Rosacea is a common condition, which is characterized by the appearance of erythematous (redness of the skin) located on the face, with the following general clinical signs: dilation of superficial blood vessels, red domed papules and pustules. Most of the time the disorder is linked, sometimes inaccurately, to acne vulgaris. However, acne vulgaris and rosacea are two different conditions that require separate treatments.
Rosacea As A Common Disease
Red spots tend to occur mainly on the cheeks, nose, forehead and less on the neck, chest, ears or scalp. Left untreated, rosacea tends to evolve and get worse over time.
The disease is cyclical: it gets worse for a few weeks then the symptoms subside (still they don’t disappear completely), then the process repeats.
What Can Cause Rosacea?
The exact cause of rosacea has not been determined, but there are several theories. Foremost is genetics. Long term exposure to sunlight and dramatic temperature variations may also be another factor.
Another possible reason is skin mites: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis. These small insects (0.4 mm) usually live in the hair glands. They are often present on the face of people with rosacea and they are supposed to initiate the inflammatory reaction (Inflammation dilates blood vessels and contributes to redness of the skin. They can damage blood vessels, leading to their constant expansion).
Infections with common bacteria, Helicobacter pylori, may also be considered a cause of rosacea. In addition, there are certain genetic faults in the vascular system of the skin, causing permanent dilation of blood vessels.
Foods may also trigger flareups. The list is long, and obviously, there are individual variations: large doses of vitamin B6 and B12, hot beverages, spicy food and alcohol.
Treating Rosacea
The disease is not dangerous but can be quite uncomfortable and result in an appearance the sufferer may find quite unattractive. Although there is no cure for Rosacea, the disorder can be managed. Laser technology is a common method of treatment that can control redness, treat damaged skin, reduce the swelling of blood vessels and discolouration.
Photofacial Therapy
FotoFacial RF Pro® Treatments are quite gentle. The technology combines Intense Pulsed Light and RadioFrequency energy to calm the skin and reduce dilated blood vessels, thereby eliminating redness and the ruddy complexion associated with Rosacea. It is recommended that 4-6 procedures spaced over a couple of months are performed to achieve the best results.