Rosacea in Summer

Summer can be a troublesome time for rosacea sufferers. The sun, hot weather and humidity can all trigger rosacea and lead to a flare up. Sun exposure is one of the most common triggers for rosacea patients. Daily use of a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher and zinc oxide of at least 5% is the best way to protect the skin from the sun and reduce potential flares. Keeping cool in the summer also helps to prevent flare ups of rosacea. Staying in the air conditioning on extremely hot days is helpful. Trying to schedule outdoor chores and activities in the early morning or evening hours when it is cooler is also ideal. Lastly, it is imperative to consistently use the medications prescribed to treat your rosacea. In addition to traditional prescription medications many new cosmeceutical agents are available and have been specifically designed to improve rosacea and prevent flares. These cosmeceutical agents contain ingredients which reduce inflammation in the skin and improve the skin’s barrier. This results in softer, smoother skin with less facial redness, burning and discomfort. Photorejuvenation with laser treatments and IPL are also very successful in controlling rosacea and preventing flares. These treatments reduce redness and blood vessels in skin leaving the skin more even in color and less likely to flush. A combination of multiple therapies often leads to the best treatment results and control of rosacea no matter what the season.