Skincare Products Blog

What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a skin disorder characterized by varying degrees of facial redness due to enlargement and dialation of blood vessels beneath the skins surface, also know as adult acne. Rosacea appears more often in women than men, but the symptoms are usually more severe in men. It is common in fair skinned people who flush or blush easily, it is also associated with solar elastosis (sun-damaged-skin). It is estimated that 13 million people in the US between the ages of 30 and 50 years of age suffer from Rosacea.
The exact etiology of rosacea is not known and there are many theories of possible factors that contribute to the disorder including abnormal secretions of the meibomian and sebaceous glands that produce ocular dryness and keratitis, Helicobacter pylori bacterium (gastric disease), Demodex folliculorum (mites), genetics (family history).

Symptoms
Common signs of rosacea are redness, pimples, and the appearance of spidery small blood vessels on the face. Often people have only one or two symptoms. Usually chronic inflammation and facial redness affect the forehead, cheeks, chin and nose. The first sign is usually a redness that appears to be a blush or sunburn and gradually becomes more noticeable and does not go away. Small red solid or puss filled pimples may be present and small dilated blood vessels occur on the nose and cheeks.
A serious complication of rosacea is Rhinophyma, a swollen, bright red nose caused by oil glands that enlarge and lead to a buildupof excess tissue. About half of people with rosacea may also have eye complications. There may be redness, burning, tearing and irritation of the eyes. The eyelids can become swollen and infected. It seems that some pople experience blurred vision but serious vision impairment is rare.

States of Rosacea
1. Prorosacea - Flushing, blushing
2. Vascular Rosacea - Edema persisting erythema, telangiectasia ocular rosacea
3. Inflammatory rosacea - Papules and pustules
4. Late rosacea - Rinophyma

It is said that the ocular signs of rosacea are visible before it appears on the skin in about 20% of patients.

Traditional Medical Skin Care, Treatment and Diagnosis
Rosacea is a treatable but not curable skin disorder that often goes undiagnosed. It is often mistaken for acne or sunburn. Visit a dermatologies early if you notice any persistent redness or blush of facial skin that does not seen to go away. Early diagnosis is essential because rosacea can become progressively worse without treatment.
Although the cause of rosacea is not known doctors do recommend avoiding certain triggers of the disorder including foods, hot beverages, alcohol, stress, anger, strenuous exercise, sun exposure, or extreme temperature changes. These factors can increase blood flow, causing small blood vessels in the face to expand.

Irritating cosmetics and facial skin care products such as alpha-hydroxy (glycolic acid) lotions and scrubs should also be avoided. Use gentle skin care products and even then you must pay attention to the ingredients. Hydrocortisone containing creams may also aggravate rosacea.
Since those who suffer from rosacea have sensitive skin and perhaps contact dermatitis you should also avoid skin care products with parabens and other formaldehyde perservatives, benzyl alchol, lanolin, polyethylene glycol or propylene glycol.

Long-Term Rosacea Skin Care
Since Rosacea is a life long condition, at present thiseris no cure, skin care is very important. Understanding your skin disorder and what causes it to flare can really help you better manage the condition and improve your quality of life. It’s important to continue treatment even when the skin disorder is in remission. If you have a treatment or skin care products that work for you don’t try something new, stick with what’s working.

Cellex-C is a company that performs much research and clinical trials in the skincare industry. They have a recommeded regeime for level 1 and/or 2 rosacea:
ROSACEA/SENSITIVE REGIME - From Cellex-C
Recommended Products: Sensitive skin serum, Gentle Cleansing Milk, HydratingB5 Gel, Skin Firming Cream, Eye Cream, Sunshade SPF 30+.
Morning –
Cleanse with Gentle Cleansing Milk

Apply Sensitive skin serum

Apply Hydrating B5 Gel
Apply Sunshade SPF-30+
Evening –
Cleanse with Gentle Cleansing Milk

Hydrating B5
Apply Eye Cream
Apply skin Firming cream (optional if additional moisture is needed)