Rosacea Treatments in Charleston, SC | Réforme Dermatology & Aesthetics
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a skin condition that can manifest on your cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, and even in your eyes. It usually begins with redness and flushing but can lead to swelling, thickened skin, bumps, and red, irritated eyes. The best way to address rosacea is by visiting a professional dermatologist like Dr. Gabriella Vasile.
Rosacea affects an estimated 16 million Americans, primarily women, but men can also develop it. Some people mistake rosacea for acne, especially if bumps are present. Dr. Vasile can diagnose you and recommend an appropriate course of treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Rosacea?
Rosacea typically begins as redness on your cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead. Other symptoms can include:
- Broken blood vessels
- Persistent skin flushing on the face and neck
- Acne-like bumps called papules
- Pustules – pus-filled bumps that can resemble whiteheads
- Large pores
- Facial swelling
- Dry, sensitive skin
- Enlarged nose
- Red, irritated eyes
What Triggers Rosacea in Charleston, SC?
Rosacea can be frustrating to live with because triggers are usually highly individualized and there’s no one-size-fits-all way to control symptoms. However, tracking patterns and identifying what makes your rosacea worse will help Dr. Vasile determine a treatment strategy.
Typical rosacea triggers include:
- Hot weather and sun exposure
- Stress
- Hot showers, steam rooms, or baths
- Alcohol
- Spicy foods
Products containing fragrances or harsh ingredients
What Are the Different Types of Rosacea?
Rosacea manifests in various ways. Identifying which kind you have will lead to effective treatment options.
Erythematotelangiectatic
This type of rosacea presents as tiny broken blood vessels beneath your skin’s surface. You’ll also experience flushing and redness around your midface and rough, scaly, or dry skin. Your skin may also be highly sensitive, sting, burn, or appear swollen.
Papulopustular
This type of rosacea generally presents in middle-aged patients. It causes oily skin with acne-like, pus-filled bumps that resemble whiteheads. Your skin may be hypersensitive, burn, and sting. Broken blood vessels may also appear along with raised patches of skin.
Phymatous
Phymatous rosacea typically manifests from another subtype first before transforming. Your skin will take on a thick, bumpy texture and feel oily, particularly around your nose, forehead, chin, and cheeks. Additionally, you’ll develop broken blood vessels and enlarged pores.
Ocular
Ocular rosacea generally affects your eyes, causing them to appear watery and bloodshot and feel gritty or dry. They may sting, itch, or burn as well.
Schedule a Consultation
Explore the fully customizable and transformative dermatological treatments with double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Dr. Gabriella Vasile, who combines her extensive knowledge of skin health with her passion for finding innovative reparative and preventative treatments. Dr. Vasile’s collaborative, personalized approach to skin health and vitality meets the specific needs of her patients by utilizing state-of-the-art technology, science-based skincare products, and peer and patient-reviewed techniques and treatments.
With a keen aesthetic eye and precision, Dr. Vasile creates balanced and natural results for a variety of aging and skin-related concerns while prioritizing patient comfort and safety. Schedule your consultation today and experience a self-esteem boost with beautiful, healthy, vibrant skin.
Rosacea Treatment Options in Charleston, SC
While there isn’t a cure for rosacea, Dr. Vasile offers ways to manage your symptoms and ease your discomfort. She’ll work alongside you to design a treatment plan that addresses your specific type of rosacea, including topical medications, oral antibiotics, or laser therapy.
Topical Treatments
Dr. Vasile may prescribe you medications to reduce the redness, bumps, and inflammation associated with rosacea. During your appointment, she will provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend a regimen to achieve optimal results.
Topical medications include:
- Azelaic acid
- Clindamycin
- Erythromycin
- Metronidazole
- Sulfacetamide and sulfur lotions
Oral medications
Oral antibiotics like doxycycline and minocycline are another option for easing swelling, reducing redness, and controlling breakouts. Most people notice significant skin tone and texture improvements after taking oral medication for a month.
Laser Treatments
Light therapies, such as intense pulsed light or broadband light, may also be a treatment option for some patients. IPL uses fragmented light to destroy unwanted pigmentation without damaging surrounding tissues. Over time, the body will absorb these broken melanin particles, leaving little to no trace of them behind.
