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Skin concern
Persistent redness in the centre of the face that gets worse with heat, sun and emotions, and may bring small visible blood vessels and bumps. Here we explain how to recognise it, why it happens and what the clinic can do for you.
Reviewed by Dr Michelle Campagnoli, clinical director
How to recognise it
Many people think it is just sensitive skin, acne or sunburn. The difference lies in what brings it on, where it appears and the fact that it does not go away.
Tick what you recognise
Tick the signs you recognise in your skin. This is not a diagnosis; it only gives you an idea.
You recognise some signs. It may be rosacea or another cause of redness. Only a medical assessment can say for certain.
Several signs match rosacea. An assessment consultation is worthwhile to confirm and choose the way forward. Only a medical assessment confirms the diagnosis.
Book an assessment consultationOnly a medical assessment confirms it. Sudden redness, with pain, swelling or fever, or affecting the eyes, should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible, because it may not be rosacea.
Forehead. The redness can extend to the centre of the forehead.
Cheeks. This is the most affected area: the flushing comes and goes and, over time, may stay.
Nose. Redness and visible blood vessels; in more advanced cases, the skin of the nose may thicken.
Chin. Less common; it usually accompanies the redness in the centre of the face.
Why it happens
The exact cause of rosacea is not known, but the blood vessels of the face are known to overreact to certain stimuli. Choose a trigger to see what makes it worse and what helps.
Sun, heat and sudden changes in temperature dilate the blood vessels of the face and make redness appear or get worse.
Unprotected sun, saunas, very hot baths and intense exercise in hot environments.
Sunscreen every day, shade and lukewarm water on the face.
Alcohol, very hot drinks and spicy food are common triggers, but they are not the same for everyone.
Red wine, very hot and spicy drinks, when you know they affect you.
Work out what makes you flush and avoid only your own triggers.
Stress, embarrassment and anxiety make the face flush, and repeated flushing may eventually stay.
Periods of heavy stress and little sleep.
Rest routines and deep breathing in moments of tension.
Rosacea is more common in fair skin and in people with relatives who have it. Sensitive skin reacts more to harsh products.
Products with alcohol or fragrance, strong exfoliation and rough towels.
Gentle cleansing, a soothing moisturiser and fragrance-free products.
Types of rosacea
Rosacea is not always the same. It appears in two more common forms, and the doctor identifies yours at the consultation.
How it looks. Flushing in the centre of the face that comes and goes and, over time, stays. Fine red blood vessels may appear.
What makes it worse. Sun, heat, intense cold, alcohol and strong emotions.
What the clinic does. The doctor assesses the skin and suggests the appropriate treatment, always after the consultation.
At home. Sunscreen every day, gentle cleansing and fragrance-free products.
How it looks. Redness with red papules and pustules that resemble acne but without blackheads.
Do not confuse it with acne. Acne products can irritate skin with rosacea and worsen the redness.
What the clinic does. The doctor tells the two conditions apart and chooses the way forward, with follow-up.
Tell us at the consultation. If you have already used acne creams or other treatments, say so: it helps in choosing.
Is your skin very sensitive, or have you already had several treatments? Say so when booking the consultation, so the doctor can adapt the plan.
Book an assessment consultationWhat the clinic can do
These are the treatments the clinic may suggest for persistent redness and reactive skin. They are not chosen by name: the doctor suggests the way forward after examining your skin.
Peels and regeneration
Intensive skin renewal, to treat marked skin damage. In sensitive skin or skin with rosacea, the doctor first assesses whether it is appropriate.
Suitable when
the skin needs renewal and the doctor considers it suitable for your sensitivity.
Find out more→
Technology
Light applied to a photosensitising agent, to regenerate the skin and treat acne, dark spots and signs of ageing.
Suitable when
there are papules or pustules and the skin also needs regeneration.
Find out more→
Regeneration
Vitamins, minerals and other active ingredients to nourish the skin deeply and restore its radiance and quality.
Suitable when
the skin is tired, dehydrated or sensitive and needs nourishing.
Find out more→Why does rosacea call for extra care? Skin with rosacea reacts easily, so not every treatment is suitable. The doctor decides, calmly, what is appropriate and when; results are gradual and need maintenance sessions.
