More than 13,000,000 Americans suffer from a skin condition known as Rosacea, a vascular disorder characterized by redness, dilated capillaries, and small red bumps on the face.  Rosacea usually occurs in fair skin types, but the cause is unknown.

The easiest way to differentiate between rosacea and other inflammatory skin conditions is by asking this question:  After blushing or flushing, how long does it take the skin to return to its normal color? 
If the answer is 30 minutes or more, chances are it’s rosacea, and if not treated by a physician, symptoms will progress.  Intermittent redness and inflammation will worsen and become permanent.

The first step in treating rosacea is accurate diagnosis and treatment by a dermatologist, but in terms of day-to-day management the following rules apply:

1. Avoid exfoliating scrubs; instead, ask your doctor to recommend non-irritating enzyme exfoliant.
2. Waxing should be avoided.
3. Tepid water, not hot or cold, should be used for facial cleansing.
4. Topical treatments such as Retin-A, Renova, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, and Vitamin A derivatives should be avoided.
5. Limit your intake of caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods as they trigger rosacea episodes. 
6. Facials using cool s