Is your face unnaturally shiny and red?
Do you have small pimples on your face? Does your face look inflamed? Your answer
will probably be yes. After all these are the symptoms of acne and almost
everyone experiences this condition. However, you might be confusing the
symptoms with another condition known as rosacea. This is not only you who is
confused about these two conditions. Many people do so because of almost
similar symptoms. However, there are significant differences between acne and
rosacea and their treatments also vary. Want to know the differences between
both the conditions and their treatments? Continue reading.
Differences between acne and rosacea
Rosacea is a mysterious disease that
starts with the appearance of red patches and sometimes bumpy appearance on
skin and becomes more severe over time. Nose and cheeks persistently appear red
and skin becomes sensitive. Certain factors such as extreme temperature, spicy
food and strenuous activities trigger this condition. On the other hand, acne
is caused by blocked pores, which results in bacteria formation leading to acne
breakouts. The main reason behind acne formation is oil and dirt clogged in
pores. However, oil has nothing to do with rosacea. Another difference between
rosacea and acne is that blackheads and whiteheads are associated with acne
only.
Treatments for acne and rosacea
Like conditions, acne and rosacea
treatments are also different and work differently. Here we will discuss some
effective and easy treatments for rosacea and acne. Know how these treatments differ.
Topical
medications
Topical medications are available for
both acne and rosacea but the ingredients used in them vary. Topical creams for
rosacea usually contain metronidazole that has anti-inflammatory and
anti-microbial effects, tretinoin, sulpher and steroid creams. On the other
hand, topical ingredients that are used to treat acne include benzoyl peroxide,
salicylic acid, alpha hydroxyl acid and sulpher.
Oral
medications
If topical medications don’t work,
second option that most practitioners recommend is the oral medications. Oral
medications for acne may include antibiotics such as doxycycline, tetracycline
and minocycline. Birth control pills are also sometimes helpful for treating
acne. On the other hand, oral medications for rosacea include antibiotics and
isotretinoin.
Laser
treatment
Laser treatment is helpful for treating
both acne and rosacea but the type of laser varies. Laser can’t cure rosacea completely
but it can help reduce the symptoms of the condition. It treats the condition by:
·
Reducing the redness, flushing and rash
on the skin
·
Removing acne like pustules, papules
and patches on the skin
·
Discomfort and swelling caused by
rosacea
In case of acne, laser works by unclogging
the pores, removing dirt, killing bacteria and stimulating healing process in
the skin. Fractional CO2 lasers are usually used for treating acne.
IPL
treatment
IPL therapy is effective for the treatment of less severe
rosacea only. It reduces the redness and appearance of visible blood vessels
caused by the condition. The side effects associated with IPL treatment for
rosacea are minimal. The results of the treatment are however temporary and you
will need repeated treatments to get optimal results.
Chemical peels can effectively treat
mild acne but are not helpful for rosacea. This procedure involves application
of chemical on active acne that works by killing bacteria. Repeated
applications of chemical solutions are usually required to get optimal results.
The most commonly used chemical for acne treatment is salicylic acid.
If you think you are experiencing the symptoms of acne or
rosacea, don’t delay booking a consultation with a practitioner and get the
appropriate rosacea treatment. If you want to get rid of the symptoms safely and
effectively, book a consultation at Dubai Cosmetic Surgery.
