Aesthetics

National report - Contrary to popular belief, all lip augmentation procedures are not created equal.

Palm Springs, Calif. - Botox (botulinum toxin type A, Allergan) offers patients with moderate-to-severe glabellar lines longer lasting efficacy and greater treatment satisfaction compared with those patients treated with Dysport (botulinum toxin type A, Ipsen Limited), according to one expert.

Q How do the "no nick" razors work?

Ablative laser resurfacing with pulsed carbon dioxide and erbium YAG lasers, when introduced, was considered radical for its day.

Brooklyn, N.Y. - Fundamental concepts on the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris have not changed significantly over the past 25 years.

New York - Cholesterol-lowering statins and fibrates apparently aren't linked to a reduced risk of melanoma, researchers report.

New York - Four people paralyzed after they were injected with unlicensed botulinum in late 2004 may have received doses that were 2,857 times the estimated human lethal dose, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

National report - Silicone gel breast implants represent a welcome option for informed patients, most sources say.

Graz, Austria - A recently published study says that marathoners may be subject to an increased risk of getting skin cancer.

Washington - Botox may relieve severe pain from osteoarthritis of the knee, new research suggests.

Taking a kinder, gentler approach to facial cleansing can help to avoid some self-inflicted woes.

You've made a big decision to get liposuction to make your tummy look flatter and to feel your best in your favorite clothes.

Your eyes, lips, even your forehead lines usually say volumes about what you're feeling.

There's a lot that can be done, but your dermatologist can't help if she or he doesn't know what's bothering you.

By now many people know that surf and sand can reflect significant amounts of UV rays. But few people realize that fresh snow actually reflects more UV radiation than sea surf - up to nearly three times as much.

If you think that all cosmetic procedures involve days or even weeks of recovery time - think again.

Every day, every cell in your body is engaged in a process known as aging.

Toronto - There are numerous procedures and techniques at the disposal of the surgeon for addressing the aging perioral features, according to Ross A. Clevens M.D., F.A.C.S., head plastic surgeon at The Center for Facial Cosmetic Surgery in Melbourne, Merritt Island, Fla. He discussed different techniques on how to best rejuvenate and sculpt the aging perioral complex region, at the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, here.

Where using peels on older patients is concerned, Dr. Gordon says that dermatologists should keep in mind that skin cell turnover rate slows with age.

International report - Sclerotherapy and vein surgeries have been around for some time, with an ever-growing number of patients visiting their cosmetic physician to treat sometimes unsightly veins.

Q What is the best way to remove false eyelashes without damaging the natural eyelashes?

Power, energy and fluence ... are really just a few of the parameters of a laser.

Washington - Botox may relieve severe pain from osteoarthritis of the knee, new research suggests.

Ottawa - Canada has lifted restrictions on the use of silicone gel breast implants after a 14-year ban.

New York - The Skin Cancer Foundation raised more than $1 million at its annual Skin Sense Award Gala in October.