The key to managing rosacea is to minimize exposure to the identified triggers as much as possible. However, when this isn’t sufficient, several treatment options can be considered:
Gentle Skincare and Sun Protection
Implementing a mild cleanser, a soothing moisturizer, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen can help calm your skin and enhance tolerance to topical treatments. It’s crucial to select a mineral sunscreen (which is generally less irritating for those with rosacea) with an SPF of 30 or higher. Be sure to reapply every two hours and protect your face with wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.
Topical Medications
Numerous topical treatments (creams, gels, and lotions) target the symptoms of rosacea. Anti-inflammatory agents like azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide can address acne-like breakouts. Additionally, metronidazole cream or gel (Metrocream, Metrogel) and ivermectin cream (Soolantra) are effective in treating acne-like lesions and redness. For persistent flushing, oxymetazoline (Rhofade) or brimonidine (Mirvaso) creams can provide relief. Regular use of sulfur-containing washes may also help diminish redness. These medications can also significantly alleviate the burning, stinging, and other discomforts associated with rosacea.
Oral Medications
In some cases, low-dose tetracyclines such as minocycline and doxycycline are prescribed to manage more severe inflammation, which can help prevent skin thickening. For particularly severe breakouts and inflammation, isotretinoin (Accutane) may be prescribed.
Laser and Surgical Treatments
Laser therapy can be highly effective in eliminating visible blood vessels, reducing facial redness, and addressing skin thickening. In cases of exceptionally thick skin, procedures such as electrosurgery (hot loop) or radiofrequency treatments may be utilized.
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that usually affects the central area of the face. Symptoms vary between individuals and can include one or more of the following:
People with rosacea may experience symptoms lasting weeks to months, followed by periods of remission with few or no symptoms. Various triggers can prompt these flareups, such as:
The primary treatment strategy is to minimize exposure to the triggers listed above. When trigger avoidance alone isn’t enough, treatment options include:
Gentle Skincare and Sun Protection
Regularly using a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen on your face helps to calm the skin and enhance its tolerance of topical treatments. Always choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen (mineral sunscreens are generally gentler on rosacea-prone skin than chemical sunscreens) with an SPF of 30 or more, reapply every 2 hours, and wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.
Topical Medications
Various topical medications (creams, gels, lotions) target specific symptoms of rosacea. Anti-inflammatory agents like azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide help with skin breakouts, while topical antibiotic metronidazole (Metrocream, Metrogel) and anti-mite cream ivermectin (Soolantra) treat acne-like lesions and inflammation. Oxymetazoline (Rhofade) or brimonidine (Mirvaso) creams can help reduce flushing and persistent redness. Sulfur-based washes, when routinely used, may also mitigate redness. These skincare applications can also soothe burning and stinging sensations.
Oral Medications
Minocycline and doxycycline are low-dose tetracyclines used to treat advanced inflammation and prevent skin thickening. For severe acne and inflammation, isotretinoin (Accutane) may be prescribed.
Laser and Surgical Treatments
Lasers are highly effective for clearing up visible blood vessels, facial redness, and skin thickening. If you’re suffering from excessive skin thickness, electrosurgery (hot loop) or radiofrequency treatments may be recommended.
Experiencing persistent facial redness or flushing, visible blood vessels, or acne-like breakouts? You may be dealing with rosacea. The expert dermatologists at Northstar Dermatology specialize in evaluating and treating rosacea, offering personalized treatment plans to clear active flares and help prevent new ones.
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that primarily affects the central area of the face. Symptoms vary between individuals and may include one or more of the following:
Individuals with rosacea may experience periods of flare-ups, lasting from weeks to months, followed by times of remission with few or no symptoms. Various factors can trigger these flare-ups, including:
The primary treatment approach for rosacea is to avoid the above triggers as much as possible. When avoiding triggers isn’t sufficient, additional treatment strategies include:
Gentle Skincare and Sun Protection
Using a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen can help calm the skin and improve tolerance to topical treatments. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen—mineral sunscreens are often less irritating for rosacea-prone skin— with SPF 30 or higher. Reapply every 2 hours and wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses for added protection.
Topical Medications
Several topical medications (creams, gels, lotions) target specific rosacea symptoms. Topical anti-inflammatory agents like azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide are effective for acne-like breakouts, while metronidazole (Metrocream, Metrogel) and ivermectin (Soolantra) treat both acne-like lesions and redness. Oxymetazoline (Rhofade) or brimonidine (Mirvaso) creams can help with flushing and persistent redness, while sulfur-containing washes can consistently reduce redness. These treatments can also relieve rosacea-associated burning and stinging.
