Advice for Rosacea

[Anonymous]

I'm in my 40s and have great skin, except for mild rosacea. I cover it up with makeup but wonder what others do. I don't want to do a lot of medication or pay top dollar for medical cosmetics. Any advice appreciated!

Also, if you have a good dermatologist I'd love a recommendation.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I had laser treatment about 3 years ago and it helped a TON. Unfortunately it doesn't last forever and the rosacea is starting to come back. It was expensive and I've got other financial priorities right now, but as soon as I can reasonably afford it I'm going to get it again.

If your case is mild, you may be helped by some prescription face washes and/or a course of antibiotics. Rosacea is really common so any dermatologist should be able to give you some options.

[Anonymous]

I use Finacea to keep the bumps and rough patches from coming back. It's good for that.

However the only thing that will get rid of the redness from broken capiliaries is laser treatment, which PP talked about. I'm saving my $ for that. Until then ... makeup.

[Anonymous]

I really like the Mario Badescu products I use for my rosacea. They have a number of products for it and will send you free samples if you describe your issues (go to the "consulting" link). My favorites are the control cream and the azulene calming mask. I also use the cream soap, chamomile toner, chamomile night cream, and kera moisturizer.

http://mariobadescu.com/Skin-Care

[Anonymous]

Clinique has an anti-redness line that works for Roseacea. They also have compact powder that works really well too.

[Anonymous]

My face is sort of reddish and I bought some B. Kamins face cream that really helps neutralize the red. You should check out their line of products. I used a coupon at Elizabeth Arden to get mine and it lasts a long time because I just use a tiny drop of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had laser treatment about 3 years ago and it helped a TON. Unfortunately it doesn't last forever and the rosacea is starting to come back. It was expensive and I've got other financial priorities right now, but as soon as I can reasonably afford it I'm going to get it again.

If your case is mild, you may be helped by some prescription face washes and/or a course of antibiotics. Rosacea is really common so any dermatologist should be able to give you some options.

My thoughts exactly. The laser works wonders. It costs a lot but is such a confidence booster to not worry about flushing. Even with just a couple of treatments, you will mostly likely be very happy especially if your case is mild. I have used Finacea and Metrogel. Both with very high co-pays and one dermatologists basically told me that they are a waste of money.

[Anonymous]

I have used Finacea and Metrogel. Both with very high co-pays and one dermatologists basically told me that they are a waste of money.

I respectfully disagree about Finacea. The active ingredient in it, azelaic acid, isn't found in any other topical product, so it's not like you can just replace Finacea with, say, Mario Badescu or Aveeno creams.

I suppose it would be a big waste of money if it didn't work at all for a particular individual, that is true enough. However, it really works well for some of us. It is so, so worth the $25 co-pay per tube (BCBS, non-federal).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I have used Finacea and Metrogel. Both with very high co-pays and one dermatologists basically told me that they are a waste of money.

I respectfully disagree about Finacea. The active ingredient in it, azelaic acid, isn't found in any other topical product, so it's not like you can just replace Finacea with, say, Mario Badescu or Aveeno creams.

I suppose it would be a big waste of money if it didn't work at all for a particular individual, that is true enough. However, it really works well for some of us. It is so, so worth the $25 co-pay per tube (BCBS, non-federal).

DH uses Metrogel and has used Finacea (I've used it for acne purposes- our kids are doomed to have bad skin). I'm not sure he thinks any of it really works 100% though, but he does think he would be worse without it.

[Anonymous]

To the OP, I don't think you understand rosacea. If you did, than you would not be so quick to say you don't want to treat it. If it is left untreated it will get worse and eventually lead to bad scarring which is much harder to correct. You should go see a dermatologist and get it treated. There's nothing to be afraid of and it is easily treated when it is mild.

I also use Finacea and it works very well at controlling my rosacea.

[Anonymous]

Take my word for it, if you don't control it with medication it will have permanent detrimental effects on your appearance. Just go to the dermatologist.

[Anonymous]

I use metrogel and a sulfur wash and it's been great and isn't that expensive (I honestly refill like 3 times a year). I went to Elizabeth Gerson in Chevy Chase.

[Anonymous]

I have very mild Rosacea and use the Avene line of products that was recommended by my dermatologist. I like it quite a bit. However, I do agree with the PP who said you do want to treat it more aggressively if it isn't responding to a cleanse and cream routine. My mother ignored hers until it was really bad and it took a lot to clear it. But it is a pretty common condition and any dermatologist should be able to treat it. I don't think the antibiotics are especially expensive.

[Anonymous]

How much are the laser treatments, approximately? Can you use pre-tax, healthcare flexible spending account (FSA) dollars for this?