What is Rosacea?Rosacea (pronounced roh-ZAY-sha), is an inflammation disorder of the facial skin, and is commonly misdiagnosed. It affects an estimated 14 million Americans, and because of its red-faced, acne-like affects on personal appearance, it can cause pyschological, social and occupational problems if left untreated. Rosacea affects both sexes, but is almost three times more common in women (aren't we lucky?), and has a peak age of onset between 30 and 60. The cause of this disorder is unknown and there is no cure, however it can be controlled. Here is my story about how I discovered my own infliction with Rosacea, and how I did learn to live with it and control its devastating affects.
Misdiagnosed: Growing up with "Acne".As soon as I hit puberty, I developed very oily and "problematic" skin. I dreaded summertime because no matter how much powder I caked on my face, I inevitably felt and looked like a shiny grease monkey. (I lived on the east coast where summers are extremely hot and humid). Things only became worse as time progressed, and in addition to the extreme shine, I would sometimes break out in small bumps and large, painful, unsightly pimples. The only thing that seemed to help were long afternoons spent under the summer sun, which would dry out my face and give me a "sun kissed glow" (at the ripe age of 38, this past behavior makes me cringe now!). Little did I know that what I was really doing was further exasperating my problem. I always assumed that the red blotchiness was a little sunburn, but later learned that it was more than that. Family members tried to warn me to stay out of the sun due to its aging affects (which I ignored because of course as a teenager I was sure that aging would never happen to me!), and they tried to reassure me that as a I grew older I would appreciate having oily skin because my skin would dry up as I aged and that moisture helps reduce wrinkles. They also warned me how the sun would damage my skin and cause me to age more quickly. I thought that I would be spared the reality of aging, and of course I was wrong!
Can I get a second opinion, please?In my mid-twenties, I was living in New York city. I decided to see a dermatologist because of the "second head" which had made its home on my chin for several months. It was August, and impossible to walk down the street without breaking out into a major sweat. Even though I knew I had problematic skin, I was still surprised when my doctor asked me if I had ever taken medication for my "acne" problem. I guess I was still in denial. I had not realized how bad the problem was until this moment. The doctor gave me some kind of shot into the huge cyst-like pimple, and then prescribed me some antibiotics, which temporarily helped. As I pursued my creative talents as a make-up artist, I learned how to care for oily skin by using purifying masks, purifying cleansers and oil-free moisturizers. Finally, for a short period of time, my skin appeared flawless and shine-free.
Then, at the ripe age of 30, something terrible happened. Indeed my skin had become drier as my family had predicted, but my "acne" suddenly resurfaced at an alarming rate. Small, red bumps spread all over with larger pimples appearing sporadically. Convinced that this was the result of oily skin and acne, I continuously exfoliated and scrubbed my face with oil-control toners, serums and acne products. The problem just became worse. My whole face turned bright red and painful "acne" bumps spread all over my cheeks and forehead. Inflammation (and depression) took over and consumed me. My face became so disfigured that I could not leave the house without theatrical face make-up on which I was using as a foundation. Again, I sought the attention of a dermatologist, who this time around, properly diagnosed me with Rosacea.
I had always had Rosacea but didn't know it. Now that I know what to look for, I can see that some of my other family members have it, too. After I received proper medication and started researching my condition, I learned how to control it and have not had a major flare up in at least a couple of years. Aside from the normal affects of aging, I have to say that my skin looks pretty good.
What to do if you think you may have Rosacea:If you think you have Rosacea, I strongly recommend that you see a Dermatologist right away and receive a prescription for antibiotics. If you do not have a Dermatologis, then see a primary care provider, or even go walk to a clinic. Prescription medication (i.e., Tetracyclene or Oracea) is the only measure for getting this disease under control. Tetracyclene is probably the cheapest and most effective considering the cost.
Effective treatment suggestions:Some doctors will prescribe some sort of "metronidazole" gel, but I found this product to be fairly weak, and only effective for maintenance. Stronger oral medications really work the best. Once the face clears up, Rosacea can be fairly easy to maintain. Alcoholic beverages, spicy foods and stress can be major triggers. For me personally, I now avoid red wine at all costs - one glass of it and one hour later there are little red dots forming all over my face and nose!
My personal remedy:If I have a flare up, I immediately take my prescribed oral medication. I always have some Tetracyclene or Oracea around. I consistently make sure that I use gentle, yet effective products for my skin. I cleanse my face (cold water only!) with "Cetaphil," (normal to dry skin formula), once in the morning and once in the evening, and then I use a nice oil-free moisturizer from a professional cosmetic company. I especially like products from Dr. Brandt. For example, one product from that line which works great on Rosacea skin is "Laser Relief." While it's not a moisturize, this product really helps reduce inflammation and redness and feels really great on the skin. I also like Bobbi Brown's "Vitamin Enriched Face Base," which is an oil-free moisturizer containing shea butter, carrot extract and vitamins A, C and E. This product is non-greasy and will make your foundation look perfect! Finally, I always ensure that I get enough rest (with a four year old this can be very challenging!), and try to keep stress at a minimum. A healthy lifestyle is key.
Make-Up Tips:Rosacea sufferers tend to have a "rosy" complexion, which turns an ugly blotchy red when Rosacea "activates." That's why it's important to use a nice, lightweight yet effective foundation that has a "yellow" base to help counter the redness. Good foundations to try are Bobbi Brown, Stila, and some shades of Laura Mercier. Rosacea sufferers have the same disease, but still possess different skin types, therefore you may have to sample different foundations until you find one that has the right consistency, coverage, and tone for your skin type. Next, always "set" your foundation with a loose powder. Again, the powder should have yellow base. Clinique just came out with one specifically to counter red, blotchy skin. When working on your eyes (Rosacea can sometimes effect the eyes so always pay attention to eye irritation), you first use a an all over shadow that is white or close to it as a base. The will brighten the eye area and help "pop" any color pigments you may choose to use to enhance your look. Finally, most "sparkly" cosmetic products contain a large amount of a product called "mica," which can potentially flare Rosacea due to its rough and irritating texture. Therefore, try to avoid using too many "sparkly" cosmetics and stick to shadows, blushers and bronzers that are "mica" free.
Of course, Armani would have their own boutique, not just a counter. I would expect nothing less, and for the price tag of $59.00 (pre-tax), you should feel pretty darn special when purchasing it. Never one to fall for the hype, however, I tried on the foundation first in several colors to make sure I liked it and found the perfect match - which for me turns out to be shade number 5.5. At first, this foundation feels slightly watery but a little goes a long way. The foundation offers excellent coverage without feeling too heavy. It does an excellent job at smoothing out my blemishes and eliminating redness- leaving it with a silky finish. After wearing this foundation for several days, I have to say that I do like it better than my Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation but it still has flaws. For one, it is a bit drying, which can be a good thing because I don't really need to use any powder on top of it. I just wish it was slightly more dewy...perhaps this could be achieved if Armani lowered the alcohol content in the product. The second issue I have is that the color which works best for me - shade 5.5 - is a tad too dark, and the color shade one shade lighter - 5.0 - is too ashy. Ultimately, to get the perfect shade I would most likely have to blend the two shades two together. In conclusion, despite these little flaws, this is still the best foundation I have ever had!
