From wrinkles and hyperpigmentation to acne and inflammation, many people experience skin issues that lower their self-esteem and sometimes lead to more severe health concerns. Rosacea is such a skin condition, affecting millions of people worldwide.
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This article explains what rosacea is, what triggers the symptoms, and which treatments can help soothe flare-ups.
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by flare-ups that come and go in cycles. The symptoms are unpredictable in duration and severity – sometimes mild and sometimes extreme.
The condition is not life-threatening but may have severe psychological effects, including depression. That is why doctors recommend treating the symptoms as soon as they appear and complying with the prescribed therapy.
Rosacea symptoms may appear alone or in combination. They include the following:
Rosacea symptoms typically appear on the central facial area, but sometimes they affect the neck, chest, ears, and scalp.
Anyone can get rosacea, but evidence suggests the following groups are more likely to experience it:
The condition is not contagious.
Medical experts still don’t know the exact causes of rosacea, but they suspect these possible contributing factors:
Scientists have also identified triggers that can aggravate the condition:
There are no tests specifically for rosacea. Doctors diagnose the condition based on skin and eye examinations, a discussion about the patient’s symptoms, and their previous medical history. Sometimes, doctors test patients for other medical concerns, such as lupus, psoriasis, and menopause, to rule out conditions with similar symptoms.
There is no permanent cure for rosacea, but various treatments can help mitigate the symptoms and prevent rosacea from worsening.
Doctors prescribe the following medications based on rosacea symptoms:
They often combine oral therapy with other treatments.
The following are holistic rosacea treatment options.
A holistic facial is a cosmetic treatment involving gentle facial massage, aromatherapy, and the use of natural skincare products to stabilize triggers that cause flare-ups. The treatment can help reduce stress, remove toxins, and enhance circulation, improving skin health.
Over-the-counter products can play a meaningful role in managing rosacea, particularly for those with mild to moderate symptoms. Look for gentle, fragrance-free cleansers, moisturizers with soothing ingredients like niacinamide, azelaic acid, and green tea extract, and broad-spectrum SPF to protect against UV-triggered flare-ups. While these products can help reduce redness and sensitivity, they work best as part of a broader skincare routine tailored to rosacea-prone skin.
Vibrant Skin Bar experts recommend the Vibrant Recovery Mask – A face mask infused with CBD, a potent anti-inflammatory ingredient, and aloe vera, which soothes the skin. Together, they help relieve rosacea symptoms and enhance skin immunity.
Photofacial is a cosmetic treatment involving the use of laser and intense pulsed light devices (such as IPL and BBL) to improve various skin conditions. For rosacea patients, photofacials can help shrink enlarged blood vessels, decrease flushing and redness, and remove thickened skin.
Vibrant Skin Bar offers laser photofacial therapy for the cost of $350/session.
Oxygen facial is a non-invasive facial treatment that uses a wand-like device to deliver high-pressurized oxygen to the skin, plumping and rejuvenating the complexion. It deeply hydrates and cleanses the pores of sebum, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities, reducing rosacea triggers.
At Vibrant Skin Bar, the oxygen infusion facial costs $165 per session.
Jet plasma is a non-invasive, gentle treatment for skin issues such as rosacea, melasma, acne, hyperpigmentation, and signs of premature aging skin. It uses a handheld device to send ionized gas to the skin, causing superficial injuries and promoting collagen production. It has a lifting and tightening effect while calming the skin.
At Vibrant Skin Bar, one jet plasma session costs $2,500.
Note: For more options, refer to our guide to natural treatments for rosacea.
People with rosacea have very sensitive skin, and sun exposure is often one of the primary triggers of flare-ups.
Protect the skin all year round with adequate clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and broad-spectrum, 30+ SPF sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both are less likely to cause irritation.
Note: Check out our tips on how to choose sunscreen or discover our selection of the best sunscreen products.
Sensitive rosacea skin is easily irritated with harsh skincare products. Choose mild cleansers, creams, and serums with natural ingredients, such as soothing botanicals and essential oils that reduce inflammation.
Apply products to your face gently using only your fingertips and rinse with lukewarm water. Never rub your face with a towel, but gently pat it. Avoid deodorant soaps, toners, exfoliants, and alcohol-based products.
Poor gut health and a disrupted microbiome balance may cause rosacea. Health experts recommend patients modify their diet during treatment to eliminate potential rosacea triggers in food.
Anti-inflammatory meal plans based on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats, such as the Mediterranean diet, are typically prescribed for rosacea.
To ensure you choose the right foods and avoid those that cause flare-ups, we recommend food intolerance testing. Food intolerance can be determined with blood tests, a breath test for lactose intolerance, or a special diet that involves avoiding certain foods for a period to see if symptoms get better. Common food triggers include lactose, gluten, food colorings and preservatives, sulfites, histamines, etc.
Medical providers also recommend stool testing to determine the patient’s sensitivity to intestinal bacteria and see if medications are required.
Dietary supplements are a great way to enhance the effects of a balanced diet and mitigate rosacea symptoms. We recommend two:
Vibrant Biome – A probiotic formulated to reduce redness and inflammation by supporting healthy flora in the GI tract. Take one sphere daily with meal.
Vibrant Digest – Contains digestive enzymes that support the digestion of proteins, carbs, and fats. Take one capsule daily with a meal.
Alcohol acts as a vasodilator, relaxing and widening blood vessels, and worsens rosacea symptoms. Doctors recommend eliminating or limiting alcohol intake to avoid flushing and redness.
The time to first results depends on the type of rosacea treatment and the severity of the symptoms.
Photofacials provide gradual results. Patients may see slight improvements in their condition within a week and full effects after several weeks. The results are long-lasting but usually require several treatments.
Topical creams for acne usually yield results after two to six weeks.
Brimodine and oxymetazoline provide immediate symptom relief but have a temporary effect (up to 12 hours). Patients need to use them for as long as redness persists.
Rosacea is an unpleasant skin condition that affects patients’ confidence and daily life. Though the medical community is still working to understand its root causes fully, they have developed various highly effective treatment options.
Discuss the possible solutions for rosacea with a certified medical practitioner and follow their advice precisely to ensure you get symptoms under control.
We are a Phoenix-based full-service medical spa with a passion for enhancing our clients’ natural beauty from the inside out.
