The top causes of skin redness and how to treat it
Whether it’s from general skin sensitivity, a specific reaction to a product or an underlying health issue, there are myriad factors why your skin might turn red from time to time. Fundamentally, it boils down to an increased presence of red blood cells near the skin’s surface. This occurs due to the nervous system’s widening of blood vessels in the facial area, diverting blood to the skin. Multiple triggers can initiate this process, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact cause of facial redness. While a certain level of facial redness is normal (post-exercise, in hot conditions, or due to sunburn), persistent redness typically signifies underlying issues. Read on to explore our insights, suggestions, and treatment options for addressing this concern.
What causes redness on the face?
Facial redness might stem from the normal things mentioned above, such as sunburn, skin irritation due to harsh treatments, and episodes of hot flushes. Additionally, specific skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis (an allergic reaction triggered by facial contact with certain substances), and eczema can contribute to redness. The presence of thread veins is another factor, characterised by permanently dilated and visibly red thread-like veins on the face, resulting from diminished elasticity. Rosacea, a chronic skin condition, can also be a major contributor to pronounced facial redness.
Additionally, the use of certain medications could be a factor behind your red complexion. For instance, some antibiotics have vasodilatory properties, prompting the relaxation of blood vessels and consequent flushing of the skin.
Managing facial redness with skincare
A consistent skincare routine is vital to protect, restore, and calm the skin to become healthier over time. A good quality routine will include a cleanser, an antioxidant serum, SPF and a night cream. Choose a cream or lotion-based cleanser, that won’t upset the skin’s barrier by removing too many of the natural oils from it, and make sure that any products you are using are fragrance-free. Daily sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30, offering protection against UVA and UVB rays from the sun, is vital for preventing flare-ups. Then consider adding products to help ease inflammation, fight free-radical damage and boost collagen production.
Products with azelaic acid may reduce redness and rosacea, with the added bonuses of unclogging your pores and reducing the appearance of dark spots. Products with niacinamide can reduce redness and blotchiness too.
Seeking the advice of a medical professional first is advisable, as they will be able to diagnose and set you off on the right path. If you do search around for skincare products, be sure that they don’t contain ingredients such as alcohol, witch hazel, menthol, camphor, fragrance, peppermint, eucalyptus, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulphate, and salicylic acid.
How can I treat redness?
Byonik Laser treatments can be brilliant for treating persistent redness. In simple terms, the laser delivers coherent photons into the skin which are directly absorbed by the skin and directly into the mitochondria of the cells. This has an energising action which triggers a strong clinical response to support the skin’s immunity, performance and overall activity. These hugely beneficial processes for the skin, kick-start the cells’ activity, increase growth factor levels, collagen and elastin production, reduce the amount of collagen-destroying enzyme collagenase, reduce inflammation and enhance micro-circulation.
One of the best treatments for acne and rosacea skin – Red Light Therapy – is very effective in calming redness and rosacea symptoms. The LED light stimulates ‘wound healing cells’ in the skin, causing news ones to form and even out the colour in your skin tone.
If you’d like to learn more about the options, click here to enquire or to book a consultation with a skincare professional.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.
