Aesthetics

Dr. Goldman notes that postsclerosis compression is perhaps the most important advance in sclerotherapy for varicose veins since the introduction of synthetic sclerosing agents in the 1940s.

Topically applied mupirocin penetrated bilayered cellular construct therapy and reduced colonization by MRSA.

The importance of sound wound-healing techniques cannot be overestimated in the practice of dermatology. Patients desire treatments that heal scarring and wounds effectively but that don't require long periods of treatment and recovery time. Sometimes that's a challenge, and top practitioners are seeking ways to meet it.

The appropriate depth for undermining varies by body area.

Washington — "We now understand at the molecular level how MRSA (methicillin-resistant staph aureas) resistance manifests itself, " Shahriar Mobashery, Ph.D., told the 230th National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society here.

The Royal Navy asked him what specialty he wanted to study. He chose dermatology.

The business of cleaning up big business is still largely unfinished.

Some wound-healing steps, including cell division and ability to migrate across tissue planes, are useful properties for cancer cells. There is a strong parallel between wound healing and cancer formation.

Successful Aptos thread lift facial rejuvenation requires knowing where to use this technique and where not to, according to a Florida-based plastic surgeon.

Dr. Beer recommends that dermatologists master the use of Restylane before advancing to the use of Perlane, which is less forgiving.`

Vancouver, British Columbia — Despite a raft of newer body contouring modalities now available, tumescent liposuction remains the gold standard in this regard, according to one expert.

New Orleans — A new peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) lipid has demonstrated the ability to improve photoaged skin both in vitro and in vivo.

Chicago — When it comes to rejuvenating the lower face and the neck, one expert says that while one's choice of tools is important to some extent, what's more important is how the surgeon uses them.

Increasingly, clinicians may use biologic agents in addition to phototherapy to maximize results in their patients, notes Dr. Lui, and reduce the overall number of treatments.

There have been advances in cooling of lasers, Dr. Hamzavi notes.

National report — Patients with periorbital wrinkles can benefit from ablative treatments with a new plasma-based system.

Europe's version of Botox, Dysport (Ibsen-Biotech Laboratories) is poised to officially cross the Atlantic, mainly into the offices of U.S. cosmetic surgeons, once Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval is obtained by its U.S. marketer, Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Inamed.

Chicago — The popularity of botulinum toxin type A injections for correcting wrinkles of the upper face has increased dramatically over the past few years. The extent of its popularity as a cosmetic procedure is obvious when this statistic is considered: The number of botulinum toxin type A procedures rose 157 percent from 2002 to 2003; the next highest increase was chemical peels, which rose a relatively sparse 48 percent over that same period.

In Dr. Baumann's experience, Sculptra is safe and effective for off-label cosmetic use alone or in combination with other fillers. The nature of the product makes it suitable not just for filling wrinkles, but for changing the structure of the face.

The Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation (CARF) convened its first patient conference in late August.

Traction alopecia is commonly seen in patients with ethnic hair.

Dr. Ferrara's work provided a basis for a major breakthrough in cancer research — the development of an antibody against VEGF in the treatment of lung and colorectal cancer.

Montreal - Doctors at Montreal Children's Hospital here have successfully treated an infant in danger of drowning in his own saliva by paralyzing his saliva glands with Botox.

New York - In what is believed to be the first product collaboration between a cosmetics company and a drug, Elizabeth Arden Inc. and Allergan Inc., the pharmaceutical firm that markets and distributes Botox, have teamed up to market a reformulated version of Allergan's anti-aging product, Prevage.

Chicago — Patients seeking safe and effective fat removal procedures presently must stick to dermatologist-performed tumescent liposuction, according to an expert.

Curcumin has been manufactured in a variety of vehicles, including oral capsules, topicals, as well as intravenous and subcutaneous injections.

New Orleans - Results of a study comparing the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and the dual-mode long-pulsed erbium:YAG laser for ablative facial resurfacing demonstrated that patients in the erbium:YAG laser group experienced less scarring and fewer pigmentary changes, according to John L. Burns, M.D., of Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, Dallas.

Sacramento, Calif. - As the array of ablative, nonablative and other options for facial rejuvenation continues to expand, doctors say the key to achieving optimal results is in knowing when to use which technology.

Baltimore - Results of an exploratory phase 3 clinical trial demonstrate that injection of autologous living skin fibroblasts provides safe and effective correction of facial contour deformities that is sustained for at least 12 months, reports Robert A. Weiss, M.D.

National report - Even as new techniques, devices and pharmaceutical developments for facial contouring and wrinkle refinement proliferate for dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons, two trends are gaining momentum - one for the better and one for the worse, according to dermatologist David H. McDaniel, M.D., and his colleague, cosmetic surgeon Kyle S. Choe, M.D.