Aesthetics

Bethesda, Md. - Tazarotene 0.1 percent cream (Avage) is a significant advance in retinoid treatment for photodamaged skin, Emil A. Tanghetti, M.D., said.

Paris - Used clinically since 1999, the long-pulse Nd:YAG lasers effectively and safely treat pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) in skin types IV, V, VI, according to a study presented by E. Victor Ross, M.D., staff physician at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego.

Paris - Researchers investigating the effect of acitretin (Soriatane) on the development of keratotic skin lesions and squamous and basal cell carcinomas on renal transplant patients have found the retinoid is effective.

Agents may find effectiveness by acting as nuclear hormone receptor ligandsPhysician: Kund Kragballe, M.D.

Paris - Botulinum toxin for cosmetic treatment is outstandingly safe, but it is a potent therapy and deserves respect, Alastair Carruthers, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Atlanta - A radiofrequency device for aesthetic and therapeutic applications has the potential to revolutionize cosmetic surgery, but pain control measures must be a high priority for the device to be used at an effective fluence, said Richard E. Fitzpatrick, M.D., of Dermatology Associates/Cosmetic Laser Associates of San Diego County.

Chicago -- Prescription and nonprescription forms of vitamin cosmeceuticals are gaining in popularity among patients. While research is lacking in this unregulated industry, available studies and experience seem to indicate that some vitamin ingredients show more benefit than others, Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D., said at the International Symposium on Aging Skin.

New Orleans - Restoring the primary structural arcs of the face through facial fat rebuilding is a more effective alternative to conventional cosmetic surgery of the aging face, Lisa M. Donofrio, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Atlanta - Treatment of leg veins and telangiectasias with a 1064nm Nd:YAG laser is slightly more comfortable using an instrument featuring dynamic cooling compared with one having contact cooling, but either type of system is a good choice for safe and effective vessel clearance in patients with light as well as darker skin types, Leyda Bowes, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

New Orleans - Liposuction is an effective technique for breast reduction with advantages over surgical mammoplasty, Daniel Lanzer, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Columbia, S.C. - Two well-established cosmetic surgery practices in South Carolina are offering discounted cosmetic procedures to the 1.2 million members of Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, the state's largest managed care plan. The discounts will average about 20 percent for eight common procedures. Botulinum toxin (Botox) treatment, for instance, will cost $175 for one area after the discount.

San Diego - FotoFacial and FotoBody techniques produce consistent, predictable, and visible improvement in the appearance of the skin, with virtually no downtime, Patrick Bitter Jr., M.D., said at the Cosmetic Dermatology Seminar.

Paris -- Results from a series of animal studies demonstrate the efficacy of a new, low-concentration, low-pH zinc/iron solution for stimulating epithelization of partial thickness and second-degree burn wounds, reported researchers from the department of dermatology and cutaneous surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami.

Paris - Early clinical experience indicates that stem cell treatment may be a valuable intervention for promoting wound healing when conventional approaches, including advanced modalities, fail, Evangelos Badiavas, Ph.D., M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Tucson, Ariz. - Use of a three-stage forehead flap in nasal reconstruction modestly lengthens the time until completion of the initial repair compared with the traditional two-stage approach, but that small drawback is far outweighed by the fact that the end result of the three-stage technique is cosmetically superior and achieved much earlier without the need for difficult late revisions, Frederick J. Menick, M.D., said.

Paris - The development of infection, necrosis, or dehiscence as acute complications after cutaneous reconstruction procedures can be very frightening to patients and have potentially devastating effects on the surgical outcome. Therefore, early diagnosis and proper management, including attention to both the wound and patient's well-being, are critical, Stuart J. Salasche, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Los Angeles - Laser pretreatment dramatically increases the transdermal delivery of the chemotherapeutic agent 5-FU, according to Dr. Kuo-Hsien Wang, M.D. who presented at the Society for Investigative Dermatology annual meeting. "This method has potential for the treatment of cutaneous malignant diseases and precancerous lesions, such as actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease, and superficial basal cell carcinoma," he said.

Orlando - Cellular energy supplied through substrates of the creatine kinase system accelerates skin repair and healing, reduces sunburn, and protects skin from UV damage. The processes, in turn, can improve skin quality, moisture retention, and suppleness, according to Nadim Shaath, Ph.D., president of Alpha Research and Development Ltd., White Plains, N.Y.

Paris - Education efforts aiming to increase adult understanding of the importance of sun protection and awareness of skin cancers appear to have made a positive impact, although there is much room for further progress, Rona M. MacKie, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Paris - Use of the tissue adhesive 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate (Dermabond) in properly selected dermatologic surgery cases offers significant advantages for both surgeon and patient, Zoltan Trizna, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Dr. James has recently spruced up his dermatology practice by offering a variety of cosmetic procedures. He performs laser procedures, chemical peels, and injectable filler agents. Although he has had some experience with botulinum injections, the recent FDA clearance of Botox for glabellar rhytids has provided him with a great opportunity to expand his cosmetic practice.

Irvine, Calif. - Allergan Inc., contrary to popular belief, isn't fighting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's allegations that statements in Botox Cosmetic advertisements are misleading, thus violating of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Liposuction is being considered a possible answer for physicians frustrated with how to control a growing number of patients with type 2 diabetes, according to the American Medical News.

Seattle - While many surgeons are reluctant to do it, early tangential excision and grafting of deep burns of the face and neck offer important benefits over the traditional spontaneous healing followed by reconstruction. Loren H. Engrav, M.D., reported in his 20-year experience that not only do patients avoid wasting a year or more of their lives waiting for their burns to heal, but they also have less extensive reconstructive work ahead.

Paris - Bioengineered skin substitutes can facilitate healing of difficult wounds and even achieve closure of some long-standing chronic wounds refractory to other measures, but the success of these modalities depends on proper wound bed preparation and even then, they may not be the answer for all patients, Vincent Falanga, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.