Aesthetics

Electronic medical record (EMR) systems should be considered the digital foundation of a medical practice, allowing practitioners to streamline everything from marketing to scheduling.

Filler procedures have become a staple in the dermatologic armamentarium for the treatment of numerous cosmetic indications, allowing physicians to perform sophisticated soft tissue augmentation procedures in their patients, safely and effectively. Though the correction of nasolabial folds was the first and perhaps the most popular indication for fillers, nontraditional areas where these cosmetic tools can be implemented are ever growing.

What are the different types of hand sanitizers? Which is the best one for the dermatologist to use in the office?

Botulinum toxin injections are more popular than ever in aesthetic medicine and have become a staple in the everyday armamentarium of the cosmetic physician.

The PicoSure laser (Cynosure) is proving to be a major breakthrough in tattoo removal by helping to clear notoriously stubborn colors quicker and more effectively then other laser technologies, according to an expert.

For photodynamic therapy (PDT), an expert says, heating the skin during incubation increases porphyrin synthesis, improving results and potentially cutting incubation times.

Choosing between noninvasive fat treatments often requires a point-by-point comparison, keeping in mind the physical and other constraints of one’s practice, says an expert who spoke at the Cosmetic Surgery Forum.

Knowing the specific characteristics of a filler and the potential complications that can arise, and how to deal with those problems, is crucial in performing effective and safe filler procedures, says Joseph E. Hkeik, M.B.B.S., F.R.A.C.G.P., F.F.M.A.C.C.S., D.P.D.

Multiple changes in the skin and underlying tissues contribute to the appearance of periocular aging, and several options rejuvenate the eyes without performing incisional surgery. Often, the best outcome depends on a combination approach, but the plan should be individualized based on findings from the physical exam and factoring in any budget limitations the patient may have, says Rhoda S. Narins, M.D.

Stem-cell-based cosmeceuticals do not contain stem cells, but rather stem cells are used for the preparation of the plant extracts used in the formulation.

Although hyaluronic acid (HA) has proven to be a versatile dermal filler in a variety of formulations, special circumstances may require other materials, says an expert who spoke at the Cosmetic Surgery Forum.

Home-use aesthetic devices are proliferating and improving, according to an expert. Joel Schlessinger, M.D., says that, increasingly, patients want to know if home-use dermatologic devices work. Many such devices probably provide some benefit, he says, though they are generally geared toward cosmetic rather than medical indications.

Solta Medical will acquire Sound Surgical Technologies for $25.5 million in stock and $5 million in cash, the company announced.

Skin poration is a not a new concept, but rather the application of acupuncture techniques to skincare. In East Asia, rollers coated with sharp needles have been used for a variety of purposes, from pressure point release for muscle pain to the rejuvenation of skin to a method of penetration enhancing topical products.

Like many children, Mona Gohara, M.D., took lifelong cues from her parents. Her father a surgeon and her mother a pathologist, Gohara’s Egyptian parents came to the United States in 1969. Her mother, Amira Gohara, M.D., completed her residency at the Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, and went on to become the first foreign medical graduate, female dean in this country’s history.

Ongoing refinements of the Ultherapy (Ulthera) device and how it’s used are making it a go-to treatment for rejuvenating the face and neck, an expert says.

Revolutionized by the advent of fractional laser technology, laser surgery for scars continues to evolve. However, clinicians continue to be confronted with a wide variety of scar types without a well-established treatment algorithm.

The first hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal filler indicated specifically for the tear troughs provides a safe, long-lasting alternative to previous HA options in this area, says Hassan Galadari, M.D.

Plastic surgeons have identified molecular changes in molecules that regulate gene activity that may serve as critical makers to tissue aging, allowing for less invasive avenues to improve the skin’s appearance, according to a new study.

Allergan has announced plans to acquire SkinMedica’s topical aesthetics skincare business for $350 million.

A supplement for advances in laser and light-based treatments in dermatology: state law, Lumenis SCAAR FX, treating facial vessels, more!

Sound Surgical Technologies has announced its launch of VASERsmooth, a minimally invasive cellulite solution that works with the company’s VASER Lipo System.

RXI Pharmaceuticals has appointed Jeannette Graf, M.D., and Leroy Young, M.D., to its scientific advisory board.

California Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law a bill designed to curtail the unlicensed practice of medicine, particularly medical spas and similar aesthetic procedure clinics.

In coming years, the trend toward less invasive technologies will continue not only in fat removal and body sculpting treatments, but also in new modalities for delivering a variety of drugs, according to physicians who spoke at MauiDerm 2012: Advances in Cosmetic and Medical Dermatology in February.

An aesthetic device that delivers bipolar radiofrequency (RF) energy via microneedling appears to achieve skin tightening, lifting and volumization that can be measured objectively through the comparison of pre- and post-procedure 3-D images, said Lori Brightman, M.D., at the 2012 annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Results of a randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial including objective and subjective efficacy endpoints have established noninvasive high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU; LipoSonix/Solta Medical, cleared in September 2011 by the Food and Drug Administration for noninvasive waist circumference reduction) as an effective and well-tolerated option for body contouring.

Preliminary results of a study evaluating biopsy specimens obtained from mature burn scars pre- and postfractional CO2 laser resurfacing show histologic changes that are consistent with the clinical improvement achieved, but further data is needed to understand the mechanisms leading to normal skin regeneration, reported David M. Ozog, M.D., at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.