November 6th, 2009, by Digital Davo | LED Therapy, patents
A newly filed patent contains a proposed rosacea treatment using small bands of infrared radiation between 790nm and 900nm with a power between 1 and 100 mW/cm^2. The unit proposed could be a LED device, used from twice a day to every 10 days. An energy density between 3 and 180 Joules/cm^2 is proposed.
Infrared Light is in the invisible spectrum below red, with wavelengths from 700nm to 2,000nm. We know that infrared light penetrates skin tissue more effectively than visible light.
An example device described is the OMNILUX Plus, which is promoted as “(Infra-red) works as a combination therapy with the Revive (red) head for even better skin rejuvenation, ideal for deeper lines and wrinkles”. OMNILUX Plus is based on a matrix of Infra Red LEDs, which provide narrowband 830nm light. This device is not currently promoted as a treatment for rosacea, so it seems that this patent covers using an existing treatment method for a new condition – rosacea.
The example treatment regime used an OMNILUX Plus unit at 830nm (+/- 0.5nm), using 55 mW/cm^2 at a distance of 1-10cm from the skin for 20 minutes with a power of 66 Joules/cm^2, twice a week for four weeks. Goggles were used and the unit was further placed 3-5cm from the patient’s nose.
The patent says that the patient enjoyed substantially reduced telangiectasia and reduced inflammatory papules.
Treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea or papulopustular rosacea with narrow-band infrared light radiation and radiation kits therefor
United States Patent Application 20090270847, Lee; Seung Yoon, October 29, 2009
A method of treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea or papulopustular rosacea in a subject comprises exposing the subject’s skin in need thereof to narrow-band infrared radiation at a wavelength(s) in a range of between 790 nm and 900 nm and having a band width of between 0 nm and 20 nm, in an effective dose to treat erythematotelangiectatic rosacea or papulopustular rosacea and essentially not to cause photothermolysis of the skin. Alternatively, a method of treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea or papulopustular rosacea in a subject comprises exposing the subject’s skin in need thereof to narrow-band infrared radiation at a wavelength(s) in a range of between 790 nm and 900 nm and having a band width of between 0.1 nm and 20 nm, in an effective dose to treat erythematotelangiectatic rosacea or papulopustular rosacea. A kit for such methods comprises a radiation source generating narrow-band infrared radiation at a wavelength(s) in a range of between 790 nm and 900 nm, the narrow-band infrared radiation having a band width of between 0 nm and 20 nm and having a power density of between 1 mW/cm^2 and 100 mW/cm^2, and a manual instructing a user how to use the narrow-band infrared radiation for treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea or papulopustular rosacea.
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October 30th, 2009, by Digital Davo | oracea
I can’t say that I know how much industry weight is carried by the publication Medical Marketing & Media, but they have awarded Galderma the Gold Award for `Best Individual Product Advertisement in Consumer Press’ for their marketing of Oracea.
Apparently, “in order to drive product demand, the ads needed to educate consumers about the disease state. They also needed to be sensitive to the fact that the condition upsets and frustrates patients.”
The campaign is further praised for `sensitive drawings of people with the condition and an illustration of how the product works under the skin at the root of the problem’.
Further praises included `demonstrating the condition without making it unnecessarily heavy’ and `very charming execution that would make a reader stop to read more.’
I guess it is kind of cute to promote the whole `works from within’ angle. If you want to see the print advertisement you can click on the graphic above or view the video version at oracea.com.
Even though Oracea is a delayed release form of already available treatment, it is clear that Oracea is successfully creating it’s own market segment. In the year ended July 2009 Oracea was responsible for revenue of $104m. Additionally we know that 2 rival pharmaceutical companies, Impax Laboratories and Mylan Pharmaceuticals want to get a piece of the 30+10mg doxycycline market.
So what is Oracea, really ?
I find it fascinating that a company can take an existing product, such as periostat, do some research and development, obtain a handful of patents, identify a market segment by targeting a disease not well serviced, and come up with a product we now know as Oracea.
The new owners of Oracea – Galderma, gladly added Oracea to their rosacea portfolio that already included another of the rare rosacea targetted prescriptions – metrogel.
Of course it is a massive venture to get a new drug through the FDA, but so far it looks like the venture has paid off financially.
All of this despite being able to make an argument that Oracea is comparable to 50mg a day of generic doxycycline.
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October 24th, 2009, by Digital Davo | moisturizers, sunscreens
Galderma announced in February a new SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen called Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defense SPF 50. Actually Galderma is not promoting this product as a sunscreen, but as a facial moisturizer.
Said to be non-greasy and hydrating, the UVA/UVB Defense SPF 50 contains 4 chemical filters as well as micronized titanium dioxide to offer a very high sun protection factor of 50. Thus the Defense 50 contains both chemical and physical sun protecting factors.
