photoderm

March 10, 1999

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for your input on the Photoderm costs. I'm

wondering if their quote was a mistake- maybe they thought I was interested

in laser treatments. Anyway I plan to call them and ask. If these are the

real prices I will look further.

Thanks again,

Margaret H.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 25, 1999

Darlene,

I haven't had the test patch yet. I think they were going to do a test

patch at my appointment then I get to make up my mind if I want the whole

treatment. My appointment is for one of my days off and I have also asked

for the following day off. Unless I have a bad reaction I will probably go

through with it. I'm really tired of dealing with this condition.

Let me know how it's going. Good luck.

Thanks,

Margaret H.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 17, 1999

Hi ,

I live in Portland Oregon and I am getting the treatments done in Lake

Oswego, which is just outside Portland. The doctor told me that with 2-3

treatments I should see a significant improvement. I have a few pustules, a

few spots with broken blood vessels, and red cheeks. I have mostly been

concerned about the redness. So he thinks that a few treatments will

improve all that. He also told me that with more treatments he could

probably take away all signs of rosacea! Usually after 2 years people need

touchups, but I can't imagine that after those 2 years a person's skin would

be that bad- I mean it has taken me many years to get to this point. The

doctor also told me that once I had my treatments my skin will react more

normally to the sun.

I feel optimistic about it. I think that since I have learned so much

about cea from this group and I know what I should avoid that maybe I

could turn the 2 yrs into 3 or 4 years. Who knows.

Margaret H.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 18, 1999

Gretch,

My insurance company will not cover it. They consider it cosmetic. At

the office where I am getting my treatments they did tell me that one woman

was able to get her insurance company to cover it, but she had severe

pustular rosacea. It is expensive, but if it works it is worth it to me.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Margaret H.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 19, 1999

Darlene,

I was referring to acne scars- they seemed to puff out a bit. As far

as the breakouts there was no change and I have been applying topicals

directly to those bumps with no problems. I think that eventually the

treatments will help the broken out areas. I also noticed after treatment

that on a place where I have visible broken blood vessels they became more

prominent and that spot felt a little bumpy, but today it is not so bad. I

had a little swelling on the upper part of my right cheek, but it seems to

have gone down today. Sorry you had a problem with that. When I first had

my big rosacea flare(1 1/2 yrs ago) it mostly affected the right side of my

face. Since then the texture of my right cheek area has been bad (large

pores and very tiny bumps), I am really hoping the Photoderm will help this

also.

Did you have to miss any work for the treatments? I took 2 days off

just in case.

I do wish Photoderm worked more quickly. I am very impatient and would

like to get this over with. Also I really enjoy outdoor activities, but

since I am having these treatments I don't want to spend much time outdoors.

Oh well it if helps it will be great.

Let me know how its going.

Margaret H.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 25, 1999

Hi ,

Thanks for the encouragement. The treatments are costing me $300 per

visit. The doctor told me with 2-3 treatments I would probably see a big

difference in my skin, but then I have to decide how far I want to go with

the treatments. I hope you can find a good doctor in your area.

I understand how you feel about not wanting to go out in public. During

the past two years my social life has suffered greatly because I don't want

to be seen. I don't think Photoderm will be a cure, but hopefully it will

help me get some of my self-confidence back.

Let us know if you decide to have Photoderm.

Margaret H.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 1999

egads, well i found someone around this cosmopolitan city that does

photoderm....350.00 per session, not bad. am unable to find out if a

'session' means the entire face or not. any one out there with

experience on that?

the physician's name is sheldon sevinor, his web site is:

http://www.cosmeticchanges.com/meet.htm

i'm a bit nervous because so far i've been unable to find out how

experienced he is with this stuff. yikes, according to his site, it

looks like he runs the gamut from breast jobs to tummy tucks to chin

enlargement! evidently he has some certificate for the procedure (from

ems i believe), and if i make the appointment (as early as MAY ,6 TH!!!)

on that specific date someone from ems will be present at his office

(additional training?)

i've got a frantic call into my derm (a new one who i haven't even met

yet, i'm sure she'll respond....) in an attempt to speak to her first

about qualified md's in the area who practice this....

wow, this is nerve wrecking!

and Darlene, thanks for the tip about ems. i checked out their site and

sent them an email. hopefully i'll soon get a list of physicians

trained.

any advice from y'all would be appreciated!!

