Rosacea - dr. elzette steyn

Dr. Elzette Steyn's Medical Aesthetics and Vein Clinic 225 Clandeboye Ave., Selkirk, Manitoba, R1A 0X2 ___________________________________________________________________ Rosacea Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects some people in their thirties and forties. It starts with mild redness or blushing of the cheeks, chin, nose and forehead. The redness deepens over time and becomes persistent. Next, small spider veins will appear, especially on the nose and cheeks. The redness is often made worse by specific triggers. Sometimes pimples will develop which may resemble acne. There are several triggers that initiate flare-ups of Rosacea.
The number one enemy is direct sunlight. Stay out of the sun between 10 am and 4 pm. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and always wear sunscreen on the face; preferably one which protects against UVA and UVB rays. Always choose a sunscreen with a SPF rating of 30 or higher. Certain foods will cause the blood vessels or spider veins to dilate. This will make the skin appear even redder. Foods and beverages to avoid are heated beverages, alcohol (studies have shown that beer and red wine are particularly bad), and hot or spicy foods such as hot curries and salsas. Extreme temperatures, such as very warm and very cold air, will cause the spider veins on the face to dilate, or contract. This will cause flushing and increased redness of the face. Avoid steam showers, hot tubs, very hot baths, saunas, and cover your face when walking outside on a very cold and windy day. Exercise will cause the blood vessels to dilate and will increase redness. However, exercise is vital to health, so be sure to get lots of it; but do exercise in a cool environment whenever possible. Skin products containing alcohol, strong fragrances, and other irritating ingredients such as menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus oil, and witch hazel will often worsen Rosacea. Always choose products made for sensitive skin, which are also fragrance-free. Wash your face gently and avoid facecloths and exfoliating face scrubs. Always dry the face by dabbing gently with a soft towel and do not rub the skin. Choose hypoallergenic makeup. Men should avoid shaving lotions and aftershave products which sting. An electric razor is far less irritating than a razor with a blade. ___________________________________________________________________________ BOTOXTM ~ Dermal Fillers ~ The SoftLiftTM ~ Varicose and Spider Vein Treatments ~ Cosmetic Lasers Page 2 of 2
Stress has been shown to be one of the leading causes of flare-ups. Talk to a friend or a counsellor about your stressors. Exercise regularly, listen to soothing music, practise deep-breathing techniques, and meditate or practice yoga to let go of all those nasty worries. Several treatments are available for Rosacea
Most topical (applied directly to skin) products will help reduce the redness and inflammation of Rosacea. The three most commonly prescribed products are: Metronidazole, Sodium Sulfacetamide/Sulfur, and Azelaic Acid. Metronidazole is available in a cream, gel and lotion formulation. It is applied to problem-areas once to twice daily. Side effects, that include mild stinging or itching, are minimal and only temporary. Sodium Sulfacetamide/Sulfur has been used medicinally to treat acne for many years. It has been proven to treat Rosacea quite effectively also. A contraindication to using this formula is any allergy to Sulfur. This product is available in cream, gel, and lotion. Side effects are similar to those of Metronidazole, with occasional redness or swelling also. Azelaic Acid is derived from whole grains and has been used successfully in the treatment of Rosacea since 2002. It also has side effects similar to those found with Metronidazole and Sodium Sulfacetamide. There are other treatments available should the
above mentioned fail to improve the Rosacea
The most effective treatment for Rosacea is laser. With the technology of laser it has now become possible to treat the acne-like pimples associated with Rosacea, and laser is especially effective at removing the visible blood vessels or spider veins which lie under the surface of the skin and tend to enlarge over time. Several treatments are usually necessary to ensure significant improvement.
The effect of laser treatments for Rosacea is not permanent, as Rosacea is a chronic skin condition, but if sun exposure is avoided it can take years for visible spider veins to re-appear under the surface of the skin. Dr. Elzette Steyn's Medical Aesthetics and Vein Clinic ___________________________________________________________________________ BOTOXTM ~ Dermal Fillers ~ The SoftLiftTM ~ Varicose and Spider Vein Treatments ~ Cosmetic Lasers

Source: http://winnipegbeauty.co/files/rosacea.pdf