138
IN
THE
RED
THE BASICS
Fact: women are three times more likely to suffer from rosacea
than men. Despite affecting one in 10 people, experts still
can’t put their finger on exactly why it rears its rosy head.
Theories range from sun damage to genetics, and even an
allergic reaction to tiny skin mites called Demodex that
naturally set up camp on the skin’s surface but can cause
trouble when they multiply in great numbers. Inflammation
from rosacea breaks down the skin’s elastic tissue over time,
leaving it vulnerable, so the sooner you take matters into your
own hands, the better.SYMPTOMS
A 2015 survey published in dermatology journal Cutis, revealed
that 47 per cent of rosacea sufferers hadn’t heard of the condition
before diagnosis, and 95 per cent knew almost nothing about the
warning signs. Look out for:
Flushing: this is caused by a quick increase of blood flow through
hundreds of dilating vessels, making them expand, usually
occurring around the centre of the face, chin and forehead. It has
been shown that, when exposed to increased heat or stress,
people with rosacea will have a greater nerve, blood flow and
sweating response than people without the disorder.ROSACEA
GETTING YOU
DOWN? FAST
ACTION IS KEY
TO SAVING
YOUR
COMPLEXION
HERE’S
EVERYTHIN
YOU NEED
TO TACKLE IT
HEAD ONWords: Amy Starr, Janna Johnson O’Toole; Joely Walker. Photography: Sevak Babakhani (still-life); Charl MaraisN.
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