How to get rid of rosacea permanently

Rosacea is a common skin condition that is highly manageable with various treatments and self-care habits. The type of treatment you need and how long you need to do it depends on your symptoms and how severe they are.

In this article, we will explore the treatments administered for different types of rosacea, along with self-care tips to help manage your symptoms and keep flare-ups at a minimum. We will also talk about what it means when your symptoms have subsided for a while and what to do if flare-ups keep reoccurring.

Is there a permanent treatment for rosacea?

Even though rosacea is a highly manageable skin condition, it has no permanent treatment.

However, you can manage your symptoms with a personalised skincare plan from your GetHarley Practitioner and by avoiding known triggers like alcohol and spicy foods. Treatment may consist of prescription-grade creams delivered straight to your door.

Your specific treatment option will depend on your skin and the type of rosacea you have, so someone else’s skincare plan may not work as well for you. Your GetHarley Practitioner will work with you to tailor your treatment plan according to your symptoms.

Why is there no cure for rosacea?

The medical community has not agreed on a single cause for rosacea, but several factors as considered to play a part:

• A dysregulation in the immune system alters the skin microbiome, causing excess inflammation and dilated blood vessels
• Genetics
• Environmental triggers, which include alcohol, spicy foods, sunlight, and heat

Despite not having a permanent treatment yet, rosacea’s symptoms can be managed with an effective, long-term, personalised skincare plan. If you want to find out exactly what will work best for you, book a GetHarley skin consultation today—we will match you with one of our industry leading practitioners.

How is rosacea treated?

Rosacea treatment varies depending on your symptoms and where they appear (which determines the type of rosacea you have). Sometimes, the symptoms from each type overlap, which may influence the treatment plan you will be recommended.

Let’s look at the four types of rosacea and how they’re treated:

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea

If you suffer from flushing and persistent redness of the face (also known as erythema) and may have visibly enlarged blood vessels (also called telangiectasia), you have erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. These symptoms are more difficult to see if you have a darker skin tone.

Because this type of rosacea does not respond to antibiotics, it is likely a topical gel (like brimonidine) will work best for you. You may also be given a green cream if skin redness and visible blood vessels are a concern.

Laser therapy with a pulsed-dye laser may also be recommended if the redness and enlarged blood vessels are consistently on the same spot, but keep in mind that the results of this treatment are not permanent.

Papulopustular rosacea

Also known as “inflammatory rosacea,” this type is characterised by small red bumps (papules) and/or pus-filled spots (pustules). Treatment depends on what symptoms you have and if it is reoccurring.

• For milder cases, you will likely be recommended a topical gel/cream, such as ivermectin or metronidazole.
• For severe cases, you might be recommended oral antibiotics (such as tetracycline or erythromycin) along with your topical gel/cream. Symptoms can sometimes take several months to respond to treatment.
• For recurring cases, you will likely be advised to use the same treatment you were given previously. Your GetHarley Practitioner may adjust your personalised skincare plan to help manage your symptoms.

Phymatous rosacea

The most common site for this type of rosacea is the nose (known scientifically as rhinophyma), but it may also occur on the chin, forehead, cheeks, or ears.

When you have phymatous rosacea, the affected area will appear redder and more swollen. The formation of scar-like tissue causes swelling, and the affected area will have enlarged sebaceous glands and a bumpy surface.

Topical gels/creams and oral antibiotics are usually ineffective for phymatous rosacea, so you will likely be referred to a specialist surgeon to remove the excess tissue and reshape the affected area. Depending on the severity of the growth, your practitioner may recommend CO2 laser treatment for this purpose.

(Other treatments do exist, such as Dermabrasion (removal of excess skin tissue), Electrosurgery/Electrocautery (using high-frequency electric currents) and scalpel excision. However, CO2 laser is considered by many practitioners to be the most effective option).

Keep in mind that these procedures do not treat phymatous rosacea; rather they are meant to reshape the affected area back to normal. Your symptoms may return after this procedure. If so, your GetHarley Practitioner will work with you for further treatment options.

Ocular rosacea

Ocular rosacea is characterised by irritated eyes, sore eyelids and crusting around the eyelashes (also known as blepharitis). If the cornea is inflamed, there may be a risk of rosacea keratitis—which could lead to blurred vision. Early treatment can often prevent vision problems due to ocular rosacea.

Managing and treating ocular rosacea involves a combination of the following:

• Cleaning the eyelids using cotton wool soaked in warm water and placing it on the surface for 5-10 minutes
• Oral antibiotics, such as tetracyclines or erythromycin
• Eye lubricants, such as artificial tears or other lubricating ointment

If your symptoms are more severe or reoccurring, your GetHarley Practitioner may refer you to an ophthalmologist to ensure your symptoms do not lead to further vision-related problems.

What’s the most effective treatment for rosacea?

There is not a single most effective treatment for rosacea because it depends on your symptoms. While some patients may respond well to oral antibiotics, others may have a type of rosacea that cannot be treated with oral medications. There may even be cases where a more direct treatment, such as surgery, is required.

