Rosacea

What is rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that most commonly affects the central face. It is characterized by persistent redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps or pustules.

The condition develops when inflammatory pathways, blood vessel regulation, and the skin’s immune system become overly reactive to internal and environmental triggers. Over time, repeated cycles of inflammation can lead to persistent redness and increased skin sensitivity.

Rosacea often fluctuates between periods of improvement and flare-ups and can be influenced by factors such as stress, diet, climate, and the skin microbiome.

Why rosacea develops

Rosacea is driven by several interacting physiologic processes within the skin.

Immune system activation

Inflammatory pathways within the skin become overly reactive.

Vascular dysregulation

Blood vessels in the skin become easily dilated, contributing to flushing and redness.

Microbiome imbalance

Changes in the skin microbiome, including increased Demodex mites in some individuals, may contribute to inflammation.

Nervous system sensitivity

The skin’s nerve pathways become more reactive to triggers such as heat, stress, and environmental stimuli./p>

Together, these processes contribute to the characteristic redness, flushing, and inflammatory lesions seen in rosacea.

Common Triggers for Rosacea Flares

Rosacea symptoms are often worsened by specific triggers that activate inflammatory or vascular pathways in the skin.

Common triggers include:

• sun exposure
• heat or temperature changes
• spicy foods
• alcohol
• emotional stress
• hot beverages
• certain skincare products
• harsh weather conditions

Identifying and managing personal triggers can be an important part of long-term rosacea management.

Our Approach to Rosacea Treatment

Dr. Larivee provides physician-led care for patients with chronic rosacea. Rather than focusing only on controlling visible symptoms, care focuses on identifying the biological factors contributing to inflammation and vascular reactivity.

Treatment plans are individualized based on the type and severity of rosacea, prior treatment history, and the patient’s overall health.

Approaches may include:

1.Clinical evaluation

Review of rosacea subtype, symptom patterns, and triggers.

2. Skin barrier support

Strategies that strengthen the skin barrier and reduce irritation.

3.Microbiome considerations

Address microbial factors contributing to inflammation.

4.Targeted therapies

Evidence-informed dermatologic treatments when appropriate.

5.Long-term skin stability

Focus on reducing flare frequency and maintaining skin resilience.

Who This Care Is Designed For

This care model may be appropriate for patients who:

• experience persistent facial redness or flushing
• have inflammatory rosacea with bumps or pustules
• experience frequent rosacea flare-ups
• have not achieved stable improvement with conventional episodic care
• want a physician-guided integrative dermatology approach

This practice focuses on chronic inflammatory skin conditions and may not be appropriate for urgent dermatologic care.

Schedule an introductory consultation to discuss your skin concerns and determine whether our integrative dermatology approach is appropriate for your care.

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