Unpredictable and persistent facial redness, red bumps and pus-filled pimples… the signs and symptoms of rosacea can induce both extreme self-consciousness and distress.
And, if you’re reading this article, it’s more than likely you’ve arrived at it believing you have rosacea.Despite initial feelings that you may be suffering in solitude, rosacea is, in fact, a rather common skin condition. Not only do many of our Avicenna Clinic patients visit us about rosacea, but also the NHS estimates as many as one in ten people in the UK have it (while in the USA, the National Rosacea Society estimates 5% of the population there suffer).
Here, we concentrate on our expert recommendations for alleviating and managing this condition. If you would like to understand more about the known triggers of rosacea, please visit our partner feature on rosacea here.
So… what is the cure for rosacea?
Rather frustratingly, rosacea is incurable. However, as mentioned in our partner blog about rosacea triggers, once you understand your individual triggers you will be able to effectively keep it under control. Key to rosacea management is early diagnosis. If ignored and untreated, it’s most likely symptoms will worsen and will therefore become harder to treat.With our background in Traditional Chinese Medicine, we approach rosacea from the angle of it representing an energetic imbalance in your body. When entirely health, Qi (blood and energy) flows entirely freely. With rosacea, energy in the form of heat becomes trapped in the lung, stomach or spleen systems, blood circulation becomes stagnant and heat rises to the face, bringing with it inflammation.
Practiced for thousands of years and integral to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the experienced and certified practitioners in our Avicenna Clinic effectively alleviate rosacea symptoms with acupuncture treatment. Following a thorough consultation and examination, micro-needles are then inserted into energy-channels called meridians in order to clear these ‘heat’ blockages, stimulate the body's own healing power and restore a smooth Qi flow.
Alongside acupuncture, plus recommendations for diet and lifestyle changes, we also offer a range of carefully hand-crafted skincare tinctures and creams – formulated with renowned herbs and actives known to soothe and calm redness, swelling and discomfort.
Our soothing skincare routine for rosacea
It goes without saying that rosacea sufferers should avoid fragranced cleansers and moisturisers, as well as conventional skin exfoliators and chemical peels.Massage a creamy, unperfumed cleanser such as Jin Yin Hua / Honeysuckle Face Wash into skin to gently clear impurities before rinsing away with cool or tepid water. As hot or very warm water, as well as flannel or muslin cloths, can exacerbate your rosacea, be sure to avoid them.
Next, soak a cotton pad in Jiu Zha Ding / Balancing Tincture and press lightly onto skin. Formulated with soothing Rhubarb and Monnier's Snowparsley extracts plus antioxidant Skullcap Root Extract, it gently helps balance any red or rosacea-prone areas on skin.
To follow, massage a little Jiu Zha Shui Gao / Balancing Cream into skin – reapplying throughout the day whenever you require. Enriched with a powerful blend of renowned actives, including rehydrating Safflower Seed Oil, soothing Evening Primrose Seed Extract and antioxidant Gingko Biloba Leaf, it boosts moisture and promotes skin harmony.
Overnight, treat skin to our intensely soothing Fei Zi Dian Dao Shui / Pure & Clear Night Gel. A potent yet lightweight and comfortable gel texture, this exclusive infusion of Aloe Vera, Tu Da Huang and Huang Lian soothes inflammation as it nourishes, easing redness and rosacea. Every so often, we would also recommend you use Xiao Cuo Mian Mo / Cleanse & Clear Face Mask as a treatment mask.