Skin Concerns2 min read

Understanding Rosacea: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatments

Rosacea

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a common, chronic disorder that can present with a variety of cutaneous or ocular manifestations.

Who is usually affected?

  • Primarily adults over the age of 30 years
  • Females are commonly affected except phymatous skin changes
  • Fair skin individuals

Exact cause is unknown but could be attributed to:

  • Genetic
  • Immune dysfunction
  • Microorganisms such as Demodex mites
  • Vascular hyperactivity
  • Ultraviolet light

When will it exacerbate?

Potential exacerbating factors are:

  • Exposure to extremes of temperature
  • Sun exposure
  • Hot beverages
  • Spicy foods
  • Alcohol
  • Exercise
  • Irritation from topical products
  • Psychologic feelings, especially anger, rage, and embarrassment
  • Certain drugs, such as nicotinic acid and vasodilators
  • Skin barrier disruption

How to manage Rosacea?

  • Avoidance of exacerbating factors
  • Skincare: Gentle skin cleansing, regular skin moisturizing, avoiding irritating topical product
  • Sun protection: Broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30
  • Cosmetic camouflage (foundation)

Lasers

  1. Green or yellow light laser
  2. Intense Pulse Light (IPL) devices

Pharmacological Therapy

    1. Topical or oral antibiotics

Fun Fact

Although consumption of hot beverages has been considered an exacerbating factor for rosacea, consumption of coffee may not increase risk for rosacea. Caffeine has vasoconstrictive and immunosuppressive properties that could, theoretically, inhibit rosacea.

Take Home Message

Are you seeking personalized and expert guidance to effectively treat your rosacea? Take the next step towards clearer, healthier skin by booking a free consultation at Kaiteki Clinic. Our experienced dermatologists are ready to help you understand your condition better and provide tailored treatment options.

Where does it affect?

Cutaneous involvement primarily affects the central face, with findings such as persistent centrofacial redness, papules, pustules, flushing, telangiectasia, and phymatous skin changes.

Ocular involvement may manifest with lid margin telangiectases, conjunctival injection, ocular irritation, or other signs and symptoms.

Why does it occur?

Exact cause is unknown but could be attributed to:

  • Genetic
  • Immune dysfunction
  • Microorganisms such as Demodex mites
  • Vascular hyperactivity
  • Ultraviolet light

When will it exacerbate?

Potential exacerbating factors are:

  • Exposure to extremes of temperature
  • Sun exposure
  • Hot beverages
  • Spicy foods
  • Alcohol
  • Exercise
  • Irritation from topical products
  • Psychologic feelings, especially anger, rage, and embarrassment
  • Certain drugs, such as nicotinic acid and vasodilators
  • Skin barrier disruption

How to manage Rosacea?

  • Avoidance of exacerbating factors
  • Skincare: Gentle skin cleansing, regular skin moisturizing, avoiding irritating topical product
  • Sun protection: Broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30
  • Cosmetic camouflage (foundation)

Lasers

  1. Green or yellow light laser
  2. Intense Pulse Light (IPL) devices

Pharmacological Therapy

    1. Topical or oral antibiotics

Fun Fact

Although consumption of hot beverages has been considered an exacerbating factor for rosacea, consumption of coffee may not increase risk for rosacea. Caffeine has vasoconstrictive and immunosuppressive properties that could, theoretically, inhibit rosacea.

Take Home Message

Are you seeking personalized and expert guidance to effectively treat your rosacea? Take the next step towards clearer, healthier skin by booking a free consultation at Kaiteki Clinic. Our experienced dermatologists are ready to help you understand your condition better and provide tailored treatment options.

Book a free consultation

A doctor will assess your skin and tell you honestly whether this is the right option for you, including when it is not.

About the author

Dr Lim Xiao Chien, MBBS, LCP Board Certified, GCFM, MAC, aesthetic doctor at Kaiteki Skin Aesthetic Clinic

Dr Lim Xiao Chien

Partner, Aesthetic Physician

MBBS, LCP Board Certified, GCFM, MAC · MMC 74662

Dr Lim Xiao Chien graduated from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, KLE University in India with a degree in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).

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Written by
Dr Lim Xiao Chien, MMC 74662
Published
9 July 2023
Topics
Sensitive skin
Last reviewed
1 September 2023

This page is general information about aesthetic treatments and is not medical advice. Treatments carry risks that are explained during consultation, and individual results vary. A doctor will assess whether a treatment is suitable for you before it is carried out.

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