Rosacea is a chronic skin condition mainly affecting the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin, causing redness and irritation. It often makes the skin feel hot and tender. Rosacea can also make your skin very sensitive, meaning you might experience stinging or burning when applying a cosmetic product or even just water
It is estimated to affect up to one fifth of the population and is more common in women and light-skinned people over the age of 30. Men can also suffer from rosacea, often bearing the worst of the symptoms.
Rosacea can also affect the eyes (oscular rosacea). It causes dryness, swelling and irritation around the eyes and eyelids, crusts around the roots of the eyelashes, and watery or bloodshot eyes. Severe cases can result in corneal damage and diminished vision, so you should always seek advice from a health professional if you have symptoms of ocular rosacea.
There are three main types of rosacea, each with different signs and symptoms.
Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea is characterised by redness and warmth (excessive flushing, which may be persistent or only appear during flare-ups), and 'spider veins.' Spider veins (also called 'thread veins) are damaged capillaries that are visible on the surface of the skin, often looking like a piece of thread or a spider if a few are clustered together. They're most common in the face or on the legs.
Papulopustularrosacea causes redness and swelling, as well as acne-like solid red bumps, sometimes containing pus (called pustules).
Phytamous rosacea is a thickening of the skin, mainly on the nose (called rhinophyma) caused by excess tissue. In severe cases, it can result in diminished nasal airflow and facial disfigurement.
It's not always clear what causes rosacea. Long-term use of some topical steroids and opiate painkillers (e.g., codeine) can cause rosacea, while vasodilator drugs used for high blood pressure can exacerbate it. There may also be a genetic link, although this isn't clear at present. Some women develop rosacea at the perimenopause or menopausal stage, and a chronic cough and caffeine withdrawal syndrome have also been linked to rosacea.
Recent studies suggest rosacea is likely to be the start of an inflammatory continuum that's started by a combination of neurovascular dysregulation and the innate immune system. A microscopic mite (Demodex Folliculorum), which is naturally present on human skin, is much more abundant in patients with rosacea, indicating it could be a contributor.
Flare-ups can potentially be triggered by environmental and lifestyle factors such as consuming alcohol, spicy foods, cheese or caffeinated drinks, emotional stress, certain skin care products and cosmetics, humidity, cigarette smoking, aerobic exercise and UV radiation from sunshine or tanning beds. Hot, cold or windy weather can also trigger the condition in some people. What triggers flare-ups in one person may not in another, so it's important to track potential triggers.
Surveys carried out by the National Rosacea Society (NRS) revealed that nearly 90 percent of rosacea patients said their condition had lowered their self-confidence and self-esteem, and 41 percent reported it had caused them to avoid public contact or cancel social engagements.
Avoiding your personal triggers wherever possible is the first important step to controlling rosacea. There are now many oral and topical medications that can help to reduce and control rosacea too, as well as cosmetic treatments to help reduce it.
Microneedling practices may have to be adapted slightly for rosacea patients, and the treatment can initially cause more redness, but positive results can be achieved.
The practice is slightly more effective in patients with papulopustular rosacea than in those with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, meaning that inflammatory lesions, such as pustules, can be more effectively treated.
Microneedling involves running fine needles (around 0.5mm–1mm long) over the affected areas of the skin. Small wounds puncture the skin's surface. At the same time the needles stimulate elastin production. New collagen is also formed in an attempt to heal the fresh needle wounds, resulting in a new, smoother, skin layer.
Your skin may be a little inflamed or bruised after your treatment, but this only lasts a few days at most; avoid direct sunlight and strenuous exercise during this time to give your skin time to heal. Staying well hydrated in the days leading up to your microneedling session can help to reduce these after-effects.
Microneedling is safe and effective. However, it's not recommended if:
Microneedling treatments are usually a month or six weeks apart. While improvement won't be immediate, you should see results after a few treatments. A new, smoother and less red skin layer will be emerging, which should help you to feel happier with your appearance and give your confidence a boost.
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