How Our Medical Aestheticians Treat and Help Clients Manage Rosacea
- Alana Piedl
- Apr 14
- 7 min read
We're not blushing, it's rosacea.
April is Rosacea Awareness Month, marked by the National Rosacea Society. If you experience facial redness, enlarged blood vessels, burning sensations and itchiness from this chronic condition, you're not alone. Over 400 million people worldwide experience rosacea in some capacity.
While there is no cure for rosacea, a holistic approach to treatment can help blushing beauties eradicate, or at the bare minimum, keep symptoms at bay so you can repair your skin barrier to a healthy and hydrated state.
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition, characterized by persistent facial redness or blushing, visible blood vessels, and sometimes small, red bumps on the skin. While the exact cause is unknown, each individual may have unique triggers that cause rosacea flare-ups. Additionally, new studies are suggesting rosacea may be an overactive or dysregulated immune response, though this claim is still being investigated.
Where Does Rosacea Appear on the Body?
Rosacea tends to sneak up on the central face, across the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin. It can also appear on various parts of the body, including the ears, neck, scalp, and chest. Rosacea can be triggered by multiple factors or products you are exposed to. Left unaddressed, symptoms can escalate, causing discomfort and leaving some feeling self-conscious about their appearance. However, with non-comedogenic skincare products, avoidance of triggers, and appropriate treatment, you can effectively manage and alleviate rosacea symptoms, promoting skin wellness and confidence.
Types of Rosacea
There are four main types of rosacea, each with distinct symptoms:
Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: This form of rosacea presents itself with facial redness and noticeable blood vessels, impacting the complexion.
Papulopustular rosacea: Manifesting as redness, swelling, and acne-like outbreaks predominantly on the central face area, this type can be quite irritating, literally.
Phymatous rosacea: Characterized by skin thickening, irregular texture, and enlargement, especially affecting the nose in a condition known as rhinophyma.
Ocular rosacea: This subtype of rosacea causes redness, dryness, burning, and itching of the eyes, and in some cases, vision troubles.
Common Rosacea Symptoms
To diagnose and treat rosacea, we must first see the markers to create an effective treatment plan. There is no specific test to diagnose rosacea, and diagnosis is based on appearance and symptoms. Common rosacea symptoms include but are not always limited to:
Facial redness
Enlarged blood vessels
Flushing episodes
Pus-filled bumps
Swelling
Red, scaly, itchy patches of skin
Eye symptoms like dryness, burning, itching
Vision issues
What Triggers Rosacea?
Rosacea can be triggered by various factors that can make you flush. Common rosacea triggers include but are not always limited to:
Genetics
Household products (i.e. laundry detergent, soaps, fragrances etc.)
Spicy foods
Hot beverages
Inflammatory foods
Alcohol
Sun exposure
Stress
Extreme temperatures
Skincare products with irritants (especially those that are non-comedogenic)
Physical exertion
What to Avoid if You Have Rosacea
Avoid fragrances, sodium laureth sulphate (irritating and pore-clogging) and dehydrating alcohols and astringents. Fatty alcohols, like behenyl alcohol or arachidyl alcohol, are naturally-derived and safe for all skin types, including those with rosacea-prone skin.
Who Is More Likely to Develop Rosacea?
While anyone can develop rosacea in their lifetime, it is more common in individuals who meet any of the following criteria:
Age: Rosacea typically appears after the age of 30, with symptoms often worsening with age.
Gender: While rosacea can affect both men and women, it is more frequently diagnosed in women, though men may experience more severe symptoms.
Skin Tone: People with fair skin, including those with blonde hair and blue eyes, are more likely to develop rosacea.
Family History: There's a genetic link to rosacea, meaning if someone in your family has it, you're more likely to develop it.
Other Factors: Some triggers, such as sun exposure, spicy foods, alcohol, and stress, can worsen rosacea symptoms.
Underdiagnosis in darker-skinned individuals: Rosacea may be underdiagnosed in people with darker skin, as the redness associated with the condition can be masked by the skin tone.
The Ideal Skincare Routine for Rosacea
When dealing with rosacea flareups, it's essential to approach skincare with gentle care and attention to triggers. Focus on products that heal the skin barrier to reduce redness and irritation, ensuring to eliminate products that contain comedogenic ingredients from your routine.
Across Starlight Skin's line of medical-grade skincare, all products rate zero on the comedogenic, irritation, and toxicity scales. This makes them an ideal solution to soothe irritation caused by rosacea. To help reduce rosacea symptoms, we recommend the following products in order of use:
Prepping Potion: Gently remove makeup and debris from the skin with this micellar water elixir, made with 100% argan oil for added moisture. This gentle formula won't strip your delicate skin barrier of essential oils, easily removing the day while leaving you hydrated and fresh.
