Aesthetics

Las Vegas — New uses for laser technology involve devices for resurfacing and LED treatments aimed at improving photodamage and acute sunburn.

Regardless of the etiology of the hair loss, Dr. Westfried says, electrotherapy delivered by the ETG device stops continued hair loss and, in more than 50 percent of people, fosters additional hair growth.

Chances are that cost-effective chemical peels will always be at the front of the dermatologist's facial rejuvenation bag of tricks. But these peels should no longer be viewed in a vacuum, according to Harold J. Brody, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology, Emory University, Atlanta.

San Diego — While the viability of the Nd:YAG laser has made nonablative resurfacing a real alternative for many cosmetic surgeons, physicians today are realizing the necessity of supplementing this treatment with a variety of other devices to address diverse conditions.

At days 10 and 30, all patients showed at least 30 percent to 50 percent improvement in skin texture and the severity of periorbital rhytides.

New Orleans — Hyaluronic acid is a satisfactory alternative for correction of tear trough deformity in a diverse cross section of people, and an excellent choice for tear trough volume restoration in select candidates. The best candidate is a younger person who has thicker skin and minimal to moderate volume loss, according to New York City cosmetic surgeon Haideh Hirmand, M.D., plastic surgery clinical assistant professor of surgery, Cornell Medical College.

National report — An intraoral infraorbital block with diphenhydramine 5.9 mg/cc is a safe and effective method for providing local anesthesia in patients undergoing correction of nasolabial folds and lip augmentation using the hyaluronic acid-based fillers. This method has advantages compared to the use of lidocaine, says Jennifer C. Cather, M.D.

New Orleans — Myths and misconceptions distort the truth about retinoids and lead to underuse, says Nia Terezakis, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University Medical School in New Orleans and a clinical associate professor at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

The mouse is the first animal model that recapitulates both the histologic and immunologic characteristics of human psoriasis.

National report — With the hope of presenting practical advice that can be applied clinically to female patients by dermatologists across the country, five experts brought forward issues that regularly require attention — including one therapy that may forever change leg vein therapy by an invasive approach once thought not possible in the office setting.

International report — Mix salt and water and you get saltwater, which has long been thought to have healing properties. Put the ingredients through an electrolysis process to kick a single oxygen electron out of its orbit, and the result is a super-oxidized water (SOW) that kills bacteria, viruses, fungi and spores.

Dr. Harper insists that oral hormones are a safe and effective treatment for women under the age of 35 who have no other risk factors.

Not all suicides can be prevented, says Richard G. Fried, M.D. But experts advise watching for the following warning signs

It's not unusual today for plastic surgeons and dermatologists to share a practice, nor is it uncommon for husbands and wives to practice together, but 30 years ago when Saida and Sherwood Baxt began their dermatology/plastic surgery practice they were a rare breed — virtually unique, in fact. Still, it was a move they found to be a wonderful experience for them and beneficial for their patients. It doesn't hurt when the team is a mutual admiration society, either.

Cosmetic surgery practices know that starting on time is critical to managing a high volume of patients, but many practices are discovering the rewards of opening earlier in the day. A 6:30 a.m. starting time may seem ridiculous at first glance, but it can bring many benefits to patients, staff and your bottom line.

Vienna, Austria — While it is increasingly clear that ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) defense is essential for immune protection, in the United States, unlike many other parts of the world, there is a lack of uniform standards for the assessment of UVA protectiveness of sunscreen.

New Orleans — As laser treatments continue to undergo refinement, many procedures once thought advisable only for Caucasian patients now can benefit ethnic patients as well.

New Orleans — Poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra, Dermik) appears to provide safe and long-lasting volume correction in patients with moderate-to-severe HIV-related facial lipoatrophy, said Graeme Moyle, M.D., at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology here.

New Orleans — Subcision with autologous fat transfer can safely correct surface irregularities that have been a rare complication of noninvasive radiofrequency treatment (ThermaCool ?, Thermage Corp.) without negating the tissue tightening and contouring benefits of the procedure, said Rhoda S. Narins, M.D, a New York dermasurgeon, at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology here.

Laser technology, according to Dr. Zachary, is better left in the hands of physicians and not in unregulated, under-supervised cosmetic spa environments.

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Orlando — Laser and light therapy are becoming viable options for refractive acne and related scarring, says Thomas Rohrer, M.D., who prefers infrared lasers over other available devices.

Botulinum toxin is a complex protein produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin type A injections can be used to treat various focal muscle spastic disorders and excessive muscle contractions such as dystonias and spasms.

New Orleans — As the number of male patients undergoing liposuction grows, experience shows that these patients' outcomes, as well as the techniques and instrumentation required to achieve them, differ from those of female patients.

New Orleans — Rather than simply plumping up the back of the hand, fat injections given there perform a host of rejuvenation functions that researchers are just beginning to understand.

Chicago — Genetically manipulated growth factors could hold the key to producing engineered tissue with vascular systems ready-made for transplantation.

Washington — Citing a new study that shows that skin disease "is more prevalent than anyone ever imagined," organizations representing dermatology have urged Congress to provide a 6 percent funding increase for research — more than three times the increase approved last year.

Aat the recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, there was a coronation of sorts. The biologic agents officially ascended to the status of treatment of choice for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Several prominent dermatologists spoke on the subject and hailed these new agents as superior to old-fashioned remedies, which have now been dubbed "pre-biologics." Am I being too sensitive if I feel somewhat prehistoric when others label as pass? therapies that I use and upon which I routinely depend?

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Wound care is a significant problem to dermatologists who perform abrasive cosmetic procedures such as dermabrasion, CO2 laser treatment or chemical peeling, according to Henry H. Roenigk, M.D.