Magazine article

[Guest guest]

There is a little article in this months MORE magazine on cea.

Surprisingly, when i read it, I saw that it was written by a doctor

that I have seen here in Cleveland. She did my Versapulse treatments.

She is a doll and she seemed very informed about rosacea. She also

encouraged the less is more theory for rosacea. I was a bit surprised

by what she said. Here's what she said:

Q: I've heard that chemical peels and lasers can help reduce the

signs of rosacea. Should I consider having one of them done?

A: Peels and lasers can help, but they should be considerd adjuncts

to other treatments for rosacea, a chronic skin disorder affecting 14

million Americans, most between the ages of 30 and 50. We don't know

what causes it, but it may begin as a tendency to flush easily and

progresses to persistent redness in the center of the face. As it

becomes more severe, acne like pimples may appear and small blood

vessels under the skin may dilate, resulting in burning, stinging,

and itching.

Standard treatment includes oral antibiotics to reduce inflammation

caused by dilated blood vessels, as well as metronidazole cream to

treat superficial yeast. which is believed to worsen rosacea.

Sufferers should also avoid triggers such as spicy foods, stress,

alcohol and topical irritants.

If these treatments aren't sufficient, very light glycolic peels can

reduce the visibility of large pores that may have developed as a

result of swelling from dilated blood vessels. They may also enhance

the penetration of topical medications by thinning the top layer of

skin. Most patients need about four to six treatments.

Lasers can be used to shrink up to 80% of dilated blood vessels,

which may help eliminate the red-purple lines that form on the face

and decrease the severity of flushing episodes. Most people need two

to six treatments, plus yearly tune-ups.

Side effects of lasers and peels are minor and may include pinkness,

swelling or peeling of skin for up to a week.

- Vidimos, R.Ph.,M.D., Department of Dermatology, Cleveland

Clinic Foundation