Aesthetics

Birmingham, Ala. - In a rare occurrence, superficial punctate keratitis developed after injections of botulinum toxin type A to the glabellar area, a difficult diagnosis arrived at through the combined consultation of a dermatologist and an ophthalmologist.

Dear general practitioners: Botox isn't an easy road to riches. You need to get very good and deliver consistent, high-quality results throughout the entire transaction - from the first phone call to the next follow-up appointment. You are looking at investing at least $10,000 (more commonly $20,000) after all is said and done, plus probably a hundred hours (or more) of your time.

Charleston, S.C. - Facial flaps can lead to elegant functional and cosmetic reconstruction of facial defects following tumor removal, according to Joel Cook, M.D. For dermatologic surgeons to achieve superior results, however, they must have a firm understanding of basic head and neck anatomy, wound healing, and flap dynamics.

Lubbock, Texas - Dermatologists are now at the point where they like to repair and reconstruct the wounds they create in the treatment of skin cancer, according to David F. Butler, M.D.

Malden, Netherlands - Phototherapy possesses potential as an adjunct treatment in wound healing, according to research recently completed by Anneke Andriessen, Ph.D. Before any solid conclusions can be drawn, however, much work remains to be done with respect to standardizing phototherapy-related research and communicating results.

In the war against the visible signs of aging, American women and men willingly embrace the latest weapons. From Botox injections to microdermabrasion, chemical peels to laser hair removal, collagen injections to cosmeceuticals, cosmetic dermatology procedures are enjoying explosive growth.

Acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, hyperhidrosis, trichotillomania, onychotillomania, neurotic excoriations ... Even as connections between isotretinoin (Accutane) and depression in teens was hotly debated in the media spotlight last year, no one denies the powerful connection between the health of the psyche and that of the skin.

Asni?ress, France - The amount of ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) filtering is as important as labeled sun protection factor (SPF) levels in determining the effectiveness of sunscreens, according to Andr?ougier, Ph.D. However the UVA blocker he prefers most, Mexoryl, remains unavailable in the United States as it awaits FDA approval.

Washington -- Artecoll, a new item in the increasingly broad array of permanent and semipermanent nonsurgical wrinkle-reduction options, on Feb. 28 took a big step toward FDA approval.

A teleconference sponsored by an unrestricted educational grant from Ferndale Laboratories Inc.

San Francisco - Most recipients of botulinum toxin type A (Botox Cosmetic) injections to soften or even remove facial wrinkles are currently women. But according to University of California-San Francisco dermatologist Christopher B. Zachary, M.D., males also benefit from this therapy, and removing certain facial wrinkles and furrows may provide benefits beyond just a handsome face.

Chicago - Tumescent liposuction performed as a sole procedure is a safe and effective technique for achieving limited breast reduction in females, Murad Alam, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Chicago - The presence of a single upper lid or asymmetry between the left and right lids with regard to the height of the supratarsal crease are among the most frequent characteristics that bring Asian patients to seek periocular aesthetic surgery, Jean Carruthers, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatology Surgery.

San Francisco - A higher level of confidence deciding which dermatologic surgery procedures should be performed on the pregnant patient may lead to making these procedures safer and more comfortable, Christine E. Correale, M.D., said.

Chicago -- Increasing experience with fat autograft muscle injection (FAMI) demonstrates its value for producing predictable, long-lasting, three-dimensional volume augmentation, Kimberly J. Butterwick, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Hermosa Beach, Calif. - New treatment options for patients with HIV-related facial lipodystrophy are proving as effective at boosting the spirits as they are at filling out the face. The distinctive outward appearance of facial wasting stigmatizes AIDS patients and contributes to heightened levels of anxiety and depression.

New York - Two years ago Neil Sadick, M.D., started a newsletter to inform his patients about new procedures and research studies at his practice in New York City. One issue included stories about laser liposuction, the new botulinum toxin B molecule called Myobloc, and IPL photorejuvenation.

Denver - Liposuction safety is no accident, according to Robert A. Shumway, M.D., F.A.C.S.. a La Jolla, Calif.-based cosmetic surgeon and founder of the Shumway Institute of Laser and Cosmetic Surgery.

Denver - Most cannula manufacturers seem to care more about doctors' well being than that of patients, Gerhard Sattler, M.D., said here at the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery's world congress on liposuction. A board-certified dermatologic surgeon based in Darmstadt, Germany, Dr. Sattler presented an analysis of six common cannulas that addressed how they perform from a patient's perspective.

Denver - While new surgical tools are always welcome, doctors must not forget about the old reliable ones, Pierre F. Fournier, M.D., an aesthetic plastic surgeon b based in Paris, said at the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery's world congress on liposuction.

Chicago - Although certain problems may arise after sclerotherapy even when performed by the most skilled hands, those adverse sequelae may be minimized with proper treatment technique and appropriate postoperative management, Mitchel P. Goldman, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Chicago - Complete avoidance of laser treatment for patients on photosensitizing drugs may err on the side of caution but may not be routinely necessary with certain lasers, according to results of a study presented by Min-Wei Christine Lee, M.D., at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Chicago - Perioral injection of botulinum toxin type A (Botox Cosmetic) can be a very safe and effective modality for ameliorating the appearance of vertical upper lip rhytides with an added benefit of enhancing upper lip fullness, Roberta D. Sengelmann, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Virginia Beach, Va. - Describing idebenone as the "most potent" antioxidant he's researched to date, David H. McDaniel, M.D., believes the synthetic analog of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10) represents the first of a new class of cosmeceuticals.

Palm Beach, Fla. - Dermatologists apparently have had enough hype, spam, and promotion of new retail creams claiming to be "better" than mainstay anti-aging products. The upshot is a first-ever clinical comparison of such topicals to botulinum toxin A, a wrinkle fighter turned household word by Allergan's Botox Cosmetic.

Denver - Tumescent liposuction pioneer Jeffrey A. Klein, M.D., strongly advised against being overly aggressive with the procedure.

g? Carolina, several medical practices that deal in cosmetic procedures have worked out deals with their managed care companies to provide discounts on cosmetic procedures for their patients who are members of those particular managed care programs.

Denver - Low-level lasers could provide a safe, effective option for surgeons performing tumescent liposuction, Kimberly J. Butterwick, M.D., said at the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery's World Congress on Liposuction.

Chicago - A novel topical peel containing lidocaine and tetracaine (S-Caine Peel) provides convenient, safe, and effective anesthesia for patients undergoing a variety of laser and other dermatologic surgery procedures, researchers from the Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of New York and New Jersey reported at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Chicago -- Off-label experience using injectable silicone (Silikon 1000) in an investigational protocol indicates it is a highly effective and, thus far, very safe modality for treating facial lipoatrophy in HIV-infected patients, Derek H. Jones, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.