Difference between acne and rosacea treatment

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 peeling

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.