Aesthetics

San Francisco - One of the basic tenets of medical dermatology is that the skin serves as a window into the internal parts of the body and internal diseases. Visual examination of the skin can reveal signs of systemic disease, including gastrointestinal disease such as GI polyposis syndromes, inflammatory bowel disease, GI malignancy, hepatobiliary disease, nutritional deficiencies, and other disorders, according to dermatologist Amit G. Pandya, M.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

Chicago - Hair transplant surgeons, as a group, are somewhat frustrated due to the lacking comprehension from both the public and their dermatologic colleagues regarding the advanced approach to hair transplantation that has resulted in its success today, Dow B. Stough, M.D., said at the summer meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - As dermal filler options continue to expand, choosing products and techniques best suited for each individual application becomes more challenging.

San Francisco - When treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), dermatologists will want to tailor their treatment to the stage of the disease, according to Madeleine Duvic, M.D., who spoke at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Having recently returned to my "roots" to assume the position of professor and chief of dermatology at my alma mater, the University of Arizona, I'm struck by the fact that, although many changes have occurred during the 30 years I've been away pursuing other academic positions and activities, much remains the same. Predictably, the campus has grown and

Anaheim, Calif. - The nonsurgical treatment of photoaging has come a long way in the past decade, Gary Lask, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Nashville, Tenn. - The new injectable product Radiance FN (BioForm Inc.) is being used for facial soft-tissue augmentation with long-lasting results and high patient satisfaction, Thomas L. Tzikas, M.D., said at the Combined Otolaryngological Spring Meeting (COSM).

San Francisco - Ablative laser resurfacing procedures can result in a range of complications, including some that are serious; therefore, careful patient selection and preparation, attention to treatment technique, and close postoperative observation are critical for optimizing safety, Tina S. Alster, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - A better understanding of the pathophysiologic mediators of itch has led to some novel and promising approaches to its successful treatment, Gil Yosipovitch, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. Several exciting systemic therapies approved for the treatment of various neurologically mediated disorders now show potential in the treatment of itch.

San Francisco - Low and ultra-low doses of isotretinoin are an effective therapy for many acne patients. This safer and cheaper solution can even be used continuously.

San Francisco - Strategies for assuring adequate tissue oxygen delivery can be important for facilitating healing of chronic wounds, Harriet Hopf, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Many issues surrounding Tx of condition still up in air

San Francisco - A randomized, two-center study conducted at the University of Cincinnati and Oregon Health & Science University suggests that topical bexarotene gel (Targretin) 1 percent monotherapy may be a promising new treatment for severe chronic hand dermatitis.

San Francisco - Injected silicone may not be as safe as many physicians believe. Long-term complications are popping up, even in patients who were treated appropriately by trained physicians using good techniques and clean, unadulterated material.

San Francisco - Physicians require proper training in order to inject botulinum toxin appropriately. The treatment can be a safe and relatively straightforward way of treating fine lines, but in the wrong hands, results may be far from satisfactory.

San Francisco - The evaluation and management of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) on the lower extremities mandates particular attention to the potential for those malignancies to arise at sites of other comorbidities, their increased risk for recurrence and metastasis, and problems with wound healing, according to Pamela K. Phillips, M.D.

San Francisco - Topical ALA (5-aminolevulinic acid HCl) photodynamic therapy using a nonlaser blue light source is a safe and effective treatment for multiple actinic keratoses when applied to a 25 cm2 area of skin or scalp containing lesions, according to a Phase II multicenter study.

San Francisco - You cannot tell an antiperspirant by its label, according to David Swaile, Ph.D.

San Francisco - Based on clinical efficacy data, botulinum toxin A (Botox) should become the treatment of choice for suppressing axillary hyperhidrosis, according to Nicholas J. Lowe, M.D.

San Francisco - The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approval of an optional postgraduate year 5 (PGY 5) fellowship program in procedural dermatology will have positive consequences for dermatology as a specialty.

San Francisco - Tazarotene 0.1 percent cream (Avage) and tretinoin 0.05 percent emollient cream (Renova) are both effective adjunctive agents for mitigating signs of facial photodamage, but results of a six-month, double-blind, parallel comparative trial indicate tazarotene offers the potential for earlier and greater results, said Nicholas J. Lowe, M.D.

San Francisco -- Clothing can be an important component in sun protection strategies, but knowledge of systems for rating UV protective textiles and of factors influencing UV transmission through clothing is necessary to make rationale choices, said Henry W. Lim, M.D.

Disposable income is down and On Call wondered if the cosmetic portion of dermatology practices are seeing any ramifications from the weakness in the economy.

San Francisco - Chronic wounds provide an ideal milieu for the development of pathogenic biofilms that may play an important role in delayed wound healing, said Patricia Mertz, B.S.

Matching wavelengths to vessel size, depth a must

Different subsurfacing devices yield different results

Nd:YAG laser treats dark-skinned patients with less complications

Darker skin patients show impressive results

San Francisco - CO2 laser resurfacing may represent the procedure of choice for rejuvenating skin with advanced photodamage, but its safe and effective use requires adherence to treatment principles based on thorough understanding of laser-tissue interactions, while patient satisfaction can be further enhanced using strategies addressing problems intrinsic to CO2 rejuvenative procedures, Richard E. Fitzpatrick, M.D., said.

Anaheim - Extensive genomics research using state-of-the-art technology is revealing the molecular basis for the clinical benefits associated with treatment of aging skin using a new LED photomodulation device (GentleWaves), David H. McDaniel, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.