Do You Have Rosacea? Here are the Treatments That Can Help

Do you experience persistent redness in your face that resembles a blush or sunburn? If your skin appears flushed or inflamed with visible facial veins (or tiny blood vessels), you probably have a skin condition called rosacea. This is one of the common causes of facial redness and affects women more, especially those with fair skin.  

There is no permanent cure for rosacea, but there are treatments that can help you improve or manage its symptoms. Let us first dig deeper into this skin condition, along with its signs, symptoms, and causes.

So, what is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause persistent facial redness. It can also make your skin blush or look flushed more easily than others. There are different subtypes of rosacea and their symptoms vary depending on the severity of the condition. Common (Rosacea Symptoms) signs and symptoms include: 

• Persistent redness or flushing
• Visible blood vessels; telangiectasia or spider veins
• Thickened skin 
• Swelling, often around the eyes, forehead, and cheeks
• Small papules and pimples
• Sensitive or easily irritated skin
• Nasal bumps

What causes rosacea?

The exact cause of rosacea is not known, but it is said to be due to a number of different factors, such as heredity, immune system, and environmental factors. It is also worth knowing that rosacea is not contagious and is not caused by poor hygiene. Below are the factors that can contribute to its development.

• Genetics – Rosacea tends to run in families, so having a close relative with this skin condition increases your likelihood of developing it.
• Demodex mites – People with rosacea often have more of these microscopic skin mites than those without the condition. Almost everyone has Demodex mites on their skin, particularly in the cheeks, forehead, eyelashes, and sides of the nose. 
• pylori bacteria – Found in the gut, this bacteria may have a role in the development of rosacea. Some people who have rosacea also have an H. pylori infection.

Other factors that can cause rosacea flare-ups include: 

• Exposure to temperature extremes
• Sun and wind
• Spicy foods
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Anger, stress, embarrassment
• Strenuous exercise
• Medications like corticosteroids and high blood pressure drugs
• Some makeup and skin/hair care products

How can I manage my rosacea?

As previously mentioned, there is no single treatment or medication that can make rosacea go away. There are, however, several treatments that can manage its symptoms or reduce their severity. 

Here at Cutis, we have our Cutis Rosacea Treatment Package, which includes laser- and light-based procedures that can tackle or improve some of the most common rosacea symptoms.

Here’s what’s included in the package:

Cutera® Laser Vein Reduction 

This procedure uses pulses of laser energy that effectively target and treat tiny facial veins. It can also be used on varicose veins and spider veins in other parts of the body. The best part is there is no wound or scarring, as the procedure uses a laser and is completely non-invasive. 

The Cutera® Laser Vein Reduction causes the blood within the vein to coagulate. This then destroys the vein, which is later reabsorbed by the skin. The treatment redirects the blood flow to the veins deeper below the skin’s surface, where it should be. Results show within two to six weeks, depending on the size, color, and the number of veins.

Limelight Photo Facial  

Limelight uses intense pulsed light (IPL) technology to target pigmentation and revitalize the skin. It works by delivering intelligent pulses of light customized to your skin tone. This draws out the brown spots and stimulates collagen production. Apart from pigmentation, Limelight can also improve different skin conditions, including:

• Broken blood vessels/tiny facial veins
• Facial redness or flushing
• Sun damage
• Fine lines and wrinkles

Limelight helps reduce blood flow to the broken capillaries. This is beneficial in diffusing facial redness and treating tiny facial veins. The new collagen also rejuvenates the skin by improving the appearance of enlarged pores and signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. 

About two to three sessions are needed to see optimal results. You’ll see improvements one to three weeks following the procedure, with lightened brown spots, diffused facial redness, and decreased tiny veins. Complete results show four to six weeks after. 

Laser Genesis Skin Therapy 

This US FDA-cleared procedure uses innovative laser technology to promote healthy and vibrant skin. It works by gently heating the upper dermis (well below the skin surface) to stimulate new collagen growth. Laser Genesis also generates extra heat in dilated capillaries to lessen skin redness, which is commonly associated with rosacea.

It can improve several skin concerns, including: 

• Enlarged pores
• Skin redness
• Tiny facial veins/broken blood vessels
• Pigmentation/sun damage 
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Scarring

As Laser Genesis helps boost collagen, it can aid in complete skin rejuvenation. You can also use it to treat the face, neck, décolletage, shoulders, and hands. There are no unwanted side effects like skin irritation or bruising, and most patients describe the procedure as relaxing and therapeutic. 

Multiple sessions are recommended based on your skin concerns. After each session, you’ll notice subtle yet consistent results without harsh side effects. The results are expected to last for about a year. 

What about chemical peels?

It is only a misconception that you cannot have chemical peels when you have rosacea. At Cutis, we have a strong yet gentle peel that helps reduce skin redness and inflammation. VI Peel Purify is specifically formulated for treating active acne and other concerns brought on by acne symptoms. 

VI Peel Purify prevents the accumulation of oil and bacteria in the skin by clearing out pores. It can remove dead skin cells, reduce skin oiliness, and balance the skin. You may also be glad to know that VI Peel is safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin and those with skin conditions like rosacea

Benefits include: 

• Kills P. acnes bacteria
• Calms redness and inflammation
• Increases cellular turnover (and unclogs pores)
• Ideal for active acne, teen acne, and congested skin

Just make sure not to have the chemical peel during flares. Your provider is also likely to start slow or apply a few layers of the solution on your first session and add more as you have more VI Peel treatments. This will also help build up your tolerance to the peel.

Other self-care practices

One important thing in controlling the signs and symptoms of rosacea is to identify your triggers. Find out what causes flares and try to avoid them as much as you can. Other things that can help include: 

• Protect skin from the sun – Always use broad-spectrum sunscreen when going out. Practice other protective measures like wearing a brimmed hat and sunglasses, as well as avoiding sun exposure during midday or sun’s peak hours. 
• Treat your skin right – Be gentle when cleansing your face or applying any skin care product. Make sure not to rub or scrub your face, as well as touch it or pick and squeeze zits. Also, take it easy with exfoliate; don’t overdo it. 
• Keep things simple – If you’re prone to redness or inflammation, avoid layering or applying too many products all at once. Keep your routine simple and use mild and gentle cleansers, serums, and moisturizers. Choose those that are free of alcohol and synthetic fragrances. 

Are you looking to manage rosacea symptoms like skin redness and visible facial veins? Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor to find out which of our treatments are right for you.