The Cetaphil range of moisturizers and cleansers are reasonably well tolerated and liked by rosacea sufferers. My daily regime still includes the Gentle Skin Cleanser and Moisturizing Lotion.
Although some rosacea sufferers may not be able to tolerate the chemical sunscreens in this product, it is good news for those who can because the Cetaphil range of products are easily available and generally quite affordable.
The web site for the Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defense SPF 50 lists the following components
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Oxybenzone 6%, Titanium Dioxide 5.7%
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Stearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Cyclopen-tasiloxane, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylparaben, Chlorphenesin, Cetyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Methylparaben, Xanthan Gum
What do YOU think ?
This product doesn’t appear to have been used by many rosacea sufferers to date.
The Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defense SPF50 reviews at amazon.com do suggest that users are liking the high sun protection offered, as well as the product being quite moisturizing and easy to apply.
If rosacea sufferers can get past the 4 chemical sunscreens in this product then it may well become a good choice for when you need super sun protection.
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October 21st, 2009, by Digital Davo | research
Always wanted to have a blog or little corner of the internet you could call your own ? Well now you can. Every registered member of the Rosacea Support Community can have their very own blog area.
So please feel free to start your own Rosacea Community Blog.
Why would I want one of those ?
Your own blog will allow you post your thoughts, ideas, rants etc. in a part of the community site that you can call your own. Each post will be stored and given its own unique web address, stored underneath your Rosacea Support Community Username.
Getting Started
To get started, just login and look for the link titled “My Blog” near the top right hand side.
Writing a blog post feels very much like writing a forum posting. Just select “Post a Blog Entry’ and you are underway. Type a good descriptive Subject, your post text and hit Submit.
Once you have posted a blog entry, other users will be able to comment on your post.
Other Blogs
You can see what others are saying on their blog my taking the link to Blogs, also on the top right hand side.
You will also notice a new link above the forum index called “View blog posts” that will show you who has posted an entry recently.
Once a user has posted some blog entries, you’ll see a link below their profile.
What is allowed ?
Basically anything that is and isn’t allowed on the community forum, will also be allowed or frowned upon on the Community Blogs. Any post that seeks to build friendships and uplift rosacea sufferers will be fine.
How do I register ?
Not a member of the Rosacea Support Community ? No problem, just Register here.
Already registered ? Great, what are you waiting for ? Start your Rosacea Community Blog now.
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October 9th, 2009, by Digital Davo | IPL, ocular rosacea
WSOC-TV Charlotte, Carolina is syndicating a story about using IPL to successfully treat dry eye. Dr. Coad details how he is using IPL to treat this eye condition that is sometimes also found in ocular rosacea sufferers.
Dr. Mannis in his interview for the RSRP had this to say about IPL and ocular rosacea.
Q: Do you think IPL treatment of the face usually improves ocular rosacea? What about patients who feel that it has made their ocular rosacea worse, eg more veins showing in the white of the eye, lids more sensitive, eyelashes falling out, hot compresses now cause the eyes to swell?
A: Unfortunately, as ophthalmologists, we have very little experience with IPL. That’s something that’s done by and large by dermatologists. I am not aware of any definite ocular side effects from facial treatments with IPL.
Q: Does ocular rosacea increase the likelihood of cataracts or other eye diseases such as macular degeneration, or central serrous corinopathy (retinopathy)?
A: No. But, if IPL is done, there needs to be eye protection. Any kind of laser treatment done on the skin around the eye requires the practitioner to use eye shields to be sure that the globe is not exposed to the intense light in any way. As long as it’s not, then the likelihood of any of those problems occurring is very small.
For more information on Dry Eye see the following articles: Dry Eye: Awareness, Diagnosis, and Management and Dry Eye Syndrome from Sunday Times Sri Lanka
Posted: 12:23 pm EDT October 8, 2009
Christopher Coad, M.D., Ophthalmologist at Chelsea Eye & Cosmetic Surgery Associates in New York City, is using a technique for some dry eye patients called intense pulsed light therapy (IPL). IPL is sometimes used to reduce facial skin redness caused by growth of abnormal blood vessels in patients with rosacea. Doctors noticed that some rosacea patients reported easing of dry eye symptoms after getting IPL. That finding led physicians to try it for patients with dry eye.
First, eye shields and a cooling ultrasound gel are placed around the eyes to protect the eyes and surrounding skin. Then, the IPL is aimed under the lower lid, moving across the eyes. Two passes of the light are made. Then the gel and eye shields are removed.
Coad says IPL has three main effects on dry eye. First, the heat acts like a warm compress to liquefy the blocked oil that’s plugging the meibomian gland. Second, the small blood vessels that carry inflammatory cells to the site are sealed. Third, the light treatment improves the health and function of the meibomian gland, reducing the risk of further inflammation.
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