There can be many causes of redness to the face, each with its own indicated treatment. Therefore, it is essential to make sure the correct diagnosis is made so that the treatment can effectively target the specific condition.
So, what is KPRF?
Keratosis Pilaris Rubra Faciei (KPRF), is a type of Keratosis Pilaris (KP). KP is a benign condition that is characterized by tiny red bumps on the skin. This condition may also commonly occur on the back of the arms, trunk, and thighs.
KPRF, being a sub-type of KP, often appears as a patch of red, rough bumps on the cheeks with background skin redness that sometimes occurs in a diagonal formed patch from the cheeks down to the jawline and it can be mistaken for rosacea or acne.
Why does it happen?
This is one of the conditions in dermatology that we don’t really know why it forms. Generally, KP is thought to be a genetic condition that predisposes hair follicles to become plugged up with sloughed off keratin, which is the protein that forms the hair and outer- layer of the skin.
What does it look like?
KPRF is often seen as a patch of small, red, rough bumps with underlying redness on the cheeks. Sometimes dry weather conditions and climates, especially winter, can make it worse. While KPRF is not harmful, many patients seek treatment for cosmetic reasons or believe that they may have acne or rosacea.
How can it be treated?
The overall goal is to help smooth out the skin texture and improve the redness. The key to this will be to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Gentle skin care products (cleansers and moisturizers) are crucial for successful treatment and maintenance. Emollient moisturizers work well for this purpose. They work by creating a barrier on the skin to trap in moisture.
Gentle creams and cleansers containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid can help exfoliate and smooth the skin when used on a regular basis. Prescription topical retinoids such as tretinoin can also be useful for chemical exfoliation. However, this must be done cautiously in low strengths to avoid skin irritation, which can make this condition look worse.
In inflamed cases, short courses of topical steroids (under supervision from your dermatology provider) and other prescription non-steroidal medications may be used to control it.
Skin redness and texture can be treated in dermatology office with specific lasers. Often, a series of treatment may be needed to achieve this.
A more aggressive approach is to use oral isotretinoin (or Accutane) for treatment which has been helpful in some cases.
Is it possible to grow out of it?
The good news is that although the condition is chronic, many patients will either outgrow it or it may simply improve with age.
How The Derm NP can help . . .
If you are struggling with a suspected case of KPRF, acne, or rosacea, schedule a live teledermatology visit online or asynchronous consultation (depending upon your state of residence) with us for evaluation.
You can schedule your consultation here: https://thedermnp.clientsecure.me/
And for more information on all of the conditions we treat, click here: https://thedermnp.com/conditions-we-treat/
