Rosacea, a persistent skin disorder characterized by central facial redness, flushing, and enlarged blood vessels, can be a source of considerable frustration for individuals dealing with its symptoms. Despite rosacea being a relatively common condition, with 1 in 10 people affected per the American Academy of Dermatology, managing rosacea has proven difficult.
The Cause of Rosacea
The underlying cause of rosacea has yet to be fully understood, though some likely theories exist. One proposed mechanism revolves around immune dysfunction leading to chronic inflammation, which causes persistent redness, flushing, and enlarged blood vessels in the face. 
Demodex mites are another factor that may play a role in rosacea. These microscopic organisms live on the skin surface and can induce excess inflammation, leading to the characteristic redness and bumps associated with rosacea. Frequent facial flushing associated with rosacea is thought to be due to vasoactive peptides. These protein molecules in the skin cause blood vessels to dilate temporarily, resulting in the transient facial redness brought on by spicy foods and alcohol. Additionally, there is likely a genetic component to rosacea predisposing specific individuals to this skin condition.
Common Rosacea Treatment Recommendations
Unfortunately, many existing treatments offer limited effectiveness or require frequent repetition. Current recommendations include using gentle skincare, sun protection, avoiding triggers like spicy foods and alcohol, and interventions like topical medications, antibiotics, and laser therapy. For many, these treatments do not adequately reduce the redness and flushing.
Can Botox Help Rosacea
Physicians began searching for better rosacea treatments, wondering, “Can Botox help rosacea?” In 2012, a formal study was conducted using Botox for rosacea, and the study’s results reported Botox to be an effective treatment modality for rosacea with a prolonged duration of effect. This study opened the door for others, and a systematic review of the use of Botox for rosacea was completed in 2021, which included nine studies published between 2012 and 2020. Although small in scale, all of the studies uniformly demonstrated favorable outcomes using Botox for rosacea treatment. In conclusion, patients treated with Botox for rosacea experienced reduced flushing, diminished redness, smaller pores, and improved papules and pustules. In the studies, the typical treatment dose for rosacea was 10-20 units, and the effects were sustained for approximately three months.
Botox for Rosacea: What to Expect
At Aluma, we begin with discussing your history and rosacea symptoms to confirm your diagnosis and ensure you are a good candidate for Botox for rosacea treatment. Before treatment, we numb the injection area with topical lidocaine. After about ten minutes, the skin is cleaned, and Botox is injected into the dermis using a small gauge needle comparable in diameter to an acupuncture needle.
Botox for rosacea treatment is similar to a Botox treatment for facial wrinkles except that when treating rosacea, the Botox is injected more superficially into the skin rather than deeper into the muscles. We gently inject multiple points with precision, ensuring effectiveness.
Conclusion:
Botox for rosacea is a game-changing treatment that is highly effective at managing some of the most distressing features of rosacea. If you are suffering from rosacea and wish to alleviate symptoms with Botox, book a treatment at Aluma located in Portland, OR.
Sources: Zhang H et al.Use of Botulinum Toxin in Treating Rosacea: A Systematic Review.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 2021:14 407-417
