As a fair skinned Norwegian I often find that my checks and nose turn red without warning. An unusually sunny day or a cold winter breeze, even an embarrassing moment have always turned my skin into a blotchy mess at the drop of a hat. However, it never bothered me or caused alarm as the effects while instantaneous quickly went away, until I entered my 30’s.
Rosacea usually starts to present itself in people over 30 and is most common in those with fair complexions. You may notice your blush lingers and doesn’t seem to go away as quickly as it used to; or that a mild case of acne keeps reappearing no matter what you do to prevent it. In my case, I found myself in search of the perfect foundation to smooth out the appearance of my suddenly persistent blotchy skin.
On a routine trip to my dermatologist, I discovered that this new change had a name, Rosacea. Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Its origins and cause are still more mystery than fact and there is no known cure, however, with proper treatment it can be managed.
The most important part of a Rosacea patient’s treatment is identifying the triggers. Common triggers include; sunlight, stress, spicy foods, alcohol and hot beverages. Once the trigger or triggers are identified, if able, avoidance of these triggers should reduce the frequency and severity of “flare-ups.”
If the condition is more persistent and medical attention is required, a dermatologist can evaluate your condition and review the medical treatments available. These treatments include oral medication therapy, topical creams and in severe cases laser surgery to reduce persistent redness.
The best weapon a Rosacea sufferer can have is an understanding of the effect their established skin care routine may be having on their condition. Many products contain fragrance additives and seemly harmless components that are toxic to a Rosacea sufferer. Individual evaluation of how your skin is reacting to everyday cleansing products and preferred cosmetics, may uncover that the very products you are using are unwittingly enhancing the problem. No fear. Replacing a complex cleansing routine with just a simple mild soap and finding hypo-allergenic cosmetic alternatives can do wonders.
The most important thing to remember, if you think a sudden change to your complexion could be Rosacea; see your dermatologist for an evaluation before experimenting on your skin.
By: Vicky Sanders
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