The Many Faces of Rosacea: Understanding Different Types of Rosacea and Their Treatments

Rosacea is a common skin condition, with some reports suggesting as many as one in 10 people in the UK have it. Characterised by flushing, redness and broken blood vessels in the face, rosacea can not only severely affect sufferers' self-esteem but can also be very uncomfortable and sometimes downright painful.

It might not be dangerous to your overall health, but left untreated, rosacea can progress, leading to more redness, spots and discomfort. Those who have successfully treated their rosacea report major improvements in their overall quality of life.

What is rosacea?

Generally recognised as 'mid-facial redness', rosacea is a condition that causes inflammation of the facial skin, along with visibly broken blood vessels, and – in some cases – papules. The condition can affect anyone, of any skin type, but it is most common in Caucasian women over 30, particularly those with very fair skin.

The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, but some potential causes are:

• Genetics

• Circulation problems or increased neural sensitivity in the skin

• An overgrowth of gut bacteria

• Hypersensitivity to Dermodex mite found in the skin

It can be triggered/ exacerbated by sunlight, alcohol, spicy foods, stress and changes of temperature among other things.

There are several possible treatments for rosacea – for which more detailed information can be found on our treatment pages – the correct treatment will depend on which type of rosacea you have.

The different types of rosacea

Many people are unaware of the different types of this skin condition, but it is essential to understand which type you have in order to manage and treat it effectively. It is not uncommon to have a combination of two different types.

There are four main different types of rosacea:

1. Erythemato-telangiectatic Rosacea – this is probably the most common type of rosacea and is characterised by visible broken blood vessels around the cheek and nose area, often also associated with a sudden flushing of the skin, sometimes with no warning, or sometimes with a known trigger, such as alcohol.

2. Papulopustular Rosacea – this type of rosacea typically affects the central part of the face and is associated with spots and pimples, though not always with oily skin. The lack of comedones distinguishes it from acne (although it is sometimes known as 'acne rosacea'). Of course, the two types of acne may co-exist.

3. Phymomatous Rosacea – this is a rarer type of rosacea, which typically, though not always, affects men. Phymomatous Rosacea is characterised by a thickening of the skin on the nose due to an increased number of oil glands. It can become quite disfiguring.

4. Ocular Rosacea is rosacea that affects the eye lids, causing redness, inflammation and affecting the tear secretions leading to dry eyes. There can also be some swelling and stye-like bumps.

How to treat the different types of rosacea

There are several ways to treat rosacea, and the treatment that is right for you will depend on many factors, particularly the type you have. This is one of my favourite conditions to treat and I have established combinations of oral and topical treatments alongside Intense Pulsed Light, with outstanding results- see website for some before and after photographs.

Please contact us for more information or to book a consultation to discuss which treatment is best for you.