April is Rosacea Awareness Month, but if you’ve ever had a flare-up, you’re probably all too familiar with this condition. From blushing and flushing to broken capillaries and pustules, rosacea symptoms can be irritating and cause self-consciousness.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brian Mekelburg has helped countless patients with this common skin condition by creating individualized treatment plans to manage the symptoms. Here’s how to soothe your skin if you’re experiencing a rosacea flare-up.
What Are Common Rosacea Triggers?
Rosacea is a chronic condition, but most patients have periods of calmer skin. Some can decrease the frequency of flare-ups by avoiding common rosacea triggers. These include:
- Hot drinks
- Spicy foods
- Smoking
- Alcoholic beverages (especially red wine)
- Extreme weather, including hot and cold temperatures and wind
- Certain makeup or hair products
- Retinol and tretinoin
- Harsh exfoliants
- Intense exercise
- Sun exposure
- Stress and anxiety
- Blood pressure medications
While avoiding every trigger is impossible, specific lifestyle changes can help you reduce your rosacea symptoms. Tracking flare-ups and trying an elimination method can help you pinpoint your irritants.
How to Calm Rosacea Flare-Ups
If you’re not able to avoid a rosacea flare-up in the first place, you can still treat the symptoms to calm your skin. If you have mild rosacea, over-the-counter skincare products may be all you need. Skip products with heavy fragrances and look for soothing ingredients like azelaic acid, niacinamide, or antioxidants. You’ll also want to layer on an SPF 30+ sunscreen.
For moderate to severe cases, seeing a dermatologist for professional rosacea treatments is the best option. A doctor may prescribe topicals like metronidazole or oral antibiotics as needed. Patients with stubborn cases often benefit most from laser therapy. Our practice offers Vbeam® laser treatments which can eliminate broken capillaries, reduce skin redness, and minimize large pores. As a bonus, it also treats age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. A series of three to five sessions usually produces the best results, with most patients coming in for maintenance treatments once or twice a year.
Book Your Los Angeles Rosacea Treatment Appointment
Living with rosacea doesn’t need to mean living in fear of a flare-up. Tracking your triggers and seeking professional rosacea treatment can reduce your symptoms and make calm skin days your new normal. Call Dr. Mekelburg’s Los Angeles, California dermatology practice at 310-659-9075 to book your appointment.
