Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
For instance, at 28, I had what I thought was stubborn acne for a few years.
So when I was finally diagnosed withrosaceathis past December, I was actually relieved.
Courtesy of Lex.
I assumed that having an answer would make it easier to treat.
Oh, how naive!
Frustrated and disappointed, I turned to the internet for other ways of managing it.
Courtesy of Ainslie.
And the more I looked, the more I realized how common my experience is.
There’s ahuge range of severitywhen it comes to rosacea.
Some people may benefit from antibiotics, medications that specifically target redness, or isotretinoin (Accutane).
Courtesy of Mandy.
For others, just keeping an eye on their triggers can have a profound impact.
“My nose and the area around it are permanently pink.
Sometimes my forehead flushes.
Courtesy of Delfina.
Every day, at least once, my nose, cheeks, and forehead feel hot and red.
“I was diagnosed when I was 28.
I had a combination of acne rosacea andseborrheic dermatitis.
Courtesy of Lex.
I didn’t know what it was at first and I thought it would just go away.
But after three months, it got pretty bad.
“I ended up going to the hospital because the wait to see a dermatologist was another three months.
Courtesy of Dede.
The doctors at the hospital didn’t really seem to know how to deal with it.
Eventually, my appointment with the dermatologist arrived and he knew what was going on.
I was in shock and I couldn’t picture living with it for the rest of my life.
Courtesy of Tanith.
I went into denial about it, thinking that it would eventually go away.
Always in the evening it flushes.
I have a very specific diet that I know helps it to stay under control.
Courtesy of Rose.
Stress is also a major factor, so I need to look after myself very well.
“[I wish more people understood] that it’s really uncomfortable and feels like a permanent sunburn.
), and I can sometimes get small red bumps on my cheeks.
Both the redness and the bumps seem to be concentrated towards the tops of my cheeks.
“I was diagnosed during a yearly visit to my dermatologist.
It definitely made senseI just always thought I was rosy-cheeked!
I also use a prescribed gel on my face (daily).
Both of those products don’t aggravate my skin in any way.
I haven’t quite yet figured out what (if anything) causes a flare-up.
It can be really annoying to wake up to random red spots on my cheeks.
That said, I’m not walking around in a perpetual state of embarrassment!
I’m just a little rosy.
“[I was diagnosed] last year.
I started getting red bumps on my face along with some dryness and red cheeks.
The diagnosis was a doctor looking at me and [they] knew fairly easily what it was.
It made me feel slightly helpless.
“I was hoping the medications would work, but they dont.
I tried metronidazole gel for the past year, but it didn’t work.
My face still gets a lot of red bumps, redness, and also dryness.
I also tried doxycycline for a couple months and had no luck with that either.
“I get red bumps, some with fluid.
I also have red face.
The redness never goes away, and the bumps get worse at times.
I try gentle cleansers and have tried many products but nothing seems to help.
I was diagnosed when I was in my 20s but had some symptoms in high school.
I always felt the need to cover it up with makeup.
“I didn’t like the diagnosis, but it made sense.
I ended up finding products that helped reduce the redness.
My skin was very dry, so I had to work on hydration.
“My worst flare up happened in late summer of 2017.
I went to a dermatologist and they prescribed antibiotics and other things that I couldn’t afford.
I opted to just do the antibiotics.
I switched skin-care systems and got one that had SPF in it for protection.
“I avoid being out in the sun.
Additionally, I’ve given up spicy foods that can trigger flushing of the face.
When I exercise, I avoid overexerting myself which can cause flushing.
I drink more water.
I now wear foundation with SPF when before I never wore makeup.
I take cooler showers rather than hot showers.
I no longer use artificial sweeteners as they were affecting my skin and contributing to flare-ups.
“I was diagnosed at 15, but I didn’t have any serious symptoms until I turned 27.
I was having serious rashes with [burning] skin.
I was so desperate I’d do anything to feel better.
After that my life changed.
She finds people’s reactions to her rosacea challenging as well.
Do you feel ok?'”
“Tell yourself it’s just momentary and you’ll feel better.”
