Aesthetics

Cynosure Inc. has received additional government clearance for Apogee lasers, which can be used for pigmented lesion treatments and permanent hair removal.

SkinMedica Inc. and Osmotics Corp. announced that they have entered into a license agreement related to Osmotic's Barrier Repair technology.

Botulinum toxin injected into the prostate reduced symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and was well tolerated, according to the results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, preliminary trial (Urology 2003; 62:259-265).

Diabetics with ulcer sores on their feet that are difficult to treat may be helped by the use of Or-cel, a collagen sponge containing human cells.

Cyanotech, a Hawaiian company, reportedly is growing a patented substance in man-made ponds that it claims can help prevent sunburns.

People should not be tested for hereditary risk of melanoma until the influence of melanoma genes is better understood, according to National Cancer Institute scientists in a report published in The Melanoma Letter, a publication of The Skin Cancer Foundation.

The risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer, is higher for scleroderma patients than for the general population, particularly for male patients and those with diffuse scleroderma, according to a recent Australian study.

Photocure ASA's photodynamic therapy, Metvix (methylaminolevulinate) is scheduled for review this month as a basal cell carcinoma treatment.

The department of surgery, LTMG Hospital and LTM Medical College in India strongly recommends the use of banana-leaf dressings for partial thickness burn wounds.

The incidence of Bartonella hanselae, or cat-scratch disease, is on the rise in Oregon.

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study with metronidazole in patients with mild to moderate seborrheic dermatitis found the drug seemed to lack effectiveness.

Additionally, hormone therapy was found to be warranted for some female patients with moderate to severe acne.

Botulinum toxin is proving helpful when applied into acupuncture points for those suffering with migraines.

Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich signed a law that restricts the practice of tongue-splitting.

One family in Oakland, Calif., believes that a tattoo contributed to the death of their 21-year-old son, Eric Racheski.

Senetek expanded its manufacturing licensing agreement with ICN Pharmaceuticals Inc. for products containing Senetek's skincare ingredient Kinetin.

Bradley Pharmaceuticals said it will expand its sales force, primarily focusing on its Doak Dermatology Subsidiary.

The American Medical Association introduced a medical education initiative, Strategies for Teaching and Evaluating Professionalism.

The Associated Press reports that the FDA wants to cut review time of medical device technology by a month.

San Francisco - Use of silicone for cosmetic purposes remains controversial, with some experts declaring it inherently unsafe and others insisting that as long as it is used carefully, it can be used safely. Clearly, doctors who take precautions can at least reduce the risk, if not eliminate complications. In either case, FDA studies are still underway.

San Francisco - As facial implants come of age, aging faces look even younger. UltraSoft implants are part of the next generation of ePTFE facial implants designed to be softer, with a wider diameter than their predecessor, the SoftForm implant. Manufactured by Tissue Technologies Inc., San Francisco, the permanent facial implants offer dermatologic surgeons an alternative to injectable or temporary fillers for nasolabial folds or lip augmentation that Nicholas Lowe, M.D., FRCP, believes is safer and more effective.

Leading sources suggest that cosmetic surgeons should carefully monitor the psychological condition and ambitions of existing and potential cosmetic patients despite a recent study finding that aesthetic procedures significantly improve a patient's quality of life.

Boston - Applications of laser and light-based therapy will continue to grow as ongoing trends and new technologies act to shape the future of cutaneous laser surgery, R. Rox Anderson, M.D., said.

Barcelona - Hair transplantation can be a viable treatment option for cicatricial (scarring) alopecia and should be considered for patients who have suitable donor areas.

San Francisco - Several recent studies have demonstrated some interesting phenomena in the area of pediatric dermatology. Howard B. Pride, M.D., an associate in the department of dermatology at Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa., presented some highlights.