acne rosacea treatment

Acne Rosacea – What Are Those Rosy Cheeks?

Suffering from Rosacea

If your cheeks are constantly rosy like a sunburn, or have bumps like acne, you may be suffering from a condition called acne rosacea. Millions of Americans suffer from rosacea, which typically appears as early as mid 20’s, and is more common in women. Even though rosacea affects all skin types, those who have fair-colored skin tend to get rosacea more than others, think of it as extra sensitive skin. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for rosacea, and the cause of rosacea is still unknown, but the right dermatologist can help you control it with a variety of treatment options. Let’s dig a little deeper into acne rosacea and how it can be treated.

What is Acne Rosacea?

Sometimes referred to as “rosy cheeks,” rosacea is a skin condition that is sometimes mistaken for other skin conditions, including teenage acne. Those diagnosed with rosacea will often see redness on their nose, forehead, chin, and most commonly, cheeks. Facial redness is a result of blood vessels in the face, which may dilate, leading to flushing. Red bumps and pimples may occur. These conditions can come and go, and with the right treatment, you can manage your appearance of acne rosacea.

Acne Rosacea Treatment

Jeuveau and BOTOX are neuromodulators, which are proteins designed to relax wrinkles by softening the muscles. You may have heard of other neuromodulators including Xeomin® and Dysport®. While Jeuveau and BOTOX aim to resolve the same issue, they are basically neuromodulators made by different manufacturers. Jeuveau and BOTOX are comprised of the same active ingredient, with slightly different proteins. Both are FDA approved, safe, and effective. Depending on the person, one injectable might work better than the other. Dr. Brian Mekelburg and team are happy to discuss the options with you and to find the best method to achieve the results you want.

Treatment for acne rosacea varies depending on the patient’s condition, so a treatment plan will be different per patient. There are four types of rosacea that one can be affected by:

  1. Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea – visible blood vessels and flushing of the skin. This type responds well to lasers. 
  2. Ocular rosacea – red irritated eyes.
  3. Papulopustular rosacea – similar to acne, bumpy redness on the skin. This type responds well to topical and oral medications. 
  4. Phymatous rosacea – thick, swollen bumpy skin with enlarged pores on the nose. Fortunately this type is uncommon. 

Seeing a dermatologist is key in determining what category of rosacea you have. Once a dermatologist confirms, oral and/or topical medications will be prescribed to help reduce your visible symptoms. Other in-office treatment options such as pulse-dye laser, can also be performed to diminish redness, swollen blood vessels and tissue.

While prescription medications and in-office procedures will help, having a routine at home and knowing what triggers your rosacea flareups will also help you keep it at bay. Keep in mind that environmental and dietary triggers vary from person to person, but those common include:

  1. Weather related triggers- hot, cold, wind, humidity 
  2. Food related triggers- alcohol and spicy foods
  3. Stress and vigorous exercise triggers
  4. Irritation of the skin with exfoliants such as physical scrubs and topical products such as retinol and alpha and beta hydroxy acids. 

Proper skin care treatment with mild soaps and lotions will also help keep your acne rosacea under control.

Scheduling an Appointment for Acne Rosacea

If you’re suffering from “rosy cheek” syndrome or aren’t sure why your face has a bumpy texture, visit Dr. Brian Mekelburg and team to evaluate and diagnose your skin issue. Once we confirm your symptoms, we’ll discuss a treatment plan that will help control your rosacea. Now’s the time to wake up to beautiful skin. Call us today at 301-659-9075.

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