Rosacea

Calm Your Skin: Expert Rosacea Treatment & Management in Glasgow

Living with rosacea can be challenging, with its persistent redness, flushing, and sometimes uncomfortable breakouts. If you’re seeking solutions for this common but often misunderstood skin condition, Harley Street Medics in Glasgow offers expert dermatological care. Our specialists are dedicated to helping you understand your rosacea, identify triggers, and access effective treatments to manage symptoms and improve your skin’s health and appearance.

This page will delve into what rosacea is, what causes rosacea, and explore the most effective ways how to treat rosacea and how to get rid of rosacea symptoms, including advanced options available at our Glasgow clinic

Rosacea
Rosacea

Calm Your Skin: Expert Rosacea Treatment & Management in Glasgow

Living with rosacea can be challenging, with its persistent redness, flushing, and sometimes uncomfortable breakouts. If you’re seeking solutions for this common but often misunderstood skin condition, Harley Street Medics in Glasgow offers expert dermatological care. Our specialists are dedicated to helping you understand your rosacea, identify triggers, and access effective treatments to manage symptoms and improve your skin’s health and appearance.

This page will delve into what rosacea is, what causes rosacea, and explore the most effective ways how to treat rosacea and how to get rid of rosacea symptoms, including advanced options available at our Glasgow clinic

What is Rosacea? Understanding This Common Skin Condition

What is rosacea? Rosacea is a chronic (long-term) inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face, although it can occasionally appear on the neck, chest, scalp, or ears. It often begins with a tendency to blush or flush more easily than other people. Over time, this can progress to persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps (papules and pustules).

Rosacea can vary significantly from person to person and is generally categorized into subtypes based on its main features:

  1. Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea (ETR): Characterised by facial flushing, persistent redness (erythema), and visible tiny blood vessels (telangiectasias). The skin may also feel sensitive, sting, or burn.
  2. Papulopustular Rosacea (PPR): Involves persistent redness along with red bumps (papules) and pus-filled pimples (pustules). This type is often mistaken for acne.
  3. Phymatous Rosacea: This less common subtype involves thickening of the skin, leading to an enlarged, bumpy texture. The most well-known example is rhinophyma, where the skin on the nose becomes thick and bulbous.
  4. Ocular Rosacea: Affects the eyes, causing them to look watery or bloodshot. Symptoms can include dryness, irritation, burning, stinging, recurrent styes, and swollen eyelids.

It’s possible to have symptoms of more than one subtype of rosacea at the same time.

What Causes Rosacea? Exploring the Triggers and Factors

The exact answer to “what causes rosacea?” is still not fully understood, but it’s believed to be a complex interplay of hereditary (genetic) and environmental factors. Potential contributors and common triggers include:

  • Genetics: Rosacea often runs in families, suggesting a genetic predisposition.
  • Immune System Response: An overactive immune system may play a role in the inflammation seen in rosacea.
  • Demodex Mites: These microscopic mites live naturally on human skin, but they are often found in greater numbers on the skin of people with rosacea. It’s thought that they may trigger an immune or inflammatory response.
  • Blood Vessel Abnormalities: Issues with the blood vessels in the face can contribute to flushing, persistent redness, and visible vessels.
  • Environmental & Lifestyle Triggers: Many factors can cause rosacea to flare up, including:
    • Sun exposure (a very common trigger)
    • Extreme hot or cold temperatures
    • Wind
    • Spicy foods
    • Hot drinks
    • Alcohol (especially red wine)
    • Stress and emotional upset
    • Certain skincare products or cosmetics
    • Intense exercise

Identifying and avoiding your personal triggers is a key part of managing rosacea.

Rosacea

How to Treat Rosacea: Effective Management for Calmer Skin

Many people ask how to get rid of rosacea permanently. It’s important to understand that while there is currently no known “cure” that will permanently eliminate rosacea (as it is a chronic condition), its symptoms can be very effectively managed and controlled long-term. The goal of treatment is to reduce signs and symptoms, prevent flare-ups, and improve your quality of life.

Lifestyle Modifications and Gentle Skincare:

  • Identify and Avoid Triggers: Keep a diary to pinpoint what causes your rosacea to flare, then try to avoid these factors.
  • Sun Protection: Daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher, ideally SPF 50) is crucial. Physical sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are often better tolerated.
  • Gentle Skincare Routine: Use mild, non-abrasive, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturisers. Avoid harsh exfoliants or products containing alcohol or other irritants.
  • Lukewarm Water: Wash your face with lukewarm water, not hot.
  • Stress Management: Techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing can be helpful.

