u/Deep-Detective2428

Topical sirolimus (rapamycin) blocks the chemical "rebuild" signals your skin sends after laser injury, which is what usually causes vessels to regrow over time. Studies combining it with laser have shown real results, less regrowth, more lasting clearance, fewer laser sessions needed.

Main study base is port-wine stains, not blushing specifically, but the mechanism is the same type of vessel and same laser, so there's a decent chance it'd help here too, just not officially proven yet for this use case. Would need a derm who knows the protocol.

Haven't tried it myself, just thought it was worth sharing

Im looking for supplements that seem to actually work on anxiety, especially pretty bad anxiety that comes with alot of physical symptoms (fight or flight). In my experience most supplements people reccomend hardly do anything and I feel no difference. People will reccomend magnesium for example and despite it being proven to help anxiety, it doesnt do anything for mine

I understand medication makes sense, and I am currently on medication. But id love to also know what worked for people, or what people think could work well.

I blush alot, get overwhelmed quickly, have a very over reactive sympathetic nervous system that fires off so quickly at the smallest triggers. What do people think?

To sum up my take on Vbeam for treating reactive blushing that comes and goes with emotions and triggers, as someone with no identifiable skin conditions, id say vbeam is a reasonable and effective approach at taking the harshness out of a blush / taking the edge off but its not been effective at stopping me from blushing.

(clarification: this subreddit plus this post isnt for rosacea or skin that is dilated red permanently, this is for classic blushing just a dialled up version to where its sevre and uncontrollable. hope that makes sense)

Vbeam has helped make my skin appear more light too medium pink when I blush compared to what ive usually experienced which has been a harsh red that alot of the time was patchy and cut off abruptly into my normal skin tone causing a very unpleasant contrast. On that note, its also helped my blushing seem a bit more diffused and even across my face which makes it look less harsh, instead it appears a bit more natural and a bit smoother

In saying this there are still times where it looks a bit harsh but ive only had 2 vbeam sessions (ive had 3 excel v sessions previously with no real good results, most likely due to the depth of the laser), and im a extreme blusher, plus its easy to forget the progress made! So overall i am greatful for the help vbeam has given me but by no means has it stopped my blushing, infact my cheeks are quite usually rosy and a lil blushed even tho I do have a white baseline (very sesntive skin + overreactive sympathetic nervous system). So i still colour on my face every now and than but when i feel that sudden blush it doesnt appear as sevre as it use too

(its important to note this is my personal experience, some people may feel its cured there blushing, others may feel it does nothing, my settings weren't the most aggresive in the world, so I cant talk for pulpric settings)

here are some links of previous posts about my vbeam experience, they may be useful if u want more details

(https://www.reddit.com/r/CuringBlushing/s/6ZXOhmX31H)

(https://www.reddit.com/r/CuringBlushing/s/AZD48eepGv)**includes the personal settings i had**

(https://www.reddit.com/r/CuringBlushing/s/Xr8xlNjg1x)

This is some of the main stuff I've picked up from years of dealing with severe blushing myself and reading into it, not a complete or definitive list, just some things that have genuinely helped. Split in multiple sections below. It also includes things to avoid which are important to note

There's a very similar post to this on this sub but since recently alot of new members have joined + reddit isnt always good at suggesting older posts ive tidied it up and this reposted it. I hope everyone understands :)

WHAT TO DO

(In no particular order)

1. If your blushing is severe and life-impacting, discuss prescription options such as clonidine or propranolol with a doctor. Clonidine seems to work better than propranolol for blushing (in my own experience), but in saying that, propranolol can still do wonders—it just isn't as direct for stopping blushing as clonidine in my experience. DISCLAIMER: see what your doctor recommends and make sure to go through a good, reliable doctor, medications can have dangerous side effects if not taken appropriately and correctly

2. Cut out the acids and active ingredients in skincare products. They destroy your skin barrier and make flushing worse. Stick to a basic, gentle moisturizer.

