Excellence Laser and Cosmetic Clinic

Excellence Laser and Cosmetic Clinic

Rosacea

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The bad news is that there is no cure for rosacea, but the good news is that there are treatment options to help manage the symptoms.

So what is rosacea? Rosacea is a condition which involves the abnormal behaviour of  the pores, or a combination of the hair follicle, the hair shaft, and the sebaceous gland.  Rosacea is mainly found on the face predominantly on the cheeks. Sufferers often have persistent flushing or redness, bumps and pimples or visible blood vessels. In more severe cases there is eye irritation, burning or stinging of the skin or drying and thickening of the skin. While it is mainly found on the face rosacea may also appear on the neck, chest or ears.

Treatment of rosacea starts with identifying what triggers or worsens the individuals rosacea. Triggers may include sun/wind exposure, emotional stress, hot/cold weather, heavy exercise, alcohol consumption or spicy food. Where possible limiting these triggers helps reduce the severity of the persons rosacea.

Topical treatments are not advised as long term use when using antibiotics but can be used as part of a treatment plan. Topical treatments may include metronidazole for acne rosacea, ivermectin for control of dermox mites, retinoids to help remove blemishes, niacinamide and hyaluronic to hydrate and heal.

More advanced treatments include Phototherapy, Intense Pulsed Light, diathermy or Laser to target prominent vessels and diffuse redness or surgery if disfigured.

If you suffer from rosacea make sure you have a treatment plan that works for you. Further information can be found on many websites such as Health Direct and by contacting your GP or skin specialist.

Rosacea affects sufferers in different ways. In severe cases sufferers refuse to leave their home due to the embarrassment. While there is not a quick fix for rosacea there is certainly a treatment plan for everyone that can help manage their rosacea not let it control their life. A treatment plan may be as simple as adding in a supportive at home skin care routine that keeps your rosacea at bay. So make sure you find out what options you have.

Who Do You Call?

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We had a our yearly inspection last week from local council and NSW Health. Some practices may find this a worry but we have never had a bad experience. I have always found all representatives to be helpful and open to any new changes in practice. The ultimate aim of their role is to protect the public by making sure all business’s operate to a set standard. It was also timely that The Daily Telegraph and other publications issued an article on ‘Cosmetic Cowboys’.

So who do you call when you feel a business is not operating to the standard they should? In our industry there are multiple governing bodies. There is a large cross over in qualification within our industry, from anyone who has completed an online laser safety course right through to a medical practitioner. If you go to a beautician or somewhere that is performing a procedure involving skin penetration then you should contact your local council and discuss your concern. If you are attending a spa, practice or clinic that involves staff with qualification such as a Registered Nurse or a Medical Practitioner, GP or Surgeon then they will be governed by NSW Health and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APRHA). All of these agencies or governing bodies allow you to present your concerns and have them investigated. If you contact the wrong place don’t worry, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Now that our industry is expanding, it is not only important, but you are also entitled as the consumer to ask your treating clinician of their qualifications. Unlike other states, NSW is not as strict with their laws regarding who can or cannot perform cosmetic treatments, superficial or intensive. If in doubt go and have a think about the treatment or procedure advised by your clinician. Ask around or get onto the web, there are plenty of support groups to offer advice on the questions you should be asking.

While no one would like a treatment to end as badly as it did for the poor lady in this article, it is important that if someone witnesses something they feel is not up to standard, to contact the relevant governing bodies or agency. It may be as simple as you don’t feel the staff are washing their hands or a procedure is not sterile, but all these have an effect on the outcome of a treatment. While it is exciting that our industry is expanding and new treatments are being developed and made more easily accessible, we also want to feel comfortable that they will be performed accurately and safely.

HOT OR COLD?

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Which is better, hot or cold water to clean my face?

There are a lot of tips, myths and in-depth routines available to guide you on how to wash your face. Let’s have a look at the first step involved, hot or cold water? If we use cold water on our face it is causing the blood vessels to constrict and bring the blood flow away from the surface of the skin to protect the body from getting cold. You will notice that your skin will tighten, so people with larger pores may notice them to shrink, but this will only last until the cold insult wears off. If you have oily skin you may find that the cold water is unable to help shift that excess oil built up on your skin.

If we apply hot water to our face then we are causing the blood vessels to dilate as the body attempts to cool the skin to protect the body from getting too hot. In people who are prone to vascular conditions such as rosacea, then they would be at risk of the blood vessels rupturing. If you are prone to dry skin you may find that using extremely hot water will strip your skin of any valuable oils that are needed.

It’s safe to say that extreme temperatures exposed on the skin not only stress the skin but impair the role and function of the skin.

So what is the best – hot or cold water? Well neither, you should aim for luke warm water. The body naturally tries to maintain its temperature from 35.5ºC – 37.5ºC and will respond to maintain this. So if you are lucky enough to have temperature control on your water aim for that, otherwise just tepid, luke warm water from the tap is fine. Anything above or below that will be asking for a change in your skin. Having a change in your skin is ok as long as it is to promote healthy functioning skin.

For those like me who aim for the quickest routine possible, warm water in the shower, saves precious time towards that cup of coffee or tea to start the day.