Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2008 | Page 87

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

life

FASHION HEALTH & BEAUTY

Light ends
intense
embarrassment
When Maureen found she was suffering
from a complaint called rosacea Dr Máire
Rhatigan at Orchard Skin Care prescribed
Intensive Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment. The
resulting treatment has turned her life
around, she tells Roz Whistance

Photo: Dr Maire Rhatigan

Tel: [phone]
www.orchardcosmetic.co.uk
RW: What effect does
rosacea have on your
appearance?
M: Well, think of a Belisha
Beacon. It’s a flushed look all
over the face and neck, which
flared up particularly when I
became warm, in restaurants,
for example. I found it quite
traumatic. It got that I no
longer enjoyed going out
in the evening, I became so
self-conscious.
RW: Did you seek any
treatment before visiting Dr
Rhatigan?
M: My GP prescribed steroid
cream, but it didn’t make
a blind bit of difference.
Besides, I was concerned
about using the cream
because of the well-known
side effect of thinning the
skin, and you have to be
so careful if there is any
sunshine. It was a bother

having to apply high factor
sun screen every hour.
RW: What were your
concerns about seeking
alternative treatment?
M: I was worried about
pain. But at my consultancy
session, when Dr Rhatigan
recommended IPL as an
effective treatment, she
explained that it was available
in different strengths, and
she would try a low level of
treatment. She also suggested
I tried one session to see how
I felt about it before booking
any more.
RW: And was it painful?
M: Not at all. It feels like
being pinged with a rubber
band. As the laser is moved
all round your face you find
you get used to the sensation.
RW: Were there any side
effects?
M: None! After the treatmen @