Rosacea is a poorly understood skin disease that affects approximately 14 million Americans, and most of thos afflicted don't even know they have it, according to the National Rosacea Society. It appears as a red flushing on the skin and can have acne-like features. The symptoms vary with individuals and it is sometimes difficult to diagnose. It is often confused with skin diseases such as acne, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema or the butterfly mask of lupus. The treatment for these conditions can be very different.
Cause of Rosacea
The underlying cause of rosacea is unknown; however it is suspected to be due to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. It is clear that there are triggers that can cause the symptoms to flare. These triggers include exposure to sunlight, hot foods or beverages, alcohol, stress, exercise, hot baths and some medications.
Prevention of Flare-ups
Individuals with rosacea need to protect their skin. According to the Mayo Clinic and the National Institutes of Health, there are many precautions that can be taken. It is important to use sunscreen with good protection. Protect the face from the winter cold with a scarf or mask. Avoid irritating the skin by rubbing or touching it. Wash with gentle cleansers and avoid products that contain alcohol or other irritants. Use skin products that are labeled as noncomedogenic as they won't clog oil and sweat glands.
Superficial Chemical Peels
Common chemicals used in chemical peels are glycolic acid and salicylic acid. Chemical peels are classified as either superficial or deep peels. Very superficial peels are really nothing more than exfoliation, with superficial peels being a bit stronger. These treatments can be done by a beauty therapist and do not affect everyday activities. These types of peels need to be repeated approximately six times, then maintained every two or three months thereafter.
Deep Chemical Peels
Medium and deep peels remove more of the upper skin layers and cause the skin to appear as though it has had severe sunburn. Most patients stay home for five to seven days following a medium peel and two to three weeks with a deep peel. Prior to the procedure the skin is treated for two weeks with a retinoid and hydroquinone cream. Over a period of days the skin will peel.
A dermatologist must aminister a deep peel, and anesthesia is administered. It is strongly recommended that a deep peel be performed in a hospital, not in a dermatologist's office, with cardiac and pulmonary monitoring.
Are Chemical Peels a Good Option for Rosacea?
According to the International Rosacea Foundation, "Chemical peels and retinoid products are used for the purpose of skin exfoliation and are not to be used for rosacea." The entire concept of a chemical peel is to irritate the skin and cause it to peel, leaving healthy skin underneath. Although this works well with some of the similar types of skin problems, it does not work well with rosacea. In fact, it can cause rosacea to become much more problematic.
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