If I had £1 for every instagram DM I get from someone asking ‘do I have rosacea?’ followed by a flood of photos of their skin, I would be writing this blog post from a luxury beach hut (fully air-conditioned, shady, and with a huge fan pointed at me… of course!) I am not medically or aesthetically trained but I know the panic and hopelessness a person can feel when they are waist-deep in rosacea research and feeling even more confused than when they started. So I wanted to try to help…
I am always trying to learn more about rosacea, especially when it comes to the aspects of rosacea I haven’t experienced first hand. So when I was planning my content for Rosacea Awareness Month 2022, I knew I wanted to write about rosacea in skin of colour as it’s a topic that is not spoken about enough, and often misunderstood and – worse – filled with mistruths. So when the incredible Dr Thivi Maruthappu got in touch with me and suggested we have a conversation about it, I was really excited.
One of the reasons I continue to talk about rosacea online is because I remember how stressful, lonely, expensive, and confusing my early rosacea journey was. Every time I sit down to write a blog post, or share a photo, I think ‘What did I want to know when I was first diagnosed? What did I need to see? What support would’ve made a difference?’ So here’s a big one: how to prepare for your rosacea appointment with your doctor or HCP (Health Care Professional).
FYI, some of this blog post contains chunks of writing I’ve previously published on this site but I am sharing them here in one place for ease.
View PostI posted on instagram yesterday about a debate led by MP Sir Edward Leigh in Westminster Hall, to discuss the link between skin conditions and mental health. He is a member of the APPGS (All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin) who aim to increase understanding about skin care issues in Parliament and achieve improvements in the treatment and management of patients with skin disease. This debate referenced their recent reports and surveys on this topic, inviting other MPs to discuss both their own experiences of skin conditions, as well as sharing stories from their constituents and praising charities and specific services they thought were leading the way in this field.
Need some inspiration for what to read next? Or just need to compulsively fill your wishlist with books even though you have stacks of unread books sitting right next to you? You are my people. Here are the 100 books I read last year, my top 25 book recommendations, and some tips on how to read more.
