores (phymomatous rosacea).??
? Rosacea can present with a rash around the mouth (perioral dermatitis—which some people consider a variant of rosacea).??
No matter what type(s) you have and the symptoms you struggle with, chances are you have experienced physical discomfort, frustration, fear, and even embarrassment about how your skin looks and feels.
What causes rosacea?
The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, various theories about the origin have evolved over the years. These are most often related to its primary outward signs and symptoms: flushing and redness, bumps and pimples, and the small visible blood vessels called telangiectasia.?
The range of possible causes has included defects in the immune system, nervous system, and facial blood vessels, and the presence of microbes and Demodex mites. Some evidence also suggests there may be a hereditary link and genetic studies are now underway.
While the cause may vary there are common triggers that can cause your rosacea to flare or act up.?
Triggers include external factors, internal factors, and topical products. Triggers are unique to the individual and your skin may flare from one, some or all of these.
A few common triggers are:
? Sun exposure
? Extreme hot or cold weather and wind
? Hot water
? Certain foods and beverages such as spicy foods and alcohol
? Physical exertion
? Stress
? Certain skincare ingredients
? Perfumes and fragrances?
? Certain medications
Click?here?for a comprehensive list of possible triggers.?
If you suffer from any of these issues, we encourage you to see a board-certified dermatologist or a Dermatology Physician Assistant (PA), or a Dermatology Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in a dermatology clinic.?
We sat down with our Colorescience KNOW BETTER SKIN PROs to learn more about their personal experiences with rosacea, how to identify the triggers, and how they manage rosacea for their patients and clients.
Here is what they shared.....
For patients who struggle with Rosacea, what are the most common concerns they share and how does it impact their quality of life?
“As a licensed esthetician, I use my platform to spread knowledge and awareness of sensitive skin. Most of my clients find me because they struggle with Rosacea and are searching for answers. By the time they get to me, this has been a lifelong issue that has left them feeling self-conscious, vulnerable, and frustrated. The most common concern is skin redness, visible blood vessels on the nose and cheeks and an intense feeling of hotness on the skin, especially in social situations. The constant need to cover up their skin makes them feel helpless. They have tried traditional over the counter treatments which their skin did not respond to.”??Leah Parks, Licensed Medical Aesthetician and Owner, Skin Beautiful RX.
Kellie Daley, Licensed Medical Aesthetician at Chapter Aesthetics Studio adds, “What I hear most is the ability to go out in public without make up on.?Most guests want to feel comfortable and confident in their skin and part of that is feeling "natural".?One of the most common statements I hear is the goal of not having to wear makeup or cover up as much as they do.”
“In addition to the physical symptoms, rosacea can impact a patient's emotional well-being. Many patients report feeling frustrated and discouraged by the unpredictable nature of their condition and may become socially isolated or avoid certain situations due to concerns about their appearance. Patients with severe or persistent rosacea may also experience anxiety or depression, which can further impact their overall quality of life,”?says Emily Jamieson, Licensed Medical Aesthetician at Skinfo Specialty Skincare Boutique/Advanced Dermatology.
Making specific lifestyle changes can be an effective way to manage the signs and symptoms of rosacea.
What lifestyle changes do you recommend to help manage the signs and symptoms of rosacea?
For Kellie’s patients she shares that, “Diet is?#1!?Keeping a journal of what foods trigger the flares and eliminating or cutting down on those types of foods/drinks. Use Mineral physical SPF!?Protecting the barrier of the skin is huge in protecting and preventing flare ups.?Proper home care should be customed to their skin.?It is not a one size fits all and we need to assess the different layers and find out what the root cause of the condition is."
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Emily says, “Maintaining a gentle skincare regimen is essential for Rosacea patients. These skincare routines may include the use of non-irritating cleansers and moisturizers in addition to avoiding harsh exfoliants that can further irritate the skin. It's also important to avoid rubbing or scrubbing the skin too aggressively.”
Some other skincare ingredients to consider avoiding are:
What ingredients can be beneficial?