thanks,

laura

------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 1999

Well, I wasn't going to post just yet but I will say that since my first

treatment I can see a reduction now of about 30% in facial redness. However,

I can still see some of the laser marks -- they are a lite rust/brown color

and seem to be fading rapidly every day. Some have already gone and the skin

tone is ... dare I say pale. If you all recall I was the only one who

reported that they bruised and swelled (like a blow fish for 5 days) after

treatment. I can say also that since the treatment I have no burning or

stinging in my cheeks at all. I even put it to the test several days ago and

ate pizza with pepperonis and no reaction. Usually if I did this within

5-10mins of finishing the tingling and burning would come and I would be so

mad at myself and feel like crying (over eating pizza how dumb)! Just to be

rid of that awful burning/stinging feeling makes the bruising and excessive

swelling worth it. I will not be eating trigger foods though, I just don't

want to push it you know? But something forbidden once in a while is nice.

We shall see how it goes, when all signs of treatment disappear I am hoping

to see even a more pronounced reduction of redness.

Darlene

------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 1999

Good luck, Darlene. I'm looking forward to my Photoderm treatment in a week. I

have high hopes after reading your entry. - Thor.

wrote:

Original Article: /list/rosacea-support/?start=3628

> Well, I wasn't going to post just yet but I will say that since my first

> treatment I can see a reduction now of about 30% in facial redness. However,

> I can still see some of the laser marks -- they are a lite rust/brown color

> and seem to be fading rapidly every day. Some have already gone and the skin

> tone is ... dare I say pale. If you all recall I was the only one who

> reported that they bruised and swelled (like a blow fish for 5 days) after

> treatment. I can say also that since the treatment I have no burning or

> stinging in my cheeks at all. I even put it to the test several days ago and

> ate pizza with pepperonis and no reaction. Usually if I did this within

> 5-10mins of finishing the tingling and burning would come and I would be so

> mad at myself and feel like crying (over eating pizza how dumb)! Just to be

> rid of that awful burning/stinging feeling makes the bruising and excessive

> swelling worth it. I will not be eating trigger foods though, I just don't

> want to push it you know? But something forbidden once in a while is nice.

> We shall see how it goes, when all signs of treatment disappear I am hoping

> to see even a more pronounced reduction of redness.

>

> Darlene

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 30, 1999

Darlene,

I'm so happy to hear that you are getting good results from the

Photoderm! I have another appointment in two weeks and I will make it a

point to get info on all the settings.

Thanks for the update.

Margaret H.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 1, 1999

Carol,

Did you have the photoderm done this past Friday? Please tell me what they

did -- whole face? Did you get the settings? For me I bruised (purple/red)

and swelled within minutes of the treatment however, it really swelled the

next day. What I had was termed excessive swelling it is a possible side

effect but most people don't get that they just swell a little and it goes

down in a day or so.

Please tell me everything -- who's doing the treatment?

Darlene

------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 1, 1999

Margaret,

I had the photoderm done yesterday--I am NOT presentable! Here's a diary of

events, so far: Friday am, photoderm vl used; 1st pass on left and right was

done with the crystal that goes to the deeper vascular damage; 2nd pass, left &

right was done with a crystal to " nuke " the surface capillaries. OK--none of

this was comfortable, and felt like brushing up against a lit cigarette (with

each " flash " ); I was doing my deep breathing exercises, and " steeling " myself

when my RN said " now " (indicating the next flash was being delivered) to sort

of make myself more " comfortable " (if you could call it that) The gel placed

on the to-be-treated areas was a type of ultrasound gel--I'd guess that this is

a gel form of water??---it is certainly not a topical anesthetic, that's for

sure! I survived just fine, had a good session even if not a real pleasant

situation to endure and walked out of the office feeling fine, with a slight

stinging sensation still on my facial/cheek area and purple marks where the

heaviest concentration of crazy vascularity had been. In the afternoon,

topically applying cold packs for a few minutes, every hour, I noticed some

swelling starting in. This AM, I am swollen throughout my frontal and eye

areas, with the dk. purple marks still very evident. Except for the pressure

from the swelling in the front parts of my face, I feel fine, but look

terrible--and they claim you can " return to work immediately " after this? Hah,

" they " lie!

Margaret, when did the facial swelling begin to resolve? Thanks for any info

in advance

Carol

margaret howell wrote:

> Hi,

>

> To Darlene, Billee, and anyone else who has recently had Photoderm

> treatments: How is your skin doing? Have you noticed any fading yet? It's

> been almost two weeks since my first treatment and I think I might see a

> slight improvement.

