How to Reduce Rosacea Symptoms

Rosacea is a common yet misunderstood skin condition. Even though about 415 million people worldwide have rosacea, 95 percent of them don’t know they have it until they’re diagnosed. That’s because people mistake rosacea for acne, erythema or sensitive skin. As a result, they are unable to receive the treatment they need, and the condition worsens.

When left untreated, rosacea can become so severe that skin care treatments stop working.

Fortunately, you have GlyMed Plus to help you maintain optimal skin health.

If you know or think you have rosacea, this article will help you identify and reduce your symptoms, so you glow with natural beauty.

WHAT IS ROSACEA?

Rosacea (roe-ZAY-she-uh) is a chronic skin condition that usually affects the face and causes abnormal flushing, vascular damage and sometimes blemishes.

SUBTYPES OF ROSACEA

There are four types of rosacea. You may have symptoms of more than one subtype, so look for signs of all four.

SUBTYPE #1: ERYTHEMATOTELANGIECTATIC ROSACEA

The mildest form of rosacea, includes:

• Abnormal flushing (redness)

• Telangiectasias begin to form.

• Tiny papules spread evenly over the face.

SUBTYPE #2: PAPULOPUSTULAR ROSACEA

Moderate stage of rosacea, includes:

• Swollen acne

• Inflamed papules and pustules

• Persistent redness

• Denser telangiectasias

• Visible vascular damage

ROSACEA

Most severe stage of rosacea, includes:

• Facial disfiguration, usually around the nose

• Swelling

• Tenderness

• Pain

• Inflamed acne, can turn into nodules

At this point, skin care treatments stop working. A dermatologist can recommend surgery or other possible solutions.  

SUBTYPE #4: OSCULAR ROSACEA

This sub-type is not a stage of severity but rather its own type of rosacea. You can have ocular rosacea without having any of the other subtypes.

• Also known as chronic red eye

• Itchy, burning sensation.

• Can involve reoccurring styes.

WHO GETS ROSACEA?

Anyone can have rosacea, but it usually shows up in fair-skinned women between 30 – 50 years old. While it’s not common for men to have rosacea, those who do often develop a more severe subtype.

“HOW CAN I TELL IF I HAVE ROSACEA?”

If your face reddens easily and stays red for an unusual amount of time, you may have rosacea. Unlike erythema, rosacea flare-ups can last for a few days up to several weeks, if not months.

Your skin may also be oily and have a rough texture.

Unlike acne, you won’t see blackheads or whiteheads on your face. Instead, you’ll see red lines or splotches on your skin, which are signs of vascular damage.

WHAT CAUSES ROSACEA?

Scientists are still looking for the cause of rosacea, but they have discovered some of the main contributors to rosacea symptoms. Thanks to their discoveries, we know how to reduce these symptoms so you can enjoy healthy, beautiful skin!

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE ROSACEA

If you think you have rosacea, talk to a dermatologist. Only a physician can legally diagnose you with rosacea, though any skin care professional can help you relieve symptoms.

As soon as you know you have rosacea, start treating your symptoms with professional skin care. If you have a mild or moderate condition, skin care can prevent it from becoming worse and make your skin appear brighter and healthier.

WHAT TRIGGERS ROSACEA SYMPTOMS?

While there are several factors that contribute to rosacea, here are the main ones to address:

1. DEMODEX MITE INFESTATION

Demodex mites are microscopic parasites that live in your skin. It sounds disgusting, but they help keep your skin healthy by feeding off sebum (oil) and dead skin cells.

To break down sebum, these parasites produce an enzyme called lipase, which heats the skin to 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Normally, this doesn’t cause any skin damage. But, people with rosacea have 10 times more Demodex mites than the average person. That’s 10 times more mites producing lipase and heating the skin. This excess heat causes inflammation and vascular damage.

THE DANGER OF INFLAMMATION

Inflammation spreads your skin cells apart and makes it easy for bacteria and pathogens to slip into your skin. It also causes your skin to lose water and become dry, flaky and itchy. Naturally, you want to scratch your face when it becomes itchy. The problem: your fingernails carry a lot of germs which then get into your skin.

HOW TO MANAGE DEMODEX MITES

Like any infestation, you contain it by eliminating its food source.

Use products with active ingredients that break down and absorb oil, such as salicylic acid. Cleansers are a good place to start because they tend to have smaller amounts of active ingredients than serums or moisturizers, which will help you reduce flare-ups without hurting your skin.

Sal-X Purifying Cleanser and Sal-X Exfoliating Cleanser have just the right amount of salicylic acid to reduce excess oil without drying out your skin.

Pro Tip: Use Sal-X Purifying Cleanser if you have open lesions and Sal-X Exfoliating Cleanser if you don’t.

To eliminate dead skin cells, schedule a chemical or enzyme peel with your GlyMed Pro. Do not use a mechanical exfoliant since those can irritate your skin and spread bacteria.

2. UV RAYS AND VEGF

UV radiation triggers rosacea flares by increasing the amount of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the skin, which creates more blood vessels. Since Demodex mites are already harming your blood vessels, you don’t want VEGF producing more of them.

