Dr. Nase, Question about IPL treatments with Dr. Darm

[WidespreadRed]

Hi Dr. Nase. I live in San Francisco and would like to travel to Oregon for IPL treatments with Dr. Darm. I am a classic case of advanced Subtype I (no Ps and Ps but permanent redness, bouts of painful flushing, etc). I have looked over the pertinent info on the Yahoo RS board, but I am still unclear about whether I should undergo the standard "once every several weeks" treatment routine with Dr. Darm, or if it is actually better to undergo several treatments every other day (Monday, Wednesday and Friday for example) which he is now doing. Basically, I would like to know what you would do if you were in my shoes? Also, has Dr. Darm performed treatments in groups of two (for example Wednesday and Friday, then several weeks later, another Wednesday and Friday). I'm a post doc in a hard-core molecular biology lab, and it is very difficult for me to take an entire week off from my experiments (my PI is a classic slave driver). This is why I'm inquiring about the "twice a week" protocol. Your input would be greatly appreciated.
-Brian

P.S. I was a long-time lurker on the RS board. I can already tell this new forum will be much more informative than the RS board. Thanks to everyone who made it possible!

[alecashley]

Dr naase is the institute still a go?

[Stacy]

I'm also very interested to know if Dr. Darm has a "twice per week" protocol. For example, 2 treatments 2 days apart, 3 weeks off, and then another 2 treatments 2 days apart, etc. It's also very difficult for me to take an entire week off, but several days every 3 weeks is definitely possible. Dr. Nase, do you have any thoughts on this one? Thank you, much appreciated.

[drnase]

Yes, this would work well too. No problem.

[Kris Jacobs]

I was treated by dr darm for the second time may 6. the first treatment healed really fast ( a few days) but the second treatment left me sensitive for a few weeks. this is most likely because we used a 560 filter.
With that said, I have had about 9 treatments here in I daho and Dr. Darms 2 treatments have been a major success! The 9 treatments here in idaho did not do a whole lot for my reddness.
After this summer, I plan to visit him again for the 3 treatments in a week protocol he is developing.
I had subtype 1 ros with the reddness on my cheeks ( I was a severe blusher) now it takes a LOT of triggers for my skin to start blushing. most days my skin looks completely normal
Kris Jacobs

[WidespreadRed]

That's great Kris. Two treatments and significant improvement!
Could you answer a couple questions for me?

1) You mentioned you've had two treatments with Dr. Darm, but you are going to wait until after the summer for your 3rd treatment. So Dr. Darm thinks it's ok to wait so long between the 2nd and 3rd treatments?

2) Also, after the 2nd treatment with the 560 filter, you mentioned being quite sensitive for a few weeks. Were you swollen and "flushy" during those three weeks or just more red than normal during that time? I'm pretty apprehensive about having noticeable trauma for more than a few days post treatment.

-Brian

[Stacy]

Kris, great to hear your treatments are going well and you've seen significant improvement in only 2 treatments! Did Dr. Darm perform a quadruple pass with you, ie. 2 ipl passes, 1 yag and 1 nlite? Thanks, best wishes for continued success.

[allstar]

Glad to hear that your treatments with Dr. Darm are going so well.

What brand of Laser has Dr. Darm been using on your face? I am thinking about making the trip to see him, as he has been so well recommend on several of these rosacea support boards, and Dr. Nase has spoken so highly about his expertise. (I am really looking forward to hearing more about the Institute and its progress.)


Keep us updated on your treatments - thanks.

[Kris Jacobs]

Great questions Brian!
I am waiting until after summer because the summers in Boise, ID are very hot (100+ degrees). Furthermore it is very important that you try your best to keep from flushing/blushing post IPL. Given that- I work out doors, this would be really awfull on my skin. And yes, generally a 550 or 560 filter will leave you sensitive for a while. This is because it treats only the very superficial blood vessels. Dr. Nase knows this laser lingo way better than me but from how I understand it, there is a better chance of the light from the ILP device scattering. This can cause damage to the surrounding nerves--- thus causing you to be sensitive. But don't get too frightened, Dr. Darm will take care of you. Plus your skin will return to feeling normal
In my particular case, after my second treatment, my skin would get red (not swollen) for about three weeks after. This occured when I layed my head down on my pillow or when I was out in temps exceeding 75 degrees. This lasted for about three weeks. I then talked to my Doc and convinced him to put me on Clonidine (.05 mgs twice a day). this really seemed to help with the blushing aspect caused by sensitivity. As of now my skin looks great. It only gets a little red when I get anxiety or if I am in extreame heat.
I still plan on getting more treatments w/ Dr. Darm especially now that he has the new lumenis laser and the other one by Sciotcon (I don't think I spelled that right!!!).
A probabely don't need any more treatments---it's just now, I'm curious as to whether or not I can totally alleviate this disorder.
Good luck and keep us all posted- Dr Darm is great!!!
Kris Jacobs

ps--- My protocal for ipl #2 was as follows:
7500 pulses on each cheek
590 filter @45 jewles
560 filter@ 45 jewles
flush inducers:
heating pad
topical niacin
laser caine

[allstar]

Kris - were you treated with Darm's Lumines One? Dr. Nase reported that he had one, and I was wondering if that machine was the one you were treated with.

How many patients has he treated with this machine? (if you know - I may just call Dr. Darm and then report back with info - do you happen to have his contact information?)

Thanks.

Allstar

[Tamara]

Hi Allstar,

Dr. Darm's number is: 503-697-9777. Please let us know how he is doing with the Lumenis One and Sciton.

Thanks,

Tamara

[allstar]

Thanks, Tamara.

I'll check his website and call him on Monday.

Allstar

[WidespreadRed]

Thanks for the info Kris. Looking at the big picture, a few weeks of sensitivity/redness is nothing compared to the final result you've achieved. I'm definitely going to schedule a series of treatments with Dr. Darm. I'll let everyone know how it goes. Best of luck!
-Brian

[Kris Jacobs]

Hi Allstar,
no I was not treated with the lumenus one. That is why I plan on returning to see Dr. Darm this fall. He also has another IPL device by the manufacturer Sciotcon (I don't think I spelled that right) that is suppost to be quite impressive. Dr Nase taked pretty hightly about it on the old Rosacea support group. Either way if any of you guys or gals see Dr. Darm you will have to keep the rest of us posted.
I think the biggest reason I had such great success with Darm was because of the YAG 1064. My main problem was the deep flush/blush. The yag 1064 can treat vessels just over 2mm deep in the skin.
What is so impressive about the Lumens one is that it has less of a chance of scattering. both very impressive devices
**** Please people remember to induce a flush prior to your treatment. Furthermore Dr. Nase talked about how important it is to keep that flush going throughout the entire treatment. For me-- I went to walmart and got a heating pad and placed it on my neck and back before and during the treatment with Dr. Darm. You need to keep those vessels open so the IPL and tune into them.
good luck
Kris Jacobs