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Photofacial for blushing
It's completely out of character for me to start a thread, let alone start one in the Trophy Room. However, I am rather proud of myself for having finally taken steps to deal with my excessive blushing.
I have always blushed and always hated it and it is the reason for my sa. As I got older I began to blush not only in public, but whilst eating a meal, drinking alcohol and going from the cold to a warm room. I convinced myself I had Rosacea but everyone kept saying "oh, you are just fair skinned and sensitive", even two doctors told me this. Ive used beta blockers for years and also had counselling which has helped somewhat. Anyway, two months ago I finally decided to visit a clinic in London for a consultation for Photofacial and after a half hour chat about all my symptoms and what I expected from the treatment, was offered my first session. I was not at all prepared for this but it would at least save me the cost of another airfare and I took the plunge and had it done. The doctor told me that, in her opinion, I had moderate Rosacea. I could feel my heart sink because she had confirmed my fears that I had it, but, in a way, was glad to finally know. The treatment involves having an intense pulse of light flashed all over your face. I found it very painful, it was like having hot fat splashed over my skin. The light is absorbed by haemaglobin and melanin (capillaries, freckles, hyper pigmentation) which then causes an intense amount of heat which then destroys the veins/pigmentation and is eventually either absorbed by the body or flakes off the skin. There is absolutely no damage to the surface of the skin or the healthy skin surrounding the veins/pigmentation. It is nothing like laser treatment. After each session the blushing becomes less and less as more of the enlarged capillaries are destroyed. The added bonus is that your skin produces new collagen which makes your skin much smoother, pores shrink and fine lines become much less noticeable. As my skin is hyper sensitive anyway, I did react quite badly after the treatment; my skin looked like I had the worst sunburn and later I had bands of mild swelling. However, the side effects were no worse than I had been warned of and fortunately I had no bruising or blistering which can happen in very rare cases. Fortunately you are able to apply make up straight after treatment and before I left the clinic I went to the toilet and did as best as I could to cover the deep redness. My husband said I only looked as though I was over warm and that it wasnt too severe looking. We then had to travel on the tube back to the airport and I just held my head up and outstared anyone who was looking at me and thought to myself "stuff what anyone thinks" and just got on with it (which really isnt like me). I have had two treatments now and I now travel there and back alone. The second treatment was no where near as bad as the first; it was very red but there was little swelling and by the time I got back to the airport the redness had practically disappeared. I still blush (which is normal for anyone), but the duration and severity has most definitely decreased and just knowing this has lead to a decrease in my anxiety about blushing and I really dont panic quite so much as I used to do. I have been told I need at least 5 treatments to get rid of as many abnormal veins as possible and each treatment gets more and more aggressive the deeper it goes into the skin, but I am going to persevere with it because I really believe it is helping my blushing and, in turn, my anxiety about blushing and that can only be good thing. Im determined Im going to get my life back. Its an expensive treatment, but if anyone is interested in knowing more about it, you are more than welcome to pm me. Flib [2 edits; Last edit by flibbertygibbet at 17:39:03 Mon Jan 3 2005] |
#2
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Re: Photofacial for blushing
Despite knowing how traumatic it is to have a fear of blushing i still think you're extremely brave for going ahead with the treatment especially as you weren't expecting anything to be done immediately.......that must have been a real shock
I really hope the treatment continues to decrease your anxiety levels and, as a result, you can finally live the life you want bud |
#3
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Re: Photofacial for blushing
How do you know if you have roasea or if you are likely to develop it? What are the first signs? Forgive me for my ignorance as although I'm a blusher too, I've never really fully understood what the difference between roseacea and blushing is, although I've heard it mentioned before.
BTW, I think you have been exceptionally brave going all that way and through all that painful treatment to tackle your problem. Hope you keep us updated on how things go. I wish you the best of luck, as I know how mentally painful blushing can be. |
#4
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Re: Photofacial for blushing
Quote:
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#5
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Re: Photofacial for blushing
Ty Bud and still_searching for your support. Still_searching, the best way to find out if you have Rosacea is to visit a dermatologist. It is usually known as Acne Rosacea as the constant blushing can cause acne like eruptions. Fortunately I dont have the acne that goes with it. The blushing usually appears as a butterfly shape across the face, i.e. the tops of the cheekbones and across the nose and, unlike a normal flush of the skin which diminshes in seconds, the effect can last from half an hour to hours on end and in the latter stages becoming permanent. Rosacea mostly affects people with fair skin and who blush readily and has no known cure. That said, if you catch it in time, it can be managed very easily by avoiding as many triggers as possible and finding a good skincare routine. Blushing in itself does certainly not mean you will develop Rosacea though, still_searching. I have web sites if you would like anymore info (Emote: smileyellow) Flib |
#6
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Re: Photofacial for blushing
That's amazing flibbertygibbet.
