Are you blushing or is that rosacea?

As we age, we may notice a blush on the cheeks that might extend into the jawline and onto the nose as well. While we’d like to imagine this is nothing more than a healthy glow, the truth is it might be rosacea.

Persistent red blotchiness, dry skin or bumpy, rough skin–perhaps even bumps that appear to be acne–might be rosacea. It tends to run in families, so if one or both of your parents had rosacea, you’re more likely to get it as well.

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition in the skin. Although it can develop at any age, it’s more often seen after the age of 40. It can be triggered or worsened by alcohol, heat, stress or spicy foods.

If rosacea is giving you a blush, consider giving it the “blush-off” with a series of IPL treatments, followed by maintenance every 3 – 4 months, which can reduce the redness and repair the deeper layers of the skin. Gels, lotions, or creams containing metronidazole, an antibiotic available by prescription, is a frequently-used treatment that has also shown good results.