Rosacea, explained for visitors to Seoul
Rosacea is a long-term inflammatory skin condition of the central face. It shows up as persistent redness, flushing, red bumps, visible blood vessels, irritated eyes or, less often, thickened skin on the nose. It has no cure, but treatment matched to the features you have can keep it under control.
Written by the Seoul Rosacea editorial team and medically reviewed by a Korean Board-Certified Dermatologist (AAD International Fellow · ASLMS member). Last reviewed: .
Guides
Types of rosacea
Type 1, 2, 3 and 4 rosacea explained, and why dermatologists now describe rosacea by the features each person has (phenotypes) instead of fixed subtypes.
Type 1
Flushing, persistent central redness, visible small vessels, stinging
Erythematotelangiectatic (ETR)
Triggers
Sun, stress, heat, alcohol, spicy food and some skincare are the rosacea triggers people report most. See what the evidence shows and how to find your own.
Treatment options
Ivermectin, metronidazole, azelaic acid, brimonidine, oxymetazoline, doxycycline and low-dose isotretinoin compared for rosacea, plus what is sold in Korea.
Lasers and light
How pulsed-dye laser, KTP, intense pulsed light and 1064 nm Nd:YAG treat rosacea redness and visible vessels, what trials found, sessions and Seoul prices.
Skincare and procedures
A gentle rosacea routine, ingredients to avoid, and how popular Korean procedures such as peels, facials, microneedling, toning and skin boosters fit in.
Articles
Rosacea or acne?
Rosacea and acne can both cause red bumps. Compare blackheads, flushing, age, location and treatment, and see why some acne products irritate rosacea.
Travelling to Seoul with rosacea
Plan a Seoul trip with rosacea: seasons, flights, sunscreen, spicy food and soju, saunas, and which rosacea creams you may not find in Korean pharmacies.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea mainly affects the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. It comes and goes in flares, and many people first notice it as blushing that lasts longer than it used to. A 2018 meta-analysis of 41 populations estimated that about 5.5% of adults have rosacea, with the highest rates between 45 and 60 years of age. Women (5.41%) and men (3.90%) are both affected.[1]
Rosacea is not limited to fair skin. When dermatologists examined 10,095 people in Changsha, China, 3.48% had rosacea.[2] On medium and darker skin the redness is harder to see, so burning, stinging and bumps can be the first clues.
What are the main signs of rosacea?
An international expert panel (ROSCO) agreed in 2017 that two findings are enough on their own to diagnose rosacea. Four more are common but are not diagnostic on their own.[3]
- Persistent central redness that intensifies from time to time (diagnostic).
- Thickened skin, most often on the nose (diagnostic).
- Flushing: waves of redness and heat.
- Red bumps and pustules on the central face.
- Visible small blood vessels (telangiectasia).
- Eye signs: gritty, dry or red eyes and sore eyelids.
The older "type 1 to type 4" labels grouped these signs into fixed subtypes. Our guide to the types of rosacea explains both systems, and the article on rosacea versus acne covers the most common mix-up.
What is rosacea called in Korean?
| Language | Term | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Korean | 주사 (ju-sa) | Also written 주사피부염 (rosacea dermatitis) at clinics |
| Korean, informal | 딸기코 (ttal-gi-ko) | "Strawberry nose", used for a red or enlarged nose |
| Japanese | 酒さ (shusa) | The standard medical term |
| Chinese | 玫瑰痤疮 (méiguī cuóchuāng) | The modern medical term |
One practical warning: in Korean, 주사 also means "injection". A search or a map query for 주사 alone mostly returns injection treatments. Add 피부과 (dermatology clinic) or use 주사피부염 to reach rosacea care.
How is rosacea treated?
Each feature has its own first-line options. Bumps respond to creams such as ivermectin or azelaic acid and to low-dose tablets. Redness can be lowered for hours with brimonidine or oxymetazoline, and visible vessels respond to vascular lasers and intense pulsed light. Gentle skincare and daily sunscreen support every plan. Start with treatment options, then read about lasers and light and skincare and cosmetic procedures.
Flares often follow sun, heat, alcohol, spicy food or stress, and the mix differs from person to person. The triggers guide shows how to find yours, and the Seoul travel guide turns that into a trip plan.
Is rosacea contagious?
No. The British Association of Dermatologists describes a mix of genetic, immune and environmental factors and states plainly that rosacea is not contagious (BAD patient leaflet, checked 18 October 2026).
Does rosacea go away on its own?
Flares settle, but the tendency stays. The NHS notes that rosacea cannot be cured and can get worse without treatment (NHS, checked 18 October 2026), so early control is worth it.
Who should I see for rosacea in Seoul?
A dermatologist. Clinics run by board-certified dermatologists usually state 피부과 전문의 on their sign or website. Bring a list of the creams and tablets you use.
References
Bibliographic records retrieved from PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
- Gether L, Overgaard LK, Egeberg A, Thyssen JP. Incidence and prevalence of rosacea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Dermatol. 179(2):282-289. PubMed: 29478264
- Li J, Wang B, Deng Y, Shi W, Jian D, Liu F, et al. Epidemiological features of rosacea in Changsha, China: A population-based, cross-sectional study. J Dermatol. 47(5):497-502. PubMed: 32207167
- Tan J, Almeida LM, Bewley A, Cribier B, Dlova NC, Gallo R, et al. Updating the diagnosis, classification and assessment of rosacea: recommendations from the global ROSacea COnsensus (ROSCO) panel. Br J Dermatol. 176(2):431-438. PubMed: 27718519