Rosacea

Rosacea symptoms include persistent facial redness lasting weeks or months, frequent flushing episodes, burning or stinging sensations, and visible blood vessels. If you experience any of these symptoms consistently, it’s worth consulting a professional for proper diagnosis.

Unfortunately, rosacea is a chronic condition that typically worsens over time without proper treatment. While symptoms may fluctuate, the underlying condition doesn’t resolve on its own. Early treatment can prevent progression and achieve significant improvement.

No, rosacea is not contagious. You cannot catch it from someone else or spread it to others. It’s an inflammatory condition related to genetics, immune system responses, and environmental triggers.

The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but rosacea results from a combination of factors including genetic predisposition, overactive immune responses, problems with blood vessels in the face, and possibly microscopic mites that naturally live on the skin.

Yes, stress is one of the top triggers for rosacea flares. Stress can cause blood vessels to dilate and trigger inflammatory responses. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, and adequate sleep can help reduce flare-ups.

Early signs include frequent blushing or flushing that lasts longer than normal, persistent mild redness in the central face, burning or stinging sensations, and increased skin sensitivity to products you previously used without problems.

Without treatment, rosacea typically progresses from occasional flushing to persistent redness, then potentially to bumps and visible blood vessels. However, with proper treatment and trigger management, progression can be stopped and symptoms significantly improved.

• Comedonal acne: Blackheads and whiteheads without inflammation
• Inflammatory acne: Red, painful bumps with or without pus
• Hormonal acne: Jawline and chin breakouts correlating with menstrual cycles
• Cystic acne: Large, painful, deep lesions that persist for weeks

Yes, ocular rosacea affects the eyes and eyelids, causing symptoms like dry, gritty eyes, burning sensations, light sensitivity, and red, swollen eyelids. This can occur with or without facial symptoms and should be treated promptly to prevent complications.

Yes, burning, stinging, or itching sensations are very common with rosacea and often occur even when the skin doesn’t look particularly red. These sensations are caused by inflammation and nerve sensitivity in the skin.

Topical treatments typically show improvement in 4-8 weeks, oral medications in 6-12 weeks, and laser treatments show gradual improvement over 2-6 months. Consistency with treatment is key for best results.

Yes, you can use makeup, but choose gentle, mineral-based products when possible. Avoid products with fragrances, alcohol, or harsh chemicals. Green-tinted primer can help neutralize redness.

Professional treatments can provide long-lasting results (1-3 years for laser treatments), but rosacea is a chronic condition. Maintenance treatments and proper skincare can help maintain results and prevent flare-ups.

Avoid alcohol, fragrances, essential oils, menthol, camphor, eucalyptus, witch hazel, and harsh exfoliants. Also avoid products containing sodium lauryl sulfate and alpha hydroxy acids (unless specifically prescribed).

Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are best for rosacea-prone skin. They’re less likely to cause irritation compared to chemical sunscreens and provide broad-spectrum protection.