I have been suffering with rosacea and contact dermatitis for months and it really affects self image - the face and areas where rashs occur.

I think this would be a good topic to address for this section. I know many are despondent, distraught and just depressed and tired of all the skin issues - I am on several rosacea forums and groups for eczema as well.

For men afflicted they seem to be in their early 20s and many women are close to menopause age - not all but a good majority from my little consensus of observations.

rosacea is common amungst my clients. Have you ever considered facials and dermabrasion with peels as a treatment option?

I have been learning about clarisonic and the Derm I saw today sells it but she said to worry about getting this eczema cleared up before doing anything like that.

I was watching on our LA news this AM a demonstration of chemical peels and too chicken for something like that as it would burn my face - I imagine.

I wanted to do one of those quick lifts for the neck fat from prednisone but my face would not be able to handle that. I love looking at the before and after photos. I used the income tax return for a deposit on a car anyway so maybe next year I can do a lift since I will be turning 50 in a few more years (48 next month) YIKES

you can get glycolic peels that are 30% solution or less. Less harm and it takes all of 5 minutes. It's not dermatological strength but still a course of treatments (5-6) will only cost less than 200. Our spa is doing 6 for 175 or 150.. we haven't decided yet. And facials DO help. Regular facials even more so. I have many a client who gets them and has noticed the difference they can make. our most expensive facial is only 50

I found this article on rosacea about natural treatments and thought you might be interested. A friend of mine has it and I was wondering if detoxing might help her, since I have a good tea for that.

Here is the article:
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I see the article recommends Miessence as one good organic option for skin problems. I personally do use Miessence and, altho I didn't have rosacea, my skin is a lot nicer since I got off the chemicals.

My daughter has some acne problems and the organics really helped her skin, plus a good diet of fruits and veggies and lots of water.

Where do you purchase Miessence?

I've had rosacea for 25 years - stress doesn't help the condition!

I have rosacea and have it treated in my dermatologist's office with photo rejuvenation therapy. It's something that uses "intense pulsed light." It definitely hurts, but it only takes about 5 minutes for my whole face and it works! It helps reduce brown spots, sun spots & fine lines, too.

I started with 6 treatments and now go back once a year for 2 maintenance treatments.

I receive lots of complements on how young and smooth my skin is now (I'm 45yo). I still flush when I'm overheated like after a hot shower or exercising, but it goes away quickly. I don't get the rashy spots all over any more.

I used to get comments on a regular basis from strangers asking if I was okay bec I was so flushed. Some people would comment on how terribly my face was sunburned, too. It was frustrating and I am thankful I've found a solution that works for me. I even wear pink and red sometimes, now - colors I totally avoided before.

If you can afford it and are willing to put up with some temporary pain (the pain is only felt when the treatment is being applied), then I highly recommend talking to your dermatologist about this treatment.

I also always use sunscreen (and avoid direct sunlight on my face). And one last thing I totally recommend is Bare Minerals make-up. It really helps tone down any flushing or uneven skin appearance. It's the only make-up I use now.

Donna

My mom and I both have rosacea. It definitely becomes more noticeable after a hot shower, when it's hot out, when we're exercising and when we drink wine. Unfortunately we go out to wine dinners a fair amount so this is usually the problem for us

I try to stay out of the sun completely, I had a friend with skin cancer and it scared me. I always wear a boonie hat when we go out anywhere hiking or walking or such.

For me I try to take my vitamins, drink a lot of water and avoid the triggers as much as I can. Except wine

I developed rosacea during my first pregnancy and I've had it ever since. It was terrible at first and no ointments my dermatologist recommended helped. I even got it on my eyelids and had to have tear ducts removed three times because of it! Then I accidentally discovered that antiobiotics worked wonders on it. So I have been taking a very small dose of tetracycline for years now and it is completely under control. It is the only thing that worked for me. And even though I hate to be taking antibiotics like this, my doctor even recommends it because the eye microsurgery was rather serious and should be avoided.

This past summer, I heard that scientists have finally discovered the cause of rosacea -- it has to do with the inability of the body to deal with a certain chemical. I can't remember the details but I haven't seen any new products out there yet that address this issue. I will be anxious to try them if they ever do appear.

For Donna -- I also had an IPL treatment for the first time in an attempt to improve the redness on my upper chest that appears to be due to very tiny broken capillaries. Unfortunately, it hasn't helped at all and that was about a month ago. Do you know what settings they used in your treatment and the name of the equipment? I may ask for my money back with this treatment but might like to try it somewhere else. It has been rather disappointing especially since I paid a lot of money for it.