However, you can help manage your symptoms and potentially prevent a recurrence by booking an online skin consultation with GetHarley today. By answering just a few questions about your symptoms and availability, we can match you with a practitioner who can recommend the right rosacea treatment for you.

What if my rosacea treatment is not working?

It may take a few weeks to start seeing improvements from your treatment, especially if your symptoms are severe. Continue following your personalised treatment plan from GetHarley, and you should start seeing gradual improvements.

However, if you do not notice any significant improvements two months later, let your GetHarley Practitioner know during your consultation. A different approach, such as a change in your personalised skincare plan, may be necessary.

Self-care tips for rosacea prevention

Here are some basic self-care steps you can start implementing to help control your symptoms alongside your personalised treatment plan:

Avoid or limit your exposure to common triggers, such as:

• Alcohol
• Spicy foods
• Hot drinks, such as tea or coffee
• Direct exposure to sunshine
• Prolonged exposure to hot or cold weather
• Stress

Use gentle cleansers, moisturisers, and skincare products that are labelled as “mild”, “hypoallergenic”, “non-comedogenic” (will not clog your pores), or “fragrance-free”. Avoid products that have:

• Fragrances
• Alcohol
• Menthol
• Eucalyptus oil
• Peppermint
• Camphor
• Witch hazel
• Lanolin
• Sodium lauryl sulphate
• Clove oil

Wear high-SPF sunscreen (at least SPF 30) every day. Even on cloudy days, because UV exposure can significantly worsen symptoms. You may have to reapply your sunscreen if you will be outdoors for a while.

Consider wearing a hat to keep the sun away or a face covering during cold weather.

Unless specifically directed by your practitioner, avoid creams that contain corticosteroids or those meant for treating acne, as they can make rosacea symptoms worse.

If you have ocular rosacea, clean your eyelids regularly with cotton wool soaked in warm water.

Do not rub or scrub your skin with a facecloth or facial sponge when cleansing your face. Instead, gently use your fingertips.

Use an emollient soap substitute to cleanse your face. Make sure to apply it gently with your fingertips using a circular motion.

Consider using a rosacea-friendly moisturiser after cleansing your face. If you are using a gel or cream to treat your rosacea, apply it before using your moisturiser.

If you are trying a new skincare product, test it before applying it to your face. Choose a small spot of your skin for testing (such as your elbow) and apply the product there as you normally would for seven days. If there is no skin reaction after seven days, use the product on your face as usual.

Consider using rosacea-friendly skin camouflage products (such as creams and powders that match your skin tone) if constant redness and/or visible blood vessels are a cause of concern. Ask your GetHarley Practitioner for guidance on how to use these products to reduce your symptoms’ appearance.

If my rosacea is gone, does it mean it’s permanently treated?

The absence of rosacea symptoms does not mean it is permanently treated—it means you are managing your symptoms well. With a personalised skincare plan from GetHarley and trigger avoidance, you can keep your symptoms at bay.

However, a return of your symptoms after a successful treatment does not mean you have done something wrong. Multiple factors can cause a rosacea flare-up, so your symptoms can still return even if you do everything right.

What if my rosacea keeps coming back?

If your rosacea keeps reoccurring despite your personalised treatment plan, let your GetHarley Practitioner know. Before your consultation, make sure to:

• Make a note of what you were doing at the time: It is possible that something in your environment triggered your symptoms. Were you exposed to sunlight for an extended period, or were you outdoors and were subjected to excessive heat during your activity? Did you eat anything spicy or acidic?
• Take stock of any skincare products you are using: Check to see if any of the active ingredients on your products have triggered a flare-up, such as perfumes, steroids, or other harsh ingredients. If you have recently started using a new product, stop and examine its ingredients to see if it is causing a reaction.
• Note any new medication you may have started taking: If you were recently prescribed medication for something else, it may have aggravated some of your symptoms.
• Continue your self-care habits: It is important to keep up with your self-care habits even if you are currently suffering from a rosacea flare-up. Keep your skin clean and protected with gentle cleansers and moisturisers, and use sunscreen daily. Continue avoiding known triggers such as alcohol and spicy foods.

Having this information ready before the consultation with your GetHarley Practitioner will help them decide how to adjust your personalised treatment plan.

In summary

It is important to know that there is no way to get rid of rosacea permanently. But with a personalised skincare plan from GetHarley and by actively avoiding known triggers, you can minimise the chances of a flare-up from reoccurring.

The specific treatment plan you will receive will depend on your symptoms; while some rosacea types respond well to medical-grade products, others do not. A few cases may even require surgical intervention to help manage the symptoms.

The most important thing you can do for your skin is to be gentle with it. Avoid known triggers such as alcohol, direct sunlight, excessive heat, and spicy foods to prevent a possible flare-up. Wear sunscreen daily<.strong>, and make sure any cleansers or moisturisers you use are perfume-free. Remember that rosacea does not mean you have poor hygiene, so do not think you are doing anything wrong if your symptoms return.

If you want to find out exactly what will work best for you, book a GetHarley skin consultation today—we will match you with one of our industry leading practitioners.