Our faces are the mirrors of our emotions and thoughts. They are usually the first thing we notice about one another. Maintaining healthy and good-looking skin helps to boost our self-confidence and improves our overall physical well-being.
OUR FACES ARE OUR BUSINESS CARDS
But our skin is exposed to daily external factors such as autumn winds and hot summer sunlight. Additionally, our skin is affected from within by the food we eat, the stress we endure and the genetics we inherit. Our faces are our business cards, and we should do everything within our power to look the best we can.
While for some people, their primary goal is to find ways to keep their skin looking youthful, for others, the visible condition of their skin can influence how they feel about themselves and how they communicate with the world.
So, in this article, we will focus on Rosacea, a common skin condition estimated to affect some 415 million people worldwide. It is especially prevalent among those with fair skin complexion and for individuals with Celtic and Scandinavian DNA. Many of those who suffer from it experience discomfort and lose self-confidence.
Below, we look at what Rosacea is, where it comes from, how to treat it, and why collagen can be beneficial.
WHAT IS ROSACEA?
Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition typically identified by redness on the face, primarily around the nose, forehead and cheek areas. Rosacea is most common in people with fair skin complexion and between the ages of 25 and 60. Women tend to suffer from Rosacea more than men.
There are four types of Rosacea:
1) Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea
Symptoms include flushing, stinging or burning sensations and rough or scaly skin;
2) Papulopustular Rosacea
Characterized by mild papules or pustules, and is often confused with acne;
3) Rhinophyma
Telltale signs include thickened skin and an irregular surface, as well as bumps on the nose;
4) Ocular Rosacea
Ocular Rosacea is the most severe form of rosacea, leading to inflammation of the eyelid and the eye.
THE FOUR STAGES OF ROSACEA
Scientific research has identified four different stages in the progression of Rosacea:
Stage 1 is indicated by frequent blushing and irritation of the skin
Stage 2 is the progression to persistent blushing
Stage 3 sees the appearance of papules and pustules
Stage 4 symptoms are the disfigurement of the nose and the development of ocular inflammation – the whites of the eyes become red.
Rosacea can often go undiagnosed for long periods because it is often confused with acne, sunburn, allergic reactions to cosmetics or because symptoms in the initial phases of Rosacea occur only periodically.
WHAT CAUSES ROSACEA?
The exact factors influencing the occurrence of Rosacea are not well-established although it is generally assumed that abnormalities in the immune system increase the skin's susceptibility to the external environment, while neurovascular dysregulation is likely also a root cause.
The 2016 review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences suggests the following causes:
1) Predisposing factors such as genetic predisposition and diseases, including inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD), cardiovascular disease, diabetes and neurological diseases;
2) Abnormalities in immunity, including epidermal barrier dysfunction, increased levels of vitamin D and others;
3) Neurovascular dysregulation, which can cause flushing and burning sensations;
4) Triggering factors include ultraviolet (UV) radiation, excess heat and stress. Mites and microbes also likely cause Rosacea.
Furthermore, studies suggest those suffering from inflammatory skin diseases like Rosacea and exposed to UV radiation can experience dermal collagen degeneration. UV exposure can also lead to hypervascularity and a higher concentration of blood vessels, contributing to the worsening of Rosacea.
Stress and exposure to extreme heat can also aggravate Rosacea symptoms.
So, while you might be predisposed to Rosacea because of your parents' and grandparents' genes, it can also occur due to abnormalities in your immune and neurovascular systems. The good news, however, is there are several triggers, including UV light overexposure, heat and stress, we can all avoid by making positive, actionable changes to our lifestyle.
HOW IS ROSACEA TREATED?
Rosacea and its symptoms can be more manageable if detected early and properly treated. In some cases, its symptoms can disappear completely.
The best prevention tactic is avoidance of those things that are most likely to act as triggers; this might mean avoiding or cutting down on hot drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, stress, excessive sunlight exposure and staying away from hot environments. Each and any of these factors can increase blood flow and cause small blood vessels in the face to dilate. Use cleansers and moisturisers that do not burn or irritate the skin. In some cases, consider using medication and creams.
WHY IS COLLAGEN IMPORTANT?
But how does collagen fit into all of this? Presently it isn’t fully established whether collagen can help treat Rosacea. However, we know collagen can help ease some symptoms and improve our overall skin condition.
Collagen is our body’s principal building block and contributes to our skin health. Collagen helps replace and renew damaged connective tissue, which can be especially significant for Rosacea. Collagen also helps moisturise the skin and assists with dryness and irritation.
Collagen also plays an essential role in providing structure and strength to blood vessels, creating more flexible blood vessels that help maintain healthy blood flow. The capillary blood vessels connect arteries and veins and deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body's cells, including the skin.
Finally, let us also remember that collagen can benefit our gut health. Glutamine, one of the primary amino acids in collagen, helps repair and heal the gut wall in cases of IBD, which, as seen earlier, is one of the contributing factors of Rosacea.
WHY MARINE COLLAGEN?
Col Du Marine™ marine collagen peptides have a low molecular weight and are easily digestible and absorbed by the body. These magical peptides are directed to the areas of our body where collagen is most needed, including our skin.
Col Du Marine™ marine collagen peptides are convenient to use and can be taken with any drink or food and at any time of the day. And because they have a neutral taste and smell, they do not impair the enjoyment of your favourite food or beverage.
You can also take a look at our store and try out Col Du Marine™ collagen peptides for yourself today!
Sources:
Data provided by the National Rosacea Society: https://www.rosacea.org/press/2018/july/new-study-finds-415-million-people-may-suffer-from-rosacea-worldwide.
University of Rochester Medical Centre, Health Encyclopedia, "Rosacea": https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=85&ContentID=P00311.
Pizzorno, J., Murray, M., & Joiner-Bey, H. (2016). Rosacea. The Clinician's Handbook Of Natural Medicine, 894-899. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780702055140000804?via%3Dihub
Best Practice Journal, " Rosacea: seeing red in primary care", Issue 75, May 2016: https://bpac.org.nz/BPJ/2016/May/docs/BPJ75-rosacea.pdf.
Baker, S. (2007). Advances in the Discovery of Acne and Rosacea Treatments. Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry II, 957-968. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B008045044X002364?via%3Dihub
Woo, Y., Lim, J., Cho, D., & Park, H. (2016). Rosacea: Molecular Mechanisms and Management of a Chronic Cutaneous Inflammatory Condition. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences, 17(9), 1562.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/17/9/1562
Best Practice Journal, " Rosacea: seeing red in primary care", Issue 75, May 2016: https://bpac.org.nz/BPJ/2016/May/docs/BPJ75-rosacea.pdf.
Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, "Rosacea": https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/rosacea-a-to-z.