BBL is quickly becoming a popular rosacea treatment due to its unique and effective approach. The BBL system delivers targeted light energy to deeper layers of skin, encouraging cell turnover and the generation of healthy, new skin cells while also shrinking enlarged blood vessels.
Lifestyle Factors
Documenting and understanding what makes your symptoms worse is another vital aspect of your rosacea treatment. Keep track of your flare-ups in a journal. Identifying triggers like stressful situations or specific foods will empower you to steer clear of them.
Personalized Skincare Regimen
Wearing sunscreen daily and avoiding harsh products that may irritate your skin can also prevent flare-ups. Finding the perfect skincare routine for your rosacea can be challenging. Dr. Vasile has built an impressive reputation on social media and through educational blog posts on how to pick products based on your skin type. Dr. Vasile can design a rosacea regimen specifically for you after learning what you use to care for your complexion and your other daily activities and habits.
Ready To Schedule an Appointment for Your Rosacea?
Are you tired of fighting the redness and rough skin texture caused by rosacea? Dr. Gabriella Vasile offers a variety of state-of-the-art dermatology treatments and technologies to help you combat rosacea symptoms and achieve healthy, revitalized skin. To get started, we invite you to contact us by calling (843) 974-1230 or scheduling a consultation online today. Dr. Vasile looks forward to meeting you soon!
Rosacea FAQs at Reforme Dermatology & Aesthetics
What are the triggers for rosacea?
Common rosacea triggers include sun exposure, spicy foods, alcohol, hot beverages, stress, extreme temperatures, and specific skincare products. Identifying and avoiding these can get your symptoms under control.
What makes rosacea go away?
While rosacea is incurable, treatments like topical medications, oral antibiotics, laser therapy, and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your symptoms. You should also use gentle products and avoid known triggers.
What nutrient deficiency causes rosacea?
Some studies suggest a link between rosacea and vitamin D or B12 deficiencies. However, the relationship remains unclear. For best results, you should only take supplements as recommended by a health professional.
Which topicals are best for rosacea?
Doctors often prescribe creams containing ingredients like metronidazole, azelaic acid, or ivermectin to reduce the redness, inflammation, and irritation of rosacea. Consult Dr. Vasile for personalized recommendations.
Can specific ingredients trigger rosacea?
Yes, but everyone’s skin responds differently. Squalane can be a trigger, along with essential oils, products containing alcohol, added fragrance, and some acids. Some chemical sunscreens can also trigger rosacea; many patients achieve best results by using mineral sunscreens made with zinc oxide.
Which ingredients are safe to use if I have rosacea?
It’s crucial to choose products that restore the compromised skin barrier. However, it can take trial and error to find rosacea-safe skincare products. Ingredients that can soothe inflammation include niacinamide, ceramides, aloe vera, azelaic acid, centella asiatica, and hyaluronic acid. With rosacea, it’s always wise to test one new product at a time and gauge whether your skin has an adverse reaction.
Is rosacea hereditary?
Rosacea can be genetic in some cases, but heredity isn’t necessarily the primary cause. Other factors like poor gut health, specific skincare products, stress, food, and alcohol can trigger it.
Who is most likely to develop rosacea?
Rosacea seems to be more common in those with fair skin, like those of northern European descent. Though people of both genders can develop this condition, it is more likely in women. It tends to show up more in adults in their 30s or older, but it can also emerge earlier in adulthood.
Can I wear makeup if I have rosacea?
Yes, but with one caveat. Always check the ingredients list before purchasing products like foundation and concealer to ensure they don’t contain irritants like alcohol or even chemical sunscreens. Look for cosmetics that are as natural as possible. Many rosacea patients find mineral powder makeup to be less irritating than liquid or cream foundations, as they let skin breathe more.
Does poor gut health cause rosacea?
Though definitive conclusions are not available yet, emerging research suggests a link between gut health and rosacea. Conditions like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and an imbalance in gut flora may contribute to symptoms.
Is rosacea an autoimmune disorder?
Rosacea sometimes co-occurs with autoimmune conditions like lupus and celiac disease. However, though it may share inflammatory pathways, rosacea is not an autoimmune disorder.
Can stress cause rosacea?
Yes, chronic stress and anxiety can trigger or worsen rosacea by increasing inflammation and blood flow to your skin, leading to redness and flare-ups. Try stress management techniques like mindfulness, yoga, or breathing exercises to control your symptoms.