So, are you Team Kylie or Team Dannii? Scott and Charlene's wedding was a big moment for nine year old me, so I'm always going to be Team Kylie. BUT, at the age of 53 (Kylie) and 50 (Dannii) they both look PHENONEMONAL. They both say they stopped Botox, but they don't say they've stopped skin boosters (like Profhilo), fillers, chemical peels or microneedling.
I'm going to take a punt they do all it and do it really well.
Clearly they invest in their skin and in a recent interview Dannii revealed she does in fact suffer with rosacea.
Dannii says; “My dad has really good skin, too. It’s obviously down to the boring things that we know are good for you – sleep, exercise, drinking water. I try to look after myself with regular facials. I haven’t gone much over the years, but recently I’ve definitely had to ramp that up. I have terrible rosacea so I have laser treatment for it. It makes the skin so smooth and glowing and it helps with collagen [stimulation].
No Botox? Okay.. if you say so. But we don't care, Kylie and Dannii look INSANE for their age and do non-surgical aesthetics - whatever treatments that may be - really well!
Props to Danni Minogue for sharing that she suffers from rosacea, a skin condition that is estimated to impact 5.46% of the population worldwide. We only see images of her looking absolutely perfect with flawless skin, so it's helpful to know she struggles with skin problems just like ordinary women!
What is rosacea?
Rosacea (roe-ZAY-she-uh) is a common, long-term (chronic) inflammatory skin condition mainly affecting the centre of the face. It often starts between the ages of 30 and 60 years old.
Rosacea causes redness and visible blood vessels in the skin, as well as small, red pus-filled bumps. These bumps can get worse over weeks or months, and then improve and disappear for some time. Rosacea is often mistaken for acne or other skin care problems.
What are the signs of rosacea?
Typically, the first appearance of rosacea is a redness across the cheeks, forehead and nose. However, in skin of colour, this early sign may be less obvious.
Patients often describe a burning or stinging sensation when using water or certain skincare products. They may have dry, swollen skin with patches of dusky brown discolouration and acne-like breakouts resistant to typical acne treatment.
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, it is important to see your doctor for a diagnosis before commencing treatment.
A typical presentation of rosacea.
What causes rosacea?
There is no clear cause of rosacea, however there are several theories of the cause, including genetic factors, environmental, blood vessel disorders and inflammatory conditions.
What to avoid
So, is there anything I can avoid in order to help relieve or prevent rosacea? Some patients find there are some triggers to their rosacea, including alcohol, sun exposure, spicy foods, cheese, coffee and exercise.
How is rosacea diagnosed?
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, it’s important to find out if you have rosacea. Often a clinician can make a diagnosis of rosacea by an examination alone. However, in cases of uncertainty, a small tissue sample can be taken as a biopsy to confirm the condition.
Rosacea treatments
Whilst rosacea cannot be cured, treatment can help control the symptoms, reduce flare-ups and prevent rosacea from worsening. Let's take a look at a few of the most common ways to treat rosacea...
General Measures
Where possible, factors that trigger rosacea should be avoided. This may include avoiding oil-based face cream and switching, instead, to water-based make-up. Proper skincare is essential to reduce exacerbations, and moisturisers are key in improving the barrier function of the skin. Sun protection is essential, and again oil-free sunscreens are helpful. Avoid steroid creams, as they can worsen rosacea. Other ingredients to avoid in skincare are alcohol and fragrances, as these can further dry out the skin.
Antibiotics
Tetracycline antibiotics like doxycycline can help reduce the redness and papule from rosacea. They are often prescribed between 6-16 weeks, and repeated courses may be needed from time to time.
Topical treatments
When it comes to topical treatments, metronidazole creams or gels can be used for mild rosacea or in combination with oral antibiotic tablets in severe cases. Topical retinoids can be used to promote connective tissue remodelling and improve the appearance of redness and papules.
Laser Treatment
This is what Dannii has and it's likely to be IPL (intense pulsed light)
How does IPL work?
Of course, you can’t reduce pigmentation issues by standing under a regular lamp; something much stronger is needed. The Intense Pulsed Light works well as it gets right to the pigment, heating it up and breaking it down thanks to its multiple wavelengths of light that scatter within the skin. These multiple wavelengths are able to treat various issues at once.
After cleansing the skin, you are given goggles or eye shields to protect your eyes from the light. Then, the practitioner covers the target area in a gel not dissimilar to the type you see being smothered on pregnant women’s bellies before a scan. Next, they take a handheld applicator, which they pass over the target areas. This delivers pulses of broad spectrum light into the skin, which cause light flicks - almost like flashes from a camera.
What are the benefits of IPL?
There are several key benefits of IPL skin treatment: it’s quick (sometimes just minutes, depending on the area), which is a huge plus. And there is no downtime, so you can be back at work or whatever else you choose to do straight away, and no-one will need to know where you have been. Another great benefit? As Dannii said, IPL boosts collagen and elastin production, so helps to plump up the skin. The results can be incredible, leaving you with clearer, even-toned, fabulous skin.
When to see your doctor about rosacea
Skincare is a fundamental treatment in helping to manage rosacea. However, if you’re yet to have a diagnosis with your skin, or your current regime isn’t working, it is important to see your doctor or dermatologist for further investigations and treatments to get things back under control.