Red Face

My face is RED, what could it be?

There are many different causes for a red face. This is a common complaint that I see in my office. It is important to take a thorough history as well as a list of products that you are using on a daily basis. Redness can be caused by a product that is too harsh for your skin type or by over use by an aggressive product that should be used only in moderation. It's sometimes necessary to do a complete overhaul of a patient's regimen by identifying ingredients that may be causing irritation. Some people don't tolerate benzoyl peroxide very well and others cannot tolerate AHAs or retinols and these must be eliminated completely. It may be necessary to have you start with a basic skincare regimen with simple pure ingredients to calm your skin down. Some products that are great for this are mild cleanser, super serum, facial moisturizer, moisture plus and hydrating serum.

Possible causes of RED face:

• Allergic Reactions: These can be from topical preparations such as perfumes, makeup removers, cleansers or face creams. It can also occur from hair dyes and straightening treatments or environmental irritants. An allergy patch test can be done in our office to test for over 23 different substances or mixes known to cause skin redness and irritation.
• Seborrheic Dermatitis: This condition can cause redness, peeling, scaling of the eyebrows, nasolabial folds and often on the head or scalp. This can be treated with topical creams and solutions.
• Eczema: This often causes redness on the face as well as on the other areas of the body including the neck, arms and legs. Many people with eczema have a personal or family history of asthma or hay fever.
• Rosacea: Read more about Rosacea click here.
• Skin Sensitivity: This is not a true allergy but patients with delicate skin types may be sensitive to certain products which can cause redness in the skin.
• Over treated: Patients may become sensitized after over treatment to the face with regimens' including aggressive peels or laser treatments accompanied by over drying skin care products. It is important to have these treatments overseen by a dermatologist to ensure skin's safety.
• Drug Reaction: Certain oral and topical medications can cause photo-sensitivity (sensitivity to the sun's rays). This can cause the skin to become more reactive thus causing redness and burning in the face. These may include certain antibiotics, antihistamines, anti-psychotics and cardiovascular drugs.
• Lupus: In more serious cases, you may experience redness from lupus or other diseases that affect the skin internally. It is important to have these conditions diagnosed early and treated by a board-certified dermatologist to ensure proper treatment.