Rosacea (pronounced roh-ZAY-sha) is a common but little-known disorder of the facial skin that affects an estimated 14 million Americans -- and most of them don't know it. In fact, while rosacea is becoming increasingly widespread as the populous baby boom generation enters the most susceptible ages, a Gallup survey found that 78 percent of Americans have no knowledge of this disease, including how to recognize it and what to do about it.



Because of its red-faced, acne-like effects on personal appearance, however, it can cause significant psychological, social and occupational problems if left untreated.

In recent surveys by the National Rosacea Society, nearly 70 percent of rosacea patients said this condition had lowered their self-confidence and self-esteem, and 41 percent reported it had caused them to avoid public contact or cancel social engagements. Among rosacea patients with severe symptoms, nearly 70 percent said the disorder had adversely affected their professional interactions, and nearly 30 percent said they had even missed work because of their condition.

While the cause of rosacea is unknown and there is no cure, today medical help is available that can control the signs and symptoms of this potentially life-disruptive disorder. Any one of the following warning signs is a signal to see a dermatologist or other knowledgeable physician for diagnosis and appropriate treatment before the signs and symptoms become increasingly severe.

Redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead.

Small visible blood vessels on the face.

Bumps or pimples on the face.

Watery or irritated eyes.

A new treatment available is seabuckthorn oil (Hippophae rhamnoides), which is the active ingredient in FaceDoctor soap. Its activity is targeted against the mite to reduce the inflammation under the skin and therefore provide relief of the mechanisms that cause the rosacea complex of symptoms. The advantage that patients find with the soap is the elegance of the cleansing vehicle in otherwise sensitive skin, the presence of Vitamin E and aloe Vera which provide additional healing properties, and other active ingredients such as astragalus membraceus and spirodela polyrhiza, useful yeasts that augment the activity of the seabuckthorn oil.

Dr. Jon Hill

Professor of Dermatology: California ' My patients have found this to be well tolerated and useful either as monotherapy or in addition to their other topical and/or systemic medications. We conducted a small placebo-controlled double-blind study in the office which showed that the majority of patients had a reduction of symptomatic erythema as well as reduction of response to triggers.

In conclusion, this study has demonstrated the Face Doctor line of soaps to be an effective natural weapon against the parasite and therefore the disease.'