I had been to two ophthalmologists with no relief.
My eye was getting worsered, painful, and ugly.
My primary doctor put two and two together and said my eye and face were connected.
He sent me to a dermatologist who diagnosed me with rosacea andocular rosacea.
“I was relieved because the dermatologist was able to help me.
But it was also depressing at the same time because there is no cure.
Sometimes, I still get this feeling of unfairness.
Why am I stuck with this?
Why do I have to be red and get odd looks?
“The ocular rosacea has caused me to developdry eye, which greatly impacts my life.
Also, I get [bumps] that look like acne.
My face turns red and is rougher than it used to be.
So I use preservative-free eye drops for my eyes.
On my face, I don’t wear makeup.
I don’t use much on my face except water.
I occasionally use a moisturizer.
If I stress too much I flare, so I take a stab at relax.
I take low-dose doxycycline if my face gets out of control.
“[The worst part of having rosacea is] the looks you get from others.
They don’t understand why my face is red or why I have what comes off as acne.
It can be extremely embarrassing especially when it comes to dating or job interviews.
“I wish more people knew that those bumps on my face aren’t acne.
hey don’t suggest I try acne washes and meds, they’ll only make it worse.
And I can’t control the redness and bumps on my face.
I’m embarrassed by them.
You staring at me makes me feel bad about myself.”
“I have redness, heat, itching, some swelling.
I was diagnosed at age 21 (in 2005).
I had no idea what was wrong with my face and had never heard of rosacea.
My GP was fairly unsympathetic and dismissive.
He gave me a cream that didn’t work for me and made me feel vain and silly.”
Still, the worst part is “feeling out of control,” she says.
“I have very pink skin and red nose with some pustules.
I was diagnosed in my 20s during a routine skin check.
I did not understand the diagnosis at all.
So Im thankful it keeps me honest.
“I can deal with the pink skin.
“I booked a routine appointment with my GP and asked about my skin,” Tanith tells SELF.
“An antihistamine helps with the itch.
I use an antibiotic lotion when I get a flare-up.
I give a shot to watch what I eat and drink as some foods can trigger a flare-up.”
“I can become very withdrawn mid-flare-up and makeup doesnt always cover it very well.
It can be uncomfortable when it’s itchy.”
Those who suffer from it can become very self-conscious.”
My face had always been more red and sensitive than the skin on the rest of my body.
“For the next decade I basically just dealt with the redness, burning, and irritation.
It was annoying, but it wasn’t debilitating.
I was more annoyed with the lingering acne that never really disappeared after my teens.
(Spoiler alert: This was not acneit was also rosacea.)
I finally went to a dermatologist who suggested a super low-dose retinol.
I wear makeup almost all the time, because without it I tend to look blotchy and flushed.
), and everyone’s skin is different (bless you, Sephora return policy).”
I saw pictures of myself with extremely red cheeks.
When I finally went to a dermatologist, he just looked at me and told me I had rosacea.
“It made senseas I said, I saw the signs.
On one hand I was relieved because maybe I could do something about the symptoms.
On the other hand, I had researched rosacea and knew there was no cure.
It was tough to accept having a skin disease when Ialwayshad clear skin.
“I tried to determine the triggers so I could avoid them.
The dermatologist gave me azelaic acid (sounds horrible, doesn’t it?
), a topical gel, and a low-dose antibiotic.
Now I’m using different topicals prescribed by my dermatologist and getting laser treatment.
I use sunscreen when outdoors or just avoid the sun.
I use scarves in the winter to avoid the bitter cold and wind.
I cover it up with makeup.
I didn’t even have an acne problem when I was a teenager.
I always had great skin and great color.
I never wore foundation or blush.
About 15 years have passed since I first realized I have rosacea.
It isn’t always so traumatic when I look in the mirror, but it’s still frustrating.
I still don’t see myself when I’m not wearing makeup.
When the symptoms get worse, they become harder to treat.
“And know that health insurance companies don’t cover all treatments.
This is not about me being vain and wanting to look like a model.
This is about me wanting to look like myself.”
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
