Rosacea

Rosacea might resemble continuous skin redness and flushing, with visible blood vessels or swollen bumps reminiscent of acne and pimples.

Understanding Rosacea & Its Symptoms

Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face, manifesting through a range of visible symptoms:

  • Persistent redness or flushing

  • Visible blood vessels or broken capillaries (telangiectasia)

  • Small bumps resembling acne or pimple breakouts

  • Skin in the affected area may feel warm and tender to touch

  • Thickened skin with enlarged pores

Despite its prevalence, rosacea is often overlooked and inadequately managed, presenting challenges for those affected by delayed diagnosis, exacerbated by symptoms such as itchiness, stinging, or burning, which can cause distress.

In some cases, rosacea symptoms may flare up, lasting for weeks before subsiding temporarily. Without appropriate treatment, the redness may become more persistent, potentially becoming permanent.

Recognizing Rosacea: Does Your Skin Mirror These?

While rosacea is often characterized by facial redness and flushing, there are actually four distinct subtypes of the condition, each with its own unique set of symptoms. Most individuals may also experience a combination of these concurrently.

 

Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea (ETR)

ETR, the most prevalent subtype of rosacea, is characterised by persistent facial redness, flushing, visible blood vessels (telangiectasia) on the nose, cheeks, and forehead, along with skin sensitivity, stinging, burning, and dryness.

Papulopustular Rosacea

Also known as ‘acne rosacea’, this subtype is marked by acne-like breakouts alongside facial redness. Patients typically develop red, swollen bumps and pus-filled pimples, commonly appearing on the cheeks, chin, and forehead.

 
 

Phymatous Rosacea

This rare subtype, leads to thickening and enlargement of the skin, primarily on the nose (rhinophyma). The skin may develop a bumpy, irregular texture with enlarged pores. In severe cases, the nose can appear bulbous.

Ocular Rosacea

This subtype affects the eyes, resulting in symptoms like redness, irritation, dryness, and sensitivity to light. Patients may experience a gritty, burning sensation, as well as visible blood vessels on the eyelids.

 

If you relate to any of these symptoms, you might be dealing with rosacea. Don't hesitate to schedule a non-obligatory skin consultation with our doctors to learn more about potential treatment options.

Our Approach to Rosacea Management

Fotona Laser Treatment

Fotona Laser treatments effectively address vascular irregularities resulting from rosacea by utilizing thermal energy to eliminate broken capillaries. Simultaneously, they improve skin texture, reducing redness and minimizing visible rosacea-related acne bumps uch as pustules or papules on the skin's surface.

Learn more about Fotona Lasers

BBL (Broadband Light) Therapy

Broadband Light therapy employs a broad spectrum of light wavelengths to selectively diminish the signs of rosacea, including visible blood vessels, skin redness, and facial flushing. Concurrently, this light energy encourages cell turnover and promotes collagen production, fostering new, healthy skin.

Learn more about BBL Treatment

Sylfirm X RF Microneedling

Dual-wave Radiofrequency (RF) Microneedling, combined with exosomes, offers an effective solution for minimising blood vessels and improving skin texture. The RF energy also helps stimulate collagen production and the addition of exosomes can further enhance the skin’s healing and rejuvenation process.

Learn more about Sylfirm X

What is the best rosacea treatment in Singapore?

The search for the best rosacea treatment may seem elusive, but the key lies in understanding the complexity of this skin disorder. Rosacea treatments are far from a ‘one-size-fits'-all’, with several distinct types that can appear differently in each patient. Some may struggle with facial redness and flushing, while others battle the acne-like bumps of papulopustular Rosacea. Often, individuals also experience a combination of these symptoms.

It's important to note that what works well for one rosacea patient may not be as effective for another: given the diverse nature of rosacea, there is no universal "best" treatment. The most effective approach requires the expertise of a qualified doctor, who can carefully evaluate your unique skin condition and develop a personalised management plan. This may involve a blend of medical-grade skincare, different modalities of treatments, and lifestyle modifications to target your specific rosacea concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rosacea

  • Rosacea is typically a chronic condition, meaning it often persists throughout a person's life. While there isn't a permanent cure for rosacea, various treatments can effectively manage its symptoms and minimize flare-ups, allowing individuals to maintain clearer and healthier-looking skin.