Dr's say rosacea runs in families.

I can't have wine, sun, or spicy food. I get the blotches that look like pimples.

I also can't tolerate citrus (like Vitamin C) on my face.

I'm reluctant to get a facial with the steam, scrubs and warm towels they use. Anyone get a facial and didn't have a reaction? Is there a special facial?

My mom has rosacea, too. Ive always burned easily & had skin cancer 12 years ago, so I really avoid the sun. I think rosacea tends to run in people of fair complexion, too. I had very pale skin my whole life until my 30s when the flushing started.

Diana - you may need more than 1 treatment before you see results. My doctor told me that I would need at least 5 treatments and probably wouldn't start to see results until the 3rd. My treatments were spaced 1 month apart and I had 6 total the first year. Unfortunately I don't know what settings were used. She did use a smaller wand on the red spider lines and they disappeared on the spot.

She took a before and after photo of me and there is a very big difference. And, as I mentioned - I still go for 2 maintenance treatments each year.

Good luck!

Donna

I just got my catalog today in the mail from Sun Precautuions and have yet to order from them since they seem expensive.

Anyone make a purchase for 30+ SPF sun protective clothing?



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I am glad I brought up Rosacea here on these forums and to notice many suffer as well with this skin condition. I belong to a few rosacea forums and groups.

I still think it would make a good article about self esteem and body image and surprised not one article about skin conditions in the body care or beauty sections.

Donna, I was under the impression from what I've read and heard that the first IPL treatment is when the most dramatic results are seen and subsequent ones don't show that much improvement. But perhaps that was incorrect. Gee, this could get quite expensive...

Here you go - the cause of rosacea -

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Diana - the article says

""Too much SCTE and too much cathelicidin leads to the abnormal peptides that cause the symptoms of this disease," said Gallo. "Antibiotics tend to alleviate the symptoms of rosacea in patients because some of them work to inhibit these enzymes. Our findings may modify the therapeutic approach to treating rosacea, since bacteria aren't the right target.""

That's a great article! Thank you for sharing.

And they are right, some months my face is perfectly clear and then the rosacea is back again.

I'd love to treat this as naturally as possible. At least keep it under control. No drugs, etc. Any suggestions?

I don't know what would naturally inhibit SCTE or cathelicidin. They only found out the cause a few months ago so they may still be working on that.

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Thanks for taking the time to find that article, Lisa. I was so excited about it when I read it in the newspaper. But strangely, my doctor hadn't heard about it and the news didn't even appear on a rather official "org" website for rosacea for at least a month afterward. I guess it may take a while to development new treatements that use the new findings. And even if they do, they may not be any less risky than taking antiobiotics continuously. I can't imagine wanting to put an ointment of any sort on my eyelids and lashes so it would have to be an oral medicine anyway. I'm just glad the tetracycline does the trick.

Some people were discussing this spring water spray on a rosacea forum today:

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If you have Rosacea and or Acne, most major health insurance carries will cover your treatments. I have been going a dermatologist (MD) for 3 years -- Blue Cross/Blue Shield covers almost everything. It is called "Acne Surgery" for insurance billing purposes. I have a peel one month and a micro-dermabrasion the next.

My DR started me with a 10 percent peel, left on for just a few minutes and gradually worked up not only the strength but the length of time it was left on. Very little 'stinging' absolutely no burning. If it burns, it is too strong or has been left on too long. My DR writes prescriptions for most of what goes on my face, which insurance covers as well. In addition, she gives me samples for any new product so that I can see if my sensitive skin will tolerate it. In her waiting room, there is a basket of samples for sunscreen and moisturizer so I have saved a ton on money by not having to purchase these often expensive items.

I use a prescription facial wash and topical lotion morning and evening. My face is in GREAT shape. Plus, the prescription lotions make my skin velvety soft and smooth -- fewer lines and creases. Most of the time, my Acne Rosacea is under control -- not cured -- but 75 percent better than before I went to the dermatologist. I plan on going in for intense pulsed light treatments in the fall.

Diana - right it sounds like the antibiotics "do the right thing" so anything else they worked out would probably be just like the antibiotic. I'm glad you found something that worked for you!

Sandie - that's really interesting that insurance can cover it! That's definitely something that people should look into.

Sandie -- do you expect that the IPL treatments will also be covered by your insurance? That would indeed be wonderful!

