A good skin care regimen, including a consistent MetroGel® 1% routine, is critical for healthy, glowing skin and preventing rosacea relapses. In a clinical study, twice as many patients in an untreated group relapsed versus those treated with MetroGel® 1% therapy. Learn how to care for your skin through proper cleansing and MetroGel® 1% treatment.You can also control rosacea flareups by avoiding certain triggers.
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Proper cleansing is the first step in any skin care regimen. But did you know that certain cleansers may complement and enhance your rosacea therapy?
Rosacea sufferers in their primary stage of treatment should use a sodium sulfacetamide cleanser such as Rosanil® (sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5%) Cleanser to complement their therapy. These prescription-strength cleansers are specifically formulated to treat rosacea and work with other rosacea topical prescriptions. In the primary stage of treatment, wash with the special cleanser twice a day. For more information about Rosanil®, check with your dermatologist or www.rosanil.com.
Maintenance treatment is critical to controlling rosacea flareups. For a maintenance regimen, start with a gentle or soapless cleanser, such as Cetaphil®. Cetaphil® cleansers are a brand many dermatologists' patients prefer. Ask your doctor which one is best for you.
Whichever cleanser you choose, lather up and rinse with lukewarm water first, then cool. Avoid hot water. Pat your face dry with your softest cotton towel. Be careful not to rub your face with a wash cloth - it can irritate your skin.
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For the topical treatment of the inflammatory lesions of rosacea use MetroGel® 1% once a day or as recommended by your doctor. Follow up with a moisturizer if needed. Look for "fragrance-free" and "non-comedogenic" products like Cetaphil® that won't clog pores or promote breakouts.
Your doctor will typically prescribe a treatment designed to accomodate your skin type. MetroGel® is formulated for oily skin and MetroCream® for dry skin. MetroLotion® is designed for combination skin. Talk to your doctor about which treatment is best for your skin. You may also want to ask about the benefits of oral antibiotics.
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To help keep rosacea under control, experts say you should avoid anything that causes flushing. But what bothers one person may not cause a problem in another. You'll need to find out what affects you and decide if you want to change your habits to avoid them. Some common triggers reported by most rosacea sufferers include:
- Hot drinks
- Spicy foods
- Extreme temperatures
- Stress
- Alcohol
- Excitement
- Sun exposure
If you think you may have personal triggers not on the list, you should keep a daily diary of your diet and activities to identify exactly what triggers a flare-up when it occurs. Talk to your dermatologist about how you can learn to identify and deal with your own flushing triggers. They can also help determine if MetroGel® 1% is right for you. If you do not have a dermatologist, the DermFinder® directory can locate one near you.
Although rare, local irritation has been reported with topical sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur therapy. Rosanil® Cleanser is contraindicated for use by patients with hypersensitivity to sulfur and sulfonamides and patients with kidney disease. Avoid contact with eyes.
The following adverse experiences have been reported with the topical treatment of metronidazole: burning, skin irritation, dryness, transient redness, metallic taste, tingling or numbness of extremities and nausea.