Rosacea is a skin condition that usually affects people with fair skin and European heritage. If you have rosacea, you may have red or thickened skin and may also break out in inflamed pustules that look like acne.
Expert dermatologist Paul Yamauchi MD, PhD, diagnoses and treats rosacea at Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center, in Santa Monica, California. If you have rosacea, here’s what you should know about managing your flares and keeping your skin as clear as possible.
Avoid your triggers
Even though rosacea isn’t a curable condition, it’s manageable. Keep a diary of when you have a flare so you can identify your triggers and avoid them.
Close to 100% of people with rosacea claim that lifestyle changes helped their skin. For instance, most women and men with rosacea have noted that they’re most likely to have a flare after they’ve been exposed to sunlight.
When you have rosacea, you have even more reason to avoid the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB. Try to limit outdoor activities between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. Always use sunscreen and wear sun-protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat.
Other common rosacea triggers include:
- Spicy foods
- Not drinking enough water
- Extreme weather
- Chronic stress
Once you’ve identified your most common triggers, modify your lifestyle to accommodate them. For instance, if you flare when you’re overheated, you might choose to dress in layers so you can easily cool down when needed.
Treat your skin gently
Avoiding the sun and protecting yourself with wide-brimmed hats are the first steps toward giving your skin the TLC it needs to limit flares. Never scrub your skin or use harsh soaps.
Opt for a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. Rosacea skin tends toward the dry side, so be sure to moisturize regularly with a fragrance-free, medical-grade moisturizer that contains ceramides. Ceramides help your skin retain moisture.
Therapies soothe your skin
The red patches, color, and pustules associated with rosacea all stem from inflammation. Our team may recommend medications that quell inflammation. We may also recommend antibiotics to clear demodex infections.
Another option is light therapy that addresses the inflammation below the skin’s surface. At Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center, we offer pulsed-dye laser and blue-light treatments to subdue a flare and keep your skin looking clear and feeling comfortable.
If you’re tired of feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable due to your rosacea, call our friendly staff for relief and treatment today. You can also send us an online message.
