Skincare tips w/ Dr Davin Lim

Rosacea isn’t just redness — it’s a barrier dysfunction . 👉Healthy skin is built like a brick wall. The bricks are your skin cells (corneocytes). The mortar between them is made of lipids — ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids. That mortar is what keeps water IN and irritants OUT. In rosacea, that mortar is depleted. Specifically, your ceramides — the most important type, ceramide NP — are reduced by up to 60%. The wall has gaps. . ❓What happens through those gaps: → Water escapes (you feel tight and dry). → Irritants get in (everything stings — even water, even your “gentle” cleanser). → Nerve endings become hyper-sensitive (TRPV1, TRPA1 — the heat and irritant sensors fire over nothing). → Inflammation simmers under the surface 24/7. . 😡That’s why your skin reacts to wind, to a hot shower, to a moisturiser that worked for your friend. It’s not in your head. It’s in your stratum corneum. How to rebuild the wall:👉 . 💦Use a moisturiser that puts the mortar back. Look for these ingredients on the label:👉 🧱 Ceramides (NP, AP, EOP) — the actual lipids your skin is missing. Non-negotiable. 💧 Hyaluronic acid — pulls water into the skin. Pairs with ceramides for hydration + repair. 🧈 Squalane — a stable plant-derived version of your skin’s own squalene. Reinforces the lipid layer. 🌿 Glycerin — humectant, holds water in. Cheap, effective, well-tolerated. ✨ Niacinamide (vitamin B3) — anti-inflammatory AND stimulates your own ceramide production. Use at 4-5%, not higher in rosacea skin. 🌱 Panthenol (B5), centella asiatica, colloidal oatmeal, allantoin — soothing agents that calm reactive nerves while the barrier rebuilds. . 😎Dr Davin Lim Dermatologist🇦🇺 #therosaceaclinic #rosacea

THE SANDWICH TECHNIQUE for rosacea is the MOST important concept you’ll never learn for rosacea🥪 . 😡Rosacea skin hates actives. But you still need them to control inflammation, redness, papules and pustules — ivermectin, azelaic acid, metronidazole, even your retinoid at night. . 👉The problem? Apply these to bare rosacea skin and you get stinging, burning, redness, sometimes a full flare. Solution: the sandwich. . 📝Here’s how it works: . 🥪Bread #1 — Moisturiser first. Apply a thin layer of a bland, fragrance-free moisturiser. Wait 2–3 minutes. . 🥪Filling — Your active. Apply a pea-sized amount of your prescribed active (ivermectin, azelaic acid, etc.) on top. Wait another 2–3 minutes. . 🥪Bread #2 — Moisturiser again. A second light layer of moisturiser to seal everything in. 👌🏻That’s it. The moisturiser acts as a buffer — it slows the absorption of the active, which reduces the sting and burn, without killing the efficacy. Why this works for rosacea specifically: Your skin barrier is already compromised. The corneocytes are loose, the lipid mortar is leaky, the nerves are hyper-reactive. Slamming an active onto that surface is like pouring lemon juice on a cut. The sandwich changes the kinetics — it lets the active in slowly, gently, without setting off the alarm. . 👍🏻Tips: → Use a simple moisturiser. Look for ceramides, glycerin, panthenol, squalane. Avoid anything with fragrance, menthol, essential oils, or “cooling” agents. → Don’t rub. Press and pat. → This works for almost every irritating active — even retinoids once you’re stable. → For severe sensitivity, do a “double sandwich” — moisturiser, wait, moisturiser, wait, active, wait, moisturiser. → Doesn’t apply to alpha agonists like brimonidine — those need direct contact. . 👉If you’ve stopped using your rosacea cream because “it burns too much” — try this before giving up on it. Most patients tolerate their actives within a week using this method.💯 😎Dr Davin Lim, Dermatologist, TRC 🌹The Rosacea Clinic Sydney & Brisbane🇦🇺 #rosacea #rosaceatreatment #sensitiveskin drdavinlim

Motivational Sunday, which coincides with Mother's Day in Australia and many parts of the world 🌍 . 💐🌹Here is to all the mums with rosacea, wishing you a calm skin day and a moment for yourself. . ☺️Happy Mother's Day and thank you for all that you've given. 🙏🏼 . ❤️The team from The Rosacea Clinic 🇦🇺

