Facial Redness Treatment

Sometimes, when looking in the mirror in the morning people are aghast to see a sudden change in the color of the skin to red. Things become uglier when the reddened skin also shows blood vessels that are usually hidden in the inner layers of the skin. These abnormal changes visible on the outer layer of the skin may occur as a result of skin disease, referred as rosacea. However, the right treatment can certainly put an end to rosacea.

What is Rosacea?

Facial redness, also referred as facial blushing, commonly occurs as a consequence of a skin problem known as rosacea. In this condition, the facial area turns red. The unusual redness typically starts at the nose and eventually spreads to the cheeks, chin and forehead, and causes expansion of blood vessels. As a result, blood vessels can be distinctly seen on skin affected with rosacea. Besides visible blood vessels, small red bumps also develop. The skin becomes very sensitive and this unwelcome change is accompanied by a burning sensation and inflammation that may worsen with time.

Treatment

Treatment for facial redness, in case of rosacea involves usage of topical ointments. These creams, that need to be applied once a day, are basically antibiotics that provide relief from the inflammation. To reduce the redness of the embarrassing 'rosacea' face, the following ointments may prove to be of help:

• Metronidazole
• Benzoyl Peroxide
• Azelaic acid
• Tretinoin

Oral medications may be prescribed if rosacea refuses to respond to topical medications. This form of treatment is very effective to reduce symptoms of rosacea. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics that help to reduce inflammation and discomfort associated with rosacea are as follows:

• Tetracycline
• Erythromycin
• Minocycline

Surgery
Surgery seems to be the only solution when the redness does not leave after using oral or topical medications for a stipulated period of time. This treatment method has been quite beneficial to remove permanent redness that occurs due to rosacea.

Laser Surgery
In this procedure, the affected part of the facial skin is bombarded with an intense beam of light. The laser beam passes through the superficial skin and strikes the blood vessels that have expanded. The heat generated by the beam of light ruptures the visible blood vessels, which helps to reduce redness. As these damaged blood vessels are not in a position to carry blood properly, they do not expand and are eventually replaced by healthy blood vessels.

Dermabrasion
This treatment method is used only when the nose becomes thick and red due to the presence of bumps. In this procedure, the doctor uses a dermatome such as a wire brush to scrap the affected part of the skin. The intention is to remove the bumps and bring the inflamed skin to its normal level. This process is bound to cause bleeding but eventually the injuries heal making way for new skin growth. This method is not recommended if the pimples are on the cheeks or forehead.

Cryosurgery
Another way to say 'goodbye' to rosacea inflammation would be cryosurgery. In this method, the swollen reddened skin tissue is frozen using liquid nitrogen. This method actually causes destruction of the inflamed tissue, which is then removed manually.

Other Causes

Exercise
Exercising causes increased blood flow to different parts of the body. A strenuous exercise performed for longer duration of time boosts blood circulation to the skin's surface, including the face, which manifests in the form of facial redness that may last for quite some time.

Alcohol
Too much alcohol consumption causes 'blood sludging', a condition that interferes with blood flow. In this condition, the red blood cells gather together forming a bunch. This puts excessive pressure on the blood vessels, causing expansion of these blood carriers. That is why people who drink alcohol in unacceptable amounts suffer from red blotchy skin that generally appears on the face. For heavy alcohol drinkers, reducing alcohol intake is recommended.

Strong Emotions
Anger is one of the common reasons behind the face turning red. When a person becomes angry, it can have a negative impact on the blood vessels. These blood vessels constrict (compress), leading to rise in blood pressure. The increased blood pressure, however causes expansion of capillaries (blood vessels) that are near the surface of the skin, leading to facial redness. An embarrassing situation too can bring the same consequence in the form of red face. In such cases, treatment involves practicing yoga and meditation techniques for 20-25 minutes daily. This can certainly help to control emotions and face any stressful situation with ease.

Undue exposure to the sun and blood pressure medications that dilate the blood vessels are some of the other reasons why people experience facial redness. However, these factors turn the skin red only for a short while and is a minor issue. However, if rosacea is the cause then the solution would be to take appropriate remedy at the earliest.