Anyone with rosacea knows that the tell-tale signs of the skin condition are ruddy cheeks and small pimples. Although it is unknown why people develop rosacea, we do know that the redness and breakouts are due in part to enlarged, dilated blood vessels. We also know that, for many women, rosacea is one of the side effects of menopause.
Iinitial rosacea symptoms include a flushed appearance on the cheeks, forehead, and nose. If left untreated, symptoms can also develop on the neck, back, ears, scalp, and inside and around the eyes. In an advanced stage, a person may develop a bulbous nose or thickened, distorted patches of skin. Aside from being unsightly, rosacea can be extremely painful. Many women describe it as a stinging or sunburn sensation, due in part from inflammation that occurs during flare-ups.
Avoid Breakouts
The best strategy for treating rosacea is a preemptive one. First and foremost, get diagnosed to be sure you truly have the condition. Next, make a few lifestyle changes that can greatly reduce flare-ups:
- Avoid things that trigger your face to become flushed. These include highly acidic foods, spicy and fried foods, sugar, caffeine, dairy products, trans fatty acids, and alcoholic beverages. The National Rosacea Society has also identified Mexican food; hot sausage; hot peppers; black, red, and white pepper; paprika; vinegar; and garlic as triggers.
- Determine whether any of your cosmetic products are aggravating your condition. Ask your dermatologist to recommend skin-care products that are non-irritating.
- Protect your skin with a sunscreen containing SPF 15 or higher.
- You also need to be careful not to scrub or rub your face roughly. You dont want to be the cause of your own redness.
Two Treatment Options
- Take a good, high quality multinutrient that contains 25100 mg of the B-complex vitaminsespecially riboflavin (B2), which has been shown to be effective in treatment of rosacea.
- Glycolic acid peels have been used effectively to treat rosacea. Known for their ability to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, the fruit acids used in glycolic acid peel treatments will significantly improve your skins texture, reducing redness and ridding your skin of break-outs.