Targeted rosacea therapies can lead to facial skin free of redness and blemishes, but only if these two key elements are also in place: the patient’s commitment to consistent adherence to the treatment plan and the patience to let it work. The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has designated April as Rosacea Awareness Month to educate the public on this conspicuous, life-disruptive facial disorder affecting 16 million Americans, and urge those who may have it to see a dermatologist for diagnosis and therapy tailored to their individual case.

A recent patient survey by the National Rosacea Society has documented the importance of compliance with medical therapy, as 88 percent of the respondents said their symptoms reappear or increase in severity if they fail to use their medication as directed.

In the new survey, 74 percent of 658 respondents said they take their rosacea medications as prescribed by their physician. Another 17 percent said they sometimes use their medications as prescribed, and only 9 percent reported they do not follow their doctor's orders.

At a symposium during a recent meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Mark V. Dahl, chairman of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, noted that to ensure the effectiveness of topical antibiotic therapy for rosacea, patients must spread the medication over the entire face.

"Some patients may apply topical therapy to individual papules and pustules, much as they may have treated acne when they were younger," said Dr. Dahl. "It is important to use this medication over the entire face as a preventive measure for it to be useful."

When dealing with rosacea, experts agree that a strong offense is usually a patient's best defense. According to research, rosacea sufferers who diligently follow long-term medical therapy substantially reduce their chances of a relapse.