Rosacea: Understanding the Inflammation Within & How We Treat It Differently at Raw Canvas
Rosacea is a chronic and often frustrating skin condition that impacts the lives of millions yet it continues to be misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and, more importantly, mistreated. It is commonly mistaken for sensitive skin or adult acne and often approached with calming creams, barrier-focused moisturizers, and ultra-gentle routines. While this may sound appropriate in theory, the results for most patients are underwhelming. At Raw Canvas Skin + Wellness, we take a more clinical, strategic, and long-term approach. As our entire methodology is built on treating the source of the inflammation, not just masking the symptoms, with oil control as our foundation.
One of the most critical misconceptions about rosacea is that it should be treated like sensitive skin. And while rosacea-affected skin is sensitized, the difference is profound. Sensitive skin is typically reactive due to a compromised barrier or allergen exposure, whereas rosacea involves a complex cycle of chronic inflammation, dysregulated oil production, vascular reactivity, and environmental triggers. Treating rosacea purely with hydrating, barrier-focused products fails to address the deep-rooted imbalances within the skin. At Raw Canvas, we begin every rosacea treatment journey with a customized approach targeting oil control and barrier restoration first and foremost. We know from years of experience that when the skin’s natural ability to self-regulate is restored, inflammation begins to subside, and long-term transformation becomes possible.
Rosacea is not a one-size-fits-all condition. In fact, there are four distinct types of rosacea, each with its own set of clinical characteristics. The most common is erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) marked by persistent redness, flushing, and visible vessels. Then there is papulopustular rosacea, which resembles acne and includes red bumps, pustules, and inflamed areas, but without the bacterial root cause. Phymatous rosacea involves thickened skin texture, often on the nose, and is more advanced, typically occurring after years of untreated inflammation. Lastly, ocular rosacea affects the eyes, leading to dryness, redness, and irritation. At Raw Canvas, we assess every client’s rosacea type before building a treatment plan that considers both clinical presentation and lifestyle factors.
Most patients are surprised to learn that acne and rosacea are part of the same inflammatory family, often overlapping in adults. Both conditions are driven by excess oil, chronic inflammation, and an impaired skin barrier. One of the most overlooked contributors to both acne and rosacea is the overuse of conventional moisturizers. These products often trick the skin into thinking it’s receiving sufficient hydration in the form of external water, lipids, and proteins when in fact, they suppress the skin’s natural function to produce these elements on its own. The result is a cycle of trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and reactive oil production, which further inflames the skin and leaves it dependent on topicals that don’t actually correct the dysfunction. This is why, at Raw Canvas, our rosacea clients begin with a carefully curated regimen aimed at removing barrier dependency and reactivating the skin’s innate repair mechanisms.
To understand the power of this approach, we only need to look at our client results. One of our most compelling cases is that of a patient living abroad, who achieved remarkable results within just six weeks using a customized regimen. With no access to in-clinic treatments, this client relied entirely on our virtual consultation and product protocol. Her transformation speaks volumes: a dramatic reduction in redness, visible calming of the vascular component, and an overall shift in skin quality and resilience. This is the power of evidence-based skin health even without lasers or light, we can change the skin at a foundational level.
Another client, Sam, began his journey with six weeks of tailored skin care to calm the inflammation and normalize oil activity. Once his skin was prepped and functioning better, we introduced two treatments of BBL Clear and Laser Genesis. The results were transformative: the combination of foundational skin health and advanced modalities reduced papules, calmed flushing, and retextured the skin surface. In Sam’s case, clinical devices worked synergistically after the skin was primed with appropriate topical care, a critical order of operations that is often missed in conventional clinics.
Our third client, Bobby, also followed a six-week customized regimen, targeting oil reduction, barrier repair, and pigment regulation. Following this foundational phase, she underwent a series of Global Genesis treatments, which stimulate collagen and improve microvascular flow, followed by three sessions of Diffused Redness a focused vascular treatment for visible capillaries and flushing. Bobby’s skin became visibly stronger, more even-toned, and significantly less reactive. This is another example of why a layered approach skin first, technology second leads to the most sustainable results.
It’s important to note that rosacea is not curable, but it is absolutely treatable. Our goal is not simply to suppress symptoms but to retrain the skin to function independently. While some clients need ongoing maintenance treatments particularly those with advanced vascular issues others maintain their results through skin care alone. What matters most is that each treatment plan is completely customized, based on the client’s unique skin behavior, rosacea subtype, and lifestyle.
At Raw Canvas, we believe deeply in treating skin with integrity, intention, and innovation. We don’t chase trends, we follow science. With the support of a customized regimen restoring skin health and our advanced in-clinic devices like BBL, Halo, Moxi, Excel V+, and Laser Genesis, we are able to offer results that are not only visible but sustainable. We know what works because we see it in the faces of our clients, in the transformations we share, and in the confidence we help rebuild every day.
If you’ve been living with rosacea and feeling like you’re stuck in an endless loop of redness, flare-ups, and temporary fixes we invite you to experience something different. Our approach is comprehensive, corrective, and rooted in clinical skin health. Let us help you rewrite your skin’s story just like we’ve done for so many others, from across the globe to right here in our Langley clinic.
To book your consultation or learn more about our rosacea transformation programs, contact Raw Canvas Skin + Wellness at 604-371-2113 or visit www.rawcanvas.com
