Anyone have any success at treating their Rosacea?

[Anonymous]

By way of topicals, prescriptions, supplements, diet, or laser/light therapy?

Yes I know this has been discussed in the past and I did use the search bar. But I'm feeling extra terrible, depressed, and borderline suicidal over my skin these days. Discussing it with folks in real time who can empathize and BTDT really helps me.

The nightly flushing even when fastidiously avoiding triggers is getting to me. Day to day redness, blotchiness, broken capillaries and papules are terrible but don't get me down like the flushing episodes.

I've never been able to afford to see a dermatologist (I'm 25, grew up lower class, only recently got decent insurance) but I'm hoping to get in with one before the end of the year.

[Anonymous]

The whole 30 worked for me like nothing ever has! Cut out preservatives and gluten, drink a ton of water and it will show in your skin!! I had really bad rosacea for years and this worked for me.

[Anonymous]

I'm glad the PP found something that worked. The only thing that's made a significant difference for me is medication. I'm assuming you've done research on the various medications and have an idea of what's available. Get 2 prescriptions from a dermatologist so you can see which one works best for you (Finacea and Desonide together work best for me). When they have a sale, I go to Vivia Center in McLean to get IPL for age spots (I'm 50+) and rosacea. I go every couple of years. There are other centers you could go to. Look on Groupon for specials at places near you.

Make sure you wash your face with a mild soap twice a day (Dove Sensitive Skin works best for me) and use oil free moisturizers (I use Aveeno Positively Radiant) and facial makeup. When I wear makeup, I also use Eucerin Redness Relief Daily Perfecting Lotion SPF15. It goes on green so it helps to neutralize the 'redness'. If you haven't used oil free products before, it'll feel weird and 'not normal'. You'll get used to it. If you go to someplace like Ulta or Sephora, you can also get base makeup to help neutralize the redness. I use cream colored eyeliner to minimize/cover the redness of my eyelids.

https://www.amazon.com/Eucerin-Redness-Relief-Lotion-Spectrum/dp/B000P1S0N8

You could also try a clinical study. I did a quick Google search and found this one:

https://www.centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/61027/rosacea-photodynamic-therapy-papulopustular-rosacea/?&geo_lat=38.9071923&geo_lng=-77.03687070000001&radius=50

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The whole 30 worked for me like nothing ever has! Cut out preservatives and gluten, drink a ton of water and it will show in your skin!! I had really bad rosacea for years and this worked for me.

+1 you should be following an autoimmune friendly diet, as you have an autoimmune disorder

You should be 100% eliminating dairy.

[Anonymous]

Medication failed and created other problems. I stumbled on a solution. I got rid of the inflammation, which fed the Roscea. I switched my face soap to unscented glycerin bad soap and my mositurizer is not Lubriderm Advanced Therapy, very clean and unscented. Avoid super hot water too. It cleared up after that.

[Anonymous]

Although I still flush from wine/beer and from temperature changes or hot air, a low GI/diabetic diet has made the redness unnoticeable and the flushing less.

I haven't given up wheat or dairy, just been more careful about blood sugar (I've been prediabetic for years and am now diabetic).

[Anonymous]

Soolantra has worked really well for me. It's a topical prescription. Metrogel/cream did nothing except make my redness worse because it was so irritating.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP,
I've struggled with rosacea for years and it got progressively worse from redness to papules. Last summer, after a year of horrible breakouts on my nose and red, raw irritated skin, I saw a new derm. She prescribed antibiotics (for 2 months) and a switch from metrogel to soolantra. My papules/breakouts have disappeared! I also swear my gut issues are better (read about gut inflammation/SIBO and rosacea to see if anthhing resonates with you). I also think that soolantra is better equiped to deal with demodex mites, which are thought to cause or exacerbate rosacea in some people. I also washed/changed my pillow case every2/3 days for the first month.

Yes, IPL helps, but first get on a round of antibiotics. Then try soolantra--I got a discount card from my derm, which took the price from over 100$ to 35$ and I've used less than half a tube since late July.

I still deal with itchiness, sensitivity and some flushing--I am trying to cut inflammation producing foods from my diet. and, I wash with cetaphil once a day and use a very healing rich cream at night (epionce medical barrier) and just a light moisturizer during the day (dermalogical active moist). Also, throw out all your make up and old brushes, etc. I bought new, mineral based powder foundation and use a clean cotton puff daily to apply.

[Anonymous]

For me, the only thing that worked was laser. I would probably get it 2-3 times a year if I could afford it. Not sure where you are but I like Dr. Singh at DermAssociates in Silver Spring.

Also, he gave me some samples of Rhofade. It's just a short term topical fix that lasts about 8 hours. Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

I use prescription Finacea. I also use a mild cleanser and basic face cream -- do not use anything for wrinkles or anything with a lot of ingredients. I use Basis Face Wash and Clinique's Dramatically Different Face Lotion. I also use a sunscreen every day. I have had rosacea for nearly 20 years and this regimen has worked for me.

When you first see a dermatologist, s/he will prescribe an antibiotic and a face cream -- the antibiotic is a low-dose antibiotic that you can take for an extended time and will work to reduce the redness in the near term. After that, you can taper off the antibiotic I haven't used an antibiotic since the first year I was diagnosed, but it did an excellent job of reducing the redness and controlling the acne.

[Anonymous]

I've read honey helps. Have also tried finecia.

[Anonymous]

My husband tried everything and what worked the best out of all the prescriptions, creams etc was switching to Cereve gentle cleanser and their am moisturizer for am and pm moisturizer for pm. He swears by it.

My mom has it and what worked for her was laser treatments at her derm.

[Anonymous]

Thank you everyone so much for your stories and advice, truly. I'm in a much better place tonight. I try to remind myself that I am not my skin and I will not let it control my life or dictate how I feel about myself. Also in the moment when I'm in a flushing episode focusing on the fact that it will pass like it always does.

I'm already using what I think are very Rosacea friendly products - cerave hydrating cleanser and Avene skin recovery moisturizer. The moisturizer isn't heavy enough for my dry skin but heavier products always make me feel SO uncomfortable - greasy and itchy like my skin is crawling. I will check out the ones mentioned here. I also use Elta MD physical sunscreen when I remember but I need to be better about it. I've tried to add in anti-aging and exfoliating stuff over the years but my skin is just not having it and I think I need to accept it.

I'm looking forward to trying a low dose antibiotic and although I already knew I needed to, I'm going to make a serious effort to get my diet together (I eat like crap).

[Anonymous]

Soolantra worked great for me.

[Anonymous]

My derm prescribed a sulfa face wash. That, oracea & laser treatments

Also coconut oil does not bother my face. Not a great moisturizer but nice to have as an option.