A guide to Rosacea

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterised by facial flushing, redness, telangiectasias (visible vessels) and bumps and pimples. The first sign of rosacea may be redness or flushing that comes and goes. 

Rosacea is most often seen in fair-skinned people between the ages of 30 and 50 and typically affects the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. It is more common in women but more aggressive in men. 

The cause of rosacea is not yet certain; theories include small intestine bacterial overgrowth, an immune reaction to a natural mite (demodex mite) that lives in our skin, unstable vessels, genetics and sun exposure. What we do know is that something irritates the skin, leading to chronic inflammation with intermittent flare-ups. 

• TEWL Trans Epidermal Water Loss leads to sensitive skin and dehydration.
• Free Radical Damage Pollutants and ultraviolet radiation produce free radicals which cause our skin to weaken and become dull. 
• Bacteria Management Demodex Mites and bacteria can aggravate Rosacea and Sensitive Skin. ​

If skin is sensitive or damaged, it will not cope with common daily aggressors. Sun, wind and pollution can cause a reaction within the skin. Since the skin is compromised and unable to properly protect itself from this reaction, the body sends blood to the areas as a defense mechanism.

Blood brings oxygen by red blood cells and immunity with white blood cells to try and correct the effect of these aggressions. However, it also brings heat, redness and inflammation. If this flushing reaction occurs regularly over time, the blood vessels just under the skin will become dilated and the redness will be more permanent. As a result, the skin will become more vulnerable to daily aggressors and rosacea symptoms will get worse. 

What are the symptoms

• Redness and sensitivity can be a sign, particularly flushing and blushing across your nose, cheeks, forehead, neck and chest that comes and goes. This can last for a few minutes each time and your face can feel warm, hot or even painful.
• Swollen bumps that may appear to be pink or red, sometimes filled with a yellowish liquid
• Visible veins or tiny broken blood vessels that appear and do not go away
• A burning or stinging sensation/feeling, particularly when using water or skincare products
• Enlarged nose as skin thickens
• Dry irritated, swollen eyes
• As rosacea progresses you may notice that the skin on your cheeks, nose and forehead may be red all of the time

Other symptoms can include:

• dry skin
• orange filled patches on the skin
• sore eyelids or crusts around the roots of eyelashes – this could be blepharitis
• thickened skin, mainly on the nose in advanced years

What can cause a flare up?

Although it is not known what causes Rosacea, we do know that some things can make the symptoms worse. It can vary from person to person so keeping your own diary will help us learn more about you and your skin.

Common triggers can include:

• Hot/spicy foods 
• Sun and wind
• Extreme temperatures
• Alcoholic beverages
• Emotions, particularly stress
• Exercise
• Medications that dilate the blood vessels

Sometimes Rosacea can look like other conditions, such as acne, contact dermatitis, lupus and keratosis pilaris.

Who is most at risk for Rosacea?

• Those over 30 years old
• Smokers
• Female
• White/fair skinned
• Skin that burns easily in the sun
• Family history of rosacea

What can I do to help improve Rosacea?

Initially we want to be sure that it is Rosacea. Having a consultation with our Medical Aesthetic clinic or a Consultant Dermatologist will aid with diagnosis and understanding. Then, we can discuss how the condition presents to you which is when your skin health diary can be incredibly useful.

We can then discuss management of your condition which may include one or more of the below:

• Alumier medical-grade skin care products
• Using a sunscreen daily
• Managing known flare-up causes
• A Consultant Dermatologist may also suggest private prescription creams and gels for your skin or a course of antibiotics for 6 to 16 weeks.
• You can also arrange a consultation with your registered GP for advice and treatment via the NHS if applicable. A GP may then refer you to a Dermatologist if your Rosacea does not respond to the treatment within primary care.

Remember, Rosacea is not caused by poor hygiene and it is not contagious. You should not be ashamed or embarrassed by the condition, it is a medical condition and this pressure can increase the chance of stress related flare-ups.

Alumier Medical-Grade Home Skin Care Products

AlumierMD is a medical-grade, professionally dispensed skin care brand. As a consultant-led service, accredited with Save Face for the non-surgical treatment of skin conditions we can dispense both home care products and provide in-clinic treatments.

