GOLD SKIN CARE CENTER IS LOCAL RESOURCE FOR ADDRESSING PSORIASIS™ CONTEST

2010-03-16 22:06:48 - Contest offers chance to win personal style consultation with fashion expert Tim Gunn

Nashville, Tenn. (March 15, 2010) – It’s been an especially tough winter for Nashville residents who suffer from the skin condition psoriasis, a non-contagious chronic disease in which the immune system causes the skin cells to grow at an accelerated rate. Exasperated by the colder, drier air, psoriasis can worsen; sometimes inviting more of the dry, scaly, itchy red patches

associated with this condition to develop.

Dr. Michael H. Gold, one of the leading dermatologists in the country, explains “there are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic.” The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as patches of red, raised, inflamed skin. According to the Web site addressingpsoriasis.com, approximately 80% of the 7.5 million people in the United States who suffer from psoriasis have been diagnosed with plaque psoriasis.

Because of the negative impact psoriasis can have on ones overall image, Amgen and Pfizer have once again teamed up to offer those with psoriasis a chance to win a personal style consultation and makeover with Tim Gunn, Chief Creative Officer at Liz Claiborne, LLC, and mentor to contestants on Project Runway. Gold Skin Care Center is proud to be one of the local resources for the official rules and details on this contest where “Five winners will receive a trip to New York City where they will meet one-on-one with Tim to choose an outfit that complements their look and works with their psoriasis,” as stated on the Addressing Psoriasis™ Contest Web site.

Dr. Gold and the team at Tennessee Clinical Research Center (TCRC) have spearheaded numerous psoriasis studies over the years and know firsthand the negative impact it can have on someone’s life. “It can often be challenging for those who try to hide their psoriasis,” comments Dr. Gold. “Certain fabrics, and even detergents, can aggravate psoriasis, yet those with psoriasis often look to mask their condition behind their wardrobe. It can be a challenging cycle that causes severe stress, another key factor in psoriasis. That is why I am excited to tell my patients about this contest, because it’s about embracing one’s beauty and not letting themselves be defined by this condition.”

The dermatology clinic at Gold Skin Care Center sees up to 1000 psoriasis patients annually. This number is in addition to the nearly 500 individuals who have participated in psoriasis clinical studies over the past five years at Tennessee Clinical Research Center, a subsidiary of Gold Skin Care Center. TCRC has also experienced an influx of study participants over the past years. “The majority of our patients chose to apply for studies to gain the benefits of the treatment or medication being studied,” says Julie Biron, Director of Tennessee Clinical Research Center. “In this challenged economy, as prices rise for staples such as gas and food, people are less likely to be able to afford conditional treatments. Participating in a research study for the treatment of their condition allows them the possibility of receiving the medication being evaluated that they otherwise may not be able to afford.”

Gold Skin Care Center and Tennessee Clinical Research Center are located at 2000 Richard Jones Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37215. Psoriasis patients wanting to learn more about the Addressing Psoriasis™ contest can stop by the clinic between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to pick up an official entry form. Those needing to schedule an appointment or wanting to learn more about current clinical trials should call (615) 383-2400.

ABOUT GOLD SKIN CARE:

Dr. Gold is the founder and Medical Director of Gold Skin Care Center, one of the leading dermatology centers in the country, devoted to caring for all patients with skin care needs and concerns. The divisions of Gold Skin Care Center include The Laser & Rejuvenation Center, a center solely devoted to the aesthetic needs of his patients; Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa, a spa combining the most advanced techniques and products to guide you to the highest level of relaxation and rejuvenation; and Tennessee Clinical Research Center, a facility where the most advanced laser and light based sources are researched before becoming available to the general public.

Gold Skin Care Center offers the latest, most advanced and effective dermatologic treatments and cosmetic dermatologic surgery available today. Dr. Gold is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, at Vanderbilt University Medical School and at Vanderbilt University Nursing School. Guided by an outstanding professional staff, Gold Skin Care Center is a national leading teaching center for many treatments and is widely considered a leader of clinical and cosmetic dermatology in the Southeast. It is located at 2000 Richard Jones Road, Suite 220, in Nashville. For more information, call 615.383.2400 or visit www.goldskincare.com.

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