Rosacea – Treat Me Gently

What is rosacea?

Rosacea (which can be pronounced as ro-zay-sha) is a skin disease that causes redness and pimples on your nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. Rosacea can come and go with people suffering from flare-ups. Tiny red veins can form on the face that look like a cobweb of red veins – these are permanent. People sometimes call rosacea “adult acne” because it can cause outbreaks that look like acne and often happens to us as we get older. Sometimes there can be an associated soreness of the eyes and the eyelids. Although rosacea should not affect your vision, it can cause eye problems and a doctor should be consulted if you experience any symptoms. Rosacea can cause a lot of embarrassment and discomfort for sufferers but there are things we can do to minimise flare-ups.

What causes rosacea?

There is some evidence that people with fair skin and who have a tendency to blush are more prone and that a family history can also predispose you to developing rosacea. In an attack of rosacea the blood vessels in the face expand, filling with blood and causing the face to redden. While there is no one cause for all people there are certain common triggers it would be best to avoid. Some attacks may last minutes or in severe cases can last for days. If you can work out your own personal triggers it will help you manage your rosacea and some people find keeping a trigger diary helpful.

Some triggers include:

Exercise or heavy exertion
Exposure to the sun and wind
Alcohol
Spicy foods
Hot food and drink
Stress or anxiety
Emotional changes such as embarrassment or laughing
Hot baths and showers
Menopause
Some medications – ask your doctor

Medical help should be sought and exposure to triggers reduced as rosacea can worsen and turn into advanced rosacea where bumps on the nose and cheek area can form, giving the area a swollen, lumpy look. While there is no cure medical treatment includes antibiotic creams and drugs. Laser treatment can also help to reduce the size and number of the veins.

Prevention by avoiding triggers is an important part of learning to manage and lessen rosacea attacks.

• Cut down on food and drink that causes symptoms
• Try shorter work outs more frequently when exercising
• Have lukewarm showers and baths and keep them short
• Drink plenty of water in hot conditions
• Cool the face with a damp, cold washcloth if you become overheated.
• Keep alcohol to a minimum – it doesn’t cause rosacea but it can make it worse.
• Always hear sunscreen and a hat when outdoors
• Use a skin care regime that has products with no perfumes, colourings or fragrances that will help soothe and not irritate the skin such as skinsaviour cleanser and moisturiser.
• Skinsaviour Cream and Cleanser are specially formulated for skin that is sensitive and easily irritated.

The entire content of Men's Skinsaviour is for information purposes only.
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Top 10 Tips For Shaving

#1 – Wash the skin in lukewarm water – this will soften the skin and open the pores making it easier to shave and avoid tugging on the hair follicle that can cause irritation. A cleanser with ingredients that help to soothe and calm will help minimise irritation.

#2 – Use a sharp razor. A dull razor will only drag at and irritate the skin and can be the cause of razor burn and ingrown hairs.

#3 – Don’t rub at your face to dry it – it will dry just as well patted gently with a whole lot less irritation to your skin.

#4 – When you have finished shaving rinse the area thoroughly in lukewarm water. Residue of shaving soaps can cause the skin to be irritated and itchy.

#5 – Avoid the use of alcohol based and harsh astringent type aftershave lotions. These can often dry out the skin causing dry skin and itching in the area shaven. They are not really necessary  – if you want to close pores, cold water is just as effective and less drying.

#6 – If your hair is coarse or thick avoid disposable razors. They are seldom up to the job and may pull and drag at the hairs and the skin.

#7 – Multiple blades give a very clean shave and the less irritation there is to hair follicles the less chance of ingrown hairs, razor bumps and razor burn occurring.

#8 – Shaving twice against the grain or across the grain can give tougher hair growth a very close shave but may irritate the skin for some people.

#9 – Razor burn can be reduced by keeping the face moist during shaving and not creating too much drag on the skin. The less drag the less irritation there will be.

#10 – Shaving is hard on the skin and is both drying and damaging It is important to use a moisturiser after shaving that has no irritating ingredients such as perfumes and colours. Skinsaviour Cream is ideal as it has ingredients that are calming and soothing and has a mild antibacterial action to help with shaving nicks and cuts.

The entire content of Men's Skinsaviour is for information purposes only.
View our Disclaimer Statement