> Also does anyone in the group live in the southwest(US)? Can your skin

> handle the heat and dry conditions? I'm thinking of relocating in the next

> couple of years.

>

> Thanks,

> Margaret H.

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Weather Underground. We provide weather across the world.

> Visit http://clickhere./click/48

>

May 1, 1999

Thor, Of course, it's outrageous to charge $350/flash! But, it pays to ask the

questions, just in case. I think it would be a shame to go, thinking the entire

treatment/or

" whole face " is going to cost $350 total and find out something a $lot

higher$$$$ or should I say Kr, Kr Kr!!

The treatment I finally went with cost a " per minute " --ie, $350 for fifteen

minutes/$600 for one-half hour; and free " touch ups " with later check ups/follow

ups. My RN spent

almost 45 minutes, I was charged $600 and now I go back later and have things

" corrected " as I go along. Right now, I'm not thinking too clearly as I am a

swollen mess with a

few dark purple blotches on the areas that had the heavier capillary beds.

Still, I remain hopeful!

Carol

ragnthor@... wrote:

> > A. Cowan wrote:

> >

> > > egads, well i found someone around this cosmopolitan city that does

> > > photoderm....350.00 per session, not bad. am unable to find out if a

> > > 'session' means the entire face or not.

> >

> > ,

> > Try to ask the photoderm doc if he charges the $350 for " full face " or " per

> > flash - Carol "

> >

>

> Does really anyone charge $350 per flash? That's outrageous!!!!! I thought it

was quite expensive in Iceland where I have to pay approx. half of that price

for 12 flashes.

>

> Thor.

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> eGroups Spotlight:

> " Teaching English in France " - Franglais was never more appropriate here.

> http://clickhere./click/128

>

May 1, 1999

Darlene,

Thank you for your posting. Swelling? for five days? Oh, Oh! I'm in trouble

Was it this long before you felt " presentable " ? I'm

swollen faced, cheek areas, today, like crazy, and I was hoping the swelling

would go down by Monday? On the other hand, it will be

nice to be able to eat some foods, wine perhaps? without having it

show-up-on-my-face the next day.

Carol

ragnthor@... wrote:

> Good luck, Darlene. I'm looking forward to my Photoderm treatment in a week. I

have high hopes after reading your entry. - Thor.

>

> wrote:

> Original Article: /list/rosacea-support/?start=3628

> > Well, I wasn't going to post just yet but I will say that since my first

> > treatment I can see a reduction now of about 30% in facial redness.

However,

> > I can still see some of the laser marks -- they are a lite rust/brown color

> > and seem to be fading rapidly every day. Some have already gone and the

skin

> > tone is ... dare I say pale. If you all recall I was the only one who

> > reported that they bruised and swelled (like a blow fish for 5 days) after

> > treatment. I can say also that since the treatment I have no burning or

> > stinging in my cheeks at all. I even put it to the test several days ago

and

> > ate pizza with pepperonis and no reaction. Usually if I did this within

> > 5-10mins of finishing the tingling and burning would come and I would be so

> > mad at myself and feel like crying (over eating pizza how dumb)! Just to be

> > rid of that awful burning/stinging feeling makes the bruising and excessive

> > swelling worth it. I will not be eating trigger foods though, I just don't

> > want to push it you know? But something forbidden once in a while is nice.

> > We shall see how it goes, when all signs of treatment disappear I am hoping

> > to see even a more pronounced reduction of redness.

> >

> > Darlene

> >

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Does your free web site address contain more letters than the alphabet?

> Register a domain name with DomainDirect. A domain with NO hosting fees.

> Visit http://clickhere./click/49 for full details.

>

May 1, 1999

Carol,

I agree with you, of course. I'm having my treatment on Wednesday and

will pay approx. $ 180 - but that includes " only " 12 flashes. I have to

pay per flash after that. But the derm performing the treatment doesn't

want to give me a full face treatment. He only wants to treat the most

affected area, the nose and the cheeks above the beard area.

May you recover soon and the swollen mess you describe change to a face

you knew before cea struck.

Best of luck,

Thor.

wrote:

Original Article: /list/rosacea-support/?start=3743

> Thor, Of course, it's outrageous to charge $350/flash! But, it pays to ask

the questions, just in case. I think it would be a shame to go, thinking the

entire treatment/or

> " whole face " is going to cost $350 total and find out something a $lot

higher$$$$ or should I say Kr, Kr Kr!!

