Satisfied Rosacea-Ltd User

I love the Rosacea-Ltd treatment. I've been using it for 3 years - its amazing and has transformed my skin. You can indeed control your rosacea and Rosacea-Ltd is the key.

~C.L. Blakley

THE CONTROVERSY OVER ORAL ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY AND ROSACEA

Antibiotics are used to reduce the symptoms of rosacea, including redness, pimples, and red lines on the face (telangiectasia), and thick bumps on the nose (rhinophyma), and to reduce the symptoms that accompany eye involvement in rosacea. Antibiotics may reduce overall inflammation that occur with rosacea. Antibiotics also reduce the number of acne pimples and the amount of facial redness around pimples.

In the treatment of rosacea, a typical course of antibiotics would begin with an oral antibiotic, such as tetracycline. Oral antibiotics are usually tapered off after the rosacea symptoms improve because long-term use of oral antibiotics is associated with side effects. Bacteria build immunity to topical and oral antibiotics within 3 to 5 months; therefore they lose their effectiveness. It is important to note that a possible side effect of oral antibiotics is facial redness, photo or sun sensitivity and skin irritation.

Public health experts are concerned about antibiotic resistance, a problem that can develop when antibiotics are overused. Over time, bacteria develop new defenses against antibiotics that once were effective against them. Bacteria reproduce quickly; these defenses can be rapidly passed on through generations of bacteria until almost all are immune to the effects of a particular antibiotic. The process happens faster than new antibiotics can be developed. To help control the problem, many experts advise people to use antibiotics only for short periods, and only as directed. An antibiotic that works for one person with rosacea may not work for another.

A new term called "SuperBugs" was coined a few years ago as bacteria mutated to become immune to antibiotics. The first antibiotics were developed post World War II and have been considered miracle drugs until recently as bacteria mutations into antibiotic resistant strains have made them less effective. As the antibiotic fails to kill all the bacteria, the few remaining stains mutate to become resistant to that particular antibiotic. So a different and stronger antibiotic is used, but the mutations or genetic advancement allows the bacteria to tolerate the more stringent antibiotic and the cycle continues.

Want to learn more about oral antibiotic rosacea treatment? We recommend you visit the rosacea learning pages below:
www.internationalrosaceafoundation.org/antibiotics.php4
www.rosacea-ltd.com/redman.php3
www.rosacea-ltd.com/antibiotic_resistance_4.php3

The Beneficial Results of Rosacea-Ltd

I have found the Rosacea-Ltd treatment to be very beneficial in treating my rosacea. In the begiining I think I was applying too much and found that in fact I have seem the maixium results when I follow the instructions as closely as possible and apply less of the disks. It really takes very little to see very big results.

LWH

Laser Therapy for Rosacea: Separating the Myth from Reality

Rosacea laser treatment has been an option in rosacea treatment for time now, but to date, there have not been a lot of studies to either support or discredit its use in treating rosacea. The National Rosacea Society along with Rebecca Prescott with Acne-to-Health state that, “Despite years of use and significant technological advances, data on the effectiveness and safety of these products is limited. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies laser and light therapies as procedures, so stringent, long-term studies are not required. Most of what is known comes from observations made by dermatologists while treating individual patients.” Note: I wasn’t sure which one of them stole this statement from the other so I gave both credit. Rebecca further states: “IPL is not effective for everyone. However, most patients notice some reduction in dilated blood vessels and redness after only one or two treatments. In one case, a patient’s flush response returned to normal”. In one case the flush response returned to normal? But there have been hundreds if not thousands of procedures that have been performed in the last 40 years.

Rebecca goes on to explain how laser works: “the first working laser was produced in 1960, and they are in common use in medicine today. The laser works by applying energy to subatomic particles; this places them in an 'excited' state and they gain energy. These particles then move back to their original energy level and as they do, they release energy in the form of particles of intensely focused light - the laser. The light emits heat and the laser destroys the targeted tissue of rosacea. Laser treats rosacea by selectively destroying the inflamed, dilated, and hyper-responsive blood vessels without damaging surrounding skin. The laser 'energy' is absorbed by oxyhemoglobin (hemoglobin is the molecule in the blood cells that carries oxygen; oxyhemoglobin is hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen) in the blood. This generates thermal energy that damages the adjacent blood vessel wall blood. The exact intensity of the wavelength is carefully chosen to destroy the dilated blood vessels using thermal energy without significant damage to the surrounding skin and to avoid surface scarring.”

