BehindTheMedspeak: Zeno™ 'Zit Zapper'

From Houston–based Tyrell Inc. comes Zeno™ (above and below), said to be a significant advance in pimple treatment.

Matt McMillen of the Washington Post wrote about his experience with Zeno™ in yesterday's Health section.

Tyrell says that 90% of Zeno™–treated blemishes fade or disappear within 24 hours.

Zeno™ uses proprietary ClearPoint™ technology in its device.

Translation: the thing heats your pimple up and kills it.

McMillen noted that Zeno™'s tip heats up to 121°: "Think hot bath."

What most interested me was not so much that the device exists but the remarks to McMillen by Chevy Chase, Maryland cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Tina West, who plans to sell the device to her patients.

McMillen wrote, "Instead of requesting an 'emergency treatment' — a cortisone injection — when a nasty pimple appears, as 5 to 10 patients a week do, she said, they can use the Zeno™."

Wait a minute: this doctor treats pimples with cortisone injections?

And considers them "emergencies?"

Whoa.

That's some specialty, is dermatology.

You know how we used to describe dermatology back when I was in med school?

"Wet on the dry, dry on the wet and steroids for everything else."

Looks like not a whole lot has changed.

The Zeno™, about the size of a cellphone, costs $225.

It's a prescription–only device so don't bother trying to buy one from the Tyrell website.

I'm sure Dr. West gets no commission on Zeno™ sales out of her office.

FunFact: The company that made replicants in "Bladerunner" was the Tyrell Corporation.

As Gilda Radner said, "There are no coincidences."