I have combated rosacea since my teenage years, but I did not go to the doctor for it until I was in my early 30s. Any person would wonder why I waited for so long. Well, rosacea is a rather embarrassing disease. Up until that time I had successfully used make-up to cover up that irritating condition. But it had progressed to the point that covering it with make-up required more skill than I possessed.
Dermatologists need to be a bit more sympathetic with their patient’s feelings. I don’t believe my dermatologist realized the traumatic experience she my visit to her became. One of my worst nightmares at the time was having to appear in public with absolutely no make-up on. Well, she had me wash my make-up off in the examining room with the promise that I would be able to reapply it. What she didn’t tell me was that I would have to cross back through a waiting room full of people to make it the restroom in order to do this.
She and her assistant promptly examined my make-up free face and said, “Yes, that is definitely rosacea.” She also proceeded to tell me that what had started during my teenage years was not rosacea, since rosacea did not happen before you reached the age of 30, even though this was the exact same problem I had been battling since my teenage years. I would have to give up caffeine, alcohol, hot beverages and spicy foods, going out in the sunshine without sunscreen, going outside in really cold weather. "But," she said, "Rosacea can be controlled. I have it and you can't tell by looking at me."
True, I couldn't tell she had it, but if I listened to everything she told me, my entire life would have to change. And I wouldn't be enjoyable anymore. So I didn't listen.
She then sent me back out the door of the examining room with a make-up free face. My trip across the crowded waiting room to the restroom was one of the longest journeys I have ever made. I felt every eye in the room on the features of my red and swollen face. When you have rosacea, your self-esteem tends to go straight downhill.
I did finally learn how to control my rosacea. First, I want to say that I did not give up caffeine, alcohol, hot beverages, or spicy foods. I refuse to wear sunscreen and I love going outside in the sunshine, whether it is hot or cold. So how did I do it?
First, I quit eating processed food as much as possible. That isn’t always easy in today’s world, but it is possible to cut your consumption of processed food down to a bare minimum. That meant no more pop or pre-made packaged foods.
Second, I began washing my face with Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Bar Soap. This soap is full of natural oils to moisturize potentially dry skin. Best of all, there is nothing artificial in it. Then I apply witch hazel to make sure all of the dirt is removed. My skin problems decreased greatly with the use of Dr. Bronner’s soap. They decreased even more when I began using witch hazel.
Third, I go out in the sunshine - a lot. I believe that sunlight exposure, as long as it isn’t excessive, actually helps keep rosacea under control. Sunscreen is not natural and I believe that it does more harm than good, so I will not use it. Exposure to sunlight has never made my rosacea flare up.
There are 2 medications that I use only when necessary, and that isn't very often. One is all natural, the other, unfortunately, is not. The all natural medication is Loma Lux Acne. It does work with rosacea and is much better and more reliable than the medications that your doctor would prescribe. The only downfall to it is that it has to build up in your system before it starts to work.
The other medication is a topical ointment, Prosacea. I am determined to be able to give up using it soon. It can be bought without a prescription and works better for me than anything the doctor prescribed for me. And it works immediately.
What works for me may or may not work for you. I hope that my experience with Rosacea will lessen at least one person’s problems with it.
Prosacea Rosacea Treatment, Gel, 0.75 Ounces (Pack of 2)
Loma Lux Homeopathic Medicine, Acne Pill, 100 tablets
