Drink plenty of water for skin problems

¦ I am a rosacea sufferer and have been using the Sher skincare system, with great success, for ten years.

Unfortunately, the company ceased trading in July and I am devastated. Before winding up, the company sent me a list of over-the-counter alternatives, but I can’t imagine any of these being as good. I hope you can help, as I don’t know where else to turn.

>> There is nothing worse than finding a treatment that truly works, particularly for a chronic skin disorder, such as rosacea, where solutions are few and far between, only to find that it is being discontinued.

The good thing after 10 years of using the system is that you will have learned many beneficial methods that support skincare, such as diet, water-splashing, avoiding temperature extremes, keeping up your water intake, and supplementing with essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, herbs, and probiotics.

As for suitable skincare and make-up — colloidal silver is widely available from health stores, and Avène, which specialises in sensitive skin, has a range designed for treating rosacea.

The range includes antirougeurs anti-redness dermo-cleansing fluid, redness relief soothing cream SPF 25, antirougeurs FORT relief concentrate, and antirougeurs calm soothing repair mask.

You can buy Avène products from Boots and pharmacies.

Makeup-wise, Jane Iredale is a good range to use for a number of skin conditions, and is available from Millie’s (www.millies.ie; 045- 530535).

With a vitamin and mineral supplement, the most important component is the B vitamin. Evidence suggests that deficiencies in the B group are common with this condition, so make sure that you choose a combination that contains 25mg of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6 in particular.

For a detailed account of how to treat rosacea, visit website of Georgie Holbrook, from Texas.

Georgie has cleared her skin of advanced rosacea, and she says that an internal imbalance triggered her condition. Visit her website at www.joy-full.com for information.

¦ Q. I am 52 and I had the Mirena contraceptive device fitted when I was 46, due to extremely heavy periods. I have had no problems with my periods since. But, in the past six to eight months, I have noticed that in the days prior to my period I suffer with loose bowel, nausea, and the feeling that I have a tummy bug.

Then, just before my period, I become very constipated. It leaves me feeling very drained, with low energy levels. It is a sizeable portion of the month to be feeling this way — I have a healthy diet and exercise regularly, although, in the pre-menstrual time, I sometimes do not have the energy to keep up my fitness routine.

>> While the Mirena is recommended by some practitioners to assist with heavy menstrual bleeding, it is unusual that your doctor is still recommending this for you since you are beyond the age of 50, when hormone-based contraception methods (even though you are using it primarily for menstrual regulation) can interfere with the natural menopausal changes.

I would suggest that you speak with your doctor or gynaecologist about whether or not it is still beneficial for you to continue with the Mirena, particularly since you are experiencing problematic side-effects, despite maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.