I'm not sure - but I will ask when I go back in a few weeks. I know that it does not cover treatments to remove the tiny broken veins around the nose! Those painful little treatments (even with numbing gel)were $100 each - and you need to have them done several times within a short period of time to be affective. I didn't know about that and didn't go back soon enough for re-treatment so I didn't have the followup treatments. I figured I'd save the $$ and do the IPL.

I have the butterfly rash thing going for me and ever since I was 8 people think I wear too much blush! I didnt start wearing make up until I was 16 and that was just for church on sunday and I never wear blush! EVER!!!

I have the bright red cheeks all the time but I put olive oil on my face before bed every night so I dont have the ezsima sp? dry patches anyways.. I just thought i would throw that out there. I have oily skin so I use to get zits all the time but since i started using olive oil at night that has helped stop the zits and my skin is more balenced and less T zone..

I was at a natural foods show yesterday and picked up a few samples of a topical product made by Humphreys (www.humphreysusa.com) that is suppose to 'calm' the redness of Rosacea. It is a Witch Hazel based (alcohol-free) cucumber melon toner. I tried it this morning and also gave a bottle to my son's girlfriend to try. She has acne and sometimes experiences a lot of redness. I tried it this morning and found it soothing when applied � but since my skin is rather calm right now, I'm not sure how well it will control the redness. I'll let you know,

I know it is just a 'cover up', but Donna's recommendation for Bare Minerals is a good one. It really does help minimize the redness. Bare Minerals is starting to open retail stores where you can demo the products before purchasing. Alta stores also carry the line. I originally purchased Bare Minerals through HSN or QVC. The DVD they included thoroughly explained the correct way to apply the foundation and to cover problem areas. The products are completely oil-free and the coverage is great. Just make sure that your skin is well hydrated � with no dry patches. It is so pure that the company says you can wear it to sleep in, but I never do. I just put it on when ever I want to look my best without looking made-up.

Hi Sandie,
I noticed your Mardi Gras Mask! I live in Lafayette, LA.
Lana

My face is SUPER oily so I can't imagine putting olive oil on my face, it would feel slimy to me. That being said, I did find some Avon face cream which is very light, which I can tolerate just on my forehead and cheeks. If I put any on my under-chin or neck, it gets so oily it breaks out pretty much immediately

I just read this:

News anchor gets burned by photo facial

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I suppose it's good to keep in mind that there are risks with any treatment!

Sunnhappy, you can purchase miessence from My website

I also offer $10 worth of product samples for each $100 order.

You don't have to be a rep to buy Miessence. You can register as a preferred customer. I really love their products. I don't have any real skin problems except "mature skin" but it's really making my skin feel softer and the lines are softening. My daughter is using it with success for her skin break out problems.

Miessence also carries a mineral make up dusting powder that's organic as well.

After reading this forum thread, I decided to research natural solutions for rosacea and wrote this article for my website.

Natural Solutions for Rosacea

Perhaps some of you who have rosacea could read it and tell me if you've tried any of these remedies and if they work-or tell me what has worked for you and I can add it to the article.

Lisa, I noted that you said you had problems with moisturizers because your skin is oily. I have had good luck with Sheiseido Pureness Matifying Moisturizer. It doesn't feel oily at all.

Thanks, Diana, I'll look into that!

Hi, I have no idea bout this. I can't help you on this.

[quote=Donna Coogan, C.I.D.]I have rosacea and have it treated in my dermatologist's office with photo rejuvenation therapy. It's something that uses "intense pulsed light." It definitely hurts, but it only takes about 5 minutes for my whole face and it works! It helps reduce brown spots, sun spots & fine lines, too. I started with 6 treatments and now go back once a year for 2 maintenance treatments. I receive lots of complements on how young and smooth my skin is now (I'm 45yo). I still flush when I'm overheated like after a hot shower or exercising, but it goes away quickly. I don't get the rashy spots all over any more. I used to get comments on a regular basis from strangers asking if I was okay bec I was so flushed. Some people would comment on how terribly my face was sunburned, too. It was frustrating and I am thankful I've found a solution that works for me. I even wear pink and red sometimes, now - colors I totally avoided before. If you can afford it and are willing to put up with some temporary pain (the pain is only felt when the treatment is being applied), then I highly recommend talking to your dermatologist about this treatment. I also always use sunscreen (and avoid direct sunlight on my face). And one last thing I totally recommend is Bare Minerals make-up. It really helps tone down any flushing or uneven skin appearance. It's the only make-up I use now. Donna :) [/quote] Interesting...i'm going to look into getting this