Dr Victoria Scott-Lang, a dermatologist, will focus on the often-misunderstood skin condition Rosacea, answering the top 6 questions about triggers, skincare, and treatment options for this common skin condition.
Rosacea is a spectrum: some patients will present with redness and flushing, some with acne-like spots and some with all three. It is more typical in fair-skinned individuals, but I have seen rosacea in patients with all skin types in Dubai. The diagnosis is usually straightforward for a dermatologist to make, but it can also overlap with other skin conditions, which can make it challenging in some cases.
It is important to try and identify your own triggers for rosacea – typically sunlight, heat, stress and alcohol will make the flushing part of rosacea worse. Sticking with a consistent and gentle skincare routine is important, with SPF included as a way of managing it. Some patients will require prescription medication to treat their rosacea, and may be on and off this long term to keep it under control.
It depends on their type of rosacea: for the flushing type: IPL and vascular lasers are the treatments of choice. At Cornerstone we have the Cutera laser which is gold-standard vascular laser for treating rosacea. For the acne-type, oral antibiotics and , ivermectin cream are often used first line. For more resistant cases we may use low dose isotretinoin.
As simple as possible and sunscreen is a must. Cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen would be the typical standard approach.
We tend to avoid “active” ingredients such as AHAs, BHAs and retinol for patients with active rosacea. I prefer looking for products which support the skin with soothing and hydration, e.g. a moisturiser containing ceramides, and sometimes panthenol.
We are still learning about the interaction of the gut and rosacea. For severe cases I do sometimes refer my patients to a gastroenterologist as there are some associations with gut-health issues and rosacea. No specific supplements should be required for individuals who follow a healthy diet, but the interaction of specific foods, gut health and rosacea is still not clear.
If you would like to book a consultation, contact us at +971 50 494 6377 and arrange an appointment with our Dermatologist, Dr Victoria Scott-Lang.
Dr. Victoria Scott-Lang is an experienced British Consultant Dermatologist with over 20 years of international experience across the UK, New Zealand and the UAE. Dr. Victoria Scott-Lang treats the full spectrum of skin conditions, with particular expertise in acne, hair loss, skin cancer, autoimmune diseases, aesthetic dermatology, and laser treatments. She cares for patients of all ages, from infants and children to teenagers and adults.
