What Is Rosacea And How Can You Treat It?

Rosacea is a condition that causes a reddening of the skin on the face. Most commonly, the redness appears on the cheeks, chin, forehead and nose and it can come and go. 

Although it can affect anyone, it is most common in those with fair skin who experience blushing or flushing easily. The severity of the condition will depend on various factors, but in general the redness becomes more persistent the longer you have rosacea.

In some cases, blood vessels may become visible. If left untreated, rosacea can also cause bumps and pimples on the skin.

While the cause of rosacea is unknown, the good news is that there are various ways in which you can treat it with the support of a skin rejuvenation clinic to boost your self-confidence and bring back your natural glow. 

What are the early signs of rosacea?

The first signs of rosacea are normally short flushes where your face reddens. In the early stages of the condition, these will usually last only a few minutes. However, as rosacea develops the redness can persist for longer. 

These flushes are normally accompanied by a warm feeling in your skin, while for some it may feel painful. 

It is important to note that if you have a darker skin tone, the redness may not be visible, but you can still develop rosacea and experience the same hot or painful sensations. 

Certain factors can also trigger rosacea outbreaks, including exposure to sunlight, alcohol, hot or cold temperatures, aerobic exercise and stress.

How do you treat rosacea?

One of the most effective treatments for rosacea is intense pulsed light (IPL), which is a non-invasive procedure that delivers controlled light energy to your skin. Over time, this helps improve your overall skin balance and reduces the redness you may be experiencing.

IPL has been found to be highly effective at reducing the appearance of fine veins and blood vessels, as well as at reducing overall redness on the face. 

It works by delivering gentle pulses of light to your skin, which are absorbed by the blood vessels causing the redness. Over the course of the treatment, this helps reduce the redness in your skin.

Most people require a course of IPL sessions, spread out over weeks, to get the best results. 

Each session will involve your practitioner targeting the affected areas of your face with a laser. Most patients report feeling warmth or a snapping sensation as the laser passes over their skin, but on the whole it is painless and most people tolerate it well. 

Your practitioner will provide you with advice about how to look after your skin after each session and you shouldn’t be alarmed if you notice some redness following an IPL treatment as this is normal and it will usually resolve shortly after the session.

If you’re unsure of whether IPL treatment is appropriate for you, contact our clinic to book a consultation with our team. We can assess your skin and create a treatment plan that is bespoke to your needs to ensure you get the right care for your skin.