Dermatologist or Laser Center?

[TheQueenCity]

Hi All!

I am thinking about trying IPL and just now starting to do research on it. Is it better to go to a dermatologist or are those laser centers ok? Also, how would I even go about starting to research a good dermatologist in my area that "specializes" in laser treatments? I don't even know where to begin. I am going to start RLT soon, but wanted to go ahead and start my research on the IPL...I know it will take time to find a good derm that specializes in laser.

Thanks in advance!

[CrabbyCathy]

Hi!

I've read some horror stories about the laser centers, so I'd be leery of going there, even though they might have lower prices, etc.

Do you have a regular derm that can recommend another derm who specializes in laser treatments? Or does that derm perform the treatments perhaps?

This link might be helpful, but I would personally ask my own derm.

http://www.dermfinder.com/

[TheQueenCity]

Hi Cathy!!!

Thanks for the info...helpful as always! I will for sure ask my derm to recommend someone and stay from the laser centers! I thought that would be the case with laser centers, but just wanted to ask the experts here!

I'm going to start my red light therpay soon, but wanted to have the IPL as back-up just in case...hopefully the red light will help me enough so I won't have to get IPL!

Thanks Cathy!

Chantel

Oh...how is the Oracea and Noritate working out for ya?

[CrabbyCathy]

The Oracea is working great; I will have to be honest--maybe the generic doxy (50 mg daily) would have worked as well if my derm hadn't had me taking it right after a full meal! But this stuff seems to be working quite quickly; my existing papules are shrinking/getting flatter, some of the smallest ones are gone, although a few factors still have me a bit itchy and red. I had to have a hot chocolate at McDonald's, and a big upset at work, which literally had me hot and flushing and mad for about 20 minutes, brought on a flare the next day.

I am holding off on the Noritate until my skin is calmer, since I did try it once and my skin burned, but that's to be expected; it was a bit flare-y and everything upsets it then.

I understand the temptation--there is a new "medical" spa right here in my town, and I was slightly tempted. I'm sure some of these places are good, but it can be iffy and I'm scared.

[Aurelia]

... a big upset at work, which literally had me hot and flushing and mad for about 20 minutes, brought on a flare the next day.

Sympathies! You know who I bet my money on.

... there is a new "medical" spa right here in my town, and I was slightly tempted. I'm sure some of these places are good, but it can be iffy and I'm scared.

There are probably good places and bad places, but the general opinion seems to be that it's best to be treated by a doctor who specialises in the use of laser or IPL or by a technician who is very good with the machine and has a lot of experience treating rosaceans. That isn't so likely at a spa, which is why most rosaceans prefer to be treated by a doctor. However, a technician in a laser centre might also be good, if not just performing beauty treatments all day.

Kind regards,

Aurelia

[TheQueenCity]

That's great Cathy! I'm glad the Oracea is working for you! Hopefully the longer we take it the better off we will be!

Hate to hear about the work upset! I know how that is! I'm with Aurelia though...I know who would win that one!

I'm actually laying off my Noritate for a few days too...I'm sooooo DRY!!!! Always having to keep that very fine balance aren't we??!?!!!

Thanks for the info on the laser center. I will being my research!

Chantel

[Peter]

Is it better to go to a dermatologist or are those laser centers ok?

Dermatologist every time.

Look for one with a proven track record of treating rosacea and one who is prepared to work with their patient to identify the most suitable treatment for them. The condition can sometimes be a very frustrating one for both patient and professional to deal with and it can take time to find something that really works.

There are some really good genuine laser specialists around but unfortunately some who are not and they just want to make money out of some poor unfortunate. Some people’s rosacea is just too sensitive for laser treatment and the treatment regimes involved can be enough to tip them over the edge.

Tread carefully, do your homework and take advice from a “true” professional.

Good luck

Peter

[TheQueenCity]

Hi Peter!

Thanks for your reply and useful guidance! That is the only thing I'm scared about with IPL...progressing my rosacea! I really don't want that to happen, so I'm going to be really really researching the IPL and thinking about it for a very long time before I go through with it...if I even do. I'm going to start red light therapy soon, so I'm hoping that will control my flushing and I won't even have to get IPL. I've read many of your posts on red light...they are so helpful!!

Thanks again!
Chantel

[CrabbyCathy]

Thanks! I have tucked the memory away (for now) and am enjoying my vacation. But when I see that coworker again---grrrrr! hee hee

Definitely, I think it's good to start small. Cream, then oral prescription, then RLT, then laser. What if the cheaper one works great, right? Wish I had gone this route!

[Peter]

Hi Peter!

Thanks for your reply and useful guidance! That is the only thing I'm scared about with IPL...progressing my rosacea! I really don't want that to happen, so I'm going to be really really researching the IPL and thinking about it for a very long time before I go through with it...if I even do. I'm going to start red light therapy soon, so I'm hoping that will control my flushing and I won't even have to get IPL. I've read many of your posts on red light...they are so helpful!!

Thanks again!
Chantel

Hello Chantel

No worries – happy to help and offer encouragement where I can. Lasers obviously can play a part in helping control rosacea but only when utilised by competent, experienced professionals and not by some of the cowboys out there. Some of these people may sound very nice when you talk to them but remember it’s easy for them to be nice when they are after your money. If you do want to try IPL or any other type of laser treatment then always insist on a small (free) test patch first just to gauge what type of reaction you might get.

If you have any concerns or issues it might be worth contacting Dr Nick Soldo and asking for his opinion.

Laser treatment can also work out to be expensive, as you will probably need regular top ups to maintain any improvement you might get. The outlay on a red light unit will probably cost the same as one laser session but thereafter, if it’s LED then it will cost you no more plus you can use it in the convenience of your own home. Again it can be very much trial and error until you can find what suits you best.

If flushing is an issue you might want to investigate a drug called Clonidine which can be very effective for this part of rosacea – I took it myself for 4 years.

Good luck

Peter