Rosacea Awareness Month
Rosacea has probably been one of the most misdiagnosed and misunderstood skin disorders in the history of the human race. The symptoms of Rosacea are so variable that many people have been treated for it when they were in fact suffering from some other skin disorder and many people who had rosacea were treated for common acne. The term Acne Rosacea was a common medical diagnosis a few years ago. Now it is no longer considered a valid disorder under that name.
Most severe skin disorders put fear into Aestheticians, who have been taught to refer the client to a Dermatologist immediately, the feeling being, that the Doctor will magically sort the problem out with treatments that are beyond the therapists skills. Rosacea, however, does not fall into this category. I can boldly say that there has been as much success in treating various symptoms of rosacea by advanced skin therapists as there has been by physicians. This is due, in part, to the variety of symptoms of rosacea and the fact that the scientific world has no set rules on the origins or causes of rosacea.
Several researchers have theorized that rosacea is brought on by a species of mite, the Demodex Follicuorum (a microscopic mite) or Helicobacter Pylori (a type of bacteria). Other skin experts claim facial erythema due to oedema and leading to papules and pustules is really rosacea by other names and still other opinions say rosacea is pharmacologic (such as in response to topical steroid use). There is evidence that harsh wind, sun exposure and dietary factors exacerbate rosacea and there is promising research into the immunologic arena.
Drugs and Rosacea
The therapist must be aware that certain prescription drugs for problems not related to rosacea may cause flushing and redness more readily. In these cases the above type of treatment may be the ONLY type of treatment possible until the client is off the drug. Vasodilator drugs to watch out for can include: Griseofulvin, Chlorpropamide and Antabuse.
Couperose Skin:
Medical doctors are uncomfortable with the term couperose but therapists internationally are familiar with the term and there are many approaches to treating it. The correct medical term for couperose is Telangiectasia, which in actual fact is also becoming popular with therapists lately.
The Beauty Therapy profession for many years has used diathermy, Sclerotherapy and other methods. Now, there is a nicotinic acid crème that will flush out capillaries in the skin that have become pinched or congested at their branch connections, thus swelling them up to where they can be viewed through the translucent layers of the epidermis. I know the word flushing seems contradictory for a rosacea category like telangiectasia, but this is a localized action applied directly to the problem area and seems to work extremely well. This type of crème contains niacin derivatives, which are known for their roborant (strengthening) effect on weak capillaries.
Cases Not Treatable by a Beauty Therapist
There is one symptom called Rhinophyma that requires medical attention. I have seen this disorder on many male clients, especially in Ireland for some reason (maybe the Guinness?) The nose is grossly swollen, deep red and sometimes has actual fissures in the skin and swollen veins. Another symptom called B-conjunctivitis should be avoided as it deals with the eye tissue, thus making any topical beauty therapy treatment a risky option. If these symptoms are present, immediately recommend a medical specialist. I have personally taken on clients with these disorders over the years, but in general, it is risky business.
Basic Symptoms of Rosacea
- Flushing (treatable by therapists)
- Erythema (treatable by therapists)
- Papules (treatable by therapists)
- Pustules (treatable by therapists)
- Oedema (treatable by therapists unless chronic)
- Rhinophyma (medical treatment only)
- B/Conjunctivitis (medical treatment only)
- Kerstitis (treatable by therapists unless drug related)
- Comedones (treatable by therapists)
- Scarring (treatable by therapists trained in scar revision techniques)
Can Rosacea Be Cured?
Controlled Remission would be a better term rather than say cured. Using the ‘cure” word to a client suggests that all problems will be sorted out forever. This is totally unrealistic in almost all skin disorders, including aging skin.
Only once in my 37 plus years career did I actually take part in what could remotely be called a cure. A middle aged, attractive woman in Northern California came to one of our skin specialists with inflamed rosacea. She was to preside over a 20-year high school reunion which involved seeing people she had not seen for years. She gave us three months to remove her problem.
Taking up the challenge, we did every treatment we knew on her skin. We went through skin blow-ups to skin peeling off like a snake. She bravely bore it all and suddenly, six days before the reunion date she started to clear up. By the evening of the reunion, she possessed porcelain skin and our team all sighed with relief! I have seen a lot of uncanny remissions in my time but this was the fastest response I have ever witnessed. The fairy tale ending was; there was a man at the reunion that had been madly in love with her in high school. To him, she had not changed a bit when he saw her at the function.
He later proposed and they married. And so it is that even in skin therapy we not only may change people’s skins, but also their lives. Unfortunately these cases are rare. Clients viewing before and after photos of extreme makeover successes almost always assume that they too will become nearly flawless in a few weeks. It is vital to remember that counselling a rosacea client about the many irregular factors that go into treatments determines the outcome. These may include genetic, lifestyle, age and any mental attitudes that they have regarding their condition.
