In this edition of our blog series, Beneath the Surface, which analyses different skin types, we are exploring the typical characteristics of Rosacea, what triggers the symptoms of rosacea, its link to sensitive skin and our top product recommendations to manage and improve the appearance of the skin.
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a long-term complex inflammatory skin condition that mainly affects the face. This condition is more common in females and individuals with lighter skin. However, when it affects males, the symptoms are often worse. Rosacea causes persistent redness due to the dilation of blood vessels, bumps and spots (similar to acne), flushing mainly across the cheeks and can often be paired with a stinging or burning sensation. The symptoms of rosacea can worsen over time if it is left untreated and can lead to sensitive or sensitised skin with inflammation of the eyes and eyelids.
What triggers rosacea?
Rosacea is a complex condition and the cause of it is still very much unclear. However, research has shown that there are several factors that can trigger or worsen the condition. Common aggravating factors include, alcohol, spicy foods, hot drinks (the temperature of the drink and not the caffeine content), hormones, change in temperature, exposure to sunlight, certain medications such as vasodilating drugs and corticosteroids, aerobic exercise such as running and experiencing stress.
What are the symptoms of Rosacea?
People who suffer with rosacea often only experience some of the symptoms and the pattern of these symptoms varies from person to person. Rosacea is chronic (meaning it is long lasting) but often cycles between flare-ups and periods of remission (lack of symptoms). Initially, rosacea typically begins with redness and/or flushing which can come and go. Over a period of time, the redness can deepen and appear darker, even purplish in colour, and may not fade as quickly as it did previously. Blood vessels that are visible may also become more prominent and, if left untreated, can progress to more severe symptoms of bumps and breakouts, swelling and lumpiness of the nose and irritated and inflamed eyes.
What is sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin is very common yet; it is not a medical diagnosis. Skin that is sensitive, tends to be more reactive so most skincare products can feel they are irritating and too strong on the skin. Sensitive skin is prone to react to products in the way of redness, irritation and flaking and broken thread veins often being a feature. Rosacea commonly incorporates skin sensitivity with stinging, burning, itchy skin that flushes as symptoms. However, rosacea is a condition that requires a medical diagnosis, possibly even prescription strength treatment to prevent it worsening. Rosacea cannot be cured, although, with the correct ingredients, it can be managed to reduce sensitivity and flare-ups.
Caring for your sensitive skin
With sensitive skin, the priority is to calm and reducing the redness, hydrate the skin and support the skin barrier. The products and regime used will need to preserve the acid mantle which is a delicate, fine, slightly acidic film on the top layer of the skin surface (stratum corneum) acting as a barrier to bacteria, viruses and other potential contaminants. The acid mantle is the first layer of defence against bacteria, viruses and harmful foreign bodies, it also preserves the skin’s microbiome and ensures its structural integrity. Damage to this layer can intensify the skin’s reaction to aggressors and, therefore, increase symptoms.
Key ingredients for rosacea and sensitive skin
Skincare products should be gentle, calming, restorative and fragrance-free, avoiding super-strength actives such as Vitamin A (retinol) and Vitamin C. Ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Chlorophyll, will aid the nourishment of the skin, the soothe and repair. Hyaluronic Acid will help to keep skin hydrated whilst Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, improve the skin barrier function and will help to reduce dullness and uneven skin tone.
What No.109 can do for Rosacea
Hydrafacial with Rozatrol Booster: HydraFacial is the only hydradermabrasion procedure that combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection simultaneously, resulting in clearer, more beautiful skin with little-to-no downtime. The treatment is soothing, moisturizing, non-invasive and generally non-irritating. Utilising the Rozatrol booster, containing, Lactose, milk protein to minimise inflammation and diminish the appearance of skin redness and Rosa Canina Extract to control sebum and minimise the appearance of pores. The mild peel will cleanse away old skin cells, including those that carry rosacea discolouration. The next stage uses gentle vortex suction to clear pores prior to intense moisturisation. Finally, the skin is flooded with antioxidants and peptides to ensure the new skin is well nourished.
LED with SkinCeuticals regime to address redness: The treatment has eight steps with pre-cleanse, cleanse, tone, treat, prevent, mask, correct and protect with different products being used at each stage. For those with rosacea and sensitive skin, the SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective range would be used. These contain botanical blends and hyaluronic acid to reduce redness, feelings of discomfort, soothe skin reactivity to external aggressors and increase skin hydration levels. Our Opatra LED pro will also be used during treatment, the Lightwave’s help to reduce inflammation, boost hydration, treat skin sensitivity and reduce the appearance of broken capillaries. A cycle of coloured light would be the choice for treating sensitive skin as it boosts circulation and lymphatic flow (draining toxins) as well as smoothing, comforting and hydrating the skin.
SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer: A light-weight gel-cream used to help strengthen the skins barrier, soothe the feeling of irritation and reduce the appearance of redness and flushing, visible signs of stress on the skin. This product is formulated with an innovative combination of biometric neuropeptides and natural actives to help cool the skin and protect against environmental triggers that cause blotchiness, stinging and burning.
Toleriane Rosaliac AR Concentrate: Helps prevent dry skin flare-ups, reduces sensations of tightness and feelings of discomfort. The non-oily, fast-absorbing formula contains colour-correcting green pigments for a redness-masking effect, reducing the appearance of flushing and soothing the look of irritated skin. Fragrance free, non-comedogenic formula.
Enriched with probiotic-derived fractions, neurosensineand La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, this formula instantly hydrates, soothes skin and contains colour-correcting pigments to neutralise redness.
Comments