Rosacea afflicts 16 million Americans and most of them don’t know it, but the public can now learn more about this chronic skin disorder from their own dermatologist.

Now, as part of Rosacea Awareness Month, leading dermatologists are helping the public learn more about this chronic skin disorder and the availability of safe and effective treatment options.

Vivacare has provided in-depth rosacea education resources to the 3,000 dermatologists that use Vivacare’s “From Your Doctor” patient education service. Vivacare has expanded the patient education content regarding rosacea to include patient handouts about the different subtypes of rosacea and rosacea treatment options, including topical medications (Finacea®, MetroGel®), oral medications (Oracea®), surgical procedures, IPL for rosacea, and a rosacea diary.

Dr. Mark Becker, pediatrician and President of Vivacare said that “by providing dermatologists with in-depth resources about rosacea, we help them inform their communities about this under diagnosed skin condition and the availability of safe and effective treatments.”

Latisse Safety and Benefits for Eyelash Growth Reviewed by Leading Dermatologists

Patients considering Latisse, a popular prescription medication that grows longer and darker eyelashes, can now learn the opinion and experience of skin care experts.

Dermatologists have published their expert opinion about Latisse, providing patients with a reliable source of health information.

Latisse (bimatropost) is applied once a day to the eyelashes with a disposable eyelash brush that dispenses the recommended dose. Results are usually reported after 4 to 6 weeks of use with full results seen after 12 to 16 weeks.

Many patients have been satisfied with the results and the Los Angeles Time recently ran a story that quoted a Latisse patient who said ."It does what it says it's going to do and my lashes look nice and healthy. It gives me a more youthful appearance. Younger gals have gorgeous lashes, and now I don't have to wear false lashes." However, some concerns of side effects remain, including eye redness, itchiness, irritation, infection, darkening of the skin around the application area. A possible change in eye color is also reported, particularly in people who have any amount of brown pigment in their eyes.

Christine Brown, M.D., a Dallas dermatologist in private practice, suggested that the incidence of side effects, such as pigmentation of the eye or surrounding skin is exceptionally rare. The most common side effect is redness, which is a transient problem. Latisse works well, especially under the supervision of a dermatologist."

Amy McMichael, M.D., a dermatologist at Wake Forest University Medical Center, pointed out that "The data for the safety of Latisse is well studied since this medication has been around in eyedrop form for more than 8 years. The post-marketing studies of Lumigan [the active ingredient of Latisse] and the more recent FDA pivotal studies for Latisse underscore the safety of the drug. Anecdotally, many patients who used Lumigan for glaucoma in one eye only have applied the Lumigan to the other eye to even out the lash growth--under the supervision of their ophthalmologist and without unwanted side effects."

The clinical judgments provided by dermatologists are published by Vivacare, a patient education company that provides dermatologists with tools to educate their patients and the public about skin conditions and skin care advice.

Latisse for Eyelash Growth

Latisse, the FDA-approved eyelash growing medication, is selling well according to statements made by the manufacturer, Allergan.

According to the Los Angeles Times article "Lash Enhancers Now a Growth Business," Latisse "grossed $25.4 million in sales in the first half of this year, and the company says it anticipates doing $60 million in total by year's end."

Latisse is available by prescription only, usually from a dermatologist, ophthalmologist, or plastic surgeon.

For instance, Dr. Gerald Goldberg, a dermatologist in private practice in Tucson Arizona makes Latisse available to his patients and provides educational content regarding its benefits and tips on how to apply Latisse.

The brand has become better known to many from its advertisements showing Brooke Shields and the before and after photographs of her eyelashes following her use of Latisse.

"Psoriasis Doctors" Provides Psoriasis Information from Skin Care Experts

"Psoriasis Doctors", launched July 1, 2009, provides dermatologist-authored health education content to help people with psoriasis to understand their treatment option and manage their skin condition.

The Psoriasis Doctors Website is part of the "From Your Doctor"service from Vivacare Inc. that highlights Dermatologists who have authored particularly useful content regarding psoriasis management. For instance, Helen Torok, M.D. with Trillium Creek Dermatology of Medina, Ohio, published information about phototherapy services offered by her practice that appears on Psoriasis Doctors.

The content covers a wide range of psoriasis topics, including psoriasis basics, psoriasis types, psoriasis severity, topical medications (clobetasol, Vectical), phototherapy (PUVA, UVB), and new "biologics" (Amevive, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, and Stelara).