Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterised by persistent redness, visible blood vessels (telangiectasias or couperose), episodes of flushing with warmth, and sometimes small red spots resembling acne. It appears most on the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. In more severe cases the skin can thicken (rhinophyma) or the eyes can be affected (ocular rosacea). Rosacea is not contagious and cannot be cured, but can be well-managed with the right treatments and lifestyle adjustments.

Rosacea affects an estimated 5 to 10 percent of the population and usually begins between the ages of 30 and 50. It is more common in people with a fair skin tone, blue or green eyes and a Celtic or Northern European background. Women are more frequently affected than men, but in men the condition tends to be more severe on average. Genetic predisposition plays a major role: a family history of rosacea significantly increases the risk.

Rosacea triggers vary per person, but the most common are: sun exposure and heat, alcohol (particularly red wine), hot or spicy food, intense physical exercise, emotional stress, extreme temperature changes, certain skincare products containing alcohol or menthol, and some medications that dilate blood vessels. Keeping a trigger diary can help identify your personal triggers. Our skin therapist also discusses this at intake.

At SKIN we treat rosacea with a combination of calming and vascular treatments. LED light therapy with yellow or red light calms redness and strengthens the skin barrier. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is particularly effective for visible blood vessels and couperose: the light coagulates the vessels so they disappear. The Plason Facial with cold plasma reduces inflammation and redness. During active flare-ups, gentle hydrating treatments are the first choice. Our skin therapist draws up a tailored protocol at intake.

Rosacea and acne can look similar (both cause redness and spots), but are fundamentally different conditions. Rosacea has a vascular and inflammatory basis, no blackheads, and responds to triggers such as heat and alcohol. Acne has a bacterial and hormonal basis, does have blackheads, and responds to hormones and sebum production. Treatment differs greatly: aggressive acne treatments can worsen rosacea. Our skin therapist makes the distinction at intake and chooses the right approach.

Managing rosacea at home starts with avoiding triggers. Use gentle, fragrance-free skincare with ceramides and niacinamide. Cool the skin during flare-ups with a cold damp cloth. Always apply a mineral SPF 50: UV is the most common trigger. Avoid products containing alcohol, menthol or AHA acids. Green-tinted primers can optically conceal redness. Our skin therapist provides specific care advice for rosacea at the Product Consultation.

For rosacea, choose hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and alcohol-free make-up. A green or yellow colour corrector helps neutralise redness before applying foundation. Mineral make-up is generally the best tolerated. Avoid make-up containing fragrance, high concentrations of silicones or heat-sensitive formulas. Always test new products on a small patch of skin first. Our skin therapist can make make-up recommendations that align with your skincare plan.

Pregnancy can affect rosacea through hormonal changes and increased blood flow. Mild treatments such as yellow LED light therapy and gentle hydrating masks are generally safe. IPL treatments are not recommended during pregnancy. Our skin therapist fully adapts the protocol. Always discuss it with your midwife or GP in advance. The focus during pregnancy is on barrier repair and trigger avoidance.