Q I have facial flushing and do a lot of outdoor activities in summer. What sunscreen should I choose and how should I manage my skin outdoors?
A UV rays are one of the most powerful aggravating factors for rosacea. Apply a mineral (physical) sunscreen with SPF30+ and PA+++ (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) every day, and use a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for physical blocking. After going out, quickly cooling the face with a cold pack is effective for suppressing vascular dilation.
Detailed Answer
Mineral (physical) sunscreens are recommended for rosacea patients as they are less irritating to the skin than chemical sunscreens. For outdoor work: ①reapply SPF30+ mineral sunscreen every 2 hours ②wear a hat with a brim of at least 10 cm ③move into the shade during peak UV hours (11 am–3 pm) ④after returning home, cleanse with lukewarm water then apply cooling moisturiser. Choose fragrance-free, low-irritation skincare products as those with strong chemical fragrances can stimulate blood vessels.
Korean Medicine Perspective
At Dongjedang, during summer when the Fire (火) energy is strong, we adjust the intensity of Heat-clearing (淸熱) prescriptions to match the season so that upper-burner Heat does not rise excessively. Heat-clearing herbs such as Huang Lian (黃連), Zhi Zi (梔子), and Xuan Shen (玄蔘) lower vascular reactivity, and acupuncture at Hap-gok (合谷) and Naejong (內庭) assists the discharge of facial heat.
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