Palomar Medical Laser > Skin Redness & Blood Vessels

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin disease that causes facial redness. You may mistake some of its characteristics - small, red, pus-filled bumps or pustules - for acne. In fact, rosacea has been called adult acne or acne rosacea, but the disease has little to do with the pimples and blackheads that commonly afflict teenagers. It's also a misconception that this red-faced condition is caused by drinking alcoholic beverages.

Rosacea affects mostly adults, usually people with fair skin, between the ages of 30 and 60. Although it's more common in women, men may develop more apparent signs of the disorder. It's not life-threatening, but it can affect your appearance and lower your self-esteem.

Left untreated, rosacea tends to be progressive, which means it gets worse over time. However, in most people rosacea is cyclic, which means it may flare up for a period of weeks to months and then signs and symptoms lessen for a while before rosacea flares up again. Besides acne, rosacea can also be mistaken for other skin problems, such as skin allergy or eczema. Once diagnosed, it's quite treatable.

The cause of rosacea is unknown, but researchers believe it's likely due to some combination of hereditary and environmental factors. Although the exact cause of rosacea remains a mystery, a number of factors can aggravate it or make it worse by increasing blood flow to the surface of your skin. Avoid any activity or ingredients that might provoke an inflammatory reaction.

Some of these include:

• Hot foods or beverages
• Spicy foods
• Alcohol
• Temperature extremes
• Avoid sitting in front of fires
• Sunlight
• Stress, anger or embarrassment
• Strenuous exercise
• Hot baths, saunas, steam rooms
• You may be sensitive to chlorine in swimming pools.
• .Corticosteroids
• Drugs that dilate blood vessels, including some blood pressure medications.

Topical Therapies:
We offer traditional topical therapies such as Azelaic acid as well as prescription medications to treat Rosacea.

The following is a list of skin care ingredients to AVOID if you have redness and rosacea: alpha lipoic acid , acetic acid, allantoin, balsam of peru, benzoic acid, camphor, cinnamic acid, cinnamon oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, DMAE, isopropyl isostearate, isopropyl myristate, lactic acid, menthol, parabens, peppermint oil and quarternium -15.

Don't use toners on your skin if you have rosacea unless witch hazel is used. Toners are only meant for photo copiers and printers. Sunscreens which cause sensitivity and to be AVOIDED are avobenzone, PABA, benzophenone, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, octyl methoxycinnamate, methylbenzylidene camphor, phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid.

Sunscreens which can be used for sensitive skins contain micronised zinc oxide, recommended especially for oily skins.

In Office Therapies:
Laser Therapies to improve redness, are used. As each patient's case is different; we will tailor a treatment program specifically for you and your circumstances. Every patient is assessed, and an appropriate combination treatment together with long term maintenance program is recommended.

Sinclair Aesthetics Tip:
It must be emphasized that Rosacea is a chronic condition and cannot be cured; however its appearance can be improved. The revolutionary fourth generation Laser, shrinks the tiny vessels causing the diffuse redness and dramatically improves the outcome of redness and rosacea.