16 Mar

Rosacea Triggers and How to Avoid Them

We all do our best to keep our skin healthy, youthful, and beautiful. From committing to a proper skincare routine all the way to sticking to a healthy diet, there are numerous things we can do to maintain a graceful glow. However, a blemish here and skin condition there could seriously dim the radiance of your complexion.

One of the most common skin conditions that people struggle with is rosacea. Aside from disrupting the harmony of your skin, this disorder can also feel quite uncomfortable.

We’re here to discuss the most common rosacea triggers and how you can avoid them, because you deserve to look and feel your best — all day, every day, 24/7.

What Is Rosacea?

Before tackling the rosacea triggers and treatments, let’s get more acquainted with this skin condition.

Rosacea causes flushing, blushing, and visible blood vessels to appear on the face. On some occasions, rosacea may also produce small, pus-filled bumps that cause swelling or even eye discomfort. The symptoms may flare up for weeks or months; but they vary from one person to another.

While middle-aged white women may be more prone to developing rosacea, it can affect anyone. So far, there is no actual cure for rosacea, but there are several treatments that are specially designed to control and reduce the symptoms.

Common Rosacea Triggers

The culprits responsible for rosacea don’t stand in a straight line, as this skin condition can be triggered by a multitude of elements, such as certain food, activities, weather conditions, as well as sudden emotional changes.

Let’s take a closer look at these common rosacea triggers:

Food and Drinks

• Drinking alcoholic beverages;
• Consuming spicy food;
• Excessively hot food; and
• Excessively hot drinks.

Activities

• Strenuous exercise (or other types of severe physical exertion);
• Saunas; and
• Hot baths.

Weather Conditions

• Extreme temperatures (hot or cold);
• Humidity;
• Strong winds; and
• Prolonged sun exposure.

Health Conditions

• Chronic cough;
• Menopause;
• Stress;
• Anxiety;
• Sudden change in emotions (e.g. embarrassment, laughter outbursts); and
• Caffeine withdrawal.

Skincare Products/Medicaton

Harsh skincare products (Medical-grade skincare products are always the safer choice); and
Certain medications (e.g. blood pressure drugs, opiate painkillers, topical steroids).

Important Note:
Not all of these factors will trigger rosacea symptoms, as everyone reacts differently. In order to identify what is causing your rosacea, keep track of your food and drink intake and other things that are part of your lifestyle that could contribute to flare-ups. Always consult a skincare specialist before choosing a procedure.

How to Prevent Rosacea

When you have identified what your specific rosacea triggers are, it’s time to battle them head-on with the proper treatment. While you work with your skincare specialist to alleviate the symptoms, it would also be a good idea to proactively prevent flare-ups from recurring in the future.

Monitor What You Eat and Drink

If your rosacea triggers are tied to food, you will need to adjust accordingly. We know, it’s difficult to give up a specific type of food that you enjoy so much. But keep your eyes on the prize: a healthy and glowing complexion.

While you should stop eating food that triggers your rosacea, you can always use substitutions. If you’re a spicy salsa fanatic, you can trade that Scoville Scale-breaking sauce for a milder one instead. You’ll still get all that flavour, just minus the esophagus-burning and rosacea-inducing spice.
Also, if you can’t start your day without a piping hot cup of coffee, replace the steam with some ice. Iced coffee is just as delicious and is bound to fuel you for your day.

Avoid Strenuous Activities

Exercise is an essential part of our lives. We all need to work out in order to stay in shape, both inside and out. Then again, too much time at the gym can worsen your rosacea.

So, how do we make the compromise here?

• • Give up those long, non-stop, intricate hours of working out.
  • Break a sweat in shorter segments.
  • Opt for low-intensity workouts instead of high-impact exercises.
  • Refrain from exercising outside when the weather is too hot.
  • Turn on the air conditioner when working out indoors.

Finally, drink plenty of water and cover your face with a cool cloth afterwards, before you hit the showers. The key lies in maintaining your body temperature at an optimal level. Don’t overheat or freeze; rosacea loves that.

Protect Yourself From Extreme Weather Conditions

Your mom may have told you this time and time again, but we’re going to repeat it just for good measure: when you go out, always wear a hat and sunscreen to protect your skin.

Natural vitamin D from the sunlight is great for your health, but too much sun exposure can have repercussions on the dermis, like rosacea.

Consult a Doctor About Your Medication’s Side Effects

If you suspect that a type of medicine triggers your rosacea, consult your doctor to find out if you can take an alternative drug.

Be Kind to Yourself!

Your mind is stronger than you think; if you’re not careful, it can even be one of the most common rosacea triggers. Reduce emotional stress by finding ways to calm yourself before you burnt out. Too much stress can cause rosacea flare ups and even age you beyond your years.

Great ways to kick stress out the door and replace it with serenity include:

• • • Practicing yoga;
    • Doing deep breathing exercises;
    • Immersing yourself in meditation;
    • Listening to ASMR;
    • Taking a warm bath;
    • Playing soothing music;
    • Reading a good book;
    • Taking a nap;
    • Calling a friend;
    • Smelling lavender; and/or
    • Getting a facial.

Treat Rosacea at Harmony Med Spa

If rosacea is the problem, microneedling is the remedy.

It’s a solution that reduces the symptoms of rosacea in order to restore your healthy, smooth, and beautiful skin. Also known as Collagen Induction Therapy, this cosmetic treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes fine needles to create tiny punctures in the dermis, which stimulates the wound healing process. As a result, your body will be prompted to produce more collagen.

As an added perk, microneedling doesn’t just help you fight off rosacea triggers — it also minimizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and stretch marks. Aside from microneedling, Harmony Med Spa offers a wide variety of rosacea treatments that will alleviate the symptoms and restore your glow.

Go from rosacea to rosy and book your consultation with Harmony Med Spa today!