Did you know that rosacea affects nearly 16 million Americans? This inflammatory skin condition can cause persistent redness, visible blood vessels and small red bumps/pimples. The main areas of the face that are affected are the nose, cheeks and chin area. The condition is often triggered by the sun, heat, spicy foods, alcohol, stress and harsh skin care products. 

Rosacea in skin of color is highly undiagnosed because melanin-rich skin often masks the visible signs seen in fairer skin. Symptoms in skin of color often include severe stinging, burning, persistent dryness, and acne-like bumps that do not resolve with traditional acne treatments. There’s a higher risk of developing severe physical changes like a thickened nose in skin of color if the condition is misdiagnosed or the diagnosis is delayed.

Rosacea is manageable with treatments prescribed by a physician, which can range from topical creams and oral medications to laser treatments, depending on the level of diagnosis. The most important things to remember when treating rosacea is to be consistent with your treatment plan and to be patient for results. Dermatologists recommend using only gentle, non-irritating skin care products and cosmetics on the face, as well as the daily use of sunscreen. Treating skin of color for rosacea typically follows the same protocols however, special consideration should be given to certain topicals (ie: acids) and/or treatments (ie: lasers) that may induce irritation, which could result in post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or dark spots.