WASHINGTON, May 30 (UPI) -- Ruddy skin may finally have met its match, according to new research from a Wake Forest University dermatologist.
Patients who create their own skincare regimens, according to a study released today by Zoe Draelos and colleagues, are more likely to continue seeing the facial redness and swelling characteristic of rosacea, a skin condition often compared to acne.
But combining medication specifically for rosacea and mild cleansers may help return skin to normal.
"In the past, people have looked at cleansers and moisturizers as 'just use whatever you like,'" Draelos, told United Press International. Draelos co-authored the study, published in the latest Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
"The take home message is that rosacea patients need to carefully select their skin care products," she added.
Patients in the study who used azelaic acid gel and cleansers containing gluconolactone -- a mild exfoliator -- saw "very pronounced" improvement, Draelos said.
Those who used azelaic acid with their own individually selected cleansers, moisturizers or anti-wrinkle treatments saw less reduction of skin redness.
The study's results, Draelos said, may help rosacea patients find cleansers and anti-wrinkle treatments that provide the cosmetic benefits they seek -- without further inflaming the symptoms of rosacea.
Azelaic acid is a common treatment for rosacea. Combining that treatment with normal skincare routines, however, can prove difficult for those suffering from the condition.
Rosacea patients' skin is generally more sensitive to over-the-counter products, often making everyday cleansing and moisturizing difficult in addition to rosacea treatments, according to Johns Hopkins dermatologist Patrick McElgunn.
"Patients who have rosacea have a high level irritancy to many over-the-counter products that are commonly used. ... One has to be very careful with use of those products in patients with rosacea," McElgunn said.
An estimated 86,000 Americans seek treatment from a dermatologist for rosacea, according to a 2004 report in the journal Cosmetic Dermatology. It typically affects Caucasian women over 30.
"It's difficult to treat because the exact cause is not known," said Barbara Green, a co-author of the study and a vice president at the Neostrata company, which produces skincare products.
Draelos said the study indicated that dermatologists should go beyond prescribing azelaic acid-based products for their patients who suffer from rosacea.
They should also guide their patients in selecting cosmetic products, from anti-wrinkle miracle creams to daily cleansers, she said. Those that contain gluconolactone -- selected for the study precisely because of its "cosmetic ... therapeutic effects," according to the report -- may aid treatment of rosacea.
"Traditionally it's been seen that doctors just write prescriptions," Draelos said. "The dermatologist also needs to advise patients as to how to care for their skin above and beyond the medication, to include cleansers and moisturizers."
