Facial Redness

Facial redness or erythema for most of us is just that momentary blush of embarrassment in a social situation. But for many others it can be a more constant reddening that becomes a cause of embarrassment rather than the end result. Facial redness is scientifically caused by large amounts of blood flowing quickly through the facial vessels causing the vessels to expand beneath the skin. The redness is generally located in the cheek area but can spread to down to the chin and neck and even upper chest. Sometimes the forehead area may be involved.

The facial redness can be associated with many things such as food, dust, environmental or chemical allergies; stress, over-exertion; exercise, extreme heat or cold; or alcohol. If the redness becomes more permanent or constant, one may suspect the dermatitis condition known as rosacea.

For some, rosacea redness has been described as a sensation of burning on the skin. Others may comment that it appears to resemble a sunburn. In the early stages of rosacea this redness may come and go. In the later stages of the condition, the effect becomes more permanent. The facial redness or flushing may last anywhere from hours to days at a time.

Controlling or treating facial redness can be difficult. There are many cover up products on the market. These products in the form of makeup or lotions are often green tinted. When applied to the skin the green tint neutralizes the red to give a more natural appearance. Other products may contain the mineral, zinc oxide that said to neutralize the redness. Another treatment, which claims to reduce redness, is intense pulse laser. The theory is that by zapping the blood vessel, you will essentially 'kill' it thereby stopping the flow of blood to the vessel, which results in redness. Blood vessels carry nutrients to the skin and our body will repair or re-build these vessels as a means of life so the procedure if successful will only be a temporary measure.

One very effective means of controlling facial redness is probably the least expensive. Drink water. Keeping the body well hydrated can reduce stress, and improve body function. The skin is the body's largest organ and as such is the first to react to dehydration or to show signs of being deprived of water. When the skin is dehydrated it can't control or handle temperature as well and will react much like the soil in a drought and draw up and crack. In our skin we call this effect - wrinkles. So many of the beverages we consume are natural diuretics such as coffee, teas, alcohol and soda. We may feel we are taking in adequate fluids but these beverages are actually pushing the fluids out of the body rather than replenishing it.