The Sher System for rosacea: January 1999 When Sybil Dennis developed rosacea at 50, she found help using the Sher System 'My skin became blotchy, and stung; the attacks occurred every few days. It was upsetting and it made me self-conscious 'I thought I'd developed an allergy to make-up, so I stopped wearing it. This didn't help. My GP prescribed antibiotics, which didn't work and made me feel very nauseous'.

On the advice of a skin specialist I cut out caffeine and continued taking my antibiotics, but at this point I also began to look into alternative treatments. I began by using homeopathic remedies, but they didn't seem to help enough. 'I read about The Sher System in a magazine, and visited the clinic in London. Helen Sher was approachable and reassuring. I completed a detailed questionnaire on the history of my condition and she confirmed I had rosacea. The hypoallergenic products I'd been using were too harsh, but as soon as Helen put her own creams on my face, it felt soothed.

'The Sher system uses warm water therapy, together with personalised skincare. Gentle products are used, along with multiple rinsing. Ingredients include lavender and calendula oils; Helen also gives advice on supplements and will refer people to a nutritionist if required. 'I use a pre-wash cleanser and foaming cleanser, a 24-hour hydrating formula serum and sun shield emulsion (SPF 20). For make up I use tinted skin enhancer with undercover cream. I've been using the products for 18 months, and my skin has returned to normal.'