Stop Flare-Ups: Our Solutions for Acne and Rosacea

Dealing with persistent facial redness, bumps, and sudden breakouts doesn't have to be an endless battle. 

At Elevation Dermatology in Lakewood, Colorado, Kim Neyman, MD, FAAD, Nazanin Kalani Williams, MD, FAAD, and our team specialize in helping patients manage frustrating chronic skin conditions, including acne and rosacea, through personalized medical dermatology.

Here’s what they want you to know about these common inflammatory skin conditions.

Acne and rosacea by the numbers

Acne affects 50 million Americans annually, while Rosacea affects an estimated 16 million. Both are chronic inflammatory skin conditions, which, despite looking similar, have different causes. And, unfortunately, they often occur simultaneously. Roughly 30% of rosacea patients also experience concurrent acne vulgaris—a prevalence notably higher than the general population.

What causes acne?

Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, allowing bacteria to grow and causing swelling. This happens because your oil glands make too much oil. Once clogged, bacteria multiply within the trapped pore, leading to inflammation, redness, and swelling. 

Common acne triggers include:

• Hormones that surge: during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or conditions like PCOS. 

• Genetics: A family history of acne increases your risk of developing acne.

• Stress: High stress raises cortisol and androgen levels, which trigger increased oil production.

What causes acne and rosacea flares?

For many people, rosacea comes and goes in cycles, with flare-ups that can be unpredictable and distressing. The exact cause of rosacea isn’t entirely understood. However, it's widely believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. 

Common rosacea triggers include:

• Sun exposure
• Extreme temperatures
• Stress
• Spice foods and hot beverages
• Alcohol

There is no cure for rosacea, but we can help you manage symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening.

How we treat acne and rosacea

As a dermatology practice, we can provide solutions for acne and rosacea, including advanced topical treatments, subantimicrobial systemic therapies, and customized clinical skin care. 

By targeting the root causes of inflammation, we can calm active flares and prevent future breakouts.

For rosacea, we use highly targeted therapies such as topical azelaic acid and subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline to reduce inflammation. We also design medical-grade skin care regimens to rebuild your skin's natural defense system. 

If you want to address both active inflammation and lingering redness, our cosmetic dermatology options can restore an even, radiant complexion.

Whether you struggle with acne, rosacea, or any other skin conditions, contact Elevation Dermatology today to schedule a consultation.