What is Rosacea?
Does a look in the mirror have you seeing red? A flushed face can mean anything from a simple blush to a serious skin condition like Rosacea. Knowing the difference is the first step in finding the right treatment for flushing skin. So what exactly is Rosacea? And is this skin condition keeping you from putting your best face forward? Here’s more:
Is it Rosacea?
Rosacea is actually classified in the acne family. However, there are key differences between it and the blackheads, whiteheads pimples and blemishes that are usually associated with the term acne. While it’s true that people with the condition can get pimples, red bumps and pustules, these symptoms usually occur if the condition is left untreated. The hallmark symptom of this condition is a flushing and blushing of the face due to a network of small blood vessels, which can visibly cover areas of the face, including the cheeks, chin, nose and forehead. It affects 14 million people in America (1 in 20) with woman at a greater risk of having the skin disorder.
Rosacea Triggers
Another difference between Rosacea and other forms of acne is that triggers — like spicy food, alcohol, stress, exercise and heat — can aggravate the condition, due to an increase of blood flow to the face. Each person with the condition has a different set of triggers and must go through a period of trial and error to figure what causes the condition to flare and what doesn’t.
What Causes Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory disorder, but scientists are unclear of its causes. Theories range from a genetic predisposition for the disorder to the type of bacteria present in your belly to having fair skin.
Rosacea Treatment
It’s important to get Rosacea treated, because it’s a skin disease that can get progressively worse. What started as a minor flushing and blushing of the skin on the face can lead to a thickening of the skin (particularly around the nose) and the possible development of red bumps and pustules. A combination of medical treatment and lifestyle changes are generally recommended to both keep flares at bay and to halt development of more serious and hard-to-treat symptoms. At Smooth Synergy, we offer several treatments known to help with the management of the disorder:
- Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)
There’s a growing body of evidence of the efficacy of IPL for treating Rosacea. IPL uses broad spectrum pulsed light to constrict blood vessels, causing a reduction in facial flushing and redness.
- Squoom
Squoom reaches beneath the epidermis with ultrasound magnetic field ionization, vibration and blue light to heal skin that is inflamed due to Rosacea.
- Chemical Peels
A chemical peel will exfoliate the skin, which will aid in cellular turnover and decrease the appearance of redness on the face. However, peels are not recommended for all cases of Rosacea. It’s important that an esthetician assess your skin to determine whether a chemical peel is right for your particular skin type.
Where to Go for Treatment in NYC?
Smooth Synergy offers a comprehensive menu of treatments designed to treat Rosacea and skin redness. Call us at 212-397-0111 to speak with an expert in beauty about your personal skincare goals. We’re ready to create a customized treatment plan that’s right for you.