Why does rosacea so often worsen around 45 to 55? Look at the hormones. Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and melatonin don’t decline at the same time — and the years when they all collapse at once are the years when rosacea peaks.💯 . 📝Each hormone pulls a different lever: → Estrogen keeps blood vessels tight. As it falls, vessels dilate easily — flushing, hot flashes, persistent redness. → Progesterone supports skin barrier integrity. Lower levels mean a leakier barrier and more sensitivity. → Testosterone drops steadily through adult life, shifting the immune balance toward low-grade inflammation in skin. → Melatonin falls too — meaning lighter sleep, less overnight skin repair, and higher cortisol. . 🙋‍♀️The menopausal window — roughly age 45 to 55 — is where these effects converge. Vasomotor instability from estrogen withdrawal, disturbed sleep from low melatonin and night sweats, and structural skin changes (thinner dermis, more visible vessels) all stack up. Surveys suggest up to 40% of female rosacea patients report a noticeable worsening of flushing during this window. . 👌🏻Solution? 👉The skin: topical ivermectin, metronidazole or azelaic acid for inflammatory lesions; vascular laser (PDL) or IPL for visible vessels — still the gold standard for fixed redness; barrier care with niacinamide, ceramides and daily mineral SPF; low-dose doxycycline for stubborn papulopustular flares. . 👉The hormones: Hormone Replacement Therapy directly addresses vasomotor instability and reduces hot-flash-driven flushing for many women. Benefits and risks should be discussed with your GP or gynaecologist. Lifestyle levers — sleep, stress management, cooling — work on the same pathway.💯 . 😎Dr Davin Lim Dermatologist Brisbane | Sydney🇦🇺 #rosacea #hormones #menopause #perimenopause #therosaceaclinic

HIFU. The most misunderstood device in aesthetics. Here is what the literature actually shows . 👉Facial dermis is only ~1.5 mm thick. Anything deeper is no longer skin — it is the subcutaneous compartment that holds the fat pads of the face. This single number changes how HIFU should be interpreted. . 👉HIFU cartridges come in various depths. 1.5 mm sits inside the dermis, where collagen lives. Anything deeper and you’re in subcutaneous fat & beyond. Each pulse focuses ultrasound into a thermal coagulation point at 60-70°C. The surface stays cool. The energy converges only at the chosen depth. Same machine, same patient, different depth — different tissue, different result. Can the fibroseptal network in layer 2 significantly contact & remodel without collateral? Doubt it. In some patients this is a wanted ‘side-effect’- think high volume lower face, in others, it can be disastrous & permanent HIFU is not a device problem. It is an operator problem.Selection counts. . 👉This is why “I had HIFU” tells you almost nothing about what was actually done. If you are considering HIFU for facial laxity — ask about depth, energy, and who is holding the wand I’m a HUGE fan of HIFU, if the treatment is executed correctly💯 . 😎Dr Davin Lim Dermatolologist Brisbane | Sydney 🇦🇺 #HIFU #facialaesthetics #dermatology #skintightening #drdavinlim

An anti-aging skincare routine for rosacea patients has to be calculated and precise. . 👉Repair your skin barrier. This is the foundation of all rosacea skin care. A strong barrier resists irritants and allergens. Think ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and squalene.💯 . 👌🏻Anti-inflammatories are useful to decrease inflammation; however, some also help with anti-aging. Think niacinamide in concentrations between 3 and 5%. . 👉Next, collagen. Think vitamin C and retinoids; however, these have to be calculated with intent and precisely initiated after skin barrier function is intact and inflammation has subsided. Start with one active at a time. . 👉Vitamin A or retinoids are powerful; however, they can irritate skin. Start with an over-the-counter retinaldehyde, escalating to more powerful retinoids. Apply 2 to 3 nights per week. Use a moisturizer if required, and read more about the sandwich technique in previous posts.🙏🏼 . 🍊Vitamin C is awesome; however, the majority of patients can’t tolerate this because high-grade, highly bioavailable vitamin C is formulated in the low pH, which may cause irritation. Suggestion: start with a 5 to 10% formulation only after all aspects of skin barrier function have been optimized and you understand how to reduce inflammation should the irritation occur . 😎Dr Davin Lim Dermatologist Brisbane | Sydney🇦🇺 #rosacea #rosaceaawareness #rosaceatreatment #dermatologist #drdavinlim therosaceaclinic

The proportion of each relative contribution, in reality, depends on the individual. As a dermatologist, the % of ‘skin’ contribution is significantly more compared to the de novo rosacea patient who may present to other clinicians 💯 . 🥦🥗Lifestyle & diet: is superimportant. Everything from sleep, stress management, ID and reduction of triggers as well as diet. Knowing what to eat and when to eat is paramount to reduce gut-skin inflammation, as well as vasodilation (flushes) if there are contributing triggers . 🧴💊Skin directed therapy: include skin barrier function optimisation, reduction of inflammation, reduction of demodex, reducing flow of vessels & sebum (oil production) . 🔫Lasers: are awesome at reducing inflammation, treating broken capillaries & redness as well as resurfacing for phymatous rosacea . 😎Dr Davin Lim Dermatologist Brisbane | Sydney🇦🇺 #rosacea #rosaceaclinic #rosacearesults

🎙️ What happens when two devices come together? In this #PicoV interview, Dr Davin Lim @drdavinlim joins Sandra Sostres RN @frenchyskinlaser from Cynosure Lutronic to explore the power of combination treatments — and why pairing #PicoSurePro with #DermaV can elevate results beyond a single modality approach. From targeting pigment and improving skin tone to enhancing vascular concerns and overall skin quality, the synergy allows for a more comprehensive, customised treatment strategy. Because great outcomes aren’t just about one technology — they’re about how you combine them. #SkinHealth #CynosureLutronic #MedicalAesthetics