    At our clinic, we've seen successful cases in rosacea management among our patients. Many have achieved healthier skin with significantly reduced recurrence of rosacea flare-ups, enabling them to lead their daily lives without disruption.

    However, it's crucial to note that the right diagnosis and the right choice of treatment are essential in maintaining rosacea effectively.

  • Rosacea presents as a complex skin condition, requiring personalized medical care and treatment from a qualified doctor. While home remedies discovered on the internet may appear cost-effective and speedy, despite their bold assertions, they are unlikely to effectively address rosacea.

    Opting for self-care without professional guidance may inadvertently worsen rosacea symptoms, leading to more irritation. It's crucial to consult a professional for treatment solutions, ensuring effective rosacea management.

  • While the exact cause of rosacea remains unknown, research suggests several potential contributing factors that may trigger or exacerbate rosacea symptoms:

    • Genetic Predisposition & Environmental Factors: Rosacea frequently appears with a hereditary background and typically manifests between the ages of 30 and 60. Additionally, it is more prevalent among individuals with fair skin and women experiencing menopause.

    • Weather Conditions: Exposure to abrupt shifts in temperature changes between hot and cold environments can trigger vasodilation, leading to rosacea flushing and redness. As a result, it a common concern for many individuals in Singapore's tropical climate, including those returning from their travels

    • Excess Sun Exposure: The ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight can prompt the dilation of blood vessels, making them more visible, resulting in the redness and flushing linked to rosacea. Prolonged sun exposure can also escalate skin inflammation and irritation, further aggravating rosacea symptoms.

    • Chronic Stress: Increased stress can result in an overactive immune response and heightened inflammation, which are contributing factors to the onset of roscaea. Additionally, stress can disrupt the skin's barrier function, making it more prone to skin irritation and flare-ups.

  • Steroids can potentially trigger rosacea flare-ups, leading to a condition known as ‘steroid-induced rosacea’. This occurs when prolonged or inapproriate use of steroids, either orally or injected, causes redness, flushing, visible blood vessels (telangiectasia), dryness, the acne-like eruptions such as papules and pustules — all of which are common symptoms of rosacea.

  • Rosacea and sensitive skin are separate issues, even though they sometimes occur together. While individuals with rosacea often experience skin sensitivity, rosacea alone does not imply that your skin is sensitive. The sensitivity experienced by some individuals with rosacea is thought to stem from inflammation and increased blood flow in the skin.

    Nevertheless, skin sensitivity can arise from various factors beyond rosacea, such as inherent sensitivity or the use of harsh skincare products. Treatments for sensitive skin typically aim to restore the skin barrier to its normal state, while those for rosacea focus on alleviating symptoms like redness, flushing, and inflammation, as well as eliminating visible blood vessels.

    While both conditions may benefit from similar skincare practices, such as using gentle products and avoiding triggers, rosacea often requires tailored treatments to effectively manage its symptoms.

  • To differentiate between rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis or eczema, it's important to note several key distinctions:

    • Skin Appearance: Rosacea typically manifests as redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels, mainly affecting the central face, such as the cheeks, nose, and forehead. Conversely, seborrheic dermatitis or eczema often presents with scaly, greasy, or flaky patches, typically found around the nose, eyebrows, and scalp.

    • Texture & Scaling: Although both conditions can result in scaling, their appearances differ. Rosacea usually exhibits a more dispersed distribution of white scales, while seborrheic dermatitis or eczema often displays a patchy pattern of yellow, oily scales.

    • Triggers: Rosacea triggers may include factors like sun exposure, spicy foods, and temperature changes, whereas seborrheic dermatitis or eczema may worsen due to stress, fatigue, and seasonal variations.

    Consulting an experienced doctor can aid in distinguishing between the two conditions based on their distinctive vascular patterns and scale characteristics.

  • Rosacea often starts with flushing or blushing — some may think naturally rosy cheeks are due to genetics, but it might actually be rosacea. If your face is constantly red even without excess sun exposure, it could mean you have rosacea. It usually begins in the center of your face and can spread to your ears, scalp, neck, upper chest, or back over time. Individuals with rosacea may also notice small blood vessels appearing on their face.