In the last analysis, I believe that the root cause of rosacea is the Demodex mite, a tiny parasite living in the sebaceous glands. Chronic conditions either are viral or parasitic, not bacterial, bacteria being easy to eliminate. The fact that we can clear up rosacea with alkaline washes and aggressive, rather than calming treatments has convinced me of this reality.
Written By Danné Montague-King
Recommended DMK Treatments for Rosacea
DMK’s power ALKALINE WASH TREATMENT is an unusual and exclusive method of resolving a wide
variety of skin conditions, delivering excellent results in rapid time. It can be used to treat acne,
rosacea, unwanted body hair, hyper pigmentation and much more. The possibilities are endless for
this amazing and unique skin revision method.
Recommended DMK Products for Rosacea:
Red Vein Crème is a combination of plant-based active ingredients working in synergy to visibly reduce permanent and intermittent redness. This also flushes the capillaries and strengthens the capillary walls.
Niacin contains nicotinic acid, which is a part of the B group vitamins. This aids tissue oxygenation through increased blood flow. This is how the strengthening and regenerating of the weakened capillary walls (involuntary muscle) is carried out.
Skin Benefits:
- Visible reduction of redness.
- Reduction of spider & thread veins.
- Resistance of spider vein formation.
- Increases the skin’s resistance to reddening & flushing
Key Ingredients:
- Oleic Acid
- Soybean
- Wheat Germ Oil
- Niacin
Directions of use:
Apply every third night for 2 weeks, then every second night for a further 2 weeks, then every night for 6 weeks. Afterwards Red Vein cream can be used twice a week for maintenance.
NOTE: You must have had 6 professional Enzyme treatments before introducing Red Vein Cream.
Beta Gel is DMK’s signature formula, suitable for all skin conditions, including; acne, rosacea, reactive skin, scarring, premature ageing and sun-damaged skin.
Beta Gel is designed to address reactive, irritated or inflamed skin. Excellent in the treatment of skin disorders and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Skin Benefits:
- Promotes healing
• Brings skin back to a healthy state - Stimulates Langerhans cells (the skins inbuilt immune system) to reduce swelling, redness and inflammation.
- Soothes and relieves pain or irritated inflamed skin conditions
- Stimulates new collagen
- Antioxidant properties to protect the skin from free radical damage
Key Ingredients:
- Beta-glucan
- Witch Hazel
- Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
- Turmeric Extract
- Safflower Oil
Directions of use:
Apply daily to cleansed dry skin. Can be applied directly on sutures or wounds.
Betagen cream is designed to enhance the skin’s immune system and is often described as an “emergency crème” for reactive, irritated or inflamed skin due to its calming and soothing effect.
Great for premature ageing, sun-damaged skin, eczema, psoriasis, and sluggish skin. Contains powerful antioxidants that can assist the healing process while revising the visible signs and effects of ageing.
Skin Benefits:
- Repairing and healing
- Hydrating
- Anti-inflammatory
- Calming
- Soothing
Key Ingredients:
- Beta-glucan
- Shea butter
- Safflower oil
- Pumpkin oil
- Tocopherol
- Chamomile extract
Directions of use:
Use daily morning and night to cleansed clean skin, apply herb and mineral spray on top for maximum results.
Biogen C Crème is specially designed to pick up tired and stressed skin. It relaxes and smooths fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improving skin circulation and strengthening weakened capillaries.
Biogen C contains active ingredients that offer antioxidant protection, stimulate healthy collagen synthesis, improves wound healing responses and reduces irritation and inflammation within the skin. Biogen C is calming and leaves the skin feeling fresh and radiant.
Key Benefits
- Hydrating and nourishing
- Powerful antioxidant protection
- Reduces redness, calms red/reactive skins
- Improves skins immunity and wound healing
- Improves circulation and strengthens capillaries
Key Ingredients
- Karmeria Triandra Root Extract
- Vitamin E
- Hexa Peptide 11
- Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
- Eucalyptus Extract
- Seaweed Extract
Suitability
Red/reactive skin, sensitive skin, sun-damaged skin, dry skin, flaky skin, thickened skin, ageing skin.
Direction for use:
Daily. Apply DMK serums to cleansed skin. Apply four dots of Biogen C to skin, spray skin with Herb and Mineral Mist and work into skin.
DMK efa+ contains Seabuckthorn seed oil, which provides more than 100 nutrients and bioactive substances, many of which build the skin’s immune system, take down inflammation, support the lipid skin barrier and strengthens cell membranes.
Suitable for all skin types and conditions. The health benefits of EFA+ go beyond a normal essential fatty acid supplement.
Skin Benefits:
Required for the structure of all membranes in the body.
