New Survey finds People with Rosacea are more likely to be Judged Negatively upon First Impression than People with Clear Skin

A new survey has found that people with the common skin condition rosacea often make an unfairly negative first impression on Americans.¹ Social, in a relationship, healthy — these are descriptors that respondents do not use to describe their perception of someone with redness on their face, without knowing anything else about them. The unique digital perception survey, developed in partnership between the National Rosacea Society and Galderma Laboratories, L.P., contrasted images of women and men with signs of facial redness of rosacea and images of women and men with clear skin.

Photo of model with clear skin and simulated rosacea symptoms that was used in the general population survey

According to the survey results, those with facial redness are more likely than those with clear skin to be seen as shy and quiet (22% vs. 17%) or nervous (18% vs. 11%). Survey respondents also thought that rosacea sufferers were less likely to be outgoing (38% vs. 27%) and less likely to be in a relationship (26% vs. 17%). In comparison, those with clear skin were more likely than those with rosacea to be seen as relaxed (77% vs. 64%) or charismatic (75% vs. 63%).

The survey also found that when trying to make a good impression, both personally and professionally, more rosacea sufferers would be concerned about their face being red (56%) than being unable to come across as a good fit for a job (47%), saying something inappropriate or offensive (20%), or having body odor (18%). Nearly two-thirds of rosacea sufferers (63%) have avoided situations because they felt uncomfortable or embarrassed about how their skin looked due to facial redness.

In terms of treatment, 79% of respondents with rosacea say that they currently do something to remedy facial redness, but over half of them (54%) are resorting to covering up their condition with makeup instead of treating it. Over the counter products satisfy less than half of users (45%).

"The issue we see with many rosacea sufferers is that they do not recognize the symptoms and miss out on getting effective treatment for the skin condition," says Dr. Richard Fried, a dermatologist and psychologist in Yardley, Pa. "The persistent facial redness of rosacea often causes embarrassment and anxiety with sufferers, and the survey results provide proof that those affected actually avoid going to social events and miss out on special occasions. People should be taking advantage of the effective prescription treatments that are available to them; without proper treatment, rosacea can worsen over time and potentially lead to depression."

If you are suffering from the redness of rosacea, visit www.RedIsWrong.com for more information on your prescription treatment options.

References

1. Rosacea Photo Perception Survey. Kelton Research. February 2014. (survey of more than 1500 people; 1,015 nationally representative American ages 18 and over & 518 Americans ages 30-50 who have been diagnosed with rosacea).