Rosacea Review

Fall 2004

• FEATURE: Scientists Reveal New Advances in Understanding Common Disorder
• FEATURE: New System Introduced for Assessing Rosacea
• FEATURE: New Survey Shows Rosacea Tends to Evolve Beyond One Subtype
• Q & A: Answers to Readers' Questions
• TIPS: Routine Facial Cleansing
• READER SURVEY ON ROSACEA
• BRIEF: New Patient Diary Now Available
• BRIEF: Rosacea Occurs with Seborrheic Dermatitis

Tips for Routine Facial Cleansing

In addition to medical therapy, a gentle twice-daily facial cleansing routine can help keep your rosacea under control. Here are some tips that will leave your skin clean without aggravating your condition.

• Use a very mild soap or non-soap cleanser. Any products that might irritate skin are not useful.


• Massage cleanser with your fingertips. A soft pad or washcloth may also be gently used, but patients should avoid rough or abrasive materials, loofahs, brushes or sponges.


• Rinse the face with lukewarm water. Avoid temperature extremes, especially hot water, which may cause flushing.


• Dry the face gently. Blot with a soft and thick cotton towel. Never pull, tug, scrape or scratch.


• Air dry before applying medication. Let your face dry until surface moisture is gone. Then apply any topical medication that has been prescribed. Let the face dry again before using any moisturizers, sunscreen, makeup or other skin-care products.


• Don't view comments as negative. Most reactions to rosacea are simply caused by curiosity and ignorance of the disorder, rather than some negative intent. Turn these situations into positive educational opportunities by openly discussing your condition.


• Knowledge leads to understanding. Taking the initiative to inform others about rosacea can put them at ease. At an opportune time, casually mention you have rosacea, a chronic facial condition that affects millions of Americans and is becoming more prevalent as the baby boom generation enters the most susceptible ages.


• Describe the changing rosacea condition. Explain how rosacea causes redness, bumps and pimples that may come and go, and can become worse during a flare-up. Pass along that rosacea is not contagious and that you try to control the condition with medication and by avoiding personal rosacea triggers.
  
• Dispel myths. Mistakenly, some people associate red faces and noses with heavy drinking, and the acne-like signs of rosacea with poor hygiene. Point out that both are untrue in the case of rosacea. Rosacea is unrelated to hygiene and, while alcohol can aggravate the disorder, the signs and symptoms can be just as severe in a teetotaler.
  
• Avoid irritating skin-care products. Eliminate or find alternatives for any skin-care products that sting, burn, irritate or cause redness.