3. Get a medical-standard camouflage cream (makeup). This is usually used for vitiligo or birthmarks. It has insane coverage and works miles better than standard "high-coverage makeups." I use Dermacolor Camouflage Cream.

4. Get a green concealer. Put this on your bare skin and blend until it's not green (green visually cancels out red). It makes the skin appear whiter, or for more coverage, don't worry about leaving it fairly green on your skin and then layer your regular makeup over it. I use Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Colour Correcting Concealer (Green), and I have also used Life Proof Camo Colour Corrector.

5. Drink coconut water and avoid salt. Coconut water has a lot of potassium, which actively flushes out excess sodium. Too much salt increases your blood volume and dilates your blood vessels, meaning more pressurized blood surges to your face, making your flushes twice as intense and red.

6. Get Excel-V or Vbeam laser. Though they cost a bit and usually require multiple sessions, if you're serious about controlling your blushing, this is something to consider. These lasers can significantly reduce the severity of a blush and other redness metrics for most people. The settings matter, and if a clinic doesn't use the correct settings specifically for treating flushing, they may give weak results. It is incredibly powerful if used right and can be life-changing.

7. Use a skin barrier repair cream. I’ve personally used and recommend La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ Balm Cream.

8. Use CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser every night (that specific one). This may look contradictory to rule number 2 since I mentioned cutting out all active ingredients, but this is the lone exception. This was recommended to me by a laser clinic that specializes specifically in skin redness and flushing, and I can confirm it has made a massive difference to my skin.

9. Overall, try to stay fit and healthy. Intense cardio has helped me immensely (I like to go on the treadmill until I'm dripping sweat). It trains your heart not to beat as hard during stressful moments, which helps when you are in situations that trigger a blush. The calmer your heart stays during triggers, the less intense the blush will be.

10. Use a sunscreen every single day to protect your face from harsh UV rays. UV radiation creates intense thermal heat on the skin and triggers systemic inflammation, which dilates your blood vessels and makes your face an absolute magnet for flushing. For blushers, sun protection isn't just about avoiding sunburn, it is a critical shield to stop UV rays from supercharging your vascular reactivity.

WHAT TO AVOID -----

1. Never try Rhofade or Mirvaso. These are unfortunately commonly prescribed topical creams that constrict facial vessels, resulting in no redness for 4 to 10 hours. Though they "work" temporarily, they will eventually give you the most intense, horrible rebound redness you have ever experienced—it will make you feel grateful for your normal blushing, seriously. This is a widely known issue in the community and I am speaking directly from personal experience. Trust me on this one.

2. Never try the trends using vasoconstricting eye drops or nasal sprays on your skin. This has become popular on social media but it is virtually the same nightmare as Mirvaso and Rhofade. It will permanently damage your skin barrier and make your baseline situation 10x worse.

3. Don't get ETS surgery. This surgery is absolutely not worth it for treating blushing. The side effects (like severe compensatory sweating) are life-altering and do not justify the risk. While you will see rare people online who had it successfully done, it is simply not worth the gamble. This surgery is much better suited for people with Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and has a much higher success rate for that issue than it does for facial blushing. There are so many other options to treat blushing that don't involve literally snipping a nerve in your chest.

4. Don't waste money on products that claim to cure blushing. Sure, there are some valid baseline tools out there (like the things I listed in the "What to Do" section), but the vast majority of skincare products are just marketed maliciously to make you think they'll cure your flushing. As someone who has tried all types of expensive creams and chemistry products, it is almost all BS.

5. Don't rub ice directly on your face. While ice can temporarily constrict facial vessels in the moment, the extreme temperature shocking your face worsens your skin barrier over time. It makes your skin significantly more sensitive and irritated in the long run, leading to more permanent baseline redness.

6. Try to avoid nitric oxide boosters (beets, pomegranates, spinach, dark chocolate). They wide-open your blood vessels, making it physically effortless for a massive, burning flush to take over your face. You can still have foods that contain nitric oxide, but just be aware that they will usually cause you to flush and blush a lot harder if you get triggered afterward.

