Brown Charles J MD

Several years ago, I developed Rosacea which caused an overwhelming burning sensation and copious redness on my cheeks, nose and forehead. I haplessly grew a beard hoping to disguise some of the redness and found myself, at times, leaning against cold metal just to cool my face. I even bought the green tinted cover-​up that was supposed to, when applied correctly, turn purple to match my skin tone – I would try anything. I had had enough so I contacted the Dermatologic Laser Center off Randolph Rd. and made an appointment with Dr. Brown. The staff was a little hard to take. They are very energetic and franc, quite frankly. I didn’t know what to expect after they led me to my first exam room when in walked a man whom at first glance could be mistaken for a pre-​pubescent altar boy and not a 50+ year old. My hope was growing. His bedside manner and demeanor is incredibly unique. His voice had a lulling sound yet his questions were pointed and his answers were as a matter of fact. He confirmed what I thought I had but also gave me some reassurance about my treatment. He gave me options and suggested to start with the topical cream and antibiotics. He also said there was a potentially more permanent solution and if I wanted to, at any time, I could make an appointment for laser treatment. I was reluctant at first but after about 3 months with the prescriptions, I found them too restrictive. I had to avoid the sun while using the cream, which had great results, and summer was approaching – rosaecea’s time of year that was the worst for me. I called his office to make my laser appointment. It took all of 30 minutes. Dr. Brown walked in with the radiation garb, slathered my face with some numbing cream, and asked if I wanted the intense 1 time V-​beam treatment or the 2 – 3 medium to low treatment. I told him to crank it up! He turned to me, lifted his mask, looked me in the eyes and explained exactly what was about to happen. He made it clear it would hurt and I would be scarred… and he was not joking! Imagine someone taking a rubber band and snapping it on your cheeks, nose and forehead 100 times! It was excruciating! When it was all done and the proverbial smoke cleared, he turned to me again, lifted his mask and looked into my eyes and told me I was not leaving until I looked into the mirror and knew that I was ok with what I saw. This is what I like most about his treatment. At every step, he wanted an educated patient. He wanted no surprises. The scarring was difficult to look at. I drove home with the visor down at night, afraid of what others would think. After about 2 weeks of healing I was looking much better and after 3 months of treatment, there wasn’t a single red mark nor was there a burning sensation anywhere! I couldn’t, and still can’t 1 year later, believe that my roseacea is gone! My self esteem has grown. My thoughts of others looking at my face are gone. My skin is smooth and I’m not afraid to look in a mirror. I got rid of the green cover-​up and gained a sense of pride. Dr. Brown is exactly what I needed and delivered far more than what I had ever expected!