Rosacea is a condition known for flare ups, and some of those flares can come out of the blue. It’s an unpredictable condition, some days your skin is perfectly healthy and balanced, and on other days you can have bright red patches, itchy facial flushing, or even painful bumps. Even people with rosacea who eat a healthy diet and use good skin care products from time to time experience periodic rosacea flare ups.
Although the cause of rosacea has not been identified, it is known that rosacea flare ups have triggers. Most of those triggers are everyday aspects of modern life. By identifying your personal rosacea triggers, you can take your power back and begin to reduce the frequency and severity of rosacea outbreaks.
What Is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic and persistent inflammatory condition of the skin that causes reddening, visible blood vessels, flushing, sensitivity and in some cases acne-like outbreaks known as acne rosacea. Rosacea is not curable but can be well controlled with both lifestyle modifications and skin treatments.
The Most Common Rosacea Triggers
When it comes to long term rosacea management, understanding your triggers is key. While some rosacea triggers are particular to the individual with rosacea, there are a number of common known causes of rosacea that can help you prepare for a flare up.
Sun Exposure
Many things can trigger rosacea. In fact, there are so many it can feel like nothing is off limits. Spicy foods, stress and sun exposure are all common culprits, but most commonly are the UV rays. Not only can they make rosacea symptoms worse by dilating blood vessels on the skin’s surface, they can also cause lasting damage to your skin. For this reason, it is important for rosacea sufferers to use SPF sunscreen when going out in the sun. Opt for a mineral based sunscreen geared for sensitive skin, and don’t forget a hat to shield your face and neck from the sun.
Temperature Extremes
Sudden changes in temperature can cause flushing, this includes going out on a cold day and then coming home to a hot environment. Flushing can also be caused by taking hot showers or baths, and visiting places such as saunas and steam rooms. Avoiding excessive temperatures and using lukewarm water when washing your rosacea skin can help to avoid reactions.
Stress and Emotional Triggers
Stress can cause rosacea too. Regular exercise, a good night’s sleep, and stress reducing activities, such as meditation or yoga, can also help alleviate the symptoms of rosacea.
Dietary Triggers
Your diet may also be a culprit in making your rosacea worse. Many people report that spicy foods, alcohol (especially red wine), and hot foods and drinks trigger rosacea flare ups. By making a few changes to your diet and discovering what personal triggers you have, you can manage rosacea symptoms.
Skincare Products
Your skincare products may also be exacerbating your rosacea without you realising, make-up or hair products can be enough to trigger a rosacea flare up. Certain products contain alcohol, fragrances or other harsh exfoliants that can dry out and stress rosacea prone skin. For rosacea sufferers a simple routine of gentle, medical grade products is often the way forward, and while over exfoliating is usually a mistake for rosacea sufferers, using good quality products on a regular basis will help to calm and stabilise the skin.
Exercise and Overheating
Some forms of exercise are known to increase blood flow and may cause flushing and a rosy complexion, but there are a few precautions that can be taken to reduce the risk of such problems. Exercising in a cool environment, adequate hydration, and taking breaks as needed can help prevent any adverse skin reactions.
Why Professional Treatment Makes a Difference
Avoiding triggers is the first step to controlling rosacea. However, treatments can really make a difference to the condition of rosacea-affected skin and boost your confidence. At Nuovo Clinic, we have a variety of professional treatments that can help rosacea prone skin.
Treatments We Offer
LED Light Therapy
Using advanced LED light technology, rosacea LED Light Therapy is a de-inflammatory treatment that works from the inside out to treat rosacea, reducing redness and calming the skin. Rosacea LED Light Therapy is gentle and non-invasive and won’t leave you with any downtime, but it will help create a stronger skin barrier, aid in skin healing.
Laser Facial Vessel Treatment
Rosacea laser treatment is one of the most effective treatments for rosacea. This treatment is designed to break down both visible facial vessels and reduce rosacea redness. The Laser Facial Vessel Treatment provides permanent results to correct flushing and rosacea by addressing both broken capillaries and skin pigmentation.
Laser Treatment for Acne Rosacea
For those suffering from spots and redness, lasers for rosacea can treat both conditions at the same time. Our targeted laser is particularly effective at reducing inflammation, killing bacteria and improving skin texture. It is especially useful for treating acne that requires a deeper approach.
Medik8 Skincare and Facials
Using high quality Medik8 medical skincare products and treatments we can help to calm sensitive and reactive skin. We treat this skin type with care, aiming to balance, hydrate and provide long term results without irritation.
Hydrafacials
Our Hydrafacials offer deep cleansing and hydration without the rough exfoliation associated with similar treatments. Gentle yet highly customisable, the Hydrafacial offers a superior method of thoroughly and effectively removing impurities from the skin, whilst maintaining an intact skin barrier, even for rosacea prone clients.
Chemical Peels (Rosacea-Safe Options)
For the more advanced skin resurfacer we recommend introducing mild chemical peels into your skin care routine using a formulation specifically developed for rosacea prone skin. These rosacea safe exfoliants using a combination of fruit acids will gently exfoliate the skin whilst helping to normalise the skin tone and texture.
Ready to Take Control of Your Rosacea?
If you are ready to take control of your rosacea, now is the time to act. Book a consultation with our expert team, discover the most effective treatments for your skin, and start your journey towards lasting results. Alternatively, you can email us directly to learn more about how we can help you manage your rosacea with confidence.
