At First Blush: Rosacea and You

PEACHLAND, BC – Rosacea is a progressive skin condition that affects mainly Caucasian women, and while it is not medically harmful, the symptoms can be both painful and embarrassing. Rosacea primarily affects the face, although it can also be present elsewhere on the upper body, and symptoms include persistent or permanent flushing or redness, visible blood vessels, thickening or scaling of skin, acne-like eruptions, and in some cases red, irritated eyes and overgrown tissue. Rosacea is sometimes mistaken for, or co-exists with, Acne Vulgaris or Seborrhoeic dermatitis, and while there are several pharmaceutical treatments including antibiotics and steroids, the only known cures for rosacea are laser surgery and Seabuckthorn.

“The symptoms of rosacea can be devastating, isolating and demoralizing sufferers and leaving them feeling helpless,” says Susan McLoughlin, president of SBT International, “And in the majority of cases the syndrome is progressive.” Exposure to such varied rosacea ‘triggers’ as sun and wind, histamine-rich products like red wine, hot or spicy foods, certain drugs (even some acne medications), hormonal and emotional fluctuations, even blush-inducing social situations, can activate the syndrome or worsen symptoms. The exact causes are not yet known, but vascular irregularities and chronic inflammation are now thought to play a critical role.

Inflammatory skin diseases are the most common problem in dermatology, and it is now known that the two most common treatments for rosacea, antibiotics and steroids, both work by temporarily reducing inflammation. Seabuckthorn oil, derived from an Asian plant long known for its healing properties, acts transdermally, softening thickened tissue, strengthening cell walls and capillaries, and most importantly moderating inflammatory response in tissues. Seabuckthorn oil is also a mild analgesic, soothing the pain, itching and burning associated with rosacea, and unlike other topical and oral treatments, long-term use causes progressive improvement without contra-indications.

How can you avoid getting rosacea? “With such a variety of triggers it isn’t easy,” Mrs McLoughlin says, “Particularly with summer upon us. It’s known that if you are a Caucasian woman of childbearing age you are more at risk, particularly if you also get migraines. Avoiding triggers can help, but as scientists are recognising a hormonal and auto-immune connection, maintaining overall health is also very important.” Side-stepping rosacea doesn’t necessarily mean never again eating spicy food or drinking red wine, although once the symptoms progress such measures may be necessary. It is critically important, though, to: avoid getting sunburn, particularly on your face; watch for avoidable triggers like cosmetics that irritate your skin; and consult your doctor at the onset of symptoms or if a medication seems to be causing a flushing response. Migraine sufferers and perimenopausal women should take extra care of their vascular health, with such supplements as Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

Rosacea is not going away, in fact by all accounts its incidence is steadily climbing. Until recently, sufferers have only found permanent relief in laser surgery, which acts on subdermal tissue and blood vessels. Seabuckthorn-derived products treat rosacea by neutralizing the body’s inflammatory and auto-immune responses, by strengthening blood vessels and improving heart health, and by softening thickened skin and scar tissue.

SBT International (www.seabuckthorn.com) provides a complete line of skin care products and supplements utilising the healing properties of Seabuckthorn.