Professional Rosacea Treatments at Harley Street Medics, Glasgow:

When lifestyle changes aren’t enough to get rid of rosacea symptoms, our dermatologists can recommend various effective medical treatments:

  1. Topical Prescription Medications:
    • Metronidazole cream or gel: An antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties to reduce redness and bumps.
    • Azelaic acid gel or foam: Helps reduce inflammation, bumps, and can lighten areas of persistent redness.
    • Ivermectin cream: Targets Demodex mites and reduces inflammation.
    • Brimonidine gel or Oxymetazoline cream: These are topical vasoconstrictors that can temporarily reduce facial redness by constricting blood vessels. Regarding “what is the best prescription cream for rosacea?” – the “best” option depends on your specific rosacea subtype, severity, and skin type. Our dermatologists will determine the most appropriate prescription for you after a thorough assessment.
  2. Oral Medications:
    • Oral Antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline, lymecycline): Often prescribed in low doses for their anti-inflammatory effects to control the bumps and pustules of papulopustular rosacea.
    • Isotretinoin (low dose): May be considered for severe, treatment-resistant rosacea, prescribed under strict specialist supervision.
  3. Laser and Light-Based Therapies (e.g., IPL): These treatments are highly effective for reducing persistent redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels (telangiectasias). The light energy targets and shrinks the dilated blood vessels. Multiple sessions are usually required for optimal results.
  4. Treatments for Phymatous Rosacea (e.g., Rhinophyma): For skin thickening, particularly on the nose, treatments such as laser resurfacing, electrosurgery, or surgical debulking by a skilled surgeon may be recommended to reshape the tissue and improve appearance.

Your Patient Journey: Managing Rosacea with Our Expert Support

Your journey at Harley Street Medics begins with a comprehensive consultation, including a detailed skin examination and discussion of your symptoms and triggers. We then develop a tailored treatment and management plan for your rosacea.

Learn more about what to expect during your visit to Harley Street Medics.

Hear From Our Patients

Why Choose Harley Street Medics for Rosacea Management in Glasgow?

  • Expert Dermatological Care: Our lead Dermatologist, Dr. Vincent Kabeya, has extensive experience in diagnosing the specific subtype of your rosacea and creating personalised, long-term management plans.
  • Specialist Surgical Options: For advanced cases of phymatous rosacea requiring procedural intervention, our skilled Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Khalil Al-Nakib, can provide expert consultation and treatment.
  • Comprehensive Approach: We focus not just on treating current symptoms but also on trigger identification and long-term management strategies.
  • Advanced Therapies: We offer access to a range of effective treatments, including the latest prescription medications and advanced laser technologies.
  • Patient-Centred Care: We are dedicated to providing supportive, empathetic care to help you manage your rosacea effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rosacea

Let’s address some more common queries:

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a common, chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face, causing redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps or skin thickening.

The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, but it’s thought to involve a combination of genetic, immune system, and environmental factors. Known triggers include sun exposure, stress, spicy foods, and alcohol. Rosacea is not contagious.

Currently, there is no known way to get rid of rosacea permanently as it is a chronic condition. However, its signs and symptoms can be very effectively managed and controlled long-term with appropriate treatments and lifestyle adjustments, leading to significant periods of remission.

How to treat rosacea depends on the type and severity. Treatments include topical prescription creams (e.g., metronidazole, azelaic acid, ivermectin), oral medications (like antibiotics for inflammation), laser and light therapies to reduce redness and visible blood vessels, and lifestyle/trigger management.

There isn’t one single “best” prescription cream for everyone with rosacea. The most suitable cream depends on your specific symptoms (e.g., redness, bumps, mites) and skin type. A dermatologist will prescribe the best option after assessing your condition.

Yes, for some individuals, certain foods and drinks can trigger rosacea flare-ups. Common culprits include spicy foods, hot beverages, alcohol (especially red wine), and cinnamaldehyde-containing foods (like tomatoes, citrus, chocolate). Keeping a food diary can help identify personal dietary triggers.

Yes, sun exposure is one of the most common and significant triggers for rosacea. Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and sun-protective measures are essential for managing the condition

Find Us in Glasgow

Address: 154 Clyde Street, Glasgow, G1 4EX
Phone: 0141 488 8985
Email: hello@harleystreetmedics.clinic

Your Next Step: Book Your Consultation in Glasgow

While rosacea can be a persistent condition, effective management can significantly reduce its impact on your skin and your life. The specialists at Harley Street Medics in Glasgow are here to provide the expert care and support you need.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation and start your journey towards calmer, healthier-looking skin.