A laser developed for treating the prostate is now being used to treat people with a common skin disease. 7Healthcast reporter Dr. Deanna Lites has more on how this laser is helping people with rosacea.
Steve Roberge of Boston says, "I'm looking to make some of the redness go away . Red lines around the side of my nose, and on my nose."
He is one of the 14,000,000 Americans that suffers from the skin condition rosacea.
"Rosacea is incredibly common. It consists of three things; red cheeks with or without flushing, broken red blood vessels, and pimples," says dermatologist Dr. Jeffrey Dover of SkinCare Physicians of Chestnut Hill.
Steve hopes a new treatment will help clear up his skin.
The cause of rosacea is unknown and there is no cure for it.
But, Dr. Dover says some patients are seeing improvement from the Gemini laser.
"We usually trace the vessel out, and the bright green light is absorbed by the blood vessel, converts to heat and the heat shrinks down the vessel, " says Dr. Dover.
Dr. Dover treats the broken blood vessels one by one.
Then he uses the laser like a paint brush to decrease the overall redness of the skin.
He says, "What's nice about this laser is it comes with a cool tip, through which the laser light is shot. That makes it less uncomfortable, helps to prevent and reduce swelling."
The procedure takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The laser does cause some initial redness that will fade in a few hours. and some of the blood vessels and redness will come back after this first treatment so Steve will need follow up visits in the coming weeks. Steve is already pleased with the results. "You can definitely notice a difference," he says.
The Gemini Laser is FDA approved.
Treatments run between $400-$800.
Dr. Dover always reminds people with rosacea to stay out of the sun, and to avoid spicy foods and alcohol, which can make the condition worse.
Related Links:
SkinCare Physicians of Chestnut Hill
ROSACEA.org
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