In many diseases, doctors help the body do what it already wants to do. For example, if you get an infection, your doctor prescribes an antibiotic that works together with your body's immune system to clear the infection. Once you're better, you stop taking the antibiotic. In laser therapy your doctor is trying to oppose what your body wants to do. The body wants to make blood vessels grow, while your doctor tries to prevent that growth. Laser treatment can destroy or kill the blood vessels, but sooner or later the body will try to make blood vessels grow again, our bodies have an instinct for survival, rejuvenation and life. As the skin heals and rejuvenates it stands to reason that the blood vessels will re-grow. Then, the treatment needs to be repeated.

The success of rosacea laser treatment can depend on several factors, and there are many treatment protocols and many different types of lasers that can be used; argon, pulse dye, neodymium, carbon dioxide and krypton lasers have all been tried. Multiple treatments are often necessary and these are time consuming and expensive. There is certainly anecdotal evidence for the effectiveness of the laser in clearing up erythrosis and teleangiectasia, and many patients are satisfied. But surprisingly - given that rosacea laser treatment therapy is not new (it's been around since the 1980s) and is in widespread use - there is relatively little substantiated information about how useful it is; there is a distinct lack of controlled studies, and the Food and Drug Administration classifies laser therapy as a procedure, so its effectiveness has not evaluated in the same way as drugs.

Laser cannot be used for everyone. You should not have laser therapy if you have dark skin or a tan, it is contraindicated for people who have disorders of blood clotting, people who easily develop scars (keloids), or people with insulin-dependent diabetes. And although rosacea laser treatment can work for some people, it is not a cure. Relapses are possible and it is possible that the laser can make your rosacea worse.

"Laser therapy is now widely considered the primary treatment for telangiectasia (visible blood vessels) and rhinophyma (enlarged nose), and may also be very effective for reducing extensive redness," said Dr. Philip Bailin, chairman of Dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. "At the same time, medications must continue to be used to manage the papules (bumps) and pustules (pimples) that often go along with rosacea, and to help maintain remission. "Generally, at least three treatments are required at six-week intervals, depending on the severity of redness and telangiectasia," Dr. Bailin said. "Most patients will experience redness, swelling and soreness within the first 12 to 24 hours, but then they subside. Some patients also may have peeling, similar to that of a sunburn, and others may experience some bruising under the skin that lasts five to 10 days. He emphasized that, because of the chronic and relapsing nature of rosacea, patients should be given a proper perspective on their condition, including the need for continuing preventive therapy and avoidance of lifestyle and environmental factors that may trigger flare-ups. "The underlying cause of rosacea will still be there, and further laser treatment may again be required at a later time," he said. "There are no cures for rosacea, only good treatments."

Thinking about laser or light therapy?
If you are considering laser therapy or IPL to treat your rosacea, it is important to keep the following points in mind:

· Laser therapy is not a cure. While some patients experience dramatic results (such as the return of a normal flushing response) and the results can be long-lasting, neither laser nor light therapy cures rosacea. You still need to continue to see your dermatologist for treatment and avoid your personal rosacea triggers. To maintain results, additional laser or light treatment may be needed at a later time.

· Some patients not candidates for laser therapy. Do you have a suntan or any of the following medical conditions?

o Clotting disorder

o Tendency to develop keloids

o Insulin-dependent diabetes

Anyone with a suntan should not receive laser or light treatments. If you have any of the medical conditions listed above, be sure to tell your dermatologist because these conditions may increase your risk of developing an infection or problems with wound healing. Additionally, laser and light treatments are not recommended during pregnancy, as the effects on pregnancy are unknown.

· Have realistic expectations about the results of laser therapy. Most patients do see improvement; however, with any medical procedure there is always the possibility that you will only see a minor change or not see a response. Rosacea also may worsen. Your dermatologist can determine if you are a good candidate. To date, dermatologists have found that people with lighter skin who limit their sun exposure after the procedure tend to have better results.

· Successful treatment depends on several factors. Several factors — including your skin type, condition of your skin, your lifestyle, and the amount of sun exposure you get following the procedure — affect the short- and long-term results. For example, not protecting your skin from the sun after treatment can provoke a strong reaction, which can make rosacea worse.

