My Journey with Rosacea: Lessons from Both Sides - Future Physician & Patient

Growing up, my skin was always a topic of conversation—sometimes my own, sometimes someone else’s. I learned early to live with vitiligo and keratosis pilaris, both of which made me hyper-aware of my appearance. But nothing quite prepared me for rosacea, which decided to make its debut near the end of college, right as I was finishing my collegiate volleyball career.

As an athlete, I was used to being flushed after a tough game, but my cheeks were always ten times rosier than anyone else’s. Teammates and even strangers would comment, usually in good humor, but their words had a way of making my cheeks burn even brighter. It was mortifying, and the redness often lingered long after the game was over.

When I started medical school, the stress and long hours only seemed to make things worse. By my second year, I realized I needed help and booked an appointment with a dermatologist. They started me on a topical product containing oxymetazoline, a vasoconstrictor. At first, it felt like a miracle—the redness faded, and I felt more confident. But after a few months, I noticed a troubling pattern: the more I used it, the more I experienced “rebound vasodilation.” My cheeks would flush even more intensely when the medication wore off, and it started to feel like I was fighting a losing battle.

With my wedding on the horizon, I became increasingly anxious about my appearance. The thought of having bright red cheeks in every wedding photo was unbearable. I went back to my dermatologist, who recommended pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy. They assured me that after three sessions, my rosacea would be gone. I wish they hadn’t made that promise.

PDL did help—at first. My skin looked clearer, and for a moment I thought I’d finally “fixed” my rosacea. But less than a year later, the redness returned. That’s when I learned one of the most important lessons of my medical training, not from a textbook, but from a dermatologist I worked with during my third-year rotations: rosacea, like many skin conditions, is a lifelong journey, not a one-time fix. She explained to me and her patients that maintenance therapy is essential, just like with chronic conditions such as hypertension. If you stop treating it because things look better, the symptoms will almost certainly return.

This perspective was a turning point for me—not just as a patient, but as a future physician. Setting realistic expectations is crucial. It’s something I plan to bring into my own practice: honesty about the chronic nature of skin conditions and the importance of ongoing care.

Armed with this new mindset, I sought out an esthetician who specialized in lasers and light therapy. She recommended IPL (intense pulsed light) over PDL, explaining that IPL penetrates the skin differently and can be more effective for certain types of rosacea. She numbed my face before the procedure, which I initially thought was overkill—PDL stung a bit but was tolerable. I was wrong. Even with my face numb, IPL felt like being zapped by tiny lightning bolts. But within 24 hours, I could already see a drastic improvement.

Post - IPL procedure

For those considering their options, I’ll be returning for Aerolase to treat deeper blood vessels, since IPL is best for quick results on the superficial vessels. This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s taught me more than any lecture could. I’ve learned to approach my skin—and my future patients—with patience, empathy, and a commitment to long-term care.

If there’s one thing I hope to share, it’s this: skin conditions like rosacea are not battles you win once and for all. They’re ongoing stories, with ups and downs, setbacks and breakthroughs. But with the right knowledge, support, and realistic expectations, you can manage them—and help others do the same.

Thanks for tuning in, 'til next time :)