Kellie's favorites are:
Emily recommends to,?"look for ingredients that reduce inflammation, soothe irritated skin, and strengthen the skin barrier to prevent further damage. One effective ingredient for managing Rosacea is Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3. Niacinamide has improved skin barrier function, reduced redness and inflammation, and even improved skin tone. It is a gentle ingredient well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin. Another effective ingredient for managing Rosacea is Azealic Acid. This ingredient has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, effectively reducing redness, inflammation, and breakouts associated with rosacea. Azealic Acid also helps to even out skin tone and texture, resulting in a more uniform and healthy-looking complexion. Green Tea Polyphenols are also effective in managing rosacea. These gentle antioxidants have anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, effectively reducing redness, protecting the skin from environmental stressors, and improving overall skin health."
What do you recommend patients avoid so they do not flare up their rosacea?
“Patients with rosacea should avoid picking or rubbing their skin, as this can further irritate the condition and result in secondary infections. Instead, patients should work closely with their dermatologist provider to develop individualized treatment plans,” says Emily.
While rosacea is chronic and cannot be cured, several treatments can help manage symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups. Rosacea treatment plans vary from patient to patient, so it is important to consult with your medical provider for the best course of treatment.
When consulting with a skin health professional, they may recommend additional therapies and treatments to help manage rosacea. Our PROs discussed some that can be effective.?
The common treatment for rosacea often includes the prescription of oral antibiotics and/or topical medications. Low doses of antibiotics, such as Doxycycline, are often prescribed to help reduce inflammation and combat bacteria that can exacerbate the condition. Medical providers might also prescribe topical medications such as Metronidazole, Rhofade, Azelaic Acid, or Soolantra to help reduce redness, inflammation, and breakouts.
Aside from medications, dermatologists may recommend in-office treatments such as vascular lasers. Vascular lasers such as DermaV and PDL target blood vessels responsible for symptoms associated with rosacea such as redness and flushing. These lasers can effectively reduce the appearance of redness and improve overall skin texture and tone.
Others include:
What Colorescience products do you most often recommend and why?
"One of my go-to products is the All Calm??Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50. This product is a favorite of mine because it offers multiple benefits in one easy-to-use formula. First, it provides immediate relief by reducing redness and inflammation. Secondly, it contains a BioSolace blend of minerals and antioxidants that soothe and calm irritated skin. The All Calm??Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50 offers an instant color corrector to conceal and camouflage redness, making it an ideal choice for patients who want a natural-looking finish without using a lot of makeup. Finally, the product contains an all-mineral SPF 50, which provides broad-spectrum protection against the harmful effects of the sun. This is especially important for patients with rosacea, as sun exposure is known to exacerbate redness and inflammation,"?Emily recommends.
Leah adds, "I apply the All Calm? products after procedures and my clients experience immediate relief in their skin. The physical soothing and calming gives them the desire to add the system to their everyday skincare routine."
What have been some of the patient or personal changes you have seen in the signs and symptoms of sensitive skin due to rosacea after using the All Calm System?
"Patients who use the All Calm? System have reduced overall redness, less flare ups of pustules when treating more moderate rosacea and increased confidence to go out in public," Kellie shared.
"One of the most noticeable changes I have seen in patients who use the All Calm??System is reduced redness and inflammation, which are hallmark symptoms of rosacea. The patented BioSolace??complex blends ingredients such as Niacinamide, Ginger Root Extract, and Bisabolol to soothe, cool and calm the skin while protecting it from daily environmental aggressors and strengthen the skin barrier,"?says Emily.
The key to managing rosacea is to keep the skin barrier intact.?Using products that will decrease inflammation and rebuild the epidermis by increasing lipids and hydration in the skin.?Set realistic expectations with the guest, this is a skin disorder which means we can manage it but cannot fully correct it.?
We are grateful to have professional partners who share their expertise and help their patients and our community understand how to best protect and address our skin concerns.
If you suffer from any of these issues, we encourage you to see a board-certified dermatologist or medically trained skin health professional.?They will listen to you and work with you to determine the best combination of ingredients to avoid, products to use, prescriptions to take, and lasers.?They will work with you to identify your triggers and encourage you to obtain information from The National Rosacea Society at?rosacea.org.
