Rosacea

One of the best places in Canada to diagnose and treat rosacea, Toronto Dermatology Centre physicians and skin care specialists have the expertise to optimize the look and feel of your skin. Toronto Dermatology Centre launched the Toronto Rosacea Centre because we see so many patients with rosacea and have become a centre of excellence for rosacea. Toronto Rosacea Centre has a staff of outstanding dermatologists and medical estheticians that offer both a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of your skin, and also discuss all the treatment options including: trigger avoidance, sunscreen recommendations, over the counter treatments, makeup and coverup, physician-grade skin products, prescription creams and pills, and laser and light devices to get rid of redness and blood vessels. For the best rosacea treatments in Toronto, talk to one of our Toronto dermatologists or medical estheticians.

Rosacea is a common skin disease that causes redness, pimples, and swelling on the face. Often referred to as "adult acne," rosacea frequently begins as a tendency to flush or blush easily. It may progress to persistent redness in the center of the face that may gradually involve the cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose. With time, small blood vessels and tiny pimples begin to appear on and around the reddened area.

When acne rosacea first develops, the redness may come and go. Small dilated vessels also may be present due to prolonged sun exposure. However, when the skin doesn't return to its normal color, and when other symptoms such as pimples and enlarged blood vessels become visible, it's best to seek advice from a dermatologist. The condition may last for years, rarely reverse itself, and can become worse without treatment.

About 50% of people with rosacea have eye involvement (ocular rosacea). Some rosacea patients experience burning and grittiness of the eyes, a common condition known as conjunctivitis. If this condition is not treated, it can lead to more serious eye problems.

How to Recognize Rosacea
Small red bumps, some of which may contain pus, appear on the face. These may be accompanied by persistent redness and the development of many tiny blood vessels on the surface of the skin.

In more advanced cases (in men), a condition called rhinophyma may develop. The oil glands enlarge causing a bulbous, red nose, and puffy cheeks. Thick bumps may develop on the lower half of the nose and nearby cheeks.

Who is at Risk for Rosacea?
Fair skinned adults typically between the ages of 30 and 60 may develop acne rosacea. Since it may be associated with menopause, women are affected more often than men and may notice an extreme sensitivity to cosmetics. An occasional tense moment also may trigger flushing.

Tips for Rosacea Patients

• Avoid triggers, including: hot drinks, spicy foods, caffeine and alcoholic beverages that make the face red or flushed. Although alcohol may worsen rosacea, the condition may be just as severe in someone who doesn't drink; thus rosacea has been unfairly linked to alcoholism.
• Practice good sun protection. Seek shade when possible and limit exposure to sunlight, wear hats and use broad spectrum sunscreens with SPF of 30 or higher; reapply every 3 hours.
• Avoid extreme hot and cold temperatures which may exacerbate the symptoms of rosacea. Exercise in a cool environment. Do not overheat.
• Avoid rubbing, scrubbing or massaging the face.
• Avoid cosmetics and facial products that contain alcohol. Use hair sprays properly, avoiding contact with facial skin.
• Keep a diary of flushing episodes and note associated foods, products, activities, medications or other triggering factors.

Treatment
Many people with rosacea are unfamiliar with it and do not recognize it in its early stages. Identifying the disease is the first step to controlling it. Self-diagnosis and treatment are not recommended since some over-the-counter skin products may worsen rosacea. Toronto Dermatology Centre is highly experienced in proper rosacea diagnosis and treatment.

Dermatologists often recommend a combination of rosacea treatments tailored to the individual patient. These treatments can stop the progress of rosacea and sometimes reverse the rosacea. Toronto Dermatology Centre will provide you a variety of treatment options to suit your skin type, severity of rosacea and budget.

Creams, lotions, washes, gels, and pads that contain various topical antibiotics, metronidazole, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids may be prescribed. A modest improvement can be seen with rosacea in the first 3-4 weeks of use. Greater improvement is usually noticed in 6-8 weeks (be patient!).

Oral antibiotics (e.g. tetracycline/minocycline/doxycycline) tend to produce faster results than topical medications. Occasionally, low dose oral isotretinoin (e.g. Accutane) is used successfully. Cortisone creams may reduce the redness of rosacea; however, they should not be used for longer than two weeks since they can cause flare-ups upon discontinuation. Your dermatologist may also prepare for you a unique and specific rosacea compounded mixture to use on your skin.

The persistent redness may be treated with a small electric needle (electrodessication) or by laser surgery (e.g. Intense Pulse Light or Broad Band Light (BBL), V-beam) to close off the dilated blood vessels. Cosmetic coverup (e.g. Jane Iredale mineral makeup, CoverFx, DermaBlend, CoverMark) may be helpful. Green tinted makeup is useful to mask the redness of rosacea. Toronto Dermatology Centre medical estheticians can assist you with coverup options.

People with rosacea often have very sensitive skin and react to many topical products. Elta MD sunscreens are terrific sunblocks (preferable to a sunscreen) for patients with sensitive skin and rosacea. Toronto Dermatology Centre medical estheticians can assist you with choosing the right products for your skin.

Rhinophyma or swelling of the nose which occurs predominantly in men can be improved surgically or with laser resurfacing.

The key to successful management of rosacea is early diagnosis and treatment. It is important to follow all of your dermatologist's instructions in managing triggers and using your medications properly for your rosacea. Toronto Dermatology Centre will provide you education, handouts, and a simple and clear rosacea treatment plan.  

Rosacea can be treated and controlled if medical advice is sought in the early stages. Without proper treatment, rosacea can get worse and become more difficult to treat. Call Toronto Dermatology Centre for a complete skin care consultation and rosacea treatment plan.

	Rosacea and atopic dermatitis