Rosacea (Red Face)
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What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels on the central face. Sometimes, it is also associated with small, red pustules that are often confused with traditional acne. These symptoms typically flare up for several weeks or even months at a time before diminishing for a while. It’s often misdiagnosed as another skin condition, such as acne, dermatitis, or other issues, so it is important to have a comprehensive skin evaluation by one of our providers for proper diagnosis.
Common rosacea symptoms include:
- Skin redness and flushing of the central facial skin.
- Visible blood vessels.
- Swollen bumps that may contain pus.
- Sensitive skin that may feel hot.
- Eye irritation or swollen eyelids (ocular rosacea).
- Thickened skin due to excess tissue on the nose (rhinophyma).
Who gets Rosacea?
Rosacea affects men and women, but it most commonly presents in middle-aged people with fairer skin. The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, but it is an inflammatory condition likely due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. A number of factors are known to trigger and aggravate it in some patients. The following triggers may make symptoms worse:
- Sun exposure
- Spicy foods
- Hot beverages
- Alcohol
- Hot weather
- Cold weather
- Hot baths
- Wind
- Emotional stress
- Heavy exercise
- Cosmetics
- Certain medications
What are Some Common Signs and Symptoms of Rosacea?
Rosacea most commonly causes a persistent redness in the central part of your face. Along with facial redness, patients with rosacea also commonly develop small blood vessels on the nose and cheeks, which tend to swell and become visible.
Many people who have rosacea also develop pimples on their face that resemble acne. These bumps sometimes contain pus. Your skin may also feel hot and tender.
A large percentage of people who have rosacea also experience ocular rosacea, which includes eye dryness, irritation, and swollen, reddened eyelids. In some people with rosacea, the eye symptoms occur before the skin symptoms.
Although rare, rosacea can cause skin thickening on the nose, causing the nose to appear enlarged (rhinophyma). This occurs more often in men than in women.
Rosacea Treatment Options
There are various options to treat mild to severe rosacea. Medications may be prescribed to help with your symptoms, paired with gentle skin care, depending on your individual findings. At Clear Dermatology & Aesthetics Center, we also offer other treatment options, which may include:
Laser Treatment
Vbeam Perfecta is one of the gold-standard lasers for treating vascular rosacea. It uses a pulsed dye laser to target blood vessels without harming the surrounding skin.
IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments are commonly used to treat rosacea, particularly for reducing the redness and visible blood vessels associated with the condition. It works by delivering a broad-spectrum light that targets blood vessels and pigmentation beneath the skin’s surface.
Fraxel laser is used to resurface the skin, improving skin texture, wrinkles, scars, and pigmentation. While Fraxel is not the gold standard for treating rosacea, it can help to reduce some effects associated with rosacea, such as texture irregularities, scarring, and redness caused by inflammation.
Clear + Brilliant is a gentle laser resurfacing treatment that focuses on improving skin tone and texture. While it is not specifically designed for rosacea, it can complement rosacea management by enhancing overall skin health and addressing roughness or mild redness.
Schedule a Consutlation
If you are living with the symptoms of rosacea and are seeking an effective treatment option, our team at Clear Dermatology & Aesthetics Center in Scottsdale, AZ can help. We offer an array of rosacea solutions to treat even the most sensitive skin. To learn more about rosacea, its symptoms, and treatment options, please contact us today through our online contact form.
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What are some common signs of Rosacea?
Rosacea most commonly causes a persistent redness in the central part of your face. Patients with rosacea also commonly develop small blood vessels on the nose and cheeks, which tend to swell and become visible.
Many people who have rosacea also develop pimples on their face that resemble acne. These bumps sometimes contain pus. Your skin may also feel hot and tender.
A large percentage of people who have rosacea also experience eye dryness, irritation and swollen, reddened eyelids. In some people with rosacea, the eye symptoms precede the skin symptoms.
Although rare, rosacea can thicken the skin on the nose, causing the nose to appear enlarged (rhinophyma). This occurs more often in men than in women.

What is rosacea, and what are its symptoms?
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterized by facial redness, visible blood vessels, dry eyes, and sometimes acne-like bumps and irritation.
What triggers rosacea flare-ups?
Common triggers include spicy foods, alcohol, sun exposure, stress, hot beverages, and extreme temperatures.
How can rosacea be treated or managed?
Rosacea can be managed with topical medications, oral antibiotics, laser treatments, and lifestyle changes to avoid triggers.
Can rosacea go away on its own?
Rosacea is a chronic condition that doesn’t go away on its own, but symptoms can be effectively managed with proper care and treatment.
What skincare products are best for rosacea?
Products with soothing ingredients like niacinamide, aloe vera, and ceramides are ideal. Avoid harsh exfoliants, alcohol-based toners, and fragrances.