April is Rosacea Awareness Month
Rosacea: Understanding and Managing the Condition
Rosacea is a common yet misunderstood skin condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Characterized by redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, and sometimes small red bumps on the face, rosacea can be distressing for those living with it. However, the way we address and discuss rosacea can significantly impact how individuals perceive and manage this condition.
At Blush Beauty Lounge, we understand the importance of providing accurate information and compassionate support to those dealing with rosacea. Our approach is neutral and informative, focusing on empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their skincare while promoting self-confidence and self-care practices.
By using a caring and informative approach, we want to reduce the stigma around rosacea. We focus on sharing helpful tips like gentle skincare habits, recognizing triggers, and getting expert advice. Our goal is to build a welcoming community for people with rosacea to find encouragement and guidance for healthier skin.
At Blush Beauty Lounge, we believe that education and understanding are key in changing the narrative around rosacea. By sharing knowledge and fostering a sense of community, we aim to transform the way individuals perceive and navigate the challenges of living with rosacea. Let’s dive in!!!
Rosacea Characteristics
Rosacea is a common skin condition characterized by persistent facial redness, visible blood vessels, and occasional pimples or bumps. This chronic condition typically affects the central face, particularly the cheeks, nose, eyelids, and forehead. Commonly effecting ages 30 to 60 years old.
4 Sub-types/Stages of Rosacea
Rosacea has several stages ranging from mild to severe. Rosacea does not always occur in order of these stages. Most commonly recognized are stage 1 & 2, stage 2 is often mistaken for acne.
Common Causes & Triggers of Rosacea
Causes that are most widely known are inflammation, perifollicular inflammation (ie. P. Acne, demodex mites), & neurogenic. Potential causes can be vascular disorders, microorganisms, immune response, genetic disorder, environment, hormone imbalance/gut health. It’s important to learn to recognize triggers and figure out what your individual triggers are. Symptoms may worsen with triggers like spicy foods, alcohol, sun exposure, and stress. Extremes of hot & cold, humidity, wind and irritating products (cosmetics, fragrances/chemical spfs’s) can also be trigger for some people. Proper skincare and medical treatments can help manage and alleviate the symptoms associated with rosacea.
Skincare Recommendations for Rosacea
When it comes to managing rosacea, a gentle skincare routine is key to minimizing flare-ups and soothing irritated skin. Here are some recommendations to consider:
Cleanser: Opt for a mild, non-foaming cleanser free of harsh ingredients like fragrance and alcohol. Look for products labeled as gentle or suitable for sensitive skin. (Lira Clinical -Mystic Illuminating Cleanser, Colorescience Barrier Pro Cleanser).
Serums & Moisturizer: Choose a hydrating and soothing moisturizer formulated for sensitive skin. Humectants & occlusive products. Look for ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, known for their calming properties. (Serums: Pro Lite, HBio Hydra C, Mystiq Infused-C, All Calm Collection, Hydrinity Restorative Collection).
Sunscreen: Protect your skin from UV rays with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are less likely to irritate sensitive skin. (Lira- Solar Shield SPF, Colorescience SPF’s).
Avoid Irritants: Steer clear of skincare products with ingredients known to trigger rosacea flare-ups, such as alcohol, menthol, peppermint, and certain essential oils.
Patch Test: Before trying a new product, perform a patch test on a small area of skin to check for any adverse reactions.
Consult an Esthetcian or Dermatologist: If you experience persistent or severe symptoms of rosacea, consult an esthetician or dermatologist for a personalized treatment plan tailored to your skin's specific needs.
By following these skincare recommendations and being mindful of the ingredients you use, you can help manage rosacea and keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
Tips for Rosacea
1. Seek Professional advise. Contacting an esthetician with experience treating Rosacea & Acne can help to provide you with direction and a treatment plan to help manage your rosacea.
2.Connect with Blush Beauty Lounge!!!!
3. Identify your Triggers. This can be a challenging and somewhat overwhelming task. Some things that can help you with this process are keeping a food journal, making special note when you eat something that is a known irritant (spicy food, alcohol, etc). and keeping track of how your skin reacts over the following days.
4. Avoid hot showers, saunas, tanning beds, hot yoga etc, as this can cause inflammation. Practice using cold rollers or doing an ice bath nightly to reduce inflammation.
5. Use physical sunscreens vs. using a chemical sunscreen which is a known irritant. Physical SPF’s such as Zinc reflect UV rays, chemical SPF’s absorb the light which can then turn into heat.
6. Use mineral makeup/acne safe makeup. Mineral Makeup is anti-inflammatory and sun-protective. For example Colorescience Brush on SPF provides broad spectrum physical SPF protection while also helping to calm the skin with zinc oxide.
7. Protect your skins barrier with Occlusive products such as Hyaluronic acid, Shea Butter, Antioxidants, and Aloe vera.
8. Mild Peels and exfoliants can also be helpful under the direction of an experienced professional to increase cellular turnover and gently exfoliate allowing corrective products to be more effective.
For more information and advice on how to manage your Rosacea, please contact us. Or better yet schedule an in spa skin consultation.
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Christy Peterson, Licensed Esthetician -
Blush Beauty Lounge