7. Reduce high-histamine foods (aged cheeses, cured meats, wine, fermented foods). Histamines trigger internal inflammation, directly dilating your facial blood vessels and flooding your skin with intense heat.

-----

I hope this genuinely helps out! At the end of the day there are 100 more things i could have added and by no means is this perfect. But for this i wanted to add the main things ive learnt from experience and research.

I don't think people realise blushing isn't just a bit of colour on the face which comes and goes, its not that for everyone. For alot it can change the choices you make and the opportunities you take, and even the person you become over time. People just see a red face. They don't see the overthinking beforehand, the dread building up, or all the things you've talked yourself out of doing because you already know what's going to happen.

I started a community for this exact type of issue r/curingblushing and im actually surprised by how many people deal with this + feel like its life altering & horrible

Sometimes I think about all the times I stayed quiet when i actually knew the answer in class, avoided presentations, or talked myself out of opportunities because I knew my face was going to blush hard. The same thing still happens with meeting new people, trying new things, or putting myself in situations where the attention might end up on me.

The frustrating part is it isn't even a lack of ability. I genuinely believe I could've done so much more if this wasn't constantly holding me back. It's hard when you know you're capable of something, but the fear of blushing talks you out of even trying. That has made living with this issue even more depressing :/

I’ve tried so much to manage and treat my blushing, from therapy and diet changes to expensive treatments (excel v, vbeam), to medication, etc. While some things have definitely helped and I'm grateful for the progress, it's still frustrating. Having to constantly plan around it and knowing it can still pop up at times makes it hard to live peacefully. Like for example beta blockers are awesome but I wish I didnt have to plan them around my day and worry about medicating just to feel normal :/

People assume you're shy, nervous, or less capable than you actually are, when really you're trying to manage something they don't understand. What they don't see is how much energy goes into anticipating it, avoiding situations because of it, and constantly living around it.

Sometimes it feels like blushing has shaped my whole life because of everything it's made me avoid.

Murdoch University researchers have apparently discovered a cheap and effective way to reduce one of the human body's most curious expressions - blushing.

(originally posted in r/curingblushing — a community focused on sevre sudden, involuntary blushing triggered mainly by emotions such as anxiety, embarrassment etc, the subreddit is not intended for blushing caused by rosacea, this type of blushing isnt caused by rosececa)

During the study, 30 adults were connected to special equipment to measure blood flow in the cheeks. 16 of these people had a 'high fear of blushing'.

A small amount of ibuprofen gel was rubbed into one cheek, with ultrasound gel rubbed into the other cheek as a control. The subjects were then asked to participate in a cringe-worthy task – karaoke.

"We instructed them, one at a time, to sing along to Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive for a full five minutes," Professor Drummond said.

"To heighten their embarrassment, we interjected every now and then asking them to sing louder, be more expressive, or sing in tune."

Previous studies led the researchers to believe that blushing is partly caused by an inflammatory reaction in the blood vessels of the face, brought on by compounds called prostaglandins.

Professor Drummond said the ibuprofen gel helped stop these compounds from forming, and significantly reduced blushing (caused by embarrassment) and flushing (brought on by exercise).

"The results were even more noticeable among those with a high fear of blushing," he said.

Ibuprofen gel is commonly available in chemists and supermarkets, and is often used as an anti-inflammatory to treat sprains, swelling and back pain.

"More research is needed to determine whether topical ibuprofen gel is suitable for intermittent or long-term use to treat blushing," Professor Drummond said.

"We're also looking to test whether ibuprofen tablets, aspirin, paracetamol or even a placebo, can deliver similar results."

