Aesthetics

Philadelphia - The emergence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and new approaches to treatment of various bacterial illnesses are capturing the interests of dermatologists.

Chicago — The use of dermoscopy can improve dermatologists' accuracy in diagnosing pigmented lesions, but only if it is done properly.

Atlanta — Facial rejuvenation has sparked interest in procedures that make other telltale signs of aging, such as wrinkled or bony hands, more youthful.

A new technique — called the TCA cross technique — for ice pick scars uses 60 percent to 95 percent trichloracetic acid to produce a scar within the ice pick scar to fill it in.

Philadelphia — Combination therapy with a topical retinoid and oral or systemic antibiotic represents first-line treatment for patients with inflammatory acne, but once adequate clearing is achieved, maintenance therapy with a topical retinoid alone is worth a try, says James J. Leyden, M.D., emeritus professor of dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

ALA-PDT, used in combination with laser or light sources, is a safe, effective and practical therapy for treating acne. And today, ALA-PDT has the additional benefit of working quickly compared to oral and topical medications.

The retinoic acid metabolism-blocking agent (RAMBA) Rambazole (Barrier Therapeutics) has demonstrated promising efficacy and safety as a novel oral treatment for acne in early clinical trials along with potential activity as a topically applied agent. Based on those results, this novel compound is about to proceed into further testing of its topical use in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study and for oral administration in a double–blind, dose-finding study.

Under normal circumstances, the body's immune system can work wonders in healing wounds, killing off pathogens and rebuilding tissue with little assistance other than a bandage for shelter while the body does its work.

National report — Three new methods of treating varicose veins appear to offer better outcomes for patients, along with fewer side effects than traditional treatments including surgery.

(The PDA has) been working actively to increase scientific knowledge about pigmentary disorders, encourage well-designed research, and promote physician awareness and understanding to enhance patient care.

Walnut Creek, Calif. — Advances in phototherapy are bringing greatly needed new options for the treatment of hypopigmentary conditions in patients with ethnic skin, says Min-Wei Christine Lee, M.D., M.P.H., a dermatologic surgeon and director, The East Bay Laser and Skin Care Center, Walnut Creek, Calif.

Atlanta — There is a spectrum of modalities available for clearing solar lentigines, but management of those pigmented lesions should be individualized based on patient-related factors and be integrated into a general skincare program that simultaneously addresses comorbid features of photoaging and prevents future damage, says Jonathan S. Weiss, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, here.

National report — Prevention of photoaging is the ultimate approach to a growing problem, yet a population persists in which more than 90 percent of actinic damage can be attributed to long-term sun exposure. The use of non-invasive methods, often preferred by patients, can reverse the obvious signs of aging.

Preferably, PDL treatment should be initiated within the first two to four weeks after scar development.

White Plains, N.Y. -- Rhoda S. Narins, M.D., is doing it all.

To make patient visits as efficient as possible, Dr. Greenbaum recommends establishing up-front what's reasonable to accomplish in the allotted time.

National report — Accumulating data is adding evidence to support a role for topical imiquimod 5 percent cream (Aldara, 3M Pharmaceuticals) as a secondary alternative to conventional excisional or Mohs micrographic surgery for treating various types of skin cancers in patients who are poor surgical candidates — or refuse surgery — says M. Shane Chapman, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, N.H.

After exposure to UV, "Keratinocytes send out immune suppressing signals [the cytokine IL-10] and antigen presenting cells are chased out of the skin," Dr. Yarosh explains.

In addition to using pure products suitable for human injection, Dr. Jones says physicians must adhere strictly to the microdroplet serial puncture technique.

The other differentiating factor is the large amount of temporal scalp skin removal as described with minimal preauricular skin removal.

A bipolar radiofrequency, infrared heat and pulsatile suction device is a non-surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic option that can improve body contouring, circumferential measurement reduction and smoothness associated with a bumpy and dimpling appearance of the skin, according to a new study.

Atlanta — Facial rejuvenation has sparked interest in procedures that make other telltale signs of aging, such as wrinkled or bony hands, more youthful.

Atlanta — A common and inexpensive petrolatum-based scar treatment emollient was as good as more expensive, heavily marketed onion extract over-the-counter topicals, according to a new study.

For hair transplants to be successful in the long-term, it is critical to consider that patients are limited by the amount of good genetichair that can be transferred to the balding area, and the establishment of the hairline will ultimately dictate the amount of balding scalp that willeventually need to be covered.

Palm Desert, Calif. — As an alternative to the increasingly popular option of using botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Allergan) to treat excessive underarm sweating, some patients are experimenting with undergoing surgery that they report to be more lasting.

Botox can also be injected to smooth out wrinkles, but Dr. Markus believes that Botox is safe even if injected for wrinkles and axillary hyperhidrosis at the same time.

With these OTC products, one observes superficial frosting that can last for seconds to a few minutes, but its relevance is debatable.

Atlanta — According to a recent study, placing ointment on surgical wounds before applying occlusive dressings provides no observable benefits; moreover, applying mupirocin ointment to clean surgical wounds is contraindicated given the potential for creating antibiotic resistance.

Dermatologists use a variety of medications to treat common ailments.

Dr. Dave saw a patient with a biopsy-proven atypical nevus that required further excision.