Rosacea is an inflammatory, persistent skin disorder of the face and is prevalent. It is usually in the form of continuous redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, and occasionally, acne-like dots on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead. Rosacea is confused with acne, sensitive skin, or reaction to skincare products by many people.
Rosacea is not a hygienic disease and it is not contagious. Although the precise cause is not clearly known, it is associated with the combination of skin barrier sensitivity, alterations in the immune response, the responsiveness of blood vessels, and environmental inducers. Rosacea is more easily diagnosed in adults aged 30-60 years in the UK, although it may be diagnosed earlier.
How long does rosacea last?
Rosacea is more of a chronic disease, which is likely to last years but not a few weeks or months. Symptoms are however not uniform. The majority of the individuals go through episodes of flare up and phases of lesser intensity, during which intensity of redness and irritation decreases.
When properly treated and triggers are managed, most of the patients are able to have their rosacea being much more stable and predictable, which means that they can enjoy comfortable and healthy-looking skin over long durations.
Does rosacea go away on its own?
Rosacea in the majority of cases does not remit. The symptoms can seemingly improve, particularly when they are avoided but untreated rosacea can recur and become increasingly more evident with time.
Management can be administered at an early stage, and inflammation and redness can be suppressed earlier, thereby lowering the chances of later progression and permanent facial redness.
Can rosacea be cured?
Currently, rosacea is an incurable or at least a highly manageable disease.
It is a significant difference. Patients are often worried that by having rosacea they are doomed to make the condition worse and worse in the future, though with the right strategy, the symptoms can usually be held to a minimum, and treated. Treatment focuses on:
- Reducing inflammation
- Controlling flare-ups
- Enhancement of the skin barrier.
- Reducing the erythema and pain.
The work of a dermatologist is to prescribe the treatment individually because rosacea manifests very differently in different patients.
What is the best treatment for rosacea?
Not all people can be treated in the same way. Treatment of rosacea is normally scheduled, and tailored to individual needs and associated symptoms based on the type of skin.
Common therapy methods are:
Medical treatments
Topical creams or gels to be used as prescription in order to decrease redness and inflammation.
In some situations, oral drugs especially when it comes to inflammatory flare-ups.
- Skincare guidance
- Light fragrance-free soaps.
- Barrier-repair moisturisers
- Sensitive skin sunscreen that can be used daily.
Trigger management
Some of the typical triggers are heat, alcohol, spicy food, stress, sun exposure, and harsh skincare products. It is often a difference to identify and minimise the individual triggers.
Dermatologists in the UK take an evidence-based approach and strive to achieve safe, realistic results, and not aggressive treatment.
How to get rid of acne rosacea?
Acne rosacea is the medical name of papulopustular rosacea which presents itself in the form of red spots and acne-like spots filled with pus. It is not associated with blackheads like acne and instead it is an inflammatory process that is caused by blocked pores.
The treatment is generally aimed at:
- Topical anti-inflammatory interventions.
- Oral medication in short courses as necessary.
- It is important to avoid excessive acne products which are too drying.
Nevertheless, although acne rosacea cannot be completely eliminated, the symptoms may be controlled to a large extent and the skin can be made much cleaner with proper care.
What is the best laser treatment for rosacea?
Some types of rosacea, including the presence of persistent redness or observable blood vessels can be managed with the assistance of laser and light-based procedures.
The most popular ones are:
Vascular lasers (i.e., pulsed dye laser)
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
The treatments aim at reducing excess blood vessels beneath the skin, which make the skin appear red in the long run. They do not cure, however, they can be used to provide long-lasting improvement with medical skincare and trigger management.
The suitability of laser treatment is determined by:
- Skin type
- Severity of redness
- Presence of visible vessels
- Overall skin sensitivity
Dermatologist examination is necessary to check the procedure of laser treatment as appropriate and safe.
Key takeaways
- Rosacea is a long-term but manageable skin condition
- It does not usually go away on its own, but it can be well controlled
- There is no permanent cure, but effective treatment can reduce symptoms significantly
- Acne rosacea requires a different approach from typical acne
- Laser treatments may help redness, but are part of a broader management plan
Final thoughts
Rosacea is a long-term but manageable skin condition. It doesn’t usually go away on its own, but with the right treatment, gentle skincare, and trigger control, symptoms can be kept well under control. A dermatologist can help tailor care so flare-ups are minimised and your skin stays comfortable and healthy.
FAQ’s
What is the real cause of rosacea?
The exact cause of rosacea is not fully understood. It is thought to develop due to a combination of genetic tendency, over-reactive facial blood vessels, immune system sensitivity, and a weakened skin barrier. Environmental and lifestyle triggers can worsen symptoms, but they do not cause rosacea on their own.
What is the main treatment for rosacea?
There is no single main treatment for everyone. Rosacea is usually managed with a combination of medical treatments, gentle skincare, and trigger avoidance. Many patients use prescription creams or gels to reduce inflammation and redness, alongside personalised skincare advice from a dermatologist.
What is the biggest trigger of rosacea?
Triggers vary from person to person, but sun exposure and heat are among the most common triggers in the UK. Other frequent triggers include alcohol, spicy foods, stress, hot drinks, and harsh skincare products. Identifying personal triggers is an important part of long-term control.
How do I know if I have rosacea?
Rosacea often causes persistent facial redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, or acne-like bumps, usually on the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead. Symptoms tend to flare and settle rather than disappear completely. A dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis and rule out other skin conditions that look similar.
