What Is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder affecting up to 1 million Canadians. The most common symptoms are patchy flushing (redness) and inflammation, It mainly affects the cheeks, nose, forehead, and around the mouth. Rosacea typically affects more women than men and appears between the ages of 30 and 50. Rosacea may be mistaken at first for acne or at times sunburn.

As the condition progresses, redness becomes more persistent and noticeable and in some cases flushing that is often accompanied with a burning sensation might be noticed in the affected areas. Small, red, solid bumps (called papules) may appear on the skin. Because these appears similar to acne, rosacea is sometimes called acne rosacea or adult acne. However, unlike acne, there are no blackheads.

Small, dilated blood vessels (telangiectasia) may become visible, too. Often when people with rosacea blush, the enlarged blood vessels in their faces look like thin red lines.

What Causes It?
There is no certain cause, some researchers have suggested certain factors that might develop it:
• A disorder of the blood vessels that causes them to swell, leading to flushing
• A genetic predisposition combined with certain environmental factors that may irritate the skin
• Clogging of the sebaceous gland openings with skin mites called Demodex folliculorum, which live in facial-hair follicles Rosacea seems to affect fair-skinned people more often, though it can affect any skin type. Often several people in a family have the condition, so researchers think it may be at least partly genetic.

How does one reduce redness and skin irritation?
There are now a number of ways to deal with flushing and red irritated skin. Treatments such as LHE, IPL, LEDs and in house facial treatments have reduce redness and strengthen the skin. Products containing certain herbal ingredients which kill Demodex folliculorum have also proven helpful.

Note: As with all skin treatments, maintenance programs are necessary from time to time to maintain results.