Meet our Colorescience KNOW BETTER SKIN PROs
Coming from over 12 years in the aesthetic industry, earning my aesthetic license from TSPA in Fargo, ND in 2010. Also attending MSUM (Moorhead, MN) to study marketing and communications has been an advantage in helping grow an aesthetic practice. Starting right out of esthetic school in 2011 with Rejuv Medical Aesthetic Clinic in Fargo, ND, as an aesthetician, the practice grew from a team of 6 to 40 by 2020. With that growth I advanced my role to providing treatments as well as leading a team of 20 clinical providers, this included bringing in new services and products, advancing training and education, and helping the growth and development of individual providers. In 2020 Rejuv partnered with TAG (The Aspen Group) to create?Chapter Aesthetic Studio, and as of January 2023 has over 12 locations and over 150 team members. As we became Chapter we created Chapter University, a training site in Fargo, ND where all team members come to receive their initial training as well as any advanced training, in which I train new trainees and manage the clinical trainers. Being able to combine my passion for aesthetics, education, and developing people is my dream! I am a mom to 3 very active boys, Charlie, Crosby, and Colbe, so our weekends now consist of going to all thing's sports, which I love. When that is not taking up our time my husband and I enjoy going to concerts, and a good brewery and we all enjoy our time at the lake, on the boat (with our Colorescience Brush- On Shield SPF 50 of course!)
Emily has worked under the direction of Dr. Amy Forman Taub, MD, FAAD since 2013. Emily is the Executive Manager of?Skinfo Specialty Skincare Boutique, Skinfo.com, and Aesthetic Provider at?Advanced Dermatology. Emily has obtained extensive training on over 40 cosmeceutical skincare lines. It is Emily's firm belief that both medical and cosmetic treatments, when paired with excellent skincare habits, have a synergistic effect toward optimal treatment results and maintenance. Emily works to ensure her patients feel supported every step of the way whilst guiding them through their journey to accomplishing their individual skincare goals. In addition to aesthetics and skincare, Emily is passionate about advocacy for homeless dogs and enjoys traveling. As a foster Mom, Emily and her husband volunteer with a non-profit, all-breed dog rescue and have fostered over 25+ mixed-breed dogs. In addition to fostering, Emily and her husband have two of their own lovable pit mixes, Granby & Chadwick.
Leah's passion for skincare knows no boundaries. Leah has dedicated her career to learning everything about aesthetic trends and innovative techniques when treating our largest organ. From small beginnings, she found that her biggest insecurity would become her greatest passion. Her career started in medicine and then in aesthetics and with this, she was able to marry her approach to customer-centered care with being a talented businesswoman.
Throughout her impressive career, Leah has worked with many of the most prestigious Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa practices in the country working alongside top Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, NPs, and Aestheticians. Leah has been extensively educated in cosmetic surgery procedures, fillers & neurotoxins, body contouring treatments, invasive and non-invasive skin treatments, non-surgical facelifts, lasers and so much more. Her portfolio for advanced education with Medical Grade Skincare brands is second to none and she prides herself in her ability to share her knowledge in terms that are understandable for every person she "talks skin" with.
Leah launched?skinBEAUTIFUL RX?so that she could help even more people understand their skin, and have access to the best skincare; while receiving the best customer service possible. Leah is a licensed esthetician and owns a Skin Clinic in Columbus, Ohio. When Leah isn't busy educating herself or others, she loves meeting new people, laughing over funny memes, and creating reels/TikToks.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you suffer from any of these issues, we encourage you to see a board-certified dermatologist or a medical professional who is trained in addressing these conditions and concerns.?
Thank you Kellie Daley for sharing your expertise!
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1 年Thank you for this article. Just want to share that Leah Parks is amazing. From experience, Leah is a great educator. She constantly brings awareness on cancer prevention, the right skincare products to use for each skin type and how to apply them. Leah is very strategic and mission driven to help people with skin concerns and beautification.