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March 2002 Fashion Secret
Read Fashion Secret Archives Here
Take the Rosacea Challenge
March is National Rosacea Awareness Month
Rosacea. One in 20 people have it. Those are just the diagnosed cases. There
are certainly a fair number of people who are unaware that the symptoms
they've lived with for years actually have a name and that if left untreated,
those symptoms can cause permanent skin damage. The good news is that, once
diagnosed, it is controllable.
What is rosacea? What are the symptoms? Do you have it?
Let's look at:
- The symptoms & diagnosis
- Why medical intervention is important
- What to look for and avoid in skincare products
- The Symptoms & Diagnosis:
How do you know if you have it? Listed below are some common telltale signs of rosacea. If you exhibit some of these symptoms and have not been formally diagnosed, I recommend strongly that you consult a physician to be sure one way or the other.
- You blush easily, and it drains slowly from your face.
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Your skin is extremely sensitive to skincare products and sunscreens
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You turn red (primarily in the cheeks, nose and chin) after eating spicy foods, hot beverages, alcohol, after being out in the wind, cold or sun, or when extremely stressed.
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You blush easily and you have what looks like acne or bumps on the affected areas.
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You exhibit some of these symptoms and are of Northern European, Celtic, or Scandinavian descent
If any combination of these symptoms sounds familiar, make an appointment with a dermatologist to be sure.
- Why Medical Intervention is Important
When we're young, a slight blush (particularly in women) is often seen as sweet. What we now know is that it can also be a precursor to a serious skin condition that, when left untreated, can result in increased pore size, chronic redness, noticeable capillaries under the skin, swelling of the face, and perhaps worse. The good news is that, while rosacea cannot at this time be cured, it can be controlled. Part of that control is available through medical intervention. This could involve, if diagnosed early enough, short term antibiotic treatment, topical medications that soothe the skin and control the inflammation and even laser treatment (on more advanced cases).
- What to Look for and Avoid in Skincare Products
Using gentle, soothing, non-irritating products is critical. Of course, this is sometimes easier said than done. Given the plethora of products available, it can be hard to decipher what is and what isn't gentle enough. It's actually easier to tell you what to avoid:
- Scrubs, washcloths or loufahs
- Astringents (that does not mean you need to avoid gentle toners, just astrigents that usually contain alcohol, witch hazel or other drying ingredients)
- Some essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus
- Heavy fragrances.
It is critical for anyone with rosacea to protect their skin by wearing a daily sunblock with a minimum SPF of 15. Generally, a sunblock is preferred to a sunscreen because rosacea is less likely to react adversely to a physical barrier like a sunblock rather than a chemical barrier which is found in a sunscreen, and, in addition, not all sunscreens are full-spectrum so they don't necessarily block out all the harmful rays.
If you know or suspect you have rosacea, find a qualified dermatologist and esthetician to work with you and help you make the appropriate choices. Since your skin is sensitive, you want to avoid anything that exacerbates the condition. Sometimes, however, the perfect product will produce a mild tingling at first until your skin adjusts and becomes more balanced. Knowing what to look for and what to avoid, how to combine products, and when to add something new can be a team effort with gratifying results.
For more information about rosacea, visit their website at www.rosacea.org If you are currently working with an esthetician you like and trust, and if you suspect you have rosacea, talk with her/him. If she concurs, then make an appointment to see a dermatologist. From there, you'll want to work with each of them to find the best treatment for you. It might take a while, but eventually you will see a marked improvement in your skin.
Sun image courtesy ArtToday.com
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