April is National Rosacea Awareness Month, a time to shed light on a condition that affects over 16 million Americans. More than just a simple blush, rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that can significantly impact one’s confidence and quality of life. Below, we answer some common questions to help increase understanding and awareness.

Question: What is rosacea?

Answer: A chronic, inflammatory skin condition characterized by redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels on the face, most commonly the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin.

Question: What causes rosacea?

Answer: The exact cause isn’t well understood, but a combination of genetics, immune system factors, and environmental triggers is thought to play a role.

Question: What are the triggers of rosacea?

Answer: Common triggers include sun exposure, hot beverages, spicy foods, alcohol (especially red wine), stress, heat, and wind.

Question: Can rosacea be cured?

Answer: While rosacea can’t be cured, it can be effectively managed with rosacea treatments such as topical or oral medications, and laser treatments such as Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL).

Facts about rosacea:

• An estimated 16 million people in the US suffer from rosacea
• Rosacea is not due to dirty skin—it’s a chronic inflammatory condition. Gentle skincare is actually one of the best ways to manage it.
• Rosacea affects all skin tones. It may just present differently in darker skin, sometimes making it harder to spot.

Pulsed-Dye Laser treatments can effectively treat the redness and broken blood vessels associated with rosacea. Talk to your dermatologist if this is right for you!