How to Get Rid of Redness in Rosecea
Rosecea is a lifelong skin condition that creates noticeable redness and inflammation of the face. While there's currently no cure for rosecea, which is caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors, a number of over-the-counter and homeopathic methods reduce and control the visible effects of rosecea. You can also make a few relatively minor lifestyle adjustments to help bolster any medications or treatments you may take. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Apply a topical prescription antibiotic once or twice daily to the affected area, depending on the recommendations of your physician. The specific topical antibiotics that your physician may prescribe to you include metronidazole, tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid. Ironically, all of these topical treatments will most likely cause increased redness and irritation in the first days or weeks of treatment, before the skin has a chance to adapt.
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Take prescription oral antibiotics or isotretinoin to reduce redness and inflammation. Doctors prescribe antibiotics for rosacea because they are anti-inflammatory, and will reduce the prominent blood vessel swelling that brings about visible redness. Oral antibiotics also work more quickly than topical antibiotics. Among the oral antibiotics your physician may prescribe are tetracycline, minocycline and erythromycin. In some cases, a physician may recommend a combination of oral and topical antibiotics.
Isotretinoin is a potent oral medication normally prescribed for cystic acne, but also prescribed for extreme cases of rosecea. Potential side effects with this drug are serious enough that physicians only resort to it when antibiotics have not sufficiently reduced redness.
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Undergo laser cosmetic surgery to reduce visibly enlarged blood vessels. This is the most immediately expensive treatment one can undergo to reduce the redness of rosecea. Over a matter of years, however, the cumulative cost of a regular topical and oral antibiotic regimen may exceed the cost of laser surgery.
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Protect your face from the elements with a sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher and wrap a scarf around your face in cold and blustery weather.
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Avoid harsh facial cleansers, or any facial cleanser or astringent that contains alcohol. Facial products containing alcohol will irritate enlarged blood vessels in the face and exacerbate redness.
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Avoid regular alcohol consumption. The myth that regular drinking actually causes rosacea is patently false, but drinking alcohol can trigger enlargement of the blood vessels for those with rosecea, causing a temporary but noticeable increase in facial redness.
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References
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