Red-faced over Rosacea?

“My face looked like a tomato, and people thought I was blushing when there was initially nothing to be embarrassed about,” said Jennifer Lim*, a 32-year-old office worker. “The worst part was, the flushing and looks from others made me self-conscious and embarrassed.”  Jennifer has rosacea, a chronic facial inflammatory skin disorder characterized by flushing, redness on the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin that initially comes and goes.

Left untreated, the redness becomes more persistent and broken blood vessels may appear. Bumps and pimples often develop, skin may thicken and pores may enlarge. In advanced cases, the nose may become bumpy, red and swollen from excess tissue. In some individuals, rosacea may affect the eyes, causing watery or blood-shot eyes that feel gritty. Over half of people with rosacea may experience eye symptoms.

Generally, rosacea first occurs between the ages 30 – 50, and it occurs most frequently in fair-skinned individuals. More women than men have it, though men who are affected tend to develop more severe cases. Typically, people with rosacea have oily, sensitive skin, which paradoxically may appear dry and dull despite the excess surface sebum. A history of acne is also common.

Depending on symptoms, rosacea is sometimes mistaken for acne, eczema, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis or even systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) rash (forming a butterfly shape). If you suspect that you may have rosacea, it is best to consult a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis.

“Rosacea cannot be prevented or cured: however, it can be treated and controlled and its manifestations can be reversed,” said Dr Zein Obagi, MD, Dermatologist and world-renowned skincare expert.

Because of the chronic nature of rosacea, long-term medical therapy and permanent lifestyle modifications are often needed to maintain remission. ZO has developed Rozatrol™ Normalizing Serum (insert link), a daily treatment serum designed for red, sensitive skin which helps to relieve the signs and symptoms associated with rosacea.

To find out more, locate a ZO skincare specialist near you at (insert link to list of specialists/ clinics)