Choosing Clearer Skin

Posted on: 9 December 2018

If you keep getting red bumps on your skin, you may assume that you have acne. However, it's a good idea to get a proper diagnosis from a dermatologist since you might have rosacea. Rosacea is a skin condition that causes swelling, itchiness, visible blood vessels, and red bumps.

While the condition can be managed, it can get worse if it isn't taken care of. Here are a few basics of this issue and how to treat it.

What causes it?

Doctors aren't quite sure what causes rosacea, but some believe that the condition is from blood vessel abnormalities. While rosacea may run in families, some people find that certain triggers cause their skin to flush or worsen. Possible triggers include things like extreme temperature changes, alcohol consumption, or medications that dilate blood vessels. While anyone can experience the condition, middle-aged women with paler skin tones tend to get it more than other demographics.

How do people usually treat it?

Thankfully, many people can control their rosacea with a course of antibiotics, such as erythromycin or doxycycline. If your rosacea is severe, you may want to consider Isotretinoin (also used for cystic acne). If antibiotics aren't working, you may want to talk with a cosmetic dermatologist about other therapies.

What dermatological procedures can help?

You could undergo outpatient laser/light therapy to treat rosacea. Light therapy is used for all sorts of dermatological conditions, such as vitiligo and psoriasis. Every patient is different, but usually, one to five treatments of light therapy can offer patients the best results for their rosacea.

Your dermatologist will expose your skin to different wavelengths of light which in turn causes your skin to release fibroblasts. These are connective tissues that trigger collagen production. Collagen is the most common protein in your body, and increasing its production can improve your skin's appearance, elasticity, and strength. The light therapy can also help your skin by improving circulation and reducing inflammation.

Lastly, another outpatient procedure you could have done is a chemical peel. Chemical peels are especially helpful if your rosacea causes lots of acne-like bumps. During this procedure, the top layer of your skin will be exfoliated so that healthier skin cells can come in. While your skin may initially be redder or swollen immediately after the treatment, these side effects should fade between one to two weeks.

For more information on rosacea treatments, contact a cosmetic dermatology clinic like Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Specialists today.