Over 14 million Americans suffer from rosacea, and currently there is no cure. However, there are certain medications and habits which can keep rosacea under control and keep your skin looking clear. Patients with rosacea have redness of the skin, often with individual broken capillaries or “telangectasias” across the nose and cheeks. They most often have acne-like bumps on the face which also tend to (but not always) be on the nose and cheeks. Patients have a tendency to “flush and blush” and get red during exercise, times of embarrassment, in the heat, wind, the cold, and with spicy foods or alcohol. Early recognition and treatment are important to prevent progression of the condition and changes to the skin leading to red blood vessel formation. Several creams are available to help combat rosacea including Avene Redness Relief Cream with SPF25. It is important for patients with rosacea to wear sunscreen daily as the sun and heat can aggravate rosacea. Some patients require antibiotics or anti- inflammatory medications such as Oracea, which can help reduce redness and bumps on the skin. For patients who have broken blood vessels-which are actually just enlarged, not broken-the Gemini laser can remove up to 60% of them in one treatment. Decreasing the red blood vessels decreases the redness and also improves the rosacea and the condition of the skin. If you think you might have rosacea, see your Dermatologist for an evaluation and treatment options.