What the journey looks like
No treatment starts without an assessment consultation with the doctor. This is how it works.
The doctor examines the skin, asks about triggers, medication and the products you use, and confirms that it is rosacea.
She explains the options, what to expect and how long it may take, and chooses the most suitable way forward with you.
You have the treatment at the consultation and receive clear instructions for the following days, with the right products for your skin.
We see the skin again, adjust the plan and agree on maintenance, because rosacea tends to return when the triggers come back.
Day to day
Even with the best treatment, everyday habits decide a good part of the result. These are the steps that matter most.
The golden rule
Lukewarm water, gentle movements and fragrance-free products. In rosacea, what you take out of the routine counts as much as what you add.
Wash your face with lukewarm water and a mild product, without rubbing.
In practice: dry with a soft towel, patting lightly, without dragging.
Well-hydrated skin protects itself better and reacts less.
In practice: choose products without fragrance or alcohol and apply right after cleansing.
The sun is one of the most common triggers of redness.
In practice: apply in the morning, even on cloudy days, and reapply if you are outdoors.
Everyone has their own: what makes one person flush may not affect another.
In practice: note down for two weeks when your face gets redder and what you did beforehand.
Heat dilates the blood vessels of the face and makes redness appear.
In practice: prefer lukewarm baths and avoid saunas and direct steam on the face.
Exfoliants and brushes irritate the skin and may worsen the redness.
In practice: avoid brushes, rough towels and scrubs, and ask for advice before trying new products.
They are common triggers, although they do not affect everyone.
In practice: if you notice they make you flush, avoid them on days when your skin is more sensitive.
Squeezing or touching bumps inflames the skin and may leave marks.
In practice: leave the skin alone and talk to the doctor about what to use.
Who will look after you
At Luxmed, the first step is always an assessment consultation with Dr Michelle Campagnoli. She is the one who looks at your skin, confirms the diagnosis and draws up the plan with you, taking her time and never rushing.
Facial aesthetics
What rosacea is, what makes it worse and what options exist to manage redness.
Read the article →
Facial aesthetics
Which products to choose, what to avoid and how to build a simple routine to calm the skin.
Read the article →
Facial aesthetics
Why they appear, when they are a concern and how the doctor assesses each case.
Read the article →Other skin concerns
Book a consultation
Choose how you prefer to get in touch. We will arrange the assessment consultation with Dr Michelle Campagnoli.
New Life Miraflores, Algés · Office Center, R. Santa Teresa do Menino Jesus n.º 6, 9.º C, 1495-048
Your details are used only for this contact. Any treatment depends on a prior medical assessment.
No. It may have similar bumps, but it has none of the blackheads of acne, and the underlying problem is redness and skin sensitivity. Acne products may even make it worse, so a diagnosis is advisable.
It is a chronic condition that can be managed but tends to return. The aim is to reduce redness and flare-ups, with daily care and medical follow-up.
It depends on each case. The doctor assesses the blood vessels at the consultation and explains what to expect and what options exist.
Sun, heat, intense cold, alcohol, spicy food, stress and products that irritate the skin. Triggers vary from person to person, so it is worth finding your own.
Yes, preferably mild, fragrance-free products that do not irritate the skin. The doctor can advise you at the consultation, taking your skin into account.
The price depends on the plan chosen, so it is given at the assessment consultation, after the doctor has seen your skin. Discomfort varies from person to person and from treatment to treatment. Redness and peeling are common in the following days, and the doctor will explain what to expect before you start.
As soon as the redness persists, bothers you or the skin becomes sensitive. Sudden redness, with pain, swelling or affecting the eyes, should be seen without delay. The earlier it is assessed, the simpler the plan usually is.
Some treatments are not recommended at these stages. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell us as soon as you book. Sun protection is always important and can be started right away.
No. Rosacea is not contagious and has nothing to do with poor hygiene. It is a condition of the skin itself.
As a rule, no. It tends to come and go in flare-ups and, without care, tends to worsen over time. That is why it is worth having it assessed early.
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The assistant does not give diagnoses or replace a consultation. The plan and cost of any treatment are set at the medical assessment.