A common problem - Rosacea

At Pulsar we are very aware of the effects and problems linked to this condition. However we were not prepared for the overwhelming response from our press coverage that has been published recently.

On further research it seems that some 10% of the population are sufferers and what is also very apparent is the embarrassment that the symptoms rosacea causes. So many people say that it stops them going out or that they will not venture out without a mask of makeup.

The Pulsar IPL system is excellent in helping to reduce rosacea. Click on the treatments section to see how our revolutionary system works.

Combat this condition - Help your skin:

• Drink 8 glasses of water per day Ð most rosacea sufferers have dehydrated skin


• Keep your body thermostat cool, sip cold drinks and do not have excessively hot baths


• Avoid stimulants, alcohol, spicy foods, cigarettes, caffeine


• It is vital to wear a sun block with an spf of 30 or apply a product with zinc or titanium oxide to protect the skin


• Keep a diary and make a note of any trigger factors

Rosacea Research

In a Gallup survey 70% of rosacea sufferers said the condition lowered their self esteem, 41% reported that they avoided social engagements and almost 70% said they felt it affected their professional life. 30% said they had even missed work during flare-ups.

The actual cause of rosacea is as yet unknown and there is no actual cure. However there is action that can be taken to reduce and control the signs and symptoms. Typically, the onset is noted by flushing of the cheeks and the odd broken capillary on the face. Sadly many people misconstrue that the sufferer is a heavy drinker, which very often causes embarrassment and I think can be particularly frustrating for women.

Symptoms may show themselves as any individual or a combination of the following:

• Redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead


• Small visible blood vessels on the face


• Bumps or pimples on the face


• Watery or irritated eyes

There are varying degrees of rosacea and a standard grading can be found at http://www.rosacea.org/grading/gradingsystem. However these can be summarised in the following categories:

Subtype 1, flushing and persistent redness, broken capillaries may be evident.

Subtype 2, transient bumps and pimples accompany this persistent redness.

Subtype 3, skin thickening and possible enlargement of the nose

Subtype 4, Ocular symptoms accompany, dry and burning in the eye, redness and swelling of the lids (blepharitis).

It is typical to experience symptoms across the subtypes; these symptoms may also progressively get worse so early diagnosis and treatment is of paramount importance. Several theories have been put forward as to the cause; one is that the sebaceous glands may be infected with a skin mite, Demodex folliculorum. However in skin biopsies the mite was only present in one in five rosacea sufferers.

The condition has been linked to mercury fillings and also an infection of the stomach, Helicobacter pylori. Rosacea has also been linked with abnormal auto immune attach in which the immune system targets antibodies against certain sebaceous glands. It may be any one of these triggers or a combination of them that gives rise to the onset of rosacea.