Skin redness. Do I have rosacea?

By Hannah Sivak, PhD

How to recognize rosacea? Can you cure it, or at least control it? Will
it always be like this, will it get better on its own? Why do I have
it? The short answer is that nobody knows why rosacea appears and
how to cure it, but at least it is possible to control this distressful
skin affliction.



Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder that affects more than ten million
Americans, with almost half of the sufferers aged between 30 and 50 years old.
The disease has been called the Celtic curse because it affects more often
people of Northern European descent. Women are more likely to suffer rosacea of
the milder form, and men more frequently have the severe form, which involves
deformity of the nose. Rosacea nearly always appears on sun damaged skin.




Except for cases precipitated by use of steroids, the causes of
rosacea are not known, but there are several discredited theories, including
those involving skin mites (Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis), and the
bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Because we do not know what causes the disease,
there are no good treatment and all that can be done is to prevent irritation
and inflammation.



Rosacea develops in stages and is characterized by
"twitchy" blood vessels, i.e., subcutaneous blood vessels that are too
sensitive. Almost anything will start flushing and blushing episodes followed by
redness of the skin caused by congestion of the capillaries and chronic dilation
of capillaries causing elevated dark red blotches on the skin. Rosacea patients
may develop severe sebaceous gland growth that is acgepanied by papules,
pustules, cysts, and nodules. Inflammatory lesions develop in the areas of
erythema and may look like acne, but in rosacea there are no geedones, the
primary event in acne.



It can be difficult to distinguish acne, eczema,
and other skin affections from rosacea, but it is very important to recognize
rosacea because, although it cannot be cured right now, early recognition and
treatment can prevent progression to disfigurement.



There are several
medical treatments used to attenuate the effects of rosacea rather than cure it,
and laser treatment can help with telangiectasia or deformation of the
nose.



Azelaic acid is effective in the treatment of rosacea, particularly at
the stage when there are papules and pustules. Glycolic acid is beneficial for
all stages of rosacea, both in the higher concentrations of glycolic peels used
by professionals, and at the lower concentrations for home use (3-10%).




It is important to avoid precipitating factors such as sun exposure,
stress, cold weather, hot beverages, cigarette smoke, alcohol consumption, and
any foods that you noticed exacerbate your rosacea. Any cosmetics used must be
non-geedogenic and nonirritating; use sunblock and avoid sun exposure, because
sun damage is one of the factors that precipitate rosacea.

Skin Actives
Scientific sells soothing extracts (licorice) and anti-inflammatory ingredients
known to help with rosacea (niacinamide). Centella asiatica, and horse chestnut
extracts are well known for their capillary strengthening properties. Our
clients have reported excellent results with sea kelp bioferment used on its own
(please see our forum). Other actives worth trying are magnesium ascorbyl
phosphate, green tea caffeine (would work as a vasoconstrictor).

Skin Actives Scientific sells
epidermal growth factor BT (EGF), whose vasoconstricting activity on
blood vessels can alleviate rosacea symptoms in a few days (patent
pending).

Good news! Skin Actives Scientific is now selling its new, patent pending Rosacea Control Serum
with EGF. Take advantage of this opportunity to try a new approach to
rosacea control, which has already alleviated rosacea symptoms in many
of our clients.More good news: Skin Actives Scientific has another patent pending product that helps with rosacea: Celestite spritz helps prevent the skin reaction to sudden changes in temperature.Update 6/24/2011. You may have heard of CalmPlex, a soothing cream containing 4-ethoxybenzaldehyde. Learn more 4-ethoxybenzaldehyde (don't mind the long name, it smells nice!) by reading our okay listing.