Rosacea

Certain groups are more susceptible to developing rosacea:

• People with fair skin — particularly those of Celtic or Northern European ancestry, who tend to flush and burn easily
• Women — rosacea is diagnosed more frequently in women, though men are more likely to develop severe subtypes such as rhinophyma
• Adults aged 30 to 50 — rosacea typically first appears in this age range, though it can develop earlier or later
• People with a family history of rosacea — genetics appear to play a meaningful role in susceptibility
• People with a history of significant sun exposure — cumulative UV damage is a recognised contributing factor

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We recommend seeking a dermatologist assessment if:

• You have persistent facial redness or flushing that doesn't settle, or is becoming more frequent
• You're developing bumps or pustules on the face that you've assumed were acne but that aren't responding to typical acne treatments
• You're noticing visible blood vessels or thickening skin, particularly around the nose
• Your eyes are frequently dry, irritated, or gritty alongside facial redness
• Over-the-counter skincare hasn't controlled your symptoms
• You're unsure what's triggering your flare-ups and want help identifying and managing them
• You're uncertain whether what you're seeing is rosacea, acne, or something else entirely — accurate diagnosis is the essential first step, since the treatments for each differ significantly

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Rosacea is a chronic condition, and unlike a skin infection, it doesn't resolve on its own or run its course. Left untreated, it tends to persist and can gradually worsen over time, with flare-ups becoming more frequent and, in some cases, background redness becoming more permanent. Phymatous changes, once established, generally don't reverse without treatment.

The encouraging news is that rosacea responds well to appropriate management. While there's currently no cure, a combination of trigger avoidance, skincare adjustments, and medical or laser treatment can control symptoms effectively for most people, often achieving long periods of clear or near-clear skin.

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Laser and light-based treatments — most commonly pulsed dye laser (PDL) and KTP and Nd:YAG lasers also used in some cases — target the visible blood vessels and background redness of rosacea by heating and closing off the affected vessels. They're a good fit for some rosacea presentations, but not all.

Laser therapy is generally worth considering if:

• You have persistent facial redness or visible blood vessels (telangiectasia) that remain after your active flare-ups are under control — laser works best on the vascular, erythematotelangiectatic subtype
• Trigger avoidance and topical or oral treatments have controlled your bumps and pustules, but background redness and flushing are still affecting your confidence
• You're looking for a longer-term improvement in redness rather than day-to-day camouflage with makeup
• You understand that laser treatment usually requires multiple sessions spaced weeks apart, and that maintenance sessions are often needed over time, since it manages the visible vessels rather than curing the underlying condition

Laser therapy isn't usually the first step. It's most effective — and safest — once active inflammation (papules and pustules) is reasonably well controlled with medical treatment, and it doesn't address the tendency to flush or the triggers behind it, so it's typically used alongside, not instead of, ongoing trigger management and skincare.

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