These can help relieve irritation and redness as well as calm the skin. The below products and treatment pathway curated by Cotswold Surgical Partners are some of the home care range that may be recommended to manage your condition.

Cleanse:

SensiCalm – a gentle cleanser that respects the skins natural barrier

Exfoliate:

Bright & Clear Solution – Bright and clear solution – A refreshing skin conditioning solution that refines skin complexion.  It brightens the skin whilst reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

AHA Reneral Serum – This powerful AHA enhances the texture and tone of the skin, whilst reducing the visible signs of ageing. It promotes smoother brighter and more radiant skin.

Treat:

Calm R – a soothing hydrating serum that targets visible redness and blemishes while maintaining skin’s delicate moisture balance. Piperonyl glucose and sea whip function via different mechanisms to enhance effectiveness. Hinokitiol is a multifaceted active with calming and antioxidant properties. This formula has been improved to benefit even the most sensitive skin types.

Moisturise:

Hydracalm – a rich and restorative hydrator packed with natural calming ingredients specifically formulated for redness-prone and sensitive skin. Sea whip, boswellia, aloe and honey soothe skin. An innovative low molecular weight hyaluronic acid and niacinamide provide intense moisture to all layers of the skin. A copper peptide strengthens and rehabilitates the look of compromised skin. Antioxidants provide protection from free radical damage.

Protect:

Recovery balm – an antioxidant and peptide-rich moisturiser specifically formulated for support post-procedure. Hinokitiol, sea whip, and aloe soothe and copper peptide rehabilitates the look of compromised skin.

Clear Shield SPF42 – a lightweight, non-comedogenic, quick-drying physical sunscreen that provides powerful broad-spectrum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays using a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

In-Clinic Treatments

Low concentration very mild chemical peels can be a very effective option for managing the redness and enlarged blood vessels that are often associated with this condition.

The AlumierMD® Glow Peel uses the most effective scientifically based ingredients, and is customised to your specific needs. In just one 30 minute treatment, this medical facial will visibly reduce symptoms of rosacea.

Here at Cotswold Surgical Partners in Royal Wootton Bassett near Swindon, we offer a range of professional in clinic AlumierMD chemical peels & facial skin care treatments that can be used alongside AlumierMD medical-grade home skincare products for optimal skin health.

Following a skin consultation we can recommend a chemical peel tailored for your skin type. More information about chemical peels and the options available can be found here.

A chemical peel is a treatment used to improve skin texture and tone. An acid is applied to skin to lower the pH, which loosens the connections between dead skin cells, inducing exfoliation and stimulating new cell growth. This process causes superficial layers of dead skin to peel off, revealing a smoother and more radiant complexion. Chemical peels can also thicken the epidermis, increase dermal volume and stimulate collagen. Chemical peels have been used dating back to Ancient Egypt. Cleopatra used sour milk to improve the appearance of her skin, according to some sources. Lactic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) is the active ingredient in sour milk.

All professional peels include a Post Procedure Prescription Kit to take away to ensure that skin repairs beautifully and stays protected at all times. Post procedure prescription contains a weeks treatment of SensiCalm Cleanser, Recovery Balm, Sheer Hydration SPF40.

Our AlumierMD Chemical peels work by deeply exfoliating the surface layers of skin forcing your body to quickly replenish it with new cells. When peels are performed regularly, the skin gets used to this process and begins to rejuvenate itself. To be sure that the body doesn’t react to this deep exfoliation as it would to trauma, which can lead to pigment changes, exfoliation must is introduced gradually giving the skin time to adjust. So you get multiple treatments in one treatment.

Find out more

The Charity Changing Faces can offer advice and support if you’re feeling anxious or depressed. You can:

• Call the Changing Faces support and information helpline on 0300 012 0275
• find out more about the Changing Faces Skin Camouflage Service

You can also speak to us, arrange a consultation with a Dermatologist or an assessment with our Medical Aesthetics Clinic by contacting:

• Freephone: 0808 280 3560
• Email: bswicb.csp@nhs.net