What is rosacea and what causes it?

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face, causing persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps. Its exact cause isn't fully understood, but it involves abnormal immune responses, vascular reactivity, and skin barrier dysfunction. Genetics play a role, as does a mite called Demodex folliculorum that lives naturally on facial skin. People with lighter skin tones are more commonly affected, though rosacea can occur in any skin type.

What are the main triggers for rosacea flares?

Common triggers include sun exposure, heat, hot beverages, spicy foods, alcohol (especially red wine), exercise, cold or windy weather, stress, certain skincare products with alcohol or fragrance, and some medications that dilate blood vessels. Triggers vary considerably between individuals. Keeping a simple diary noting what precedes flares is one of the most practical steps you can take. Avoiding triggers won't cure rosacea, but it meaningfully reduces the frequency and intensity of flares.

Can rosacea be cured?

Rosacea can't be cured, but it can be well controlled. Many patients achieve long periods with minimal symptoms through a combination of trigger avoidance, a gentle skincare routine , consistent sun protection, and appropriate medical treatment. Topical medications like azelaic acid, metronidazole, and ivermectin cream are effective for inflammatory lesions. Oral antibiotics in low doses help with moderate flares. Laser and light treatments reduce visible blood vessels and persistent redness. Managing rosacea is a long-term process, but the right approach keeps most patients comfortable.

How do I know if I have rosacea or just sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin reacts temporarily to products or environmental factors and then calms down. Rosacea involves persistent redness that doesn't fully resolve, visible blood vessels (telangiectasias), recurrent flushing triggered by specific factors, and often inflammatory bumps or pimples on the central face. If you're seeing a pattern of redness or flushing that returns repeatedly, particularly with triggers like heat, alcohol, or sun, a dermatologist visit will clarify whether it's rosacea and what treatment makes sense.

What skincare routine is safe for rosacea-prone skin?

Keep it simple and gentle. Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, rinse with lukewarm water, and pat (don't rub) dry. Moisturize daily with a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic product to support the skin barrier. Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning (mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide tend to be better tolerated). Avoid products with alcohol, witch hazel, strong exfoliants, and fragrances. Introduce any new product slowly, one at a time, so you can identify if something is causing a reaction.

My eyes burn and feel dry. Could that be rosacea?

It can. Ocular rosacea is common and often missed. It causes burning, dryness, and styes, and we treat it with lid hygiene plus oral and ophthalmic options.

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Medical Dermatology

Control rosacea symptoms and improve facial skin tone

For rosacea that creams alone cannot settle. We match the treatment to your pattern, from topical and oral therapy to vascular laser for persistent redness and visible vessels.

Schedule Your Visit Call 833-635-2566

"Treatment worked extremely well! Over the course of 3 months, my face went from red and covered in acne to smooth and soft. I now don't feel ashamed taking my mask off in public or taking selfies. Kalon has helped me gain back my confidence, and take back control of my life."

Emily Mooney · Google Review

On This Page

Quick Facts

At a Glance

Condition

Chronic facial redness with visible blood vessels and bumps

Common Subtypes

Erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous, and ocular

Provider

Dr. David Biro, MD, PhD, board-certified dermatologist

Diagnosis

Visual skin exam combined with symptom and trigger history

Treatments

Topical metronidazole or azelaic acid, oral antibiotics, and vascular laser

When to Seek Care

Persistent flushing, breakouts, eye irritation, or skin thickening

Find Your Path

Is Your Rosacea a Match for kalon Care?

Match your rosacea concern to the right kalon care pathway

My face turns red and I don't know what triggers itCommon triggers include heat, alcohol, spicy food, sun, and stress. A trigger diary plus dermatology evaluation can pinpoint your pattern and start treatment.

I have bumps on my cheeks that look like acne but aren't going awayPapulopustular rosacea is often mistaken for adult acne. Treatment is different: topical metronidazole, ivermectin, or oral antibiotics target the inflammation.

My eyes feel gritty and burn, is that rosaceaOcular rosacea is common and underdiagnosed. Symptoms include burning, dryness, and styes. Treatment combines lid hygiene with oral and ophthalmic options.

Wine and spicy food make me flush, can I treat thatTrigger-driven flushing responds to a combo of trigger reduction, topicals like brimonidine, and vascular laser for persistent redness.

My nose is starting to thicken, what should I doEarly phymatous changes are treatable. Oral isotretinoin or surgical reshaping can address thickening; the earlier the better.

Will laser help my rednessVascular laser (pulsed dye, IPL) targets visible vessels and persistent redness. Multiple sessions often produce lasting improvement when topicals plateau.

This Concern Match is informational, not medical advice. Rosacea presentation, severity, and treatment response vary by individual. Schedule a dermatology consultation for diagnosis and a personalized plan.

Rosacea

Visible facial vessels, facial flushing, and small pus-filled bumps are just some of the common issues associated with rosacea. If you have rosacea, the experienced providers at kalon Dermatology in Staten Island and the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, provide personalized skin care plans for rosacea. They specialize in treating rosacea for Brooklyn and Staten Island residents. Before your rosacea leaves you feeling embarrassed or self-conscious, see how they can help. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What is Rosacea?

As one of the most common skin conditions, rosacea leads to flare-ups that can last for weeks or even months at a time. If you have rosacea, you may develop facial redness and flushing for no clear reason. Rosacea is also known for causing:

Round, bulbous nose
Warm or tender skin
Dry, swollen, irritated eyes
Small pus-filled bumps that resemble pimples

While health care providers aren’t clear as to why rosacea occurs, they believe that a combination of genetics and environmental factors – including sun exposure – are likely to be responsible.