------

nothing here is %100 confirmed to work for everyone nor everytime. this is for education purposes, its only a small clinic trial done and should be taken with caution and understanding that there could be unknown risks, etc

quick post but wanted to remind everyone blushing doesnt define you! it says nothing negative about you, if anything it makes you cooler, atleast through my eyes lol

ive found most people who struggle deeply with this are real ass people, most people who blush are very self aware and concious, alot tend to be sincere and come across more trustworthy and likeable, probably because blushing usually shows vulnerability and emotions!

anyway, on a more serious note I completely understand blushing is horrible and life altering for some (including myself) its brought me to really dark places to the point where ive not even wanted to be alive :/ by no means is this something ive got over, blushing is still a major part of my life and continues to haunt me, the good thing is ive decided to try to push through and honestly its going ok. this is a long journey that alot of us are on and will be going through for possibly our whole lives, in saying that it doesnt mean its always going to be something that feels so negative and hard to live with. WE GOT THIS!

ps, im a party looking extremely red and blotchy, like a tomato, ive also had a few drinks, f*ck it you live once 🤣

It could be a mindset shift, a product, meds, therapy, maybe even something else, a thought process, a technique, anything that's made a real difference for you!

What's helped? Could be a mindset shift, a product, meds, therapy, maybe even something else, a thought process, a habit, whatever's made a difference for you.

I run r/curingblushing, a community specifically for this kind of blushing — not rosacea or a skin condition, but the blush that comes on when you're anxious, nervous, embarrassed, feel eyes on you, or stressed, and fades once you calm down. You can have rosacea too, it just can't be the reason for the flushing, blushing is usually tied to the nervous system and for those with rosececa it can make it appear a bit worse but for the blushing im referring to rosacea isnt the reason why you blush so easily when triggered, its more due to the nervous system! Id love to hear what works so i can look into it

Personally for me clondidne is something ive found has helped tremendously, its helps dampen my central sympathetic nervous system which in result keeps me calm and helps my body from going absolute haywire

Ive also found laser treatment has helped my blush seem more evenly spread + when I blush it usually now is more pink where usually itd be very red when it comes on within seconds from feeling stressed, overwhelmed etc.

It could be a mindset shift, a product, meds, therapy, maybe even something else, a thought process, a technique, anything that's made a real difference for you!

Following up on the pinned post about this sub not being the focus for Rosacea + other skin conditions, I wanted to lay out the reasoning, since it comes up a lot.

Pathological blushing is largely understood as a sympathetic nervous system issue, driven by adrenaline and broader sympathetic arousal, not just adrenaline alone, rather than a localized skin barrier failure. In my case, baseline skin structure came back clear on 3D scans and exams from specialized medical laser clinics, and the flushing appears to be driven by that nervous system response rather than underlying skin damage. (Worth noting: some people naturally have rosier or more reactive-looking skin as part of their normal complexion, independent of any skin condition.) This is also part of why standard Rosacea treatments, Azelaic acid, Soolantra, barrier repair creams, tend to do little for pure emotional blushers: they're aimed at the skin, not the nervous system. It's also part of why ETS (endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy), which interrupts the sympathetic nerve pathway rather than treating the skin, is a recognized surgical option for severe cases, a treatment like that makes a lot more sense if nerve signaling, not skin/barrier damage, is the main driver.

When pure blushing gets treated as if it's just early-stage Rosacea, people struggling with severe blushing without Rosacea can end up drowning in posts, tips, and skincare routines that have little to do with what they're actually dealing with. That's not a minor inconvenience, it means the resources this community exists to provide stop being useful to a good chunk of the people relying on it. That's why it matters that this subreddit doesn't get flooded with isolated Rosacea flushing topics.

There are exceptions, and there's a fair amount of overlap that makes this tricky to draw a perfect line around. But overall, this is the community's focus, and the intention is simply to keep the sub as useful as possible for the people it's meant to serve.

Having Rosacea or other skin conditions dont disqualify you from being here. Plenty of people have both. If you also deal with the kind of reactive, emotionally-triggered blushing described above, separately from a skin condition, you're a good fit. It's only when a skin condition is the *sole* driver of your flushing that this isn't the right space for that specific issue.

guanfacine has similar mechanisms to clonidine and clonidine is pretty effective at calming the sympathetic nervous system to dampen a blush, wondering if theres anyone here who knows info on this / has tried it out?

i run a community for those who struggle with intense blushing (Idiopathic Craniofacial Erythema) and would love to report back / get people's opinions here!

