Our skin is the first line of defence against the elements and our busy lifestyle, and we place increasing demands on its ability to look great while it’s protecting us. But hormonal changes, the weather, our diet, and several other factors can have a huge impact on the condition of our skin.
In this article, we look at rosacea and facial redness, as well as those annoying facial thread veins, (telangiectasia).
Rosacea is a distressing skin condition that affects the face, causing chronic flare ups, flushing and redness of the skin, it might also lead to raised bumps or visible blood vessels.
When diagnosing rosacea, skin specialists look for four main characteristics, redness and flushing of the face (particularly around the nose and cheeks), thread veins, raised or red spots and thickened skin in the affected area (this is more common in male rosacea sufferers). Not all rosacea sufferers will experience all four symptoms.
It is not completely clear what causes rosacea, although excessive alcohol consumption, stress, high impact exercise and temperature extremes might trigger symptoms.
Rosacea is more common in women than in men, but women with the condition tend to have less severe symptoms. But regardless of the severity of the symptoms, rosacea is a serious condition which can be very distressing.
Telangiectasias are commonly known as spider veins or thread veins. They are small visible blood vessels which are close to the surface of the skin and often appear where the skin is most exposed, such as on the nose and the cheeks.
All facial redness can be very distressing, with some conditions quite difficult to manage. However, there are several treatments which can minimise the appearance of facial redness and in some cases eliminate it altogether.
It is important to first speak to a skin specialist to get the correct diagnosis so that you can find the right treatment for you. Not all facial redness is rosacea, it might also be caused by dermatitis or eczema, hormonal imbalance, sun damage, acne, or allergy. These would all require a different approach.
There are several treatment options for rosacea, depending on the severity and symptoms you are experiencing.
Laser Treatment – Vascular laser treatment and IPL treatments both work to heat up thread veins causing them to permanently break down. Depending on the severity of your condition you might need more than one session for maximum results.
Skin peels – Despite being a reactive condition, symptoms such as redness and inflammation, as well as raised bumps caused by rosacea can be safely minimised with the right chemical peel. But it is crucial that the peel is carried out by a skincare professional who can use the right peel for you.
Medical grade skincare products – Prescription strength topical skin care products can be effective in long term management of the symptoms of rosacea. A good skincare system for rosacea will both help prevent a flare up, as well as manage a flareup when it happens. Obaji offer a complete rosacea skincare solution, with their Rosaclear system which is only available on prescription.
As a complex condition, rosacea can be difficult to manage. A skincare consultation with a medical professional like Emma, who can develop the right treatment plan for you, can be truly life changing in improving your skin condition.