Oral Medications
Low-dose tetracyclines such as minocycline and doxycycline are sometimes prescribed to reduce more advanced inflammation and prevent skin thickening. For severe acne-like breakouts and inflammation, isotretinoin (Accutane) may be used.
Laser and Surgical Treatments
Laser treatments are effective in reducing visible blood vessels, moderating facial redness, and minimizing skin thickening. For advanced cases of skin thickening, procedures such as electrosurgery (hot loop) or radiofrequency may be performed.
Experiencing ongoing facial redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, or acne-like breakouts? You may be dealing with rosacea. The skilled dermatologists at Northstar Dermatology specialize in assessing and treating rosacea with tailored treatment plans that effectively manage active flares and help prevent future occurrences.
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition typically involving the central face. The symptoms can vary among individuals but include the following (note: you can have more than one symptom):
People with rosacea may experience cycles of flare-ups that can last weeks to months, followed by periods of remission with few or no symptoms. Various triggers can prompt these flare-ups, such as:
The primary strategy for managing rosacea is to avoid the triggers mentioned above whenever possible. When trigger avoidance alone doesn’t suffice, additional treatment approaches include:
Gentle Skincare and Sun Protection
Using a mild cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen can help soothe the skin and improve its tolerance to topical treatments. It’s essential to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (mineral sunscreens are often gentler on rosacea-prone skin than chemical ones) with SPF 30 or higher, reapplying every two hours, and to wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.
Topical Medications
Several topical treatments, including creams, gels, and lotions, target specific rosacea symptoms. Anti-inflammatory agents like azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide help with acne-like breakouts, while metronidazole (Metrocream, Metrogel) and ivermectin (Soolantra) treat both breakouts and redness. Creams containing oxymetazoline (Rhofade) or brimonidine (Mirvaso) effectively reduce flushing and persistent redness. Consistent use of sulfur-based washes can also reduce redness and irritation.
Oral Medications
Low-dose antibiotics like minocycline and doxycycline can help manage more severe inflammation and may prevent skin thickening. For cases with significant breakouts and inflammation, isotretinoin (Accutane) may be prescribed.
Laser and Surgical Treatments
Laser therapy can be highly effective in reducing visible blood vessels, controlling facial redness, and addressing skin thickening. Advanced skin thickening may also be treated with electrosurgery (hot loop) or radiofrequency procedures.
Facing persistent facial redness/ flushing, dilated blood vessels or acne-like eruptions? It’s possible you’re dealing with rosacea. The expert dermatologists at Northstar Dermatology are adept at evaluating and treating rosacea with personalized treatment regimens that get rid of active flares and help prevent new ones.
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition typically involving the central face. The symptoms can vary among individuals but include the following (note: you can have more than one symptom):
Individuals with rosacea can easily go from flares that can last weeks to months to times of remission with minimal to no symptoms. Several factors can incite these flare-ups, including:
The most important treatment strategy is to avoid the above triggers as much as possible. When trigger avoidance is not enough, treatment strategies include:
Gentle Skincare and Sun Protection
Using a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen will help calm the skin and allow your face to better tolerate topical treatments. Of course, always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (mineral sunscreens tend to be less irritating on rosacea patients’ skin compared to chemical sunscreens) with SPF 30 or higher, reapply at least every 2 hours, and wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.
Topical Medications
There are several topical medications (creams, gels, lotions) that tackle specific aspects of rosacea. Topical antiinflammatory agents such as azeleic acid and benozyl peroxide tackle the acne-like breakouts, while the topical antibiotic cream or gel metronidazole (Metrocream, Metrogel) and topical anti-mite cream ivermectin (Soolantra) similarly treat acne-like lesions as well as redness. Oxymetazoline (Rhofade) or brimonidine (Mirvaso) cream can treat the flushing and persistent redness of rosacea. Sulfur-containing washes can reduce redness if used consistently. All of these medications can help reduce the burning and stinging of rosacea.
Oral Medications
Low-dose tetracyclines such as minocycline and doxycycline are sometimes used to reduce more advanced inflammation which can help prevent thickening of the skin. For severe acne-like breakouts and inflammation, isotretinoin (Accutane) can be used.
Laser and Surgical Treatments
Lasers can be instrumental in obliterating visible blood vessels, moderating facial redness, and reducing skin thickening. For advanced skin thickening, electrosurgery (hot loop) or radiofrequency procedures may be done.
