How do I know if I have got Rosacea?
What exactly is Rosacea?
According to the NHS definition, Rosacea is a common but poorly understood long term skin condition which mainly affects the face.
What are the symptoms?
Rosacea usually appears after the age of 30 when initially, you will see periodic flushing of your face whereby your skin will turn red for a short period and then in time, other symptoms such as burning and stinging sensations develop along with permanent redness. Redness will be increased as small blood vessels in the skin become visible and also spots and pustules will become apparent.
As Rosacea is a relapsing condition, it means that there are periods when symptoms are particularly bad followed by periods when the condition is less severe. Rosacea is characterised by flare ups and remissions
One of the biggest misconceptions is that rosacea is caused by heavy drinking. This is simply not true!
Who is likely to have Rosacea?
Although rosacea can affect all segments of the population, individuals with fair skin who tend to flush or blush easily are believed to be at greatest risk. The disease is more frequently diagnosed in women, but more severe symptoms tend to be seen in men — perhaps because they often delay seeking medical help until the disorder reaches advanced stages.
What are the common triggers?
What are the main causes of Rosacea?
The causes of rosacea can be broken down into three areas: reaction to an external aggressor, mites and hormones.
If it is caused by a reaction to an aggressor such as skincare products, cosmetic or household products, weather or spicy foods, then you can stop exposing your skin to these products containing harsh chemicals. The worst culprits are non natural make up and metal dioxides found in most sunscreens.
However many women with rosacea dare not go without make up and this can exacerbate the problem.
The good news is that if they use a natural oil or cream with a non irritating base they will create a barrier between the skin and those external agressors and subsequently you should see a significant improvement.
I would personally suggest Dermalogica Barrier repair which can be applied on top of your moisturiser, it creates a smooth surface for your make up and provides your skin with a shield against external aggressors.
And of course these can also provide greater protection from damaging UVA light, as well as cold, wind and rain. It may even help skin cope better with spicy foods.
If mites are the cause, essential oils can kill them off very quickly.
If its down to hormones, the rosacea could be exacerbated by factors such as stress, which plays havoc with hormones. So you should use products to help combat the cause, such as de stressing essential oils to keep the skin as clean nourished and protected as possible.
Always check the labels on your skin, hair and body care products and finally a big no no is wipes which often contain synthetic perfumes or disinfectant.
The products you put onto your skin are very important, your skin is likely to be on red alert! and will be reactive and responsive to cheap fillers and chemicals. Use a range of products rather than cherry picking from different ranges and also use products with calming ingredients.
A personal favourite of mine is the Ultra Calming range by Dermalogica. I have had great success with these products over the years with many clients with inflammation decreasing substantially after continued use.
Its advisable to seek professional advice on how to control Rosacea. Identifying your triggers is an essential part of managing Rosacea, using suitable skincare products and possibly a course of treatments to jump start the improving of your skin.
