Living With Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic condition that involves redness and inflammation, and most commonly occurs in the facial area. Common symptoms are redness, blushing easily, large pores, dry or rough feeling skin, acne-like bumps, and warm or inflamed blood vessels. Because it mimics many other common facial conditions, many people fail to realize that they are living with rosacea, believing they are suffering from an allergy or acne instead. The signs associated with rosacea will most often appear on the forehead, cheeks and nose area but rosacea can also occur around the ears, neck, top of the head, or even the chest area.
While the exact causes of rosacea are unknown, there are certain risk factors that make it more likely for some people to develop the condition than others. For instance, people with fair skin tones are more likely to develop rosacea than people with darker tones. Women also have a higher risk of developing rosacea than men do, as do people in their early thirties. Genetics may also be a significant predictor.
Rosacea will only get worse over time if it is not treated. This is why anybody who suspects that they have rosacea should visit a dermatologist in Pleasanton who can provide skin treatment in San Francisco and the surrounding area.
That said, even people who are already receiving treatment by a dermatologist in Cameron Park and elsewhere for their rosacea symptoms should also take special precautions to ensure their face or the part of the body most vulnerable to rosacea is always well cared for and protected.
A good facial care routine will support skin treatment in San Francisco by increasing the efficacy of the procedures, contribute to a greater sense of overall comfort, and reduce the incidences of uncomfortable flare-ups as a result of coming into contact with a trigger. That said, people should always follow the advice of their dermatologist in Placerville first and foremost when it comes to facial care for rosacea.
With that in mind, what are some general advice that people can apply in their everyday lives to help ensure their rosacea symptoms are kept in check? Read on to find out.
Helpful Advice for Keeping Rosacea in Check
Cleanse the Area Twice a Day
Many people who live with rosacea will avoid cleaning the affected region, because it is already red, sore, and irritated. That said, it is important to keep the area clean and free from bacteria to avoid further exacerbating the problem. That said, people living with rosacea should not wash their face in the same way as they would if they didn’t have rosacea. Rather, they should only use gentle, soap-free rosacea free cleansers and apply it to the area only with the fingertips, making gentle circles. Using washcloths, scrubbers, or any other facial accessories or tools can cause irritation, so be sure to stick with just the fingertips and nothing else.
Rinse in a similar manner, using comfortable lukewarm water that is neither hot nor cold enough to shock the affected area. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to the point that all cleanser is certainly removed, because any particles of the cleanser left on the face might aggravate the condition. Gently pat dry the face with a soft clean towel. This routine should be repeated twice daily.
Moisturize Regularly
Dryness and irritation are both common symptoms of rosacea, and using a gentle, rosacea-friendly, fragrance-free moisturizer or barrier cream on the area on a daily basis can help keep these uncomfortable symptoms at bay. Cream-based products will usually be less irritating than gels or liquids.
Be sure to do the research and make sure any skincare product is truly rosacea-friendly. Meanwhile, avoid any skincare products that contain any of the following ingredients, because they are likely to further irritate the condition:
● Alcohol
● Urea
● Glycolic acid
● Camphor
● Fragrances or perfumes
● Menthol
● Lactic acid
● Sodium lauryl sulfate
In addition, people living with rosacea should eliminate any toners or astringents completely from their daily facial care routine.
Use Sunscreen
The sun can wreak havoc on anybody’s face, but rosacea sufferers are especially vulnerable to the effects of UVA and UVB radiation, exposure to which can actually worsen the condition. This is why it is important for rosacea sufferers to keep a gentle sunscreen on hand to apply whenever they head outdoors, regardless of the weather conditions.
Look for a rosacea-friendly or reef-safe variety, which tends to use gentle non-irritating ingredients like coconut oil. Zinc-oxide and or titanium oxide-based products are usually best, and the product should always have a minimum SPF level of 30 and be fragrance-free. Be wary of products that are marketed as unscented, because they may use abrasive perfumes or additives to mask the natural scent of the ingredients.
Wearing other forms of practical sun-protection accessories like hats, hoods, or scarves will add an extra layer of protection and help rosacea sufferers make a fashion statement while they are at it. Be sure to always test a product in an isolated area before using it. To do so, apply a small drop of product to an area of the face just outside of the rosacea-prone area and wait four full days to ensure the face has no reaction to the product.
Rosacea sufferers want to also be sure to take special care to avoid overheating their face, because this is a common trigger for flare-ups. This means they might want to skip out on the sunbathing during a hot summer afternoon and pass on the hot showers in favor of a more gentle warm water temperature. Making use of shade structures and other apparatuses like portable umbrellas can help rosacea sufferers enjoy time outside while ensuring their face stays relatively cool and comfortable. Midday is typically the time when the sun is at its brightest and hottest, and people living with rosacea will probably want to opt for cooler morning or late afternoon rays to get their daily dose of sunshine.
Disclaimer: We are unable to guarantee any result, even though most of our patients do see success. The results of our services will vary greatly to each patient’s level of commitment and compliance with the program.