In any case, no matter how minor or how severe your rosacea may be, you can get the dermatology care you need at kalon Dermatology.

How is Rosacea Diagnosed?

Your provider at kalon Dermatology examines your skin for signs of rosacea, including redness, flushing, and enlarged blood vessels. They also ask about your overall skin care, which may include the facial products you use, detergents, or soaps.

Rosacea can often look like other health conditions, so your provider evaluates your skin health to rule out other causes.

How is Rosacea Treated?

Treatment for rosacea depends on the cause of your flare-ups. Common triggers include stress, spicy food , and warm temperatures. Determining your triggers can help prevent rosacea flare-ups and help you enjoy healthy, clear skin.

If you have mild to moderate rosacea, your provider might recommend topical gels or creams that constrict blood vessels to help reduce facial redness. However, if you have rosacea pimples, you might need antibiotic creams or anti-inflammatory medications.

You also want to avoid using harsh deodorant soaps, toners, and astringents on your skin. Managing your diet and nutrition can help improve your skin’s condition as well.

Rosacea is not one condition, so the plan depends on your pattern. We treat the bumps and inflammation of papulopustular rosacea with topical metronidazole, azelaic acid, ivermectin, or oral antibiotics, and we treat persistent redness and visible vessels with vascular laser. If flushing has triggers, we help you map them so the plan holds.

How Can Laser Treatment Help With Rosacea?

Lasers are one of the most in-demand and fast-acting solutions available. Using medical laser technology, kalon Dermatology can reduce the appearance of your rosacea and restore your even-toned skin.

Laser rosacea treatments can target unwanted vessels in your skin. This energy destroys the tiny vessels, causing them to break down and turn into scar tissue, without damaging the surrounding skin. As blood recirculates, your body naturally starts eliminating treated vessels.

Over time, unsightly veins fade away, which leaves you with beautiful, more youthful-looking skin. No needles and no surgery needed. Rosacea treatments are virtually painless and can even be completed during your break.

If you struggle with rosacea in Brooklyn or Staten Island and need expert dermatology care, call kalon Dermatology or schedule your consultation online today.

Patient Reviews

What Our Patients Say

Excellent doctor, excellent stuff. I recommend this office to my relatives and friends.

Alexander S.

Google Review

I’ve been to multiple Dermatology offices to help me with my skin concern. There is no one else I’d trust more now that I’ve been to Kalon Dermatology. The staff is polite and caring. The team took the time to go over all my treatment options and I’ve finally found the help I needed. I highly recommend this Dermatology office and will be recommending and returning with my family.

Gabi D.

Google Review

Love the friendly staff and great doctors here. Highly recommend 10/10 great results

Laura C.

Google Review

Danny is a very good doctor. Very knowledgeable, caring and attentive.

crispy P.

Google Review

Loved my experience here. Such knowledgeable providers and have a good bed side manner. The office is beautiful and most importantly very clean.

Nelly K.

Google Review

This place is absolutely amazing! From the staff, to the reception area to the treatments. I see Danny bronshtein for my injections and my skincare needs. He’s very thorough and attentive and sweet to boot. Can’t recommend them enough!

elle G.

Google Review

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Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

: Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face, causing persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps. Its exact cause isn't fully understood, but it involves abnormal immune responses, vascular reactivity, and skin barrier dysfunction. Genetics play a role, as does a mite called Demodex folliculorum that lives naturally on facial skin. People with lighter skin tones are more commonly affected, though rosacea can occur in any skin type.
: Common triggers include sun exposure, heat, hot beverages, spicy foods, alcohol (especially red wine), exercise, cold or windy weather, stress, certain skincare products with alcohol or fragrance, and some medications that dilate blood vessels. Triggers vary considerably between individuals. Keeping a simple diary noting what precedes flares is one of the most practical steps you can take. Avoiding triggers won't cure rosacea, but it meaningfully reduces the frequency and intensity of flares.
: Rosacea can't be cured, but it can be well controlled. Many patients achieve long periods with minimal symptoms through a combination of trigger avoidance, a gentle skincare routine , consistent sun protection, and appropriate medical treatment. Topical medications like azelaic acid, metronidazole, and ivermectin cream are effective for inflammatory lesions. Oral antibiotics in low doses help with moderate flares. Laser and light treatments reduce visible blood vessels and persistent redness. Managing rosacea is a long-term process, but the right approach keeps most patients comfortable.
: Sensitive skin reacts temporarily to products or environmental factors and then calms down. Rosacea involves persistent redness that doesn't fully resolve, visible blood vessels (telangiectasias), recurrent flushing triggered by specific factors, and often inflammatory bumps or pimples on the central face. If you're seeing a pattern of redness or flushing that returns repeatedly, particularly with triggers like heat, alcohol, or sun, a dermatologist visit will clarify whether it's rosacea and what treatment makes sense.
: Keep it simple and gentle. Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, rinse with lukewarm water, and pat (don't rub) dry. Moisturize daily with a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic product to support the skin barrier. Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning (mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide tend to be better tolerated). Avoid products with alcohol, witch hazel, strong exfoliants, and fragrances. Introduce any new product slowly, one at a time, so you can identify if something is causing a reaction.
: It can. Ocular rosacea is common and often missed. It causes burning, dryness, and styes, and we treat it with lid hygiene plus oral and ophthalmic options.

Expertise You Can Trust

Meet Our Expert Team

More than 75 years of combined dermatology and medical experience. Click any provider to read their background.

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Reviewed by David Biro, MD, PhD

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your individual needs.

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