February is one of my favorite months of the year. Winter is slowly coming to an end; daylight sticks around for a little longer, and we get to spend some time celebrating love. Whether you’re participating in Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, or simply treating yourself to some extra self-care this year, I wanted to share some information on one of our most commonly seen “reds” in dermatology: rosacea!

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory vascular disorder. When the condition is triggered, blood vessels in the skin dilate, which causes inflammation, leading to either papules (little bumps) and pimples or the formation of even more blood vessels, thus resulting in a frustrating cycle characterized by redness, flushing, and bumps.

We’re not 100% sure what causes rosacea in each patient, but common triggers include sun exposure, spicy foods, temperature changes, pollen, and alcohol. Rosacea can also be worsened by the use of topical steroids and retinoids.

Although rosacea is a chronic disease with no definitive cure, we have some great tools up our sleeves for symptom control and management. Treatment options include decreasing exposure to triggers (wear your mineral sunscreen with at least 7% zinc oxide or titanium dioxide daily!), oral and/or topical antibiotics (i.e metronidazole or doxycycline), topical azelaic acid, topical ivermectin — all of which work to decrease the underlying inflammation that contributes to the disease.

Another wonderful treatment option is our Vbeam laser. The Vbeam is a pulsed dye laser that specifically targets the blood vessels that produce the redness and flushing of rosacea. With Vbeam treatment, controlled microinjury to the blood vessels causes them to shrink in appearance, keeping redness at bay and preventing the formation of new blood vessels. Consistent Vbeam treatment helps to control the vicious cycle of flushing and vessel growth. Laser treatment also helps to further reduce general inflammation in the skin, providing an excellent addition to topical treatment. We typically recommend a series of regular Vbeam treatments to maintain results, with the interval between treatments varying based on individual patient response.

It can be overwhelming to consider all of these treatment options, and it can be difficult to distinguish rosacea from acne (the conditions can even overlap: “acne rosacea”!). If you’re dealing with redness, flushing or bumps this February, show your skin some love and come see one of our providers so we can work together to create a personalized treatment plan.

Jenna Lawrence, PA

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