Managing Rosacea: How Can You Avoid Flare-Ups?

The redness, breakouts, and other symptoms brought on by rosacea affect more than a person’s appearance. It also has a negative impact on mental health, with research suggesting that patients with the said condition have an increased risk of developing anxiety and depression, as well as tend to avoid social situations.

And while there is no permanent cure for rosacea, there are things that can manage it and prevent it from getting worse. Preventing flare-ups starts with knowing and avoiding your triggers. These vary from person to person and might include hot beverages, dietary changes, or alcohol. 

Here are a few other things that can help prevent flare-ups.

Manage stress

According to a survey from the National Rosacea Society, 91 percent of more than 700 rosacea patients reported that emotional stress caused (or sometimes caused) their condition to flare up. The survey also reported that 45 percent of patients felt that stress led to frequent flare-ups and 42 percent to occasional flare-ups.

If this is the same for you, learning how to manage or ease stress can help. Here are a few things you can try: 

• Practice deep breathing 
• Consider yoga, tai chi, or guided meditation
• Do something you love and enjoy every day
• Slow down and take a break
• Get plenty of sleep

Prioritize sun protection

Aside from sun exposure damaging the skin and contributing to premature aging, it is also one of the common triggers for rosacea. In fact, even just a few minutes of exposure may lead to redness and flushing. This only makes It important to limit or avoid sun exposure, especially during peak hours or midday. Also, don’t forget to:

• Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Choose a product with zinc oxide or titanium oxide.
• Seek shade or use an umbrella.
• Accessorize with shades or a wide-brimmed hat when going out during the day. 

Avoid overheating 

Extreme temperatures or even a hot beverage can trigger flare-ups. Exposure to the sun, heaters, fireplaces, and other sources of heat may also have the same effect. Below are a few other tips that can help you avoid overheating: 

• Limit or avoid outdoor workouts (especially when the sun is out). 
• Take a cool shower after working out. 
• Consider low-intensity exercises.
• Always keep a bottle of water and a towel to cool down after exercising.
• Use an air conditioner (or a fan) to keep your body or environment cool.
• If hot beverages are a trigger for you, opt for cold drinks or let a hot one cool down a bit to warm or lukewarm.  

Mind your food choices

Certain foods and beverages can cause your skin condition to flare up. Some of these have chemicals in them that can trigger a warming sensation and heat the skin, negatively affecting rosacea.

• Spicy foods – The capsaicin in spicy foods like chili peppers, jalapenos, and hot sauces after the pain receptors in your skin that feel warmth. If spicy dishes make your face red, use milder spices, herbs, and other substitutes.
• Alcohol – This dilates the small blood vessels (spider veins) in the face, resulting in flushing even for those who don’t have rosacea. The effects can be more dramatic for those with the condition. Limiting your alcohol consumption can help, as well as adding soda or lemonade to alcoholic beverages and drinking a cold glass of water after each drink.
• Dairy – For some people, dairy products like cow’s milk, cheese, and yogurt can trigger rosacea symptoms. Cutting back can help, as well as looking for dairy-free substitutes for milk and other products. You can also test if dairy is a trigger for you by eliminating it in your diet for a few weeks if possible. 
• Foods high in histamine – Histamine can cause your blood vessels to dilate and contribute to skin flushing. Some foods that release histamine and may trigger this type of reaction include citrus fruits, tomatoes, nuts, and chocolates. Doing some research on foods that have histamine can help you understand how they affect your body or your skin condition. 

Watch out for certain ingredients in your skincare

Some ingredients in your skincare products can dry and irritate your skin, contributing to redness and causing your rosacea to flare. This only makes it important to see a skin or aesthetic doctor for product and treatment recommendations that can manage your condition. 

It is recommended to avoid products with:

• Alcohol
• Menthol  
• Added fragrances
• Tea tree oil 
• Witch hazel
• Benzoyl peroxide/salicylic acid
• Lactic acid and glycolic acid
• Hydroquinone
• Sodium lauryl sulfate (commonly found in shampoos)

Treat your rosacea

There is no specific treatment or medication that can get rid of rosacea. A combination of skincare, lifestyle changes (avoiding triggers), and aesthetic treatments can manage your symptoms or reduce their severity. Our Cutis Rosacea Treatment Package features light-based procedures that can address or improve symptoms. 

• Limelight Photo Facial – uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to revitalize the skin and stimulate collagen production. It helps improve tiny facial veins or broken blood vessels, facial flushing, pigmentation, sun damage, and fine lines and wrinkles.
• Cutera Laser Vein Reduction – uses pulses of laser energy to treat tiny facial veins. It redirects the blood flow to the vein deeper below the surface of the skin, where it should be. It is completely non-invasive and there is no wound or scarring.
• Laser Genesis Skin Therapy – uses a laser that gently heats the upper dermis to stimulate new collagen growth. It also generates extra heat in the dilated capillaries to reduce skin redness commonly associated with rosacea. Laser genesis can also improve enlarged pores, facial veins, pigmentation, scarring, and fine lines and wrinkles. 

Schedule a consultation today

If skin redness, visible facial veins, and related symptoms bother you, we can help. 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.