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Why is my face always red, and can anything calm it down?

Redness and Rosacea Treatment in St Ives

Persistent redness is very common and can knock your confidence. The first step is working out what is causing it, because rosacea, sensitivity and broken capillaries each need a different approach.

Redness and rosacea

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that usually affects the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. It often starts with flushing that comes and goes, and over time the redness can become more constant, with small visible blood vessels and sometimes spots or bumps. Triggers vary from person to person, but heat, alcohol, spicy food, sun exposure and stress are common ones.

Not all redness is rosacea. Sensitised or over-exfoliated skin, a damaged skin barrier, reactions to products and broken capillaries from sun damage can all look similar. At your consultation we look closely at your skin, ask about your triggers and your skincare, and can use a facial skin analysis to see what is happening beneath the surface.

Light-based treatment with Lumecca Peak, an intense pulsed light (IPL) system, targets the redness and visible vessels that so often come with rosacea and sun damage. It is usually given as a short course, and many people notice their skin looks calmer and more even as the course progresses. Small, individual thread veins can also be treated with VasculazeMAX, a laser designed for vascular concerns.

Skincare matters just as much as what happens in clinic. Gentle cleansing, a barrier-supporting moisturiser and daily broad spectrum sun protection help reduce flare-ups, and we can recommend products from our own Avismo Skin range or ZO Skin Health that suit reactive skin.

Rosacea can be managed but not cured, so redness may return over time and occasional maintenance sessions are common. We will be honest with you about what to expect before you start.

When this is not the answer. Rosacea is a medical condition, and your GP can prescribe creams, gels and tablets that treat it. If you have painful spots, sore or gritty eyes, or redness that appeared suddenly, please see your GP first. Light treatments are also not suitable on recently tanned skin, and may not suit some darker skin tones, which we will check at consultation.

Which one applies to you?

This page describes the possibilities. The assessment tells you which one you actually have, and it is free.

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