ROSACEA- MORE THAN A CONSPICUOUS BLUSHWHAT ARE
Rosacea is a common chronic skin condition, affecting more than 14 million Americans, although not everyone who suffers from it even knows what it is. Individuals with fair skin who tend to flush or blush easily are most at risk, and the condition claims its greatest number of victims among those of British Isles’ and Scandinavian descent.

Rosacea mainly affects the skin of the face (unfortunately!) and can be identified through its primary signs:

• Flushing—Redness that comes and goes may be the earliest sign of problems to come.
• Persistent redness—Over time, intermittent ruddiness becomes more conspicuous and persistent; primarily affecting the center portions of the face (cheeks, nose, chin, forehead), this is rosacea’s most common sign.
• Bumps and pimples—Solid or pus-filled, these are often mistaken for acne; an absence of blackheads is a sign they are really rosacea.
• Visible blood vessels—Irritation and enlargement makes sub-surface vessels easier to see; the big medical word for these is telangiectasias.  

In addition to one or more primary signs, other symptoms can include eye irritation, raised red patches, swelling, stinging, and thickened or rough skin—including the condition called rhinophyma that made late comedian W.C. Fields’ lumpy nose world-famous!

Some research indicates that the root cause of rosacea is the tendency to flush or blush, combined with sun exposure which damages small blood vessels just under the skin and begins a chain reaction of fluid leaks, inflammation and more damage. Many factors can contribute to flare-ups and, while these triggers differ from person to person, some of the most common are:

• Sun exposure
• Heat—from hot weather, over-heated indoor spaces, hot baths, hot drinks, heavy exercise, even spicy foods
• Stress—physical or emotional
• Alcohol consumption
• Any extreme weather—hot, cold, windy or humid
• Use of irritating products on the face

ROSACEA HOME TREATMENT-KEEP THE BALANCE
Rosacea has no known cure. However, home treatment—sometimes combined with prescription antibiotics and laser or intense pulsed light procedures—can keep flare-ups to a minimum and your skin looking its best.

1. Avoid your triggers. To find out exactly what kicks off your flare-ups, keep a daily diary for a while and relate activities, products, weather conditions, etc. to the state of your face.
2. Choose non-irritating skincare products. If anything stings or burns, don’t use it. To help find the right products:
• Check labels for ingredients that commonly irritate rosacea, especially alcohol but also witch hazel, menthol, peppermint, and eucalyptus.
• Choose fragrance-free products that are labelled “allergy-tested.”
• Test each product first on a less noticeable area like the neck.
• Use the fewest possible products or product lines, to minimize the risk of encountering irritating ingredients while getting the results you want.
3. Cleanse your face gently.

• Use a suitable cleanser and your fingertips or soft cloth. Don’t use a rough washcloth or sponge.
• Rinse cleanser with lukewarm water, not too hot or too cold.
• Gently blot face with a cotton towel. Rubbing can cause irritation.
• Wait 30 minutes for the face to dry before applying any topical products. This is because stinging and irritation occur most easily on damp skin.
• Men need to avoid irritation by dull razor blades during shaving and may prefer an electric razor.

4. Moisturize. This is important for both men and women, because building a strong moisture barrier helps block irritants from aggravating rosacea-prone skin and alleviates associated burning, stinging and itching.
5. Use full-time sun protection. Sun exposure is the most common trigger reported by rosacea sufferers. In a survey by the National Rosacea Society, it was a top trigger for 81 percent of respondents. Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunblock with an SPF of at least 30 that is designed for sensitive skin. And use it every day, rain or shine!
6. Cosmetics can help. Both men and women with rosacea report using makeup at least sometimes to improve their self-confidence by concealing some of the condition’s effects. A green-tinted foundation, or even specially designed moisturizers or sunblocks with a green tint, can help counteract redness. If desired, these can be followed up by skin-tone makeup with yellow hues. Avoid pink or orange tones, as these will exaggerate rather than conceal redness.

Skin RX Clinic Treatments Follow the Science
We’ve developed a Rosacea Kit that includes highly effective products for the most sensitive skin types—all free of common irritants, including alcohols, fragrance, and dyes. Arnica Wash is a non-soap cleanser with healing arnica, soothing aloe leaf and angelica, plus anti-microbial Echinacea. Willowherb Soothing Serum contains an herb clinically proven to calm redness and irritation and fight bacteria, as well as vitamin K which aids in healing damaged blood vessels. Skin Recovery Crème normalizes blotchy red skin with linden, fights bacteria with Echinacea and repairs broken capillaries with vitamin K. Visible Lift Eye Gel is an effective firming/lifting eye moisturizer created for sensitive skin. The kit also includes our Smooth Skin Shammy, an ultra soft, smooth cloth that cleanses delicate skin much more gently than a washcloth.

HOW SKIN RX CLINIC CAN HELP TREAT ROSACEA
Other products appropriate for rosacea-affected skin include our RosaPlex Skin Serum, awarded Skincare Innovation of the Year, with soothing, hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties, and our Limu Facial Cleanser which uses a Japanese-patented mixture of sucrose and coconut to clean very gently but thoroughly. Hydrating and anesthetic, it can also be used as a shaving gel.