Highlighting and contouring is a bathroom ritual for many women each morning – anything to get those cheekbones to pop, right? But for some women, adding blush is the absolute last thing on earth they’d be caught doing. If you’re struggling to tone down the flush in your cheeks, you may be one of the 16 million Americans suffering from rosacea.

Rosacea: Common Symptoms

When you look in the mirror, you often see one or a combination of the following:

  • A red-faced appearance – particularly in the cheeks, chin, forehead, or nose – as if you’ve been jogging for prolonged periods of time.
  • Visible blood vessels
  • Pimple-like bumps

The Facts

  • The Exact Cause of Rosacea is Unknown.
  • Rosacea is NOT Contagious
  • Those of Irish or English descent may be especially more prone to rosacea
  • Rosacea could be inherited by a poll conducted by the National Rosacea Society revealed that 40% of sufferers could identify a relative with the same symptoms.

Why Do I Have Rosacea – What Am I Doing Wrong?

Most of our rosacea customers know they suffer from this skin disorder, but they do not know why. Anything that stimulates the blood will contribute to the flare-up, including:

  • Hot Weather & Humidity
  • Exposure to the Sun
  • Alcohol
  • Extreme Water Temperatures (think jacuzzis, swimming pools, etc.)
  • Spicy Foods
  • Intense Exercise
  • And most of all, STRESS!

Think about it, Orlando. Many of the above factors are especially a problem here in the South. It certainly makes it difficult to enjoy the Florida lifestyle without sun, sand, and an umbrella drink! Before you panic and start contemplating a move to Duluth, consider our 4-step approach to less irritated skin.

Keep a Journal

Every time you experience a flare-up, jot down the date and what you did prior to the flare-up, paying close attention to the common stimulants mentioned above. The more educated you are about triggers, the sooner you can begin to make lifestyle changes to avoid them.

De-Stress

You’ve heard of the term wearing your heart on your sleeve. But if you suffer from rosacea, the emotions you feel tend to burn brightly in your cheeks. Life happens but you can take steps to avoid increased stress levels. Try yoga, massage, more sleep and downtime. Learn to feel more confident in saying “No” to responsibilities and situations that will cause undue stress to your system. Your body is your temple so make YOU a priority.

Protect Your Skin

If you haven’t already done so, begin viewing your rosacea with a proactive attitude. Use a good sunscreen with (link). Enjoy the sun from the shade of an umbrella or wide-brimmed hat. Avoid walking against the wind. Plan your outdoor activities in the early morning or late evening hours when the summer heat is less symptom inducing.

Schedule Pampering

Flushed skin likes to be pampered with gentle manipulation and redness-reducing botanics that bring relief to over-stimulated blood vessels. At Beautiful Skin by Carmen, we pride ourselves in saying, We’ve got a facial for that and rosacea is no exception. We use a collection of skin soothing clinical-grade products made from naturally calming ingredients like licorice, green tea, and seaweed that all work in combination to cool and de-sensitize the skin, effectively decreasing redness and even the acne-like bumps that can sometimes accompany rosacea.

Our clients who suffer from rosacea have found huge relief from these facials typically 50-75% of the symptoms diminish after just one treatment! While there are some extreme cases that might require a first-time client to return in a few weeks initially, we usually request to see you every 4-6 weeks to prevent symptoms from returning.

In the Meantime: What You Can Do At Home

There are steps you can take to prolong the results of these soothing facials to ensure that you aren’t encouraging more symptoms. First, get yourself a bottle of apple cider vinegar the good organic kind that contains pulp, like Braggs. Drink 1-3 teaspoons a day stirred in with your water or juice, and you should notice a difference in your skin in no time, especially if you’re committed to a facial regimen.

Avoid washing your face with hot water, and harsh, gritty scrubs or cleansers containing acids. Look for gentle everyday cleansers like Vital C cleanser or Organic Balancing Cleanser from Image Skincare and discontinue any use of cleansing tools that are most likely irritating your skin, sonic cleansing brushes, loofah sponges, and even vigorous cleansing with a wash cloth.