Let me guess…
You’ve been struggling on the so-called “roller-coaster” of rosacea flare ups, investing in the newest and latest skin care products with attempts to treat it, and have been itching and picking at your face more than ever. After much effort, frustration, and discomfort, you now want to know:
- What’s causing your rosacea flare ups?
- What can you do to help?
- What treatment options are available to you?
- Where you can seek treatment?
Whether you are asking yourself one of the above, or all of the above, you are in the right place.
Below, we will dive into award-winning skin care physician Dr. Shehla Ebrahim’s best tips and tricks to navigate your rosacea-fueled roller-coaster ride!
But first, let’s make sure that what you are expericining is, in fact, rosacea.
Whether you have consulted a skin care physician in the past, or are concerned that you may be experiencing signs of rosacea, I’m sure you know that it goes far beyond the common symptom of the obvious “rosy cheeks”.
Although skin pigmentation can change, rosacea is actually an inflammatory disease that causes symptoms such as:
- Warmth and tenderness over your facial skin
- Flushing of the facial skin
- Swollen, visible veins over your nose and cheeks
- Cystic lumps that appear to be like pimples
- Dry eyes with redness and irritation
- Pain and swelling in the eyes without any redness
- Gradual bulging of nose
- Vision problems
These may lead to secondary responses such as itching, stinging, and/or burning sensations. This makes it especially important to consult with an experienced skin care professional since there are four main types of rosacea and their symptoms often intertwine. Of course, you have to be diagnosed properly for your rosacea treatment to be effective.
Let’s dive in to the four different types below:
1. Ocular Rosacea –
A type of rosacea that is commonly paired with facial rosacea which leads to dry, itchy, eyes and eyelids.
2. Phymatous Rosacea–
A type of rosacea that is found on the nose, which could be inflammatory or noninflammatory.
3. Rosacea Fulminans–
A rare type of rosacea that affects patients through inflammatory papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts on the face, and sometimes results from inflammatory bowel disease or pregnancy.
4. Granulomatous Rosacea–
A severe type of rosacea that causes flare ups around the cheeks, eyes and mouth.
What Causes Rosacea?
Now that we covered the different kinds of rosacea, let’s tackle the reasons why you may be experiencing rosacea flare ups. Common factors that may contribute to your rosacea flare-ups are:
- Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol such as wine, beer, and spritzers
- Consuming excessive amounts of hot drinks such as tea and coffee
- Consuming excessive amounts of spicy dishes
- Being exposed to extremely cold or hot weather
- Having severe cases of acne or bacterial infection
- Using medications that dilate blood vessels
- Being overexposure to sunlight
- Experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety
- Using ill-suited cosmetic products
All of these could lead to rosacea pop-ups on your face!
Another common reason for rosacea flare ups are Systemic Comorbidities. This is when your rosacea derives from other conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, neurologic disorders, and even some psychiatric disorders. Typically, people suffering with highly inflammatory rosacea suffer from some sort of systemic disorder that should be looked at by their doctor to identify an appropriate treatment plan.
What Can You do to help?
Now that you have pin-pointed what may be causing your rosacea, and what you may want to avoid moving forward, it’s time to look reality in the face!
Some things are just too hard to avoid: your morning coffee, work stress, exposure to sunlight, and maybe some of your daily medication. Although these can be avoided, they can be hard to eliminate altogether!
One thing you can control is the cosmetic products that you use (and how you use them). If you suffer from rosacea it’s important to use gentle products to cleanse, moisturize, and protect your skin from the sun—specifically ones that are made for sensitive skin.
Not only that, but the way in which you use these products is crucial. It’s not about overly cleansing and moisturizing already sensitive areas (as that can cause more damage), but rather using products moderately. As a final rule of thumb, it’s important to follow a skincare routine for sensitive skin, morning and night, and to use all products in moderation.
If you’d like professional advice on a skincare routine that is customized to your needs CLICK HERE to take Dr Shehla Ebrahim’s Skin Diagnostic Quiz.
What treatment options are available?
Great! You now know exactly what you can do to minimize flare ups and their severity, and are wondering what treatment options you can seek from the pros!
Great! You now know exactly what you can do to minimize flare ups and their severity, and are wondering what treatment options you can seek from the pros!
When you go in for a personalized skin appointment with your physician, you’ll have your own customized treatment plan waiting for you!
Where you can seek treatment?
Dr. Shehla Ebrahim is an award-winning skin care physician who offers rosacea treatment in Vancouver BC, as well as through her online clinic. With decades of experience under her belt, creating a caring and personalized approach to each of her patients that suffer from rosacea, she is sure to guide you in the right direction. Not only will Dr. Shehla Ebrahim identify an appropriate treatment plan, but she will be there to guide you through your rosacea roller-coaster ride.
Click HERE to book your online consultation today—and start taking action for your rosacea flare-ups NOW. I promise, your skin will thank you for it.