Red in the Face

Created on 03rd August 2008

Groundbreaking surgery gives brides plenty to smile about

For some brides-to-be, the idea of a day in the spotlight can provoke waves of panic rather than an excited glow. Being in front of the camera lens can be an intimidating experience, especially for brides with heightened facial redness or rosacea. Never has the phrase ‘blushing bride' been more ironic or indeed painful for women who face this issue as they are thrust on to centre stage to expose their insecurities.

The National Rosacea Society conducted a survey which found 76 per cent of sufferers admitted the condition lowered their self esteem and 52 per cent of people with rosacea claimed they avoided socializing in public as a result.

Although laser has its place in treating other conditions, consultant surgeon Brian Newman has developed Veinwave, an advanced technique based on thermocoagulation, which effectively clears the problem in a painless and non-invasive way.

What is important is to have an understanding of why the problem arises and which instrument to utilise in dealing with the problem. There is no one solution that deals with all problems and Dr Newman has found that despite laser treatment being adopted by 80 per cent of the beauty treatment industry, 70 per cent of his patients seek his medical expertise as a result of failed laser treatment. Laser treatment can cause scarring on face and hypo or hyperpigmentation. If someone has heightened facial redness and thread veins then these problems stand out more. It is not possible to reverse the effects of the laser treatment, by using thermocoagulation. However recurrent veins can be removed successfully.

Veinwave is able to take down skin redness and improve rosacea, remove unsightly veins and address various other minor skin problems. "It reduces the redness so that people don't feel the need to wear as much make-up as they have before," says Dr Newman. "We can deal with all the little veins around and inside the nose and cheeks, and for some people who are embarrassed about the condition, it can really change their lives."

Thread veins and facial redness are totally different to thread veins on the legs. Pronounced thread veins on the legs are mainly found in women because they are oestrogenic. The pill, pregnancy and HRT are often causes. However, facial veins and redness can affect both men and women because it is often caused by the blocking of sweat glands which causes a ‘low grade infection'. The area goes red and the skin will feel very dry because the sweat glands are blocked. This can worsen the condition unless treated because the dryness tends to prompt you to overmoisturise and the redness often means women cover the area in foundation to try and conceal the flaws; both these actions block the sweat glands more and worsens the problem.

Dr Newman believes in using a variety of instruments in tackling these problems - on thread veins on the legs injections of a concentrated saline solution have very good effects. But on the face he is a firm believer that neither injections nor laser have any positive effects and believes that thermocoagulation is the best method.

Veinwave works rather like a microwave; the probe contains a minute microwaving system which is heated to 85 degrees centigrade and touches the capillary for about 0.2 seconds. However, the probe is insulated and the microwaves penetrate the tissue to approximately 0.5mm to 2mm so it doesn't damage the skin. Taking each vein out individually, the heat from the microwave destroys the vein and the body absorbs what is left very quickly. The face is very surgically forgiving and there is no bruising, minimal redness on the face for an hour or so and the body absorbs the material totally within three to four days. Although the legs can take longer to heal and might need two to four treatments, thermocoagulation has brilliant results on the face and often only one treatment is needed.

Dr Newman uses a video recorder for all his patients at his clinic, with a special light that makes the capillaries near the surface of your skin more visible so that you and he can see exactly where they are. "We film the visits to make sure that we're not causing any damage or pigmentation of the skin - and that the operation is absolutely and meticulously recorded," says Dr Newman. This also helps you to see how much your skin has improved since your first visit, so you can see that the treatment has clearly worked.

Low self esteem and embarrassment are often a barrier to seeking treatment, but patients at Dr Newman's clinics have learned the results are astounding and literally life changing.

Dr Newman said: "My patients are always amazed to see how pain-free and simple the procedure is and how incredible the results are. Brides to be can include the treatment as part of their wedding preparation, confident they will look their best on their big day.

"There are deep emotional issues often tied in with facial conditions like rosacea and visitors to the clinic not only walk out smiling but feel a physical weight has lifted off their shoulders. It's a joy to witness and to realise the difference it can make to their lives."
CSMUK