Rosacea is something that’s incredibly important to me, because I have it myself. It’s a hereditary inflammatory blood vessel disease, and I’ve been treating my own rosacea for what feels like forever. Rosacea treatment isn’t a one-and-done fix. It’s ongoing management, and once you understand why, it makes a lot more sense.
What Is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a hereditary inflammatory condition that affects the blood vessels in your skin. It’s not something you caught or did to yourself. You were more or less always going to get it if it’s in your genes, and it shows up as redness, visible vessels and sensitivity, usually across the cheeks, nose and chin.
Why Does Rosacea Keep Coming Back?
Because your body is very clever, and it grows more vessels. You treat it, you bring it under control, and then the underlying tendency just quietly builds new pathways again. It’s like weeds in that sense. You can clear the garden, but if the roots are still there, something new is going to come up. That’s why rosacea treatment plans are built around ongoing management rather than a single procedure that can get rid of it forever.
How Do You Know If You Have Rosacea?
You’ll usually notice flushing or persistent redness that gets worse with specific triggers rather than staying constant. Heat can set it off, cold can set it off, spicy food can set it off, alcohol can set it off. If your skin reacts strongly and visibly to those kinds of things and the redness doesn’t fully settle between flares, that pattern is worth having assessed properly rather than just putting down to “sensitive skin.”
Can You Prevent Rosacea Flare-Ups?
You can’t prevent rosacea itself since it’s hereditary, but you can reduce how often and how badly it flares. That starts with knowing your personal triggers, because they’re not the same for everyone, and being consistent with a gentle, barrier-supporting skincare routine day to day rather than only reaching for products when you’re already flared up.
What’s the Best Treatment for Rosacea?
There isn’t just one “best treatment”, what’s best for treating and managing many individuals’ rosacea is usually a combination of things, and we build the plan from the gentlest layer up. The way I think about it as a treatment plan in summary is:
- barrier support
- topical therapeutic products
- oral pharmacology and
- energy-based treatment
Barrier support means good skincare first. That’s the foundation, and it’s where every plan starts regardless of how severe things are.
From there we layer in topical therapeutic products and, where appropriate, oral pharmacology, prescribed and monitored by your treating doctor.
For the vascular side of rosacea, energy-based treatment is where IPL comes in, and it’s a common and effective option. We also have a new device, the new BBL HEROic with a vascular platform, which will add another option specifically for treating this once it’s up and running.
As with any energy-based treatment, there are risks to be upfront about, including temporary redness, bruising or changes in pigment, which is why these treatments are matched to your skin and your rosacea specifically rather than applied as a blanket approach.
We’re setting up a designated rosacea clinic at our Innaloo location, because this condition really does deserve its own proper treatment plan rather than being squeezed into a general appointment.
FAQ
Is rosacea curable?
No, rosacea is a hereditary condition that can be managed but not cured, so treatment plans focus on control rather than a permanent fix.
What triggers rosacea flare-ups?
Common triggers include heat, cold, spicy food like curry, and alcohol such as red wine, though triggers vary from person to person.
Is IPL good for rosacea?
Yes, IPL is a common and effective energy-based treatment for the visible blood vessels associated with rosacea.
What is the BBL vascular platform?
The BBL HEROic is a new device at Absolute Cosmetic with a vascular treatment mode designed to target rosacea-related vessels.
Do I need oral medication for rosacea?
Not always. It depends on severity, and any oral pharmacology is prescribed and monitored by your treating doctor as part of a broader plan.
Where can I get rosacea treatment in Perth?
Absolute Cosmetic is setting up a designated rosacea clinic at our Innaloo location to provide tailored, multi-modality treatment plans.
This information is general in nature and does not replace personalised medical advice. Results and suitability for treatment vary between individuals. Please consult with our practitioners to discuss a treatment plan tailored to your skin.
Ready to get your rosacea properly assessed? Book a consultation with our team and let’s build a treatment plan that actually works for you.
