Celebrities including Bridget Jones actress Renee Zellweger, Hollywood star Cameron Diaz and Sex In The City’s Cynthia Nixon are all said to suffer from rosacea

Botox jabs could offer a long-lasting solution for those who suffer the discomfort and embarrassing ‘blushing’ of rosacea.

When tiny droplets of the wrinkle-busting nerve toxin are injected in diluted form into the forehead and cheeks, they have been found to reduce the redness which is the main symptom of the incurable skin disease.

The breakthrough has been shown in early-stage trials to help all forms of the condition, including those characterised by acne-like spots on the face, and the severe skin-thickening form rhinophyma.

Rosacea most usually causes episodes of flushing or blushing of the skin, most commonly on the cheeks, chin, forehead and nose.

Over time, the redness becomes permanent – known as erythema – and some sufferers also have visible red, broken veins.

The cause is not fully understood, but it is thought the defect lies in the blood vessels in the skin of the face, which dilate too easily.

Triggers for flare-ups include alcohol, intense exercise, high and low temperatures, spicy foods, stress, lack of sleep, and sunlight.

Celebrities including Bridget Jones actress Renee Zellweger, Hollywood star Cameron Diaz and Sex In The City’s Cynthia Nixon are all said to suffer.

There is no known cure, although several treatments, including antibiotic creams and tablets, may help control symptoms.

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Hopes were raised recently by the development of a new gel that is applied to the face and causes the blood vessels to contract, dramatically reducing erythema. However, the effect lasts less than 12 hours, and side effects included a worsening of the condition in some patients once treatment stopped.

Now authors of a new study believe Botox inhibits a compound found in the skin called vasoactive intestinal protein (VIP), which is believed to be involved in regulating the dilation of blood vessels.

So, instead of causing blood vessels to artificially shrink, it is thought to work by stopping them from dilating in the first place.

VIP is said to be found in greater concentration in the skin of those with inflammatory conditions such as rosacea.

Rosacea most usually causes episodes of flushing or blushing of the skin, most commonly on the cheeks, chin, forehead and nose

Researchers also found that Botox inhibits sebum production, something that rosacea sufferers tend to have in higher quantities.

Dr Steven Dayan, who has pioneered the treatment at his clinic in Chicago and who led the study, said: ‘I stumbled upon using Botox for rosacea when I was treating foreheads for wrinkles, and noticed that I never saw a red forehead after injections. 

'There were some studies on using Botox for acne which showed that it might have benefit on rosacea, but most people glossed over it at the time.’

Dr Dayan’s pilot study, which reports on the first 100 cases, is due to be published later this year.

Treatment involves multiple tiny ‘microdroplets’ of a diluted dose of the toxin injected at 1cm intervals across the area to be treated.

The injections are shallow, just beneath the skin surface, rather than into the muscle as when given as an anti-wrinkle treatment.

The use of Botox showed a statistically significant reduction in rosacea-related flushing, redness, spider veins, burning and other discomfort 16 weeks after two treatments. 

Researchers also found that Botox inhibits sebum production, something that rosacea sufferers tend to have in higher quantities

At week 20, patients reported an average of 44 per cent improved satisfaction with their skin, and a 21 per cent improvement in self-esteem. Complications from the procedure are rare, Dr Dayan said, with just one reported case in 100 of temporary weakness in the facial muscles.

Beki Darin, 65, from Chicago, was one of the first patients to be treated by Dr Dayan some ten years ago. The married estate agent said: ‘I suffered from moderate acne in my teens, and just when I thought I was going to have clear skin, I got rosacea. I would go red as if I had sunburn.

‘I tried everything in the book. I used creams and ointments, laser, I tried changing my diet, I stopped eating spicy food and drinking alcohol, I would stay out of the sun – you name it, I did it.

‘One day, I went to Dr Dayan to have Botox for my wrinkles and we noticed it seemed to work on my rosacea, so we did it all over my face. I have been a devotee ever since. I go in every four months, and no longer need any creams, and I can eat and drink what I like. I’ve not had a single side effect, and I feel free.’

Cosmetic injectable expert Dr Kuldeep Minocha welcomed the research, saying: ‘Any skin condition that affects the face has a significant psychological impact, and this is definitely something I’d consider offering once we know more about how it works and exactly what we can promise to patients.’

The GP, who sees patients at his London clinic, Absolute Aesthetics, added: ‘The treatment seems promising and as we’ve got decades of experience using these toxins in the face, it’s likely to be safe and cause few complications.

‘At present, though, we can’t be sure how it is working, and exactly which patients it will work for.’

Dr Dayan admitted: ‘I don’t believe it works on everyone. There’s a select group of people on whom it works better. And I am not yet sure what makes someone an ideal candidate.’ 

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