Tips for Managing Rosacea

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Managing rosacea can be a challenge – especially if you don’t know what triggers it.

Fortunately there are a number of skin care options available that can help. Just remember that skin care can improve or escalate rosacea – so it’s important to understand your options.

• Avoid scrubbing your skin with a harsh exfoliant. This can irritate the skin and make rosacea worse.
• Use a gentle skin cleanser. A mild, fragrance-free cleanser combined with lukewarm water is the best way to wash your face.
• Don’t apply medication to the skin until it’s completely dry. If your dermatologist has prescribed a facial cream or gel for your face, always make sure it’s completely dry before application. You may want to wait as long as 30 minutes to prevent burning or stinging.
• Moisturize your skin. A daily moisturizer can prevent water loss and soften your skin – which is key for rosacea sufferers.
• Apply sunscreen every day. Too much sun can cause rosacea to get worse. A daily sunscreen should be applied every morning to keep your skin safe.
• Be careful when selecting skin care products. Because rosacea affected skin is so sensitive, astringents, toners and exfoliants should be avoided.

Lasers for Rosacea

In addition to proper skin care, lasers can be used to treat signs of rosacea, such as:

• Dilated blood vessels
• Persistent flushing/redness
• Thickening skin along the nose and cheeks (rhinopyma)

During a personal consultation, your cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist will be able to determine which laser treatment is best for you.

Some of the most popular laser treatments for dilated blood vessels and facial redness include:

• Pulsed dye lasers (PDL)
• Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL)

Some of the most popular laser treatments for skin thickening around the nose and cheeks include:

• CO2 laser resurfacing
• Erbium: YAG lasers

If you’re considering laser therapy for rosacea, it’s important to keep in mind that lasers aren’t a cure. They may provide dramatic results, but it’s still important to see your dermatologist and avoid any known triggers for rosacea.