Rosacea (pronounced roh-ZAY-sha) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by redness, pimples, and/or broken blood vessels around the face and eyes. The face can often have a butterfly pattern of redness.
Many people with rosacea may feel self-conscious about their appearance, particularly in social and professional settings. If facial redness is negatively impacting your self-confidence or your symptoms continue to worsen, contact Houston Skin for an individualized treatment plan to improve and manage the appearance of your skin.
Rosacea can cause a range of symptoms, including:
- Lasting redness in the face accompanied by dry, sensitive skin
- Stinging
- Uncontrollable blushing or flushing appearance
- Swelling
- Small, visible blood vessels on the face
- Pimple-like blemishes or bumps
- Skin thickening and enlargement of the nose
Nashville’s Choice for Advanced Rosacea Treatment
While often mistaken for acne, rosacea is a chronic condition that may need a customized treatment plan to manage each patient’s unique set of symptoms. Every case of rosacea is different. Since symptoms may persist or quickly change, rosacea may require professional treatment to control flare-ups and keep skin healthy and looking its best. Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for this skin disorder, but the team at Houston Skin has experience in the most groundbreaking medical dermatology treatments available to help you manage your symptoms.
What Causes Rosacea?
Currently, it is still unknown what exactly causes rosacea. An estimated 14 million Americans suffer from chronic facial redness and other uncomfortable rosacea symptoms. While rosacea is a lifelong condition, appropriate care from skilled practitioners at Houston Skin can help provide long-term improvement.
Reliable Rosacea Treatment Options
There are a number of triggers associated with facial redness, from food to stress. A successful medical dermatology treatment plan begins with identifying your triggers and learning how to mitigate these factors with the help of a skincare specialist. In most cases, rosacea symptoms will flare up for several weeks or months at a time and then may suddenly subside for a while between flare-ups.
If rosacea is left untreated, symptoms can progressively worsen, causing lasting, irreversible skin thickening and possible disfigurement. Most rosacea patients need a combination of advanced techniques and treatments to get long-term, effective results, including oral and topical medications, lasers, and peels.
While rosacea can’t be cured, customized treatments can manage and improve symptoms. After a careful evaluation to determine the exact nature and severity of your rosacea symptoms, Houston Skin may recommend the following treatments:
Oral and Topical Medications
New medications are now available that are proving very helpful in reducing lasting facial redness. Many skin care professionals prescribe both oral and topical medications at the same time to get quicker results.
Topical treatments and oral medications that reduce inflammation and redness include:
- Azelaic acid – These anti-inflammatory gels can help improve bumps, lesions, and swelling.
- Metronidazole – This topical antibiotic also helps control bumps and redness.
- Topical Ivermectin (Soolantra) – This is an anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory cream used to treat rosacea’s inflammatory bumps and redness.
- Topical Vasoconstrictors (Mirvaso and Rhofade) – These topical medications temporarily reduce persistent redness, with results in minutes upon application. The effects of the medication typically last 10-12 hours and are designed for daily use.
- Oral Antibiotics – Oral antibiotics, like tetracycline and doxycycline, are often prescribed to help improve the bacterial component of rosacea and inflammation.
- Low-dose Doxycycline – An oral medication developed to specifically treat rosacea and the resulting inflammation. Leave out oracea since it is name brand and covered in oral antibiotics.
Lasers
In addition to medications, Houston Skin may recommend the use of laser treatments to improve the appearance of facial redness or visible blood vessels. Lasers offer an effective, non-invasive option for reducing redness, uneven skin texture, and visible veins on the cheeks or other areas of the face.
Peels
A chemical peel followed by proper ongoing skin care can greatly improve the skin’s appearance for mild to moderate rosacea sufferers. Medical-grade chemical peels exfoliate the top layer of the skin, revealing new, healthier skin, which helps reduce the appearance of redness and acne-like bumps caused by rosacea.
Sunscreen
Not all sunscreens protect against flare-ups of facial redness. To protect the skin from sun damage, it’s important to use non-chemical sunscreens that contain zinc or titanium dioxide and deliver UVA/UVB protection with an SPF of 35 or higher on a daily basis. A formula designed for sensitive skin can help reduce the possibility of irritation while still protecting against the harmful effects of the sun’s rays.
Meet The Team
Our Houston team of Board-Certified Dermatologists and licensed skin care providers brings a wealth of experience and a passion for healthy skin. With extensive clinical experience and the highest levels of training, our doctors are committed to delivering exceptional care and achieving optimal results for every patient. We prioritize your comfort and safety, promoting a positive and reassuring experience throughout your journey to vibrant skin. We’re honored to be your trusted provider of quality medical dermatology care and your partners in achieving and maintaining your skin’s health.
Feel Good About Your Skin
Ready to unlock your skin’s full potential? Schedule a rosacea consultation at one of our convenient Houston Skin locations today. Our board-certified dermatologists will provide a personalized assessment and recommend the ideal treatments to help you achieve and maintain healthy, vibrant skin. Call now or schedule a consultation online to take the first step towards a more confident, radiant you.
