An interesting new blog about dermatology in the media. Here’s what they say about the recently released Phantom of the Opera movie:

Close inspection of actor Gerard Butler’s prosthetic makeup reveals a red, swollen area of the right face, affecting the eyelid. This is an attempt to re-create Sturge-Weber syndrome. Named after long gone dermatologists presumably unrelated to Sir Andrew Lloyd, the condition includes port wine stain birthmarks, abnormal deeper blood vessels, and often eye problems. It usually affects the top half of one facial side. Brit supermodel Caprice underwent a similar transformation for a TV program addressing the stigma surrounding birthmarks. Along with the significant psychological impact, the other potential problem in some cases can be convulsions. I am not aware of any data showing that people with Sturge-Weber syndrome are particularly prone to mask-wearing, opera-singing, or chandelier-crashing.