Use Photo-Age Environmental Protection Gel 15 or 30+ to prevent UV rays from penetrating your skin and causing more vascular damage. Be sure to put it on 30 minutes before going outside and reapply it every two hours for maximum effect.

3. HISTAMINE

Another rosacea trigger you need to know about is histamine. This organic compound dilates blood vessels as part of the body’s immune response, which can increase vascular damage. To prevent this from happening, avoid foods that cause your body to release histamine, including:

• Chocolate

• Bananas

• Citrus fruits

• Papaya

• Tomatoes

• Legumes

• Nuts and seeds

• Wheat germ

Also, cut back on foods and beverages high in histamine, such as:

• Alcoholic drinks

• Meat (especially shellfish and processed or smoked meat)

• Avocados

• Eggplant

• Spinach

• Diary

Fermented foods (yogurt, sour cream, sauerkraut, vanilla, etc.)

4. EXTREME TEMPERATURES

Winter can be a nightmare for your skin. The cold, dry air and strong winds can trigger flare-ups like crazy. Fortunately, you can adjust your skin care routine to include heavier moisturizers. Apply them throughout the day to keep your skin smooth and hydrated.

Heat also triggers rosacea flares, and you don’t need to wait for summer for it to become an issue. Avoid anything that can cause you to overheat, such as:

• Hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc.)

• Spicy foods

• Hot baths and showers

• Saunas

• Over-exercising

• High temperatures (hot weather, indoor heating, etc.)

5. ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

We know rosacea doesn’t just harm your skin; it also takes a toll on all aspects of your life. Sudden flare-ups can be irritating and stress you out, making it difficult to focus on daily tasks. They can also affect how comfortable you feel around other people.

If having rosacea is wearing you out, know you are not the only one struggling. Researchers who pulled data from over 101 study participants discovered that people with rosacea have a high chance of suffering from anxiety and depression (Journal of Affective Disorders, 2022).

Unfortunately, strong emotions like anxiety and depression trigger flare-ups, creating more anxiety and depression and dragging you through a vicious cycle.

But there’s good news! You can stay out of this vicious cycle by taking care of your emotional and mental health.

Meet with a licensed therapist or join a support group to learn coping strategies for easing anxiety and depression. You can also find stress management tips from trusted resources, such as CDC, WebMD and American Psychological Association.

For subtype 2 rosacea, get rid of those nasty papules and pustules with Skin Wash. This powerful cleanser contains benzoyl peroxide, which removes bacteria by oxygenating your pores.

You can also oxygenate your skin by adding Oxygen Power Booster to other products. If you are new to professional skin care, we recommend you start off with OXYGEN Deep Pore Cleanser and OXYGEN Treatment Cream, then use Oxygen Power Booster once your skin has had time to acclimate.

For spot treatments, you’ll love Skin Astringent No. 5 and No. 10. They reduce redness, kill bacteria and control excess oil to clear up any acne-like lesions.

Sulfur Masque also has excellent anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties for treating papulopustular rosacea. Sulfur is different from sulfite, so you can safely use this masque if you have a sulfite allergy.

REJUVENATING YOUR SKIN

To achieve optimal skin health, include reparative products in your skin care routine so your skin has the nutrients it needs to sustain active ingredients.

REDUCE INFLAMMATION

Combat the inflammation Demodex mites, histamine and VEGF create using products that contain glycolic acid, such as Gentle Facial Wash, Facial Hydrator and Anti-Aging Exfoliant Masque. Lowering inflammation in your skin will prevent bacteria and pathogens from entering your skin and reduce vascular damage.

REPAIR THE SKIN BARRIER

Because inflammation compromises the skin barrier, look for products that have lots of ceramides, lipids, fatty acids and peptides. These molecules are the building blocks of a healthy skin barrier and promote a soft, smooth complexion.

TOP GLYMED PRODUCTS FOR SKIN REPAIR:

Cleansers

• Mega-Purifying Cleanser

Moisturizers

• Rosacea Relief

• Daily Repair Mega-Moisture Cream

• Intense Peptide Skin Recovery Complex

• Amino Acid Epidermal Sealant with PC10

Masques

• CBD-Micro Silver Hydrotherapy Masque - Australia Alternative - Ultra Hydrating Enzyme Masque

• Wrinkle Prescription Masque with PC10

Serums

• Cell Protection Serum

• CBD-Micro Silver Miracle - Australia Alternative - Amino Acid Serum with PC10

• Skin Restoring Fulvic Elixir

As you reduce inflammation and repair the skin barrier simultaneously, you will see a dramatic difference in your skin.

CONCLUSION

Rosacea may be a common skin condition, but it doesn’t have to ruin your skin health. With the help of GlyMed Plus professional skin care, which only uses the most effective pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, you can glow with natural beauty and enjoy the confidence that comes with having healthy, smooth skin.

If you have any questions and would like to speak to one of our friendly Master Aestheticians in your area, please email support@glymedplusaustralia.com.au