Aesthetics

Las Vegas -- The practice of dermatology is artistic, and no aspect of the field is a greater testament to this than the injection of Botox. According to Richard Glogau, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, Botox treatments are not a "one size fits all" deal, and dermatologists who individualize and treat with "finesse" will have the best outcomes and the most satisfied patients, he said at the Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference.

New Orleans - Several effective methods for fixing liposuction defects are available, but surgeons doing primary liposuction procedures should try to avoid the risk of overcorrection in the first place by removing fat conservatively, according to Lisa M. Donofrio, M.D.

Versailles, France -- The Pigmentary Disorders Academy (PDA), a newly formed group, aims to become a recognized global reference on pigmentary disorders within the dermatology community.

London - Could the simple act of writing help patients recover quicker?

Chicago - A pioneering researcher in the area of acne keloidalis nuchae recommended the use of Nd:YAG lasers set in non-ablative resurfacing mode and low fluence vascular lasers for treatment of the condition in African-Americans at this year's L'Oreal Ethnic Skin and Hair Conference here, Sept. 19-21. "We have utilized both lasers with success," says Fran E. Cook-Bolden, M.D.

Evidence indicates that dermal collagen formation is the key mechanism of action for nonablative techniques.

Russian doctors have developed a method for face-lifts, called Featherlift, using nylon threads containing barbs.

The new fat autograft muscle injection (F.A.M.I.) technique, developed by French plastic surgeon Roger E. Amar, M.D., has shown improved long-term, aesthetic results for facial rejuvenation.

Recent studies by a physics professor suggest that energy transfer by some sunscreen ingredients could actually be harming healthy cells.

A study from Johns Hopkins University has pinpointed a likely genetic base for latex allergy.

CancerVax expects to launch its therapeutic melanoma vaccine and lead product candidate Canvaxin by 2006.

San Diego - Radiosurgery is an effective option for patients undergoing various aesthetic procedures, posing a decreased risk of complications, according to retrospective research.

New Orleans - As surgeons are inundated with information about new laser devices - some promising to reduce wrinkles, others touting the ability to restore a youthful appearance to the skin - choosing the best laser for an individual practice can be tricky. To offer busy physicians some easy guidelines to help them make prudent laser purchasing decisions, Jason Pozner, M.D. and Larry Bass, M.D., will offer a course on Lasers for Photorejuvenation at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Meeting.

New Orleans - With a growing demand from aging baby boomers to shave off years from their appearance, clinicians are searching for nonsurgical alternatives to the traditional facelift to tighten facial skin - and nonablative radiofrequency may just fit the bill.

Toronto - There is a safe, delegable procedure that offers a significant and noticeable, intercurrent, inter-treatment elevation and maintenance of the brow, cheek, and neck contours, which does not require high-energy radiofrequency or lasers, according to R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Dateline - Dermatologists looking for a collagen alternative for facial soft tissue augmentation might want to look to Radiance or Radiance FN (fine needle) - products that already have good track records with cosmetic surgeons.

New Orleans - Radiofrequency treatment with the Thermacool TC? system can give moderate improvements in facial features, according to Walter Nahm, M.D., Ph.D. Based on a study he recently completed, Dr. Nahm said, "There's been a lot of back-and-forth discussion. Many physicians didn't believe radiofrequency worked because the changes were hard to quantify, but now we know there are eyebrow angle changes, brow elevation, and the jowl surface area decreases. We've proven there is a statistical difference before and after radiofrequency."

New Orleans - Radiofrequency energy is a viable option for tightening facial and neck skin, but it is not a replacement for severe laxity and surgical alternatives.

New Orleans - Dermatologists who prescribe acitretin to patients who have had organ transplants can rest easy that the drug will not adversely affect wound healing, according to a new study.

Paris - Many new fillers have been introduced in Europe, and dermatologists there have observed both immediate and delayed severe reactions after their use. These reactions have occurred months or years after injection, and they have been observed with both biodegradable and permanent fillers, according to Pierre Andre, M.D., a dermatologist in practice in Paris.

New York - While surgeons may refuse to make incisions through active psoriatic skin because of safety concerns, a recent survey suggests most skin experts do not believe such procedures increase risk of infection or impairment of wound healing.

Chicago - Although some drugs used to treat psoriasis are known teratogens, dermatologists still have a range of options they might choose from for managing psoriasis across its spectrum of severity in women who are or wish to become pregnant, Mark Lebwohl, M.D., said at Academy '03.

Chicago - Results of two clinical trials involving bexarotene (Targretin) and presented at recent meetings of the American Academy of Dermatology offer hope for patients with severe forms of psoriasis refractory to systemic therapies, according to researchers.

Las Vegas - Long gone are the days when only bodybuilders would take anabolic-androgenic steroids to gain so great a muscle mass that they would get stretch marks on their arms. The use of high doses of anabolic steroids by all types athletes, bodybuilders, and people just trying to look good is widespread in the United States. It's rapidly increasing among both sexes and people of many ages.

Should physicians withhold information from patients about specific treatment options for their conditions when their insurance carriers do not cover them?

Chicago - The American Academy of Dermatology Assn. wasted no time in responding to a study in Archives of Surgery that questioned the safety of procedures performed outside of ambulatory care centers.

Professor Gottfried Lemperle is the inventor of Artes Medical's proprietary microsphere technology and an internationally recognized expert in plastic surgery. He is the former of head of the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Frankfurt/Main. In Germany he was voted one of the country's top plastic surgery specialists and is the author of several books and scientific journal articles on plastic surgery. He is now a clinical professor in the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of California in San Diego and oversees scientific and medical development at Artes Medical, the U.S. patent holder of the Artefill microsphere technology. Recently, Dermatology Times caught up with Dr. Lemperle and asked him to respond to several questions regarding the safety and efficacy of the new product.

New Orleans - Laser resurfacing in combination with fat autograph muscle injection (FAMI) is a novel, holistic approach to the aging skin, according to Yardy Tse, M.D.

San Francisco - The cannula used for tumescent anesthesia infiltration can double as the liposuction surgeon's best suction cannula, Paul Salmon, M.D., said.

San Francisco - When reconstruction of a surgical defect requires a split-thickness skin graft, some dermatologists will refer the patient to a plastic surgeon. However, that procedure is quite simple and is something that can be completed very quickly with a minimum of equipment, Paul J.M. Salmon, M.D., said.