What is Rosacea and what causes it?

Rosacea is such a common condition, with over 45 million affected, across the globe. Unfortunately, not many people are aware of the condition. Damage to our skin barrier could be the cause of Rosacea.  This becomes cyclical as the skin never really heals due to the fact that the ‘damaged’ skin barrier is not able to foster skin protection so all of the outside environmental garbage [pollution, cigarette smoke, toxins, etc] is/are able to permeate the skin barrier which, in turn, causes even more damage. With the skin in a weakened state, it is also susceptible to bacteria.

There are many different forms that Rosacea can take, such as redness, blushing, raised spots etc and it can appear on the cheeks, nose and around the eyes. It can be caused by a number of things, including diet, exercise, and hereditary factors.

Traditionally – and up until recently – medical schools assumed that Rosacea only affected those of fair skin tones. Extensive studies have shown, however, that Rosacea can also occur in darker skins also.
The skin condition is not something that just affects the exterior; it also has a great impact on self-esteem, as it occurs in a very visible place. According to The National Rosacea Society, 76% of Rosacea sufferers said Rosacea had lowered their self-confidence and self-esteem, and 41% reported that it had caused them to avoid public contact or cancel social engagements.

As Rosacea typically presents itself with a rosey red rash it is surmised that this involves inflammation of small blood vessels in the facial capillaries. These capillaries (often called distended capillaries or broken capillaries) extend into the capillary walls. This is due partially to poor elasticity in the capillary wall. There are also other theories as to the cause of rosacea, including yeast, mite or bacterial overgrowth, unhealthy bowels and overgrowth of bacteria in the bowels. Rosacea represents itself in 4 sub-stages. Each stage becoming more intense than the last.

Symptoms:
- Red rash appearing on nose and/or cheeks
- Pustules [small, pus filled bumps]
- Papules [small, inflamed bumps]
- Watery, irritated eyes
- Small blood vessels appearing on the surface of the skin usually near
    the nose, cheeks or chin

Characteristics:
- Tends to be easily irritated
- Skin tends to flush when exposed to irritating substances/products
- May react due to temperature/humidity changes
- May react during times of stress
- May react to fluctuations in hormone levels
- May also react to certain foods and substances, especially spicy foods,
    alcohol or nicotine
- May react to sunlight
- Can become dehydrated due to transepidermal water loss
- In some rosacean skin, the constant flushing can affect the sebaceous
    glands causing acne pustules

Try to avoid, as these are definite contribution factors:
- Spicy foods [increases heat]
- Smoking [restricts blood flow]
- Direct sun exposure to the face
- Chemically laden ingredients/skin care
- SLS [sodium lauryl sulphate or any similar ingredients with
      SLS, SLES, etc. as their acronym[s]
- Synthetic fragrances
- Artificial colorants
- Harsh preservatives, parabens, formaldehyde releasers
- Ingredients known to cause irritation
- Hot showers or hot water when washing the skin
- Chlorinated water - Use a shower filter if possible

Possible Contributing Factors
- Alcohol (increases heat and also feeds bacteria in gut)
- Various medications
- Try to avoid acidic foods and drinks
- Not getting enough sleep

The important thing to know is that it can be treated! The right skin treatment can do a-lot to calm and soothe the condition. There are a variety of medical treatments for rosacea including topical and oral medication as well as laser treatment.
During your skincare consultation, a detailed skin analysis will take place and a personalised programme will be created for your treatment.

http://youtu.be/cX8ILlq8k1s

SkinCeuticals’ Redness Neutralizer
It is a lightweight soothing gel cream formulated to protect skin against environmental triggers associated with redness by reinforcing the skin’s barrier function. It reduces redness by interrupting the inflammation cascade and protects the skin’s barrier. We have had amazing results with this product and recommend it highly for use with all clients suffering from rosacea. We have a wide-range of SkinCeuticals products available here at Nuala Woulfe Beauty Salon & Serenity Day Spa.