It may be customary for Santa to have rosy cheeks, but now that the season is over, battling a red complexion may not be so jolly. Healthcast reporter Janet Wu tells us there is a way to zap away that redness.
Susan Daly has it, so does Betty Young and 14 million Americans. Most don't even know. It's redness on your cheeks, nose, chin or forehead.
Susan Daly
"Permanent blush, yes."
Small blood vessels on your face. Sometimes bumps or pimples.
Betty Young
"I felt like everyone was looking at me with the big red splotches on my face."
It's called Rosacea. And while there are ways to calm it down, there's never been a way to get rid of it... until now.
This is the brand new V-beam Pulsed Dye Laser. Pulses of light destroy the unwanted veins of Rosacea without hurting the skin.
Dr. Eric Bernstein, Laser Surgeon
"The only treatment that gets at the heart of the cause in my opinion is laser because it removes the blood vessels. And it removes them for good."
Dr. Eric Bernstein is a laser surgeon.
Dr. Eric Bernstein, Laser Surgeon
"Patients will ask me "don't I need these veins?" The fact is if you weren't born with them. You don't need them. These are veins that come on later from the sun and they cause problems. They cause the Rosacea."
But this laser can remove it.
People who have been embarrassed by their complexions for years find their faces clear up after two to four treatments.
There can be a little temporary bruising.
Susan Daly
"Actually I'm bruised right now."
But Susan and Betty say it's worth it to hopefully get results similar to these.
Betty Young
"By the next day I did see improvement in my skin"Susan Daly
"For a couple of days of bruising not to be beet red anymore, that would be great. That would be wonderful."
While the laser can take away the redness, doctors say it's still important to protect yourself from the sun. That can help keep away the redness for many years.
