It is thought that approximately 5% of the UK population suffer from rosacea, although many people may not realise they have it. Symptoms include a flushed appearance to the skin, broken veins and even acne-like lumps and bumps.
Most people tend to develop the condition once they reach the age of thirty, as was the case of actress Lisa Faulkner, who played Helen in the BBC spy drama Spooks. Her flushed complexion had not been enough for her to realise there was a problem, and it was down to the make-up artist to suggest that she may have a skin condition.
Triggers are thought to include stress, sun, alcohol and spicy food. While the last three can be managed, it is not always easy to avoid stress, and the actress found her rosacea would worsen during stressful periods of filming. She also had to be very cautious when using skin products, as they could irritate her fragile skin.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) rosacea treatment can help to reduce the redness associated with rosacea. As the flushed colour is caused by blood vessels dilating below the surface of the skin, the light is used to eliminate these tiny vessels. Once the vessel is denatured it is no longer visible on the upper layers of the skin.