How brave of you to go through that even though the first treatment was very painful. Then not to be embarrassed afterwards even better. I have been considering this treatment for a while due to my blushing, but have always been to much of a wimp. (Someone else told me it was really painful.) Well done (Emote: smileyellow) WildintheUK (Emote: smile) |
#7
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Re: Photofacial for blushing
I'm impressed. (Emote: smileyellow)
This is well worth its place in the trophy room. As a lifelong blusher i can certainly identify with your feelings and the desire to do something about this problem. I know that many people (including some SA sufferers) find it very hard to understand how badly blushing can affect us, but it can be so debilitating can't it? We can learn in time to mask anxiety, but there is no way of masking severe blushing is there? I also had counselling, used beta-blockers and hypnosis, but in the end desperation drove me to considering the Endoscopic Transthorasic Sympatectomy operation. Only the drastic and permanent side-effects turned me against this idea. I truly hope that the photo-facial treatment you are having is a great success for you. It may be painful now, but if you get the desired results i know you will feel it was well worth it. You have taken a major step towards a better life, and that takes some guts, so you have every right to be proud of yourself. You sound very much like myself in regard to feeling that blushing is a major contributing factor to your SA. I couldn't even talk to my own family without blushing, so being around people at school or work was excruciating. If i didn't blush i reckon i could have coped though. Well done to you for taking this step, and i hope it brings you the relief you desperately deserve. Take care, and the best of luck to you for the rest of the treatment. (Emote: smileyellow) |
#8
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Re: Photofacial for blushing
Thank you innerspace for such an encouraging reply (Emote: roundnround)
Yes, blushing has pretty much been the cause of my sa and to finally be doing something about it is a relief in itself. Im determined to see the course of treatments through even though they are painful at the time, although I must say its only momentary pain like a snap of a rubber band. Someone recently told me that they didnt think I would go through with it and that made me even more determined to do it. Im very realistic about the end result and I have accepted that its not a 100% cure, but anything that reduces the severity of the blushing will still be like a lottery win to me and just knowing that Im blushing less will Im sure reduce the anxiety. My next treatment is on the 18th January, so I shall keep you posted and let you know how it goes. Thanks so much again innerspace for such a supportive reply, it means a lot. Flib (Emote: smileyellow) |
#9
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Re: Photofacial for blushing
You are very welcome, flibbertygibbet. (Emote: smileyellow)
I just want to add that i think your attitude is a very healthy one too. The fact that you are realistic with your expectations is a real plus point. In the past i wanted a 100% guaranteed cure, but of course there isn't one, so i was always disappointed. Your attitude is far more healthy than mine was, so i believe you will gain a lot from this treatment. My own success in beating blushing is via my own fake Cognitive therapy. It helps me see blushing in more realistic terms, and this helps me a lot. I believe that realistic expectations are essential, and you have those realistic expectations, which is great. This is a big part of the battle in my opinion. I can also vouch for the fact that reduced blushing does indeed reduce anxiety and can be very liberating. I wish you all the best for the 18th January. I'm sure your gutsy determination will pay off. Take care. (Emote: beerchug) |
#10
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Re: Photofacial for blushing
Awwwww shucks, innerspace, I can feel a (Emote: embarrassed) coming on (Emote: laughing) Thank you so much (Emote: smileyellow) Flib |
#11
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Re: Photofacial for blushing
Well done for going through with the treatment flibbertygibbet. I too suffer from Rosacea although it is much better than it was in my twenties. I have looked into that particular treatment in the past however it was very expensive and I eventually after trying many different antibiotics and a course of Roaccutane managed to get my Rosacea under control.
If any one who suffers from blushing is interested finding out more about Rosacea this is a very good site. http://www.rosacea.org/ |
#12
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Re: Photofacial for blushing
Thanks marmite lover. There is also a good web site called http://www.theshersystem.com. I have been using their skincare routine for sensitive/rosacea skin since last June and my skin has never felt better and has practically no break outs anymore. It is expensive too, but (for me) I am more than willing to sacrifice other things so that I can keep this awful condition under control. Fortunately I never had to resort to antibiotics etc. as it never quite got that bad for me and Im hoping with the skincare routine I have now and the photofacial that I will have nipped it in the "bud" so to speak. There is also http://www.rosacea.co.uk if anyone is interested. Flib (Emote: smileyellow) |
#13
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Re: Photofacial for blushing
Hi
I had photofacial in 2003, five sessions in london. My exp very similar to yours it has made a huge difference since. It would be interesting to know (in a couple of months) if you still have SA symptoms even though your blushing is not a major factor then. higs |