By: Nerida Joy | Esthetician & Skin Care Expert

Rosacea is a chronic inflammation disorder of the skin that can occur anywhere on the body, but mostly the face. It is typically seen in fair-skinned women who are 30+ and, although it cannot be cured completely, its flare-ups are very treatable. In America alone, it affects more than 5% of the population, and as quickly growing.

Visually, rosacea is ruddiness of the facial skin often with visible blood vessels,  pustules, little red bumps, skin irritation, flakiness, inflammation and swelling.

Although the symptoms and severity of rosacea varies from one individual to another, the most common facial areas affected are the cheeks, nose and chin.

Rosacea is generally categorized into four types. Inflammatory rosacea, Vascular rosacea, Phymatous rosacea and Ocular rosacea.

The two most common that I see in my practice is inflammatory rosacea, and vascular rosacea. Inflammatory rosacea is redness and swelling of the facial skin with tiny little puss-like pimples and red bumps. Vascular rosacea is redness of the skin with visible small blood vessels.

In both of these two instances, ruddiness, heat and swelling is present.

My first approach with treating rosacea is reducing inflammation foods, which includes hot spicy foods, alcohol, nightshade vegetables, tomatoes, bell peppers and processed sugar.

My second approach is discussing their daily activities that contribute to internal heat and inflammation in the body such as hot yoga, hot showers, hot drinks, the sun and Indoor heating.

My third approach is their homecare regimen. How they manage their daily skin care regimen and what products they apply to their skin. No stripping foaming cleanses, harsh alcohol toners, Scrubbing granules, strong pH acid, retinols, peels, heavy occlusive moisturizers, stimulating essential oils such as menthol, camphor, mint, perfumes and some vitamin C formulas.

As a skin expert working in the industry for over 46 years, the focus on gut health and its relationship with our skin is becoming a bigger focus in my own personal life and business. As proven over-and-over again with many skin concerns, the gut microbine is crucial. Although prescription drugs, such as doxycycline and steroids can seem to help short term for some, the disruption on the gut microbine and thinning of the skin, is not worth its taking. My experience has taught me not to Band-Aid any health condition,look to the cause (origin) and work from the inside out. Sometimes the journey can be long and tiring, but your health, quality of life and longevity is worth it.

Here is how to manage rosacea flare-ups on a daily basis;

1. Avoid inflammation foods

2. Avoid the environmental triggers.

3. Use, soothing cooling products that contain ingredients such as aloe vera, mulberry extract, licorice extract, Arnica, vitamin k & p, Allantoin, glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Helping you build a foundation for a lifetime of healthy, beautiful skin.