· Check credentials, get an experienced dermatologist. As with any surgical technique, finding a dermatologist who is skilled in using lasers or IPL is essential. You should ask prospective doctors about their experience and training in this area. Ask who will be performing the treatment, the dermatologist or their assistant. Extensive experience in performing laser or light procedures helps ensure the best possible results.

· Laser treatment is not covered by insurance. Typically, the laser and light therapies used to treat rosacea are not covered by medical insurance. If you opt for laser or IPL therapy, you can expect to pay from $300 to $600 per treatment session. Laser therapy usually requires one to three treatment sessions to achieve the best results, and sessions are generally spaced four to eight weeks apart. IPL may require one to five sessions. IPL treatments are usually repeated every three weeks. With both laser and IPL, follow-up treatment may be necessary to maintain the results.

Rosacea From Ancient Times To Today

Rosacea is a long term inflammation characterized by five cardinal symptoms of all inflammation of which the first four were described by Aulus Cornelius Celsus (ca 25 BC—ca 50 of Rome. The fifth symptom of "loss of function" was added by German Pathologist Rudolf Ludwig Karl Virchow in 1870.

redness (rubor) - Celsus of Rome
increased heat (calor) - Celsus of Rome
swelling (tumor) - Celsus of Rome
pain (dolor) - Celsus of Rome
loss of the capacity to function - (Virchow of Germany)

The redness and heat of rosacea are due to increased blood flow while swelling is caused by accumulation of fluid due to osmosis and diffusion of the potential of hydrogen (or pH). The rosacea skin pain results from the release of chemicals (acidity or low pH) that stimulate nerve endings. The face has many sensory nerve endings. The loss of the capacity to function of a body organ can have many causes but most often it is due to the skin cells inability to regenerate (the skin is body's largest organ) therefore, the skin does not function properly to protect the body. Skin Functions are to protect from pathogens, insulate from the extreme temperatures of hot and cold weather, greatly aids in heat regulation (blood vessels dilate to dissipate heat and constrict to reduce blood flow and conserve heat), maintain an impermeable barrier to fluid loss and most importantly as we see ourselves and as others see us, we consider the attraction of good health.

Rosacea-Ltd Has Helped My Rosacea

Rosacea-Ltd is wonderful. I've been suffering from rosacea for six years and this is the only treatment that has helped my rosacea. I have used metrogel, elidel, steroids, antibiotics and laser - Rosacea-Ltd is the only one that ever improved my rosacea.

T.W.

The Effects of Anti-Wrinkle Creams on Rosacea

Use of anti-wrinkle creams can result in increased facial redness and skin irritation. Chemical peels and retinoid products are used for the purpose of skin exfoliation, and are not to be used for rosacea. The skin needs to be 'intact' and not to be further aggravated by any chemical or mechanical peels of the below listed means. The objective is to help your body get rid of dead skin cells and to make your body build new skin quicker. Various products available today such as Retin-A, Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), and glycolic acid are all designed to burn dead skin cells off. The active agent in all these products is fruit acids.

The problem with using fruit acids such as AHA and BHA is that either you get acids that are very weak that do not remove many dead skin cells and therefore you see little results, or they increase the strength of the acid, and once the acid has burned through the dead cells, it continues on and begins to attack your living skin. If this happens you may experience one or more of the following; burning, redness, irritation and light sensitivity. Another problem with using acids is that the dead cells do not come off immediately; your skin gets white, flaky, and tight as the dead cells fall off over the course of a few days. Using acids is not only uncomfortable; but it can at times do more damage than good.

Alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids are simple organic fruit acids found in nature or synthesized in the laboratory. Beta Hydroxy acids are somewhat different from alpha hydroxy acids in their structure and mode of action. Salicylic acid, a common beta hydroxy acid, has been used for treating acne for decades. In fact, acne treatment remains the primary use for beta hydroxy acids. There are no studies showing that beta hydroxy acids are superior or even equal to alpha hydroxy acids in skin exfoliation or reducing fine wrinkles however for acne, beta hydroxy acids are clearly superior to alpha hydroxy acids.

Over the last decade, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) have increasingly appeared as ingredients in cosmetics intended to reduce the signs of aging in the skin. More recently, beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), or a combination of AHAs and BHAs, have appeared as ingredients in these skin care products. While both AHAs and BHAs act as exfoliants, it has been claimed that BHAs are effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improving overall skin texture, without the occasional irritation associated with the use of AHAs.