Rosacea is one of the most common skin conditions. It happens when sensitive skin isn’t just sensitive – there’s redness too, and it usually rears its head between the ages of 30 and 60. The most common form of rosacea causes flushing and affects about 15% of Caucasian women.
To get a practical perspective on rosacea since I don’t have it myself (I hope and think… touch wood), I enlisted the help of Dr Estee Williams, a New York-based dermatologist who deals with many rosacea patients (you can find her on Instagram as @DrEsteeWilliams).
Common Questions About Rosacea
Q: What are the signs of rosacea?
EW: The two main signs of rosacea are facial redness and sensitivity.
Facial redness can vary from a flush-and-blush look to “broken capillaries” around the nose, and even actual pink bumps that resemble acne (even doctors sometimes have a hard time making this diagnosis).
Sensitivity is a key feature and can present as dryness, tightness, and even painful skin. Rosacea can also cause burning, stinging, and dryness of the eyes (called ocular rosacea).