SKIN CONDITIONS
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition causing facial redness, flushing and visible blood vessels. Symptoms often come and go but can usually be controlled with skin care, trigger management and medical treatments.
- Long-term inflammatory skin condition
- Skin care and trigger management are essential
- Treatments include vascular laser and BBL (IPL)
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting the central face. It commonly causes persistent redness of the cheeks and nose, flushing, visible blood vessels and sensitive skin. Some people also develop acne-like bumps or eye irritation.
Symptoms often fluctuate over time, with periods where rosacea becomes more noticeable followed by quieter phases.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a long-term skin condition involving inflammation of the skin and blood vessels of the face. It most commonly affects the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin.
Although rosacea is common, its appearance varies considerably between individuals. Some people experience mainly flushing and redness, while others develop visible capillaries, sensitive skin or acne-like bumps.
Causes of rosacea
The exact cause of rosacea is not fully understood. It appears to involve a complex interaction of genetic, environmental and immune factors.
- Rosacea tends to occur more frequently in families, particularly those of northern European ancestry.
- Environmental factors can trigger inflammation of the blood vessels in the facial skin.
- Increased numbers of the normal skin mite Demodex folliculorum may play a role in some people.
- The skin barrier may function less effectively in rosacea, leading to dryness and increased sensitivity.
Symptoms of rosacea
Rosacea is more than simply a cosmetic concern. It can involve several different symptoms and patterns of skin change.
For most people the condition is long-term, with symptoms that improve and worsen over many years. While rosacea cannot currently be cured, treatments can usually reduce symptoms for extended periods.
Symptoms of rosacea may include:
- Persistent facial redness, particularly of the cheeks or nose.
- Episodes of flushing caused by increased blood flow to the face.
- Prominent facial blood vessels appearing as fine red capillaries.
- Small acne-like bumps on the central face.
- Sensitive or easily irritated skin.
- Eye irritation or redness.
- Skin that may feel dry or occasionally oily.
- In long-standing cases, thickening of the skin of the nose (rhinophyma), most commonly in older men.
Many rosacea flare-ups are triggered by factors such as heat, exercise, alcohol or spicy foods.
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Rosacea affecting a man's cheek and nose. (Stock photo)
Rosacea causing redness, telangiectasia (visible capillaries), small pustules and inflammation around the eyes. (Stock photo)
Young woman with rosacea. Vessels, redness and pustules. (Stock photo)
Woman with facial rosacea. (Stock photo)
Close-up view of telangiectasia of the nose, as seen in rosacea. (Stock photo)
Treatment of rosacea
Management of rosacea usually involves a combination of approaches. These may include gentle skin care, reducing exposure to triggers, prescription medications and light-based treatments.
The most appropriate treatment depends on the pattern of rosacea present and the severity of symptoms.
Laser and IPL treatment
Laser and BBL (BroadBand Light) treatments are commonly used to reduce persistent redness and visible facial blood vessels.These treatments deliver controlled light energy that targets haemoglobin within blood vessels, allowing the treated vessels to gradually close and be cleared by the body.
Light-based treatments may also improve flushing, irritation and overall skin appearance in some patients.
You can read more about treatment differences in our guide to laser vs IPL for rosacea.
Medications for rosacea
Prescription creams and oral medications help manage flushing, redness and inflammation of the skin.
Unlike light-based treatments, medications generally do not remove visible blood vessels but can help control inflammatory symptoms.
For more detailed information about prescription treatments see medications for rosacea.
Complications of rosacea
In long-standing rosacea, thickening of the skin of the nose (rhinophyma) can occur. This causes enlargement of the sebaceous glands and a bulbous appearance of the nose.
Rosacea can also have psychological impacts due to the visible nature of facial redness. Many people experience reduced confidence or social discomfort when symptoms are active.
Before and after treatment
The images below show selected patients before and after treatment for rosacea.
Management often involves a combination of treatments including BBL, vascular laser and prescription medications.
Results vary depending on the pattern of rosacea, skin type and the number of treatments required.
Before and after treatment for rosacea using BBL (BroadBand Light) in combination with prescription medication.
Before and 3 months after a single BBL (BroadBand Light) treatment for rosacea.
Before and after one laser treatment of telangiectasia (capillaries) on the nose
Treatments for rosacea
Managing your rosacea
Controlling rosacea outbreaks on your skin requires more than laser treatment. It’s important to look after the skin carefully and minimise exposure to triggers that make rosacea worse.
Avoid substances that irritate the skin such as fragrances, alcohol-based products, essential oils, harsh and drying soaps, toners and some-mineral make-up.
Use skin products that help settle inflammation and reduce redness. These include moisturisers and cleansers containing nicotinamide, colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, panthenol, ginkgo biloba and bisabolol (chamomile extract). Anti-oxidant products such as vitamin C and green tea can also reduce rosacea symptoms.
Protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation by using a low-irritant sunscreen on your skin every day.
Know your rosacea triggers. Many different triggers can lead to rosacea facial flare-ups. These can include sun exposure, exercise, alcohol and certain foods and drinks. Once you identify triggers to rosacea, avoid or minimise exposure to them as much as possible.
Discuss rosacea treatment with our doctors
We assess and treat rosacea using BBL, vascular laser and prescription medications. Book a skin condition assessment to discuss your options.
Book a skin condition assessment