Not all tightening treatments are created equal - and confusing them can cost you volume. Here’s the nuance 👇 XERF = slow, controlled monopolar RF heating HIFU = fast, targeted deep heat (with a trade-off) Fast heat devices like HIFU can reduce facial fat over time—that’s not a maybe, it’s well established. For some patients, that’s the goal. For others, it’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid. XERF, on the other hand, delivers gradual heating deeper into the skin, with a much lower risk of fat loss. Think maintenance, not depletion. So which is better?It depends on your face and your end goal. • Want subtle fat reduction + lift → HIFU may suit • Want to preserve volume + improve tightness → XERF is often the smarter long-term play There’s no one-size-fits-all. Just the right tool, used at the right time. #XERF #HIFU #SkinTightening Dr Davin Lim 😎 @the_melasma_clinic @cutisclinic_brisbane Sydney/Brisbane

In rosacea-prone skin, the barrier is often compromised—this means increased water loss, easier penetration of irritants, and heightened sensitivity. Clinically, this presents as burning, stinging, redness, and reactivity to products that would otherwise be well tolerated . 👉At a biological level, this is linked to: • Reduced ceramide levels • Disruption of protective outer barrier (stratum corneum) • Increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) • Amplified inflammatory signalling . 👉When the barrier is impaired, the skin becomes more reactive—lowering the threshold for flushing & inflammation. . 🔬📝How to fix it? . 1️⃣Restore lipids🧴 Use moisturisers containing ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to rebuild the skin barrier. . 2️⃣Reduce irritation load😡 Avoid over-cleansing, harsh exfoliants, and fragranced products—these further disrupt the barrier. . 3️⃣Gentle cleansing🧴 Use soap-free, low-irritation cleansers that maintain skin pH. . 4️⃣Hydration💧 Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin help maintain water balance within the skin. . 5️⃣Anti-inflammatory support❄️ Niacinamide can help reduce inflammation while improving barrier integrity. . 👌🏻When barrier improves, these changes occur: • 🔴Reduced redness and sensitivity • 🔴Better tolerance to active treatments • 🔴Fewer flare-ups • 🔴More stable, predictable skin 👉Tip: Barrier repair doesn’t give instant results—but it changes how your skin behaves over time. Stronger barrier = less reactive skin. . 😎Dr Davin Lim Dermatologist Brisbane | Sydney🇦🇺 #rosacea #skinbarrier #dermatology #skincareeducation #skinhealth rosaceacare niacinamide ceramides

Unsponsored post. Medik8 cause it’s less sticky than Skinceuticals💯 . Acnelyse Tretinoin cause it’s more powerful than Retreive, cost less and much nicer to use💯 . Rejuran moisturiser cause it’s great for post retinoid peel when we overcook things, PDRN concentrate cause it’s a free gift🐟 . La Mer cause the other half has expensive taste (plus I’m wondering what the hype is about)🤔 . Davin Lim Dermatologist

Rosacea is, at its core, an inflammatory & neurovascular condition—and that inflammation is not confined to the skin What you eat can influence several pathways involved in rosacea, including: • Neurovascular reactivity → contributing to flushing & persistent redness • Immune activation → driving inflammation and papules • Cytokine signalling and oxidative stress → amplifying skin sensitivity . 🍰Dietary patterns—particularly high glycaemic load foods, alcohol, & individual trigger foods—can increase insulin and IGF-1 signalling, activate inflammatory pathways (including mTOR), and promote vascular instability. . 😡This may translate clinically into more frequent flares, increased background redness, & heightened skin reactivity. . In contrast, diets that are lower glycaemic and richer in anti-inflammatory nutrients may help stabilize these pathways Examples include: 🐟Omega-3 fatty acids → modulate inflammatory mediators and support ocular symptoms 🫐Antioxidant-rich foods → reduce oxidative stress 🌱Balanced, low glycaemic meals → reduce insulin-driven inflammation Rosacea is best managed through a combined inside-out and outside-in approach: . 🍓Diet → reduces systemic inflammatory load 💊Medical therapy → targets inflammatory pathways in the skin 🧴Skincare → restores barrier function and reduces sensitivity 🔫Lasers - to reduce redness & broken capillaries ☀️Trigger identification → helps prevent recurrent flares . 👉Think of rosacea as a threshold condition—diet helps lower the baseline, making the skin less reactive overall.Rosacea isn’t just about what you apply to your skin—it’s also about how you regulate inflammation from within. Follow @rosacea_healing for more information on how to modify your diet to reduce inflammation. 💯 . 😎Dr Davin Lim Dermatologist Brisbane | Sydney🇦🇺 #rosacea #rosaceacare #inflammation #dermatology #skinhealth