Illuminating Gel Cleanser: A soothing hyaluronic acid-rich cleansing foam that softly washes away impurities without depleting essential moisture levels. Enjoy that fresh face feeling while hydrating and balancing your complexion.
Bright Eyes: Illuminate and nourish the delicate eye area with this miracle eye cream. Formulated with advanced peptides, it boosts elasticity while hydrating the eye area for a radiant, wide-awake appearance.
Eternal Glow Youth Serum: An antioxidant-rich serum, it brightens and hydrates the skin while reviving the cell rejuvenation process. Add a much-needed glow back to the skin while nourishing your skin barrier.
StarLUX Moisturizer: A dehydration quenching formula that fortifies skin tone against sensitivity and improves elasticity and radiance. This soufflé textured formula delivers natural emollients for a radiant appearance.
Argan Glow: Made from 100% Argan oil rich in vitamin e, it's the final step to seal in moisture and repair the skin barrier. Add several drops and apply all over the face to lock in hydration after moisturizing. P.S. - it's also great to apply all over the body.
If I Have Rosacea, Can I Use Retinol?
Yes! You can use retinol, like Tretinoin, with a "slow and low" protocol (0.025 percent, once a week, only.) If you have experienced sensitivity to retinol in the past, we recommend using retinol alternatives, such as bakuchiol, which is a plant-based form of retinol. You can shop our medical-grade serum Light Matrix, which includes bakuchiol, here.
Home Remedies to Treat Rosacea Flareups
Experiencing a rosacea flareup? Try these home remedies to soothe irritation caused by rosacea.
Ice rollers or Cryo Globes: Icing and cooling devices can be helpful tools for individuals dealing with rosacea, as they can provide relief from redness, inflammation, and skin irritation. The cooling effect of the ice roller helps to constrict blood vessels, reducing the flushing associated with rosacea. Additionally, the rolling motion of the ice can improve circulation and create a soothing sensation by gently numbing the nerve endings on the skin.
Our DIY Aloe Vera Mask: An at-home mask that combines Aloe and Argan Glow to create a soothing formula. Aloe is packed with anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which can help to alleviate and calm symptoms of rosacea. Get the recipe here.
Facial Treatments to Treat Rosacea
In addition to at-home care, those who experience rosacea can benefit from facial treatments performed by a medical aesthetician to reduce symptoms and restore a healthy skin barrier. At Starlight Med Spa, we often recommend a combination of the following treatments based on a client's unique complexion and skin concerns:
ALEX/YAG Laser: Addresses facial flushing, visible red blood vessels, thickened skin, and papules or pustules. It's a safe and effective treatment to improve the overall condition of the skin with long-lasting results.
Spotted: Skin Trend
In Korea, ALEX/YAG laser facials are all the rage. Their recent popularity stems from their exceptional ability to target an array of skin concerns such as pigmentation issues, vascular lesions, and skin tightening. It's also the same laser we use for laser hair removal! ALEX/YAG laser facials can be fully customized at Starlight Med Spa, making them a versatile option with proven results and highly sought-after treatments in Korea's skincare industry.
IPL Laser: IPL or intense pulsed light laser therapy addresses redness, thickened skin, and visible blood vessels. It delivers multiple wavelengths of light into the skin to target enlarged veins beneath the skin. It safely and effectively treats rosacea at the surface level and does not require significant downtime.
Moisture Barrier Repairing Treatments: Hydrating, nourishing facials that focus on repairing the skin barrier to soothe irritation and redness caused by rosacea. At Starlight Med Spa, our signature Starlight GLOW facial is a top-rated treatment for those with rosacea as it calms and hydrates the skin. Not to mention, it's one of our most relaxing facials that will leave you glowing!
Red Light Therapy: Red light therapy is known to be a safe and effective treatment to heal damaged skin, including rosacea. It stimulates skin cells to aid in the rejuvenation process and reduce rosacea symptoms. It activates mitochondria in the cells to enhance cellular energy, leading to expedited healing and repair. P.S. - LED light therapy is included in our Starlight GLOW facials.
Rosacea? Not Here
At Starlight, we believe in a holistic approach to skincare, focusing on our four pillars of skin: products, lifestyle, mindset, and treatments. When treating skin, we take a holistic approach which assesses all areas of your lifestyle that may impact your skin, as we have found time and time again there's never just one thing causing skin concerns.
When working with clients experiencing rosacea, our approach is no different. Together, we will identify your triggers, carefully assess your skincare products for potential irritants, and craft a personalized skin plan to unveil radiant, healthy skin. If you're seeking relief from blushing and irritated skin, you're invited to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our dedicated Glow Masters. We can't wait to help you achieve skin beyond your wildest dreams!
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