Did you know that over 90% of people with rosacea say their condition caused their self-confidence and self-esteem to drop? It’s understandable when you consider this inflammatory skin condition causes redness, skin lesions, and other unsightly problems.
At Wrinkle Fairy in Chicago, Oakbrook, Arlington Heights, and Naperville, Illinois, skin specialist Leslie Forrester, APRN, uses noninvasive, drug-free laser skin resurfacing with the LaseMD™ and Fractora® laser systems to combat the visible signs of rosacea.
Our team also knows that avoiding rosacea flare-ups in the first place is the best way to keep your skin condition under control. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about rosacea, common triggers, and how we can restore your skin.
The flushing, blushing, and skin redness rosacea causes give this chronic inflammatory skin condition its name. Symptoms typically worsen over time, and you may also experience red, irritated eyelids, thickened skin (lesions), small, pus-filled bumps, and larger visible blood vessels.
The exact cause of this condition still isn’t known, but researchers believe the underlying cause may relate to issues that affect your blood vessels, including:
Though there’s no cure for rosacea, getting the right treatment can help manage your symptoms.
Since the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, doctors can’t address the underlying cause of your condition. Researchers do know that there are common lifestyle and environmental factors that trigger rosacea flare-ups.
What triggers a flare-up in you may not trigger a flare-up in another person with rosacea. But understanding common triggers can help you keep an eye out for what bothers you, helping you avoid flare-ups in the future. Here’s a look at the five most common rosacea triggers:
The hot peppers, curry, cayenne, and red pepper flakes in your favorite spicy foods may be delicious, but they can also trigger rosacea flare-ups. To keep the redness and other symptoms of rosacea away, try eating spicy foods sparingly or not at all.
The sun warms your skin, causing the blood vessels near the surface to dilate. As more blood flows into these areas, your skin flushes and reddens. It’s no wonder that peak-hour sun exposure (between 10am - 2pm) is one of the most common rosacea triggers.
Stress and anxiety are linked to rosacea flare-ups, so even though you can’t avoid all things at work and home that cause these feelings, you can learn healthy coping techniques like yoga, meditation, and journaling, which can make a difference in your skin.
There’s no doubt exercise is good for your overall health, but as with sun exposure, exercise dilates your blood vessels and can trigger a rosacea flare-up. Instead of skipping exercise, you can make simple changes to minimize your risk of causing a flare-up, like working out inside or in the early morning or sticking to shaded areas.
As a vasodilator, alcohol causes your blood vessels to dilate and relax, and as a result, more blood flows to your skin. For people with rosacea, this increased blood flow causes flushing and flare-ups, especially in your face. Rubbing alcohol and alcohol ingredients in skin products can have the same effect.
Rosacea gets its name from the uncontrollable redness it causes when the capillaries near the surface of your skin dilate and fill with blood, making your skin flushed and red. Some medications may help, but these come with side effects.
Laser resurfacing targets redness and brown hyperpigmentation, providing a way to tone down rosacea flare-ups without the need for medication. At Wrinkle Fairy, we use both LaseMD and Fractora laser systems to address skin concerns. Your provider evaluates your skin and discusses your goals to recommend the right laser for your needs.
During your treatment, your provider directs the laser energy into your skin. After treatment, the red blood vessels constrict, reducing redness and leaving you with a more natural complexion.
The best part? Laser resurfacing does more for your skin than reduce redness. This cutting-edge treatment also minimizes the skin lesions and unsightly bumps associated with rosacea. It also leaves you with:
Rosacea can also cause flare-ups on other parts of your body, like your chest, back, and neckline. Your Wrinkle Fairy provider may recommend using laser resurfacing to address these flare-ups and any other skin imperfections you’d like treated.
Ready to learn more about how we can help you manage your rosacea symptoms? Schedule an appointment at the Wrinkle Fairy location nearest you.
