Whether the occasion is a family wedding, a business dinner or a “night on the town,” the desire to look your best is the same.  Here are tips on how to avoid or cope with a flare-up that might otherwise put a damper on the festivities:

•  Think ahead.  In the days before a special occasion, take particular care to avoid lifestyle factors that affect your individual condition.

•  Take your medication.  Be sure to take your medication in the weeks before a social occasion in order to minimize symptoms and avoid recurrence.  If your symptoms flare out of control shortly before the event, your dermatologist may be able to prescribe a special treatment for one-time, emergency use.

•  Stash some makeup.  In case you have a flare-up at an important time, be sure to have makeup on hand – green-tinted liquid foundation for general coverage to conceal redness or a thicker flesh-colored formulation for spot application to cover bumps or pimples.

•  Watch what you drink.  During social occasions, take special care to minimize the potential effects of alcoholic or heated beverages, which are common rosacea triggers. To be completely safe, stick to cold, non-alcoholic drinks.

•  Be cautious with food selections.  When given a choice, stick to foods that normally do not cause a rosacea outbreak in your case. Spicy foods are a common rosacea trigger.  

•  Take pride in yourself.  If, despite your best efforts, you experience a flare-up before or during a social occasion, don’t lose heart.  Smile, make eye contact and show an interest in everyone you greet.  Engaging others in a conversation about their hobbies or their grandchildren will take the spotlight off of yourself.