Guanfacine is a medication that works very similar to clondidne. There are differences that intrest me, it stays in your system way longer and it seems a bit less heavy.

This medication hypothetically should work since again, it uses some of the same path ways as clonidine. Im just wondering if anyone has experience with this medication

guanfacine has similar mechanisms to clonidine and clonidine is pretty effective at calming the sympathetic nervous system to dampen a blush, wondering if theres anyone here who knows info on this / has tried it out?

so there's this small study showing topical ibuprofen gel actually cuts down blushing during embarrassment, aka actual emotional blushing, not rosacea or general flushing. it blocks prostaglandins, which play into the vessel dilation that causes the blush.

I'm not saying the regular gel doesn't work, but if it works this well according to the study, it feels like there's probably room to make it into an actual dedicated product for facial blushing specifically, instead of a joint pain gel doing double duty. things like tweaking the concentration, the absorption/carrier so it works faster on facial skin, or formulating it to be more suited for facial skin overall, so it's both more effective for the blushing itself and better to actually use on your face.

Disclaimer I haven't personally tried anything like this properly, and I'm not even fully sure the study holds up, it was small. This is just an idea, not a recommendation. If there's anything to it, there could also be unknown risks with using it this way, so please take all of this with caution.

Ive been doing alot of research, going through all types of studys, tests, articles and pdf's online and I came across an old study by Peter Drummond that I thought was pretty interesting.

Its called "The effect of adrenergic blockade on blushing and facial flushing" — Psychophysiology, 1997.

The study involved and looked at 21 frequent blushers and 21 infrequent blushers.

What stood out to me was the fact they didn't give the participants propranolol orally. (and if your in the blushing community you'll know the only real available option for propranolol is oral medication)

Instead they used iontophoresis to deliver propranolol directly into a small area of skin on the forehead. To simplify it, the propranolol was put into a solution and applied to the skin under an electrode, and a small electrical current was used to help drive the drug through the skin into the local tissue.

They also tested an alpha-blocker the same way, it didn't affect blushing at all, but actually increased vasodilation during exercise.

They then measured blood flow in the forehead while participants did things like stressful mental arithmetic and singing.

The interesting part was that local beta-blockade with propranolol prevented the increase in forehead blood flow during mental arithmetic, but specifically in the infrequent blushers, and partially reduced the vasodilation during singing. It didn't completely stop blushing, and the researchers concluded that beta-receptors probably play only a minor role in the blushing response.

One thing worth being upfront about: despite frequent blushers reporting more self-consciousness than infrequent blushers, their actual vascular responses were pretty similar between groups. So the clean beta-blockade effect showed up in the group that doesn't struggle with blushing much in the first place, not necessarily in the people who'd actually want this as a treatment. That's a real gap in the case for a topical version, not just a footnote.

Still, I think the fact that they were able to affect the facial blood-flow response by delivering the beta-blocker locally to the facial skin, rather than giving it orally, is pretty interesting in the journey to curing blushing.

It raises the question of whether a topical beta-blocker could potentially be useful for blushing by acting more directly on the facial blood vessels, without requiring the same level of whole-body exposure as an oral beta-blocker, which in some can cause sedation and other side effects + itd be awesome to only treat the area needed.

Obviously this study doesn't alone prove that a propranolol cream would work for excessive blushing, it didn't even show a clear effect in frequent blushers specifically, and it was a small physiological study from 1997, not a clinical trial of a topical treatment.

Id personally love to see this trialed again, this makes me wonder if a cream or gel could be created for blushing where propranolol or a similar beta blocker could be applied locally to the skin and give us the relief we need.

I’ve heard cruciferous vegetables, especially broccoli sprouts, have some interesting health benefits. Broccoli sprouts are particularly high in glucoraphanin, which can be converted into sulforaphane, a compound that’s been studied for its potential antioxidant and cellular-protective effects.

How much of a difference does eating broccoli sprouts actually make, and are they worth incorporating regularly? Ive even heard benfits for cancer specifically