If you have red skin or your skin color leans in that direction, you doubtless know all the cliches and assumptions that come with it. That you’re easily embarrassed. Maybe have a fiery temper. Or that you’re overtly emotional, based on the fact that your skin turns colors easily and quickly.
But none of those possibilities have anything to do with physical symptoms that are commonly associated with skin redness when things start to go wrong. These can include itchiness, burning, and even inflammation, among others, and they can make daily life a struggle for those who suffer from them. Understanding why and they occur is the key to eliminating them, so it’s important to get the right kind of expertise to find the best solution.
Your red skin issue might not be a code red
If you’re experiencing any of the aforementioned issues, the first thing you need to understand is that there’s no need to press the panic button.
“A little redness, especially after treatments or heat exposure, is normal and usually short-lived,” says Sarah Akram, a celebrity master esthetician. “[But] persistent redness, burning, or flaking may signal inflammation, sensitivity, or a compromised skin barrier and should be evaluated.”
When estheticians like Akram do that, part of their job is to play the role of skincare detective. Clients are often distracted by the symptoms, so it’s up to her to sort out skin redness and what might be causing it.
“I look at the location, triggers, and pattern of redness,” she said. “Is it constant or reactive? Is there texture or broken capillaries? I focus on clinical signs — not assumptions.”
Breaking down the symptoms
Some symptoms are painfully obvious. A recent sunburn, for instance, will leave behind redness that’s slow to fade, along with the requisite irritation and itchiness. When those symptoms are more severe, though, they can indicate issues like eczema or an allergic reaction.
Other symptoms can include red skin that’s either warm or hot to the touch, changes in the skin surface, excessive tenderness, or a mottled appearance.
All of this may seem like a maze, but if your symptoms are mild and you don’t have a history of skin issues, there’s no reason to rush off to see a dermatologist. Estheticians like Akram can recommend topical products, and sometimes they can solve issues related to red skin before they escalate.
Topicals that can help
Akram recommends a specific type of topicals after many of her initial examinations. Here are four of them, including one of her own.
- Serum Erythros.This topical is described as “a cocktail of seven active ingredients that target the visible signs of rosacea.” Specifically, the serum is designed to reduce visible areas of redness, make broken veins seem less apparent, and soothe any tingling sensations.
- Seriénce Night Serum. The idea here is to boost skin cell immunity to help keep the skin barrier intact and capable of defending against irritants. It’s designed to be used with the company’s other products to provide complete skin protection and enhancement.
- Auteur density crème.This cream is marketed as having repair capabilities that enhance the regenerative function of skin, while also hydrating and protecting.
- Sarah Akram Cryo Sticks. Based on the basic concept of cryotherapy, these sticks are a skincare tool that can be chilled to provide a maximum cooling effect on specific areas of the skin.
Other treatments to complement topicals
Topicals aren’t the only possible solution to basic symptoms associated with skin redness, however. Here are the other treatments that can be helpful, according to Akram.
LED or laser therapy. Both green and red light therapy have proven effective for skin care in general, and they can also help lower or eliminate symptoms associated with redness. For more severe symptoms, laser treatment is more accessible than ever, although there are issues with home versions of lasers that have been coming on the market.
Lifestyle changes to avoid known triggers. The two obvious ones in this category are time outdoors and alcohol consumption. Sunscreen is a must for the former, and alcohol is a known contributor when symptoms become more serious.
Professional facials to soothe and strengthen the skin. This is the value estheticians can provide. Having someone who knows your skin, your lifestyle, and your skincare routine can be invaluable if you have symptoms and you’re doing regular facials.
When to see a dermatologist
Topicals and treatments will often alleviate or eliminate issues related to red skin, especially if the symptoms are mild. If they don’t, though, it’s time to see a dermatologist, especially if the symptoms get worse instead of better.
“If redness is persistent, painful, or includes bumps, see a dermatologist,” Akram recommends. “They can assess for conditions like rosacea and prescribe targeted treatments.”
Dermatologists will approach these symptoms in a very different way. When symptoms are serious, they view skin redness as erythema, which is the clinical term that takes them beyond simple recognition.
If you’ve already done topicals and treatments, dermatologists can take you to the next step. There are prescription versions of the products we mentioned earlier, and ingredients like azelaic acid can be a powerful solution.
Taking this step also puts you in an ideal situation if your symptoms do turn out to be more serious.If redness isn’t letting up — or gets worse — it’s worth checking in with a derm. They can bring in the big guns if your over-the-counter stuff isn’t cutting it.
