We catch up with one of our clients, Jodie, who has recently undergone treatment for rosacea at CMG, Cornwall.
I have always struggled with rosacea. As a little girl, I had the classic fair skin and rosy complexion. But, in my early twenties, I noticed my rosy skin was becoming a little more complicated.
I thought my rosacea was a problem I would have to live with.
As I started exercising more regularly, I noticed that my skin would take an age to ‘calm down’ after a run. I would stay flushed and looking out of puff, even when I wasn’t.
I noticed that it flared up with other triggers; too much alcohol or a too-hot curry.
I started to feel self-conscious and tried to hide my cheeks under layers of thick, cakey foundation. I tried a range of creams and cleansers. I scrubbed my cheeks, trying to get rid of the source.
But as the rosacea worsened and I had bumps and raised spots on my cheeks, I realised I was only making the situation worse.
DIAGNOSING ROSACEA
While it seems obvious now, I went to see my GP for help. She diagnosed me with rosacea.
She explained that rosacea isn’t infectious. It is caused by the flushing (or blushing) of the visible blood vessels in your skin.
A flare-up could include spots and raised bumps that could last for weeks.
She also told me that certain things like strong or perfumed soaps, scrubs, prolonged exposure to the sun, exercise, alcohol and spicy food, can make it worse.
WHAT CAUSES ROSACEA?
Frustratingly, we haven’t yet pinned down the cause of rosacea. It seems to be linked to genetics, environmental factors and immune system issues.
It is more common in women but can be worse in men. Anyone can develop rosacea, but it is more prevalent in people with paler skin.
MY JOURNEY IN TREATING ROSACEA
For the last few years, I’ve managed to avoid any major flare-ups by side-stepping some of the worst triggers for me. I slather on the SPF and I take good care of my skin, treating it a lot more gently these days.
As I got older, I noticed that I have quite a few visible spider veins where the aggravated blood vessels have burst.
I found that aqueous cream was a good cleanser. It soothed my skin without causing further irritation and left it moisturised rather than dry.
I use ‘clever’ foundations to cover up the redness. This has been a rather arduous task as what works for one doesn’t necessarily complement the skin of another. The Vichy Dermablend range is a good, affordable and skin-sensitive option, and available in most high-street chemists.
For me, exercise is a no-compromise, so I have had to find ways to navigate this; exercising early in the morning or last thing at night to allow the redness to subside.
While I’ve been managing my rosacea, I am self-conscious about it. It does affect my self-esteem and it frustrates me that it is such a big part of the way I define myself.
There are medications available for rosacea, including oral medication, but I’ve tried to avoid taking them too often. When my flare-ups are really bad, I use a topical cream, prescribed by my GP.
I had heard about laser treatment for rosacea, but I was nervous about the possible side effects. I was concerned about the risk of discolouration. I was already self-conscious about my skin and didn’t want to risk further aggravating the situation.
PRP AND ME
A friend of mine told me about PRP. If you’ve not heard of it before, PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy. You might have heard of the celebrity favourite, the Vampire Facial. This is a form of PRP therapy, but don’t let that put you off!
PRP is a treatment that works by harnessing the body’s ability to repair itself. It can be used in a range of different procedures, including tissue and injury repair in sports medicine and tissue regeneration in skin and hair.
I’d heard that it worked to help reduce redness in rosacea by reducing inflammation and stimulating healthy tissue growth in the affected areas. I’d also heard of the vampire facial and that there were few side effects or risk factors. Because it is using the patient’s own blood (bear with me here), it is rare for any adverse effects to occur. You’re using your body to help your body to heal.
HOW DOES PRP WORK?
PRP works by collecting blood from the arm. I’m not needle phobic, so this didn’t worry me, but the procedure was quick and painless.
My Doctor (Dr Grace Moon at CMG) then spun the blood in a centrifuge to separate the platelets. It is the platelets that are key; they contain platelet growth factors that promote healing in damaged tissues.
The same platelets are then injected back into your body where it is needed; into knee cartilage, scalps where hair is thinning, or in my case; into my cheeks, using microneedles.
DID PRP WORK FOR MY ROSACEA?
For me, the answer is simple, yes! I had two sessions with Dr Moon at CMG and was amazed by the process from start to finish.
Dr Moon explained everything carefully and took time to allay any residual fears. She reassured me how low-risk the procedure was; I felt confident that I wasn’t risking making my skin more inflamed or causing further damage.
During the procedure, there was only minimal pain and discomfort; in fact, the microneedling was more like a massage than anything painful.
My downtime was minimal too. I wasn’t red or puffy after the treatment, in fact, my skin looked better almost instantly.
I had two treatments, and I can honestly say that I am delighted with the results. My rosacea has noticeably improved. My skin feels less irritated and sensitive, and the redness has greatly subsided.
And one unexpected and hugely positive side effect is that my skin looks fresher; plumper and hydrated. I’m genuinely delighted.
CMG offers a range of PRP treatments for skin conditions including rosacea, skin regeneration (reducing fine lines and wrinkles), hair regrowth and for musculoskeletal (MSK) and sports injuries including osteoarthritis, knee, shoulder and joint pain.
Call CMG on 01872 392087 to discuss your treatment options with one of our qualified, expert doctor practitioners to see how we can help.
