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YOU’RE BLUSHING!
This article was in the October 28th 2006 edition of The Saskatoon Star Phoenix.
Do you remember how it felt when you were embarrassed to the point of a big blush? Then, everyone stared at you while the obnoxious one in the crowd pointed out, "You’re blushing!" By now of course, there was no way out for you, as you felt the heat spread intensely over the entire face, ears, neck and chest, everything glowing pink.
YOU’RE BLUSHING!
Do you remember how it felt when you were embarrassed to the point of a big blush? Then, everyone stared at you while the obnoxious one in the crowd pointed out, “You’re blushing!” By now of course, there was no way out for you, as you felt the heat spread intensely over the entire face, ears, neck and chest, everything glowing pink. It was like you had just discovered that unbeknownst to you a private part of your body had been exposed to the public. The outside world had a vantage point into your private world. You were vulnerable!
Imagine if this was an event that happened to you every day, perhaps even several times per day?! Imagine how it might feel at the workplace where most of us make an effort to put our “best face forward”. We make an effort to appear confident and competent. We shake hands and hold our heads high as we try to say the right things to those in a position of some authority, and also to the co-workers who might be somewhat competitive. Imagine if you had a face that lit up like a beacon for all to see every time your inner dialogue was going on about a personal insecurity. The more important the work related exchange, the more likely it was that you would catapult into one of your intense blushes, complete with ears, neck and chest, lasting many minutes, and attracting the eyes of all of those around you! How could you possibly appear “in control” after such an impression!
Ted was a professor at the University, who intimated that one of his greatest anxieties centered on the risk of blushing in front of his lecture theater full of his students. He was a full time faculty member who taught on a frequent basis. He knew his stuff, but felt humiliated by his own expression of vulnerability in front of the young crop of budding scientists who appreciated his mentorship. He had been a blusher even in adolescence, but as the years passed, his blushing triggers had become more numerous. Now he was blushing more often than not, and this was an irritation. He was embarrassed.
Blushing does not typically occur in isolation. By the time the blushing and facial redness is noticed and beyond normal, there is most likely a prominent web of small veins in the top layer of the skin, quite visible to the naked eye. By now, the women are covering up with a green tinted foundation, while men are less inclined to resort to a foundation cover-up. Additionally, there may be other emerging symptoms, including burning and itching, blemishes, and enlarged pores. There may be zones on the face that feel congested and swollen. Although there is a tendency to conceal the deep redness and veins, it is increasingly difficult to cleanse or cover with make up or sunscreen because the skin is “sensitive”. Marj was one person whose whole family was aware of the intensity of her symptoms. She was deeply embarrassed and disturbed by the above-described list of symptoms and so she was quite inclined to try the light therapy. She had had many years of the abnormal skin that she had become quite ashamed of. She was now a newly graduated nurse. She was indeed ready to proceed with the Vasculight Intense Pulsed Light, and she was happy she did. Very shortly thereafter she decided that she had seen improvement in all facets of the condition. Soon after that she was less inclined to even use foundation, and this was a pleasant outcome.
Rod was a tradesman who was tired of his red face. He was not inclined to drink alcohol precisely because it would trigger a blush. He was therefore appalled when his co-workers began to refer to his “heavy drinking”. Although he informed them otherwise, he was not able to dispel the strongly held myth that “alcohol must have caused his face to become red.” It is true that alcohol may cause worsening of facial redness and veins, but it is also true that many of those with red face have never much indulged in alcoholic beverages. The latter group is often acutely aware of the vasodilating properties of alcohol. Beyond the big flush there is the secondary ripple of inflammation manifesting as hot spots, blemishes, burning, itching, congestion, swelling, and deep embarrassment. Rod looked like a Circus Clown with rouge on the cheeks, nose, and chin.
To the credit of Rod, he listened carefully, and accordingly took steps to avoid ultraviolet light on his face. He regularly used a couple of topically active products that helped to improve his skin health. He completed five sessions of the Intense Pulsed Light Photorejuvenation with the Health Canada cleared Vasculight technology. Even after his first treatment he noticed reduced intensity and frequency of blushing, reduced blemishes, and complete cessation of the burning and itching. Every time he did the treatment he noticed approximately 20 – 25% more reduction in the redness and spider veins. Apparently he had already given the slip to the coworkers as the comments about his skin and “alcoholism” faded away with the redness, veins, and flushing as he completed a course of treatments with Vasculight Intense Pulsed Light. At the end of his course of therapy, he was pleased that he was neutral in skin color compared to others in the crowd. Years later, Rod stops by to report that he has not had return to the previous symptom complex. He is still relieved by the stable long lasting resolution in his symptoms.
David was like Rod, in that he too was experiencing comments about his facial redness. He was simply bothered by the co-worker comments, and after three treatments with the Vasculight Intense Pulsed Light device, he was much satisfied and blended in at work without the remarks.
Doreen was also a blushing red person with dense spider veins over her full face. Her main priority, however, was the intense and relentless itching that was upsetting her greatly. She held her hands tensely in front of her face to illustrate her point as she reported her symptoms. She had searched around for therapeutic relief, but had found no relief. She was hopeful that this newer light based technology might provide her the long sought after relief. As she presented for her second treatment, she reported dramatic elimination of her itching and blushing. Even her eye itching and burning was improved by treatment of her full face. She proceeded to complete a course of 5 sessions to continue her progress. She expected and achieved approximately 20% reduction in redness and veins with each treatment, and therefore she was near normal in the hue of her complexion after the 5th treatment. Finally she had obtained relief from the aggravation of incessant itch, and as a result she was able to live more comfortably for years. Now, approximately 4 years later she maintains a remission. She was particularly pleased that she was able to achieve this result without oral medications.
Intense Pulsed Light with Vasculight is cleared by Health Canada for the safe and effective treatment of Vascular Condition, also known as facial redness, blushing, and veins. It is also Health Canada cleared for treatment of hyperpigmentation, and hence it is widely utilized for people who suffer unsightly sunspots. Approximately 95% of the patients who proceed with this therapy have no significant downtime. Those that do have a side effect will generally recover quickly and completely. Not all Intense Pulsed Light Devices are equal. It is important to understand that if the quoted benefits are sought after, then it is best to do some homework and ensure that the device is Health Canada cleared for that purpose. And equally important, it is recommended that a high intensity light device be operated by experienced medical operators.
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