With all the tasks you have, the last thing you need is another item on your to-do list. That’s why dealing with your rosacea gets pushed to the back burner. Until you’re in the middle of a flare and madly grab the concealer to hide the patches on your cheeks, you try not to think about rosacea.
The good news is that taking control of your rosacea won’t necessarily take a lot of time. You just need to identify your most common triggers, then keep exposure to a minimum.
At Specialists in Dermatology, our expert dermatologists want you and your skin to be on friendly terms. At our offices in The Woodlands, Texas, and Houston, Texas, we offer both rosacea treatments and rosacea tips.
You don’t have time to keep a rosacea diary to find out what those triggers are, you say? Then start with our recommendations and work up from there.
A boon to having rosacea is that it gives you yet another, more immediate, reason to limit your exposure to the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) A and B rays. Though the idea of future skin cancer may be too abstract to make you reach for the sunscreen, a rosacea flare can give you that push you need.
In fact, 81% of women and men with rosacea who were surveyed on their triggers named sunlight as the absolute number one cause of their rosacea flares. When choosing a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or more sunscreen, be sure you find one that’s safe for rosacea skin.
We offer medical-grade skincare, including sunscreens, that won't trigger flares or irritate your skin. Also be sure to wear sunglasses and hats when outdoors, no matter the season, and avoid the sun when it's highest in the skin (usually 10am-4pm).
If you've been meaning to meditate, now’s the time to start. About 79% of women and men with rosacea noted that times of stress tend to affect their skin and cause a flare.
Winter weather and life itself are continually challenging your nervous system and your skin. Even if you aren’t ready for a meditation practice, be sure to take time out of your busy day to just relax and take a few deep breaths.
Basically, anything that’s stressful for you can be stressful for your skin. Wintry winds that beat your face do more than make you want to hibernate. They actually irritate your skin to the point of causing a rosacea flare.
Hot weather, too, expands your blood vessels and increases your risk for blushing, flushing, and breaking out in pustules or rashes. Anything that raises your temperature — whether that’s weather or stress — can provoke a rosacea attack.
About 75% of rosacea sufferers name hot weather as a trigger, while another 57% name wind. Stock up on weather protection, such as scarves, hats, and high collars for winter as well as cooling towels and wide-brimmed hats for summer.
Exercise is important to keep your entire body healthy and constantly renewing itself. However, if you get overheated while you exercise, you risk causing a rosacea flare. Exercise-induced rosacea affects 56% of those surveyed.
Stay hydrated when you hit the gym, track, or court. Also consider carrying cooling towels or ice packs to keep your temperature down, especially on your face.
Alcohol is probably the best-known trigger for rosacea. In fact, one drawback of having rosacea is that it can give you such a rosy complexion, others may mistake you for a heavy drinker, even if you aren’t.
But alcohol does bring on rosacea flares in more than 50% of women and men surveyed. One of the worst less-attractive complications of rosacea is rhinophyma, a bulbous red nose such as that sported by comedian W.C. Fields. Not only was he a heavy drinker, but he also had rosacea.
If you’ve noticed a pattern here, you’re right: Everything that keeps your body healthy for life is good for your rosacea, too. Think of your rosacea flares as a warning symptom. If you have a flare, look back at your behaviors: Did you head outdoors without a hat or sunscreen? Did you forget to hydrate at the gym? Did you dip too far into the punch bowl?
With minimal effort, you can start to cut down on your exposure to these common rosacea flares. The results may inspire you to find your own personal triggers, too, by keeping that (dreaded) rosacea diary.
If you struggle with rosacea and want clear skin as soon as possible, contact our team by phone or online form today. If you’re in The Woodlands or Houston, Texas, area, there’s a Specialists in Dermatology office near you.
