Update after two years.

Overall my dermatologist is pleased with the results however she can still see evidence of demodex activity on my face particularly around my nasel folds and chin and she reminds me to keep using the scabies lotion regularly as maintainence.  This is evident in the images below, as a couple of small pustules.  

My face looks a little flushed in these shots and it's due to a couple of reasons.  One reason is that we are now treating the strong veins around the nose and over the chin with a new laser called Genesis.  We are also going over the cheeks to close off the veins to remove the background redness.  

This new laser is very effective and the downtime seems to be less than the previous laser.  While it is so much more targetted, it is also very much more painful and I'm only on a moderate setting.  I haven't had to resort to a stressball until now, and behind my goggles I am weeping with pain.

Unlike recovery from the previous laser, the recovery is less like a surface burn but more of an interior swelling so my past strategies of quickly cooling the skin does not apply.  In fact, there's really nothing I can do but be gentle for a couple of days and not let my husband near me with his beard stubble which feels like a thousand daggers.  

The second reason for the flushed appearance could be due to anti aging products recommended by my dermatologist which can both cause flushing.

I'm still getting into the routine but basically it's using a Vitamin C topical serum in the morning with 50+ sunscreen over the top and at nighttime, a very low percentage Retinol topical with Hyaloronic Acid serum over the forehead and cheeks and the scabies lotion around my nasal folds and chin.  I couldn't afford the topicals sold by my dermatologist but have purchased very similar products from The Ordinary which are almost a tenth of the price.

At this point, I am very confident in my skin.  My complexion is generally clear and even.  ...and not bad for nearly 51!

PS.  At long last I got a sample tube of SooLantra and used all 10mg of it over the course of 5 nights (just around my problem areas).  It was okay.  No reaction, no nothing really.  The Cetaphil base it consists of makes it easy to apply and lightly moisturising.  My feeling is that the Quellada or Lyclear is just as good and at a fifth of the price.  I was glad for the opportunity to test it out though!

 

One year on and still amazing results.

It's been a year since my last photographs and I thought it would be great to update you on my skin.

I have been less regimented with the scabies lotion (Quellada) over the last year - only using it for a couple of nights in a row when I get a breakout on my chin or in the nasal folds.

I haven't had any more laser treatment since I finished the course in early 2016.

My routine these days is very simple.  I keep my skin clean with a gentle cleanser (Cetaphil) and because I'm now 50 years old, I've been using a basic hyaluronic acid to keep the wrinkles at bay topped with Cetaphil lotion (to trap the hyaluronic acid in).

I always wear a hat when I got outside and I am mostly pretty good at remembering to apply sunscreen.

This probably really is my last post regarding my battle with rosacea.  ...maybe...

All the very best

Kate

My battle against Demodex Mites has been won!

It's really nice to know that people are reading about my journey!  Here's an update...

It has been almost one year and my skin has improved significantly.

Since getting the demodex mites under control using Quellada scabies lotion on a daily basis, my dermatologist has said to use it once a week.  Sometimes I forget and use it every couple of weeks when a small pimple reminds me to apply the lotion (paying particular attention to my sebum rich areas - the creases of nose and chin).

Morning routine at this time:
Cleanse with Cetaphil.
Zinc sunscreen with a tint OR I apply a mineral foundation if I am needing a made up look.

Evening routine at this time:
Cleanse with a micellar water to remove the sunscreen or makeup.
Apply Cetaphil lotion OR Quellada (once a week - I aim for Sunday evening)

The redness which remains is veins damages from the Demodex infestation.  To minimise the flare ups, I have had 4 sessions of IPL.  Initially the settings were low and bearable but each session is now dreaded as the operator has increased the pulse and focuses on my problem areas - on and around the nose and a couple of really stubborn veins on my chin.  I take two paracetamol before I go to the appointment but I doubt they do much to counter the shock of each zap.  I describe myself as pretty tough but I cried during my last session.

On average, it takes me around 3 days to recover from a session most of which consists of tender skin, one or two little bruises and swelling beneath the eyes.

I've got a routine I follow to minimise the discomfort.  As soon as I get into the car, I apply alcohol free aloe vera gel and turn the air conditioner on for an icy blast.  As soon as I arrive home, I very gently wash the sunscreen off my face (applied by the IPL operator as a matter of course) and apply Advantan cream followed by a layer of aloe vera.  I spend the next couple of hours sitting up on the bed, fanning my face with a hand fan and gently applying cold compress to particularly hot areas.

I stopped using the Solosite burn gel but only because as soon as you touch it, it sort of flakes off in blobs and was a bit messy.  I recommend that you don't go out in public with it on.  Other than that, if you have some on hand, go for it!

Within a couple of hours, I have the redness under control.  The skin feels very tender and remains that way for a few days.

I almost forgot!  Here's some exciting news for Australian rosacea sufferers!...  My dermatologist said that SooLantra will be here within the next month or so.  She said that although the Quellada has been excellent for me, she would get me a sample of SooLantra to try.  It will be interesting to see how much the SooLantra will cost here but it won't be anywhere near as affordable as the $25 a bottle I pay for Quellada.