> The treatment I finally went with cost a " per minute " --ie, $350 for fifteen

minutes/$600 for one-half hour; and free " touch ups " with later check ups/follow

ups. My RN spent

> almost 45 minutes, I was charged $600 and now I go back later and have things

" corrected " as I go along. Right now, I'm not thinking too clearly as I am a

swollen mess with a

> few dark purple blotches on the areas that had the heavier capillary beds.

Still, I remain hopeful!

> Carol

>

> ragnthor@... wrote:

>

> > > A. Cowan wrote:

> > >

> > > > egads, well i found someone around this cosmopolitan city that does

> > > > photoderm....350.00 per session, not bad. am unable to find out if a

> > > > 'session' means the entire face or not.

> > >

> > > ,

> > > Try to ask the photoderm doc if he charges the $350 for " full face " or

" per

> > > flash - Carol "

> > >

> >

> > Does really anyone charge $350 per flash? That's outrageous!!!!! I thought

it was quite expensive in Iceland where I have to pay approx. half of that price

for 12 flashes.

> >

> > Thor.

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > eGroups Spotlight:

> > " Teaching English in France " - Franglais was never more appropriate here.

> > http://clickhere./click/128

> >

May 1, 1999

Carol,

As I recall the swelling lasted 2-3 days and it took about 5-6 days for

the redness to subside. I didn't have swelling all over it was mostly on

the places where my rosacea is more severe. So it looked strange. I had my

treatment on Friday and returned to work on Tuesday. Do you have swelling

on your entire cheek area? Have you noticed having more puffiness on the

places where you were bumpy? That's what I noticed. It has been 2 weeks

since my treatment and I do think I have some fading, but I don't think I

have had the dramatic results that Darlene has had. Although my doctor

warned me that on my next visit he might be more aggressive.

Keep us posted.

Margaret H.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 2, 1999

In a message dated 05/02/1999 11:14:19 PM !!!First Boot!!!,

carolv47@... writes:

> How come those brochures say that folks can " immediately return to work "

> is what I wonder?

They just neglect to mention what you'll look like when you do!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 2, 1999

Hi Darlene,

Yes, the PhotoDermVL was done on me this past Friday (30 Apr 99) and I got the

purple markings immediately. First, the RN (Amy) treated the deeper vessels

with one crystal, doing left side first, and then the right side. The goo came

off my face with each side being done, and then was reapplied--1st left, then

using the crystal that would kill off the topmost, surface-y capillaries--goo

wiped off left; 2nd right, to treat the right side with the lighter crystal to

kill off the topmost capillaries on that side. The purple marks come up, I

guess, when they use the light crystal to get the surface stuff. I walked out

of there slightly swollen with very noticeble purple splotches. Saturday, I was

swollen from the sides of my chin area, all the way up to my lower eyelids--it

was a very " poofy " experience--with two crescent shaped pockets of fluid (or

looks like fluid) underneath each eye. Are we having fun yet??

Today, I do believe I am less swollen, at least in the lower jaw/facial areas,

but not a lot less than yesterday. You know, though, I can't see my little

spider vein " maps " any more--they were mostly located at each side of the face,

upper cheek area (of course, that's where much of the purple splotchies are, so

maybe that's why I don't see them) I may be in the house tomorrow, too, at this

rate. How come those brochures say that folks can " immediately return to work "

is what I wonder?

Good luck to you,

Carol

T7421@... wrote:

> Carol,

>

> Did you have the photoderm done this past Friday? Please tell me what they

> did -- whole face? Did you get the settings? For me I bruised (purple/red)

> and swelled within minutes of the treatment however, it really swelled the

> next day. What I had was termed excessive swelling it is a possible side

> effect but most people don't get that they just swell a little and it goes

> down in a day or so.

>

> Please tell me everything -- who's doing the treatment?

>

> Darlene

------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 2, 1999

I had to chuckle at this one, in spite of the way I look.....I guess if I were

writing up these things, I would also purposely " forget " to warn of impending

" looking like hell " ! Thanks for cheering me on,

Carol

Enzanni@... wrote:

> In a message dated 05/02/1999 11:14:19 PM !!!First Boot!!!,

> carolv47@... writes:

>

> > How come those brochures say that folks can " immediately return to work "

> > is what I wonder?

>

> They just neglect to mention what you'll look like when you do!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 6, 1999

amazing! how did it work for the red face?? thanks