Remember Bashful, the cute, shy dwarf in Disney’s SnowWhite? His blushing rosy cheeks were such a charmingquirk. But for those who experience the permanent “Bashful”cheeks, life can be less charming.
Incredibly, over 14 million Americans agonize over theirpermanent ‘rosiness’. This skin condition is called Rosacea. Itcan affect anyone, but, not surprisingly, is most common inthose fair–skinned individuals of Northern European descent.Individuals with Rosacea flush or blush easily and often complainof skin irritation. It is most often diagnosed in women,but may be more severe in men.
Unfortunately for some, the permanent redness and bumpyskin can affect their self–esteem and impactsocial interaction. Being well–educated onthe condition and its outbreak triggers cankeep the disorder from intruding on dailylife.
Characterized most commonly by rednessof the cheeks, nose, and chin, symptomsmay come and go throughout life. If left untreated,the redness may lead to visible bloodvessels, bumps, and pimples. Surveys haveshown that women experience the symptomson the cheeks and chin, while men aremore likely to have redness and swelling onthe nose. When blood vessels become visibleduring the primary stages of Rosacea theycontribute to the overall ‘red–faced’ look forwhich Rosacea is known. Skin may begin tolook rough and dry in more advanced stagesand facial discomfort is common. Signs andsymptoms may also occur beyond the faceon the neck, chest, and scalp.
The cause of Rosacea is still unknown. However, researcherscontinue to find triggers and possible causes but not onesingle source has been found to blame. The most commontriggers are sun exposure, emotional stress, hot weather,heavy exercise, alcohol consumption, and spicy foods. Somephysicians believe that Rosacea may be a vascular or nervoussystem disorder since there is a direct correlation betweenflare–ups and the above triggers. There are also theories thata microscopic mite called Demodex folliculorum could be acontributor.
While promising new products might grab your attentionfor a quick fix to treat Rosacea, treatment options are variedand relatively simple. If you think you are a candidate, keeptrack of those possible triggers. The National Rosacea Societyrecommends keeping a ‘Rosacea Diary’ in which weather, consumption,and activities are charted on days when flare–upsare experienced. Avoiding the triggers will reduce flare–upsthat could deter Rosacea’s progress.
As with any skin disorder, a customized skin care routineis vital to ensuring the treatment of the condition as well as theprevention of further damage. Cleanse twice daily with a gentle,non–abrasive cleanser and lukewarm water. Peter ThomasRoth Clinical Skincare makes a milky, chamomile cleanserthat is gentle enough for Rosacea patients while still providinganti–aging benefits. It is important to read the ingredientsin the products, noting if there are any ingredients that havecaused flare–ups before. After a thorough cleanse, blot the facedry, avoiding pulling or tugging on the skin.
Other skin care products such as redness serums, moisturizers,and topical gels may also be applied to treat specificconcerns. If skin discomfort or tightness duringthe day is a concern, consider carrying ahydrating mist, such as Eminence OrganicsStone Crop Mist with you during the day. Themist is organically produced from the StoneCrop plant, which is known for its healing andhydrating properties.
As with all skin care regimens, applyingdaily sunscreen is imperative. Look for a sunscreenthat provides broad spectrum UVA andUVB protection. UV light is known to be the#1 trigger of rosacea and will ultimately contributeto skin cancer as well.
For most of us, the appearance of flawlessskin is a priority, so cosmetics may be used inaddition to effectively conceal redness. SueDevitt Studio has formulated a MicroquaticBlue Primer, which is especially helpful forcamouflaging skin discoloration. The blueprimer counters the redness, can be used underfoundation, and even contains SPF 30 for complete protection.When choosing makeup, look for natural yellow tones,avoiding foundations and powders with pink or orange hues.
If you think you may have Rosacea, we invite you to experiencea complimentary skin analysis by a licensed esthetician atFacelogic Spa. We will be happy to consult with you on yourtriggers and regimen, share information from the National RosaceaSociety, as well as recommend dermatologists for moreadvanced cases. So whether it’s a cute “Bashful” quirk that setsoff your rosy cheeks, or it’s a something more, Facelogic Spais here to make your walk down the skincare aisle a confidentone!
