How to Reduce Redness
Are you REDy for this? Redness in the skin can be down to a variety of causes, conditions or factors, some perfectly normal like blushing. But redness, caused by vascularity, is something that we regularly see at the clinic and can be the result of many contributing factors.
The causes of this type of redness can vary from broken capillaries showing around the nose and on the cheeks, constant flushing across the whole skin, or inflammation from environmental and internal stressors such as hormonal changes, incorrect skincare routines, chronic conditions such as rosacea and eczema, a compromised barrier, and some spicy foods and alcohol. No two cases of redness are the same so try not to compare your journey with others. There are some types of redness that can be treated, and some that can be improved and managed.
How do you know the cause of your redness?
The simple answer is that you maybe don't. You can try the 'Look & Touch' test at home, but this shouldn't replace a professional diagnosis.
Look – are there areas of flushing across the skin that stay for a long time? If you look closely, can you see little thin red veins on the surface of the skin?
Touch – gently press your skin in the areas of redness. Does the point of pressure lighten your natural skin tone? This is an indication that you are experiencing vascularity.
If you want some help, we recommend booking in for the Skin MOT for high-tech scans of your skin using our Observ machine so we can get a proper look together. Your therapist can then take you through a custom action plan.
What can I do to help?
The best thing you can do is to identify what triggers your redness. Keep a diary of when your skin feels inflamed or if you have rosacea, when it flares up; this will help you recognise what might be causing the sensitivity so you can make the decision to limit these triggers if you can.
The most common redness triggers are:
|
External:
|
Internal:
|
I know, I know, we might have to stop our weekly spicy margarita Tuesdays, but once we know what is causing your redness, and the triggers have been limited, we can focus on treating it!
Take a gentle approach with your skin.
Limit manipulating the skin too much (no vigorous massage) and be mindful of the pressure you use when cleansing. Avoid any cleansing brushes or cloths, and pat - don’t rub - your skin dry. Steer clear of any grainy scrubs and astringent products too as these will cause additional unwanted inflammation and redness.
Keep things cool.
Hot showers, baths, saunas, and steam rooms all cause vasodilation (the cause of flushing which can weaken delicate capillaries). And if skin does flare up, you can simply apply an old school cold compress to the area to take the heat out of the skin.
Adapt your routine to the seasons.
Skin that experiences redness is often more sensitive to change. In summer, keep on top of your SPF protection and nourishment. In winter, layer up with protective creams and calming serums.
How can treatments help?
This is where we come in; you're not doing this alone. Treatments that are focused on targeting inflammation and barrier repair are fantastic at addressing redness!
Our Gently Does It treatment is a collagen-boosting, skin soothing wonder. Probiotics and prebiotics strengthen the skin barrier, while advanced technologies reduce inflammation and stimulate healing. Ideal for sensitive skins, and suitable during pregnancy (even the first trimester), this is the optimal facial to reduce redness for beginners.
Regular LED treatments are fantastic for those whose redness is caused by rosacea or a weakened barrier. Near Infrared light can penetrate deep into the skin to target inflammation and accelerate healing. The Under the Light treatment is a non-invasive treatment that is best done 1-2 times a week.
To target broken capillaries and diffused redness, our Real Life Retouching uses advanced fluorescence technology (AFT) to permanently target the pigment, while leaving the surrounding area unaffected. Neat, right? AFT light pulses are converted into heat and absorbed by the chromophore. (This might sound intense, but don't worry it's non-invasive and has minimal downtime, while still giving super quick results!) We also recommend AFT for post-acne redness, delivering the closest thing to perfect, make-up-free skin.
What products support improvement?
Home care is where you can really make a difference to redness. Prevention is easier to achieve than cure. Your product routine should be centred around calming, hydrating and nourishing the skin. Don't be afraid to ask for help - our dermal therapists will have the best recommendations for your skin! We're only a phone call away...
Choose a gentle milky or creamy cleanser that is free from strong actives or foam. The Esse Sensitive Cleanser is designed for the most delicate skins and is a fantastic go to. We also love the Wildsmith Nourishing Cleansing Balm for reducing redness through argan oil and rosehip seed oil.
Niacinamide is a great ingredient to look out for as it helps to build and strengthen the skin barrier. Vitamin B by Synergie is a bestseller for a reason. It’s rich in niacinamide designed to regulate the skin and reduce uneven skin tone. By stimulating the synthesis of ceramides within the skin (which maintain the bonds between cells), the skin's barrier is improved.
Other soothing serums include Essence 27 which is packed with Centella Asiatica extract to repair the skin, and Esse Protect Oil which delivers high powered protection from free radicals whilst leaving your skin mega moisturised.
Exfoliation is still an important step, even for sensitive or irritated skin. Choose gentle enzyme based exfoliators or chemical free exfoliators that remove excess skin with a static charge. Our favourite for irritated skin are Esse Microderm Exfoliator and Synergie Luciderm.
And then, protect your skin with a mineral SPF. Sunscreens shield the skin from UV and other environmental stressors that can lead to inflammation and redness.
If you have any questions, you can always reach us at hello@pfeffersal.com or +44 (0) 203 8834 702.
