Aesthetics

New York - The upstart, unproven Botox alternative Hyacell and its alleged illegal use in a makeshift clinic here in July point to an incident many physicians figured would happen.

Even before botulinum toxin (Botox Cosmetic) received FDA approval in April for use in cosmetic procedures, the demand for the treatment had made Botox the fifth most common nonsurgical cosmetic procedure in the country.

Paris - A new cosmetic product incorporating beta-lipohydroxyacid (LHA), a lipophilic derivative of salicylic acid, appears to be usefulwhen used alone for preventing relapses in patients who have responded toacne treatment and as an adjunct to topical tretinoin for improving thetolerability of the retinoid and shortening the onset to efficacy, accordingto results of prospective, randomized, double-blind studies presented byBrigitte Dréno, M.D., at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Paris - Combination topical-antibiotic-plus-retinoid treatmentof inflammatory acne using adapalene 0.1 percent gel (Differin) with clindamycin1 percent lotion offers better efficacy and safety compared with clindamycin1 percent lotion alone, according to the results of a study presented atthe World Congress of Dermatology.

New Orleans - The combination product containing clindamycin 1percent with benzoyl peroxide 5 percent in an aqueous vehicle base (BenzaClin)is a highly effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with moderateto moderately severe acne, according to the results of two randomized, controlled,double-blind studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Academyof Dermatology.

Paris - Topical retinoids are highly effective as monotherapyin treating inflammatory acne and deserve a greater role in that indicationthen they often have in clinical practice, James J. Leyden, M.D., said atthe World Congress of Dermatology.

Atlanta - Nonablative treatment with a 1320nm Nd:YAG or 1450nm diode laser offers a viable option for achieving moderate improvement in the appearance of atrophic acne scars with no downtime, according to preliminary results from a randomized study conducted at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, Washington.

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Las Vegas - Engineered adipose tissue from stem cells is the ideal solution for patients with wrinkles or contour irregularities, said Marc Hedrick, M.D., at the annual meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Atlanta - A comparison of different laser wavelengths used in nonablative dermal remodeling suggests that sequential treatment could yield better results than treatment with a single wavelength, David J. Goldberg, M.D., J.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

New Orleans - Tumescent anesthesia, traditionally linked with liposuction, is a useful technique to use with several other dermatologic surgeries, Daniel A. Davis, M.D., said.

Chicago - Treatment of chronic wounds, such as skin ulcers associated with aging or diabetic skin, represents an unmet medical need. Thymosin b4 (Tb4) shows promise as a therapeutic agent for wound repair in aging and diabetic patients, according to Allan L. Goldstein, Ph.D., who spoke at the annual International Symposium on Aging Skin.

New York -While the use of fillers in skin of color does not differ too much from the use of fillers in people with lighter skin, there are a couple of very important points for dermatologists to consider, Derek H. Jones, M.D., said at the annual meeting of The Skin of Color Center, St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York.

New York - "What's hot and what's not" among cosmetic procedures for people of color was the focus of a presentation by Fran E. Cook-Bolden, M.D., at The Skin of Color Center's second annual meeting at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center here.

New York - Greater affluence and ethnic pride is fueling a dramatic rise in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery among minorities, according to a recent survey by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

New Orleans - Tremendous progress in photobiology research has led to a better understanding of skin mechanisms, permitting the development of effective sunscreens, Michele Verschoore, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

A new silicone wound dressing provides room with a view - and patientswho use it heal faster than those who have had conventional wound care.That's the finding of a study on a new silicone occlusive dressing (Silon-TSR;Bio Med Sciences).

Orlando, Fla. ­ Wide acceptance of blepharoplasty performedwith a carbon dioxide laser is due to the instrument's ability to allowthe surgeon to incise tissue in an almost bloodless fashion, coagulate vessels,and ablate fat without clamping, David T. Harvey, M.D., F.A.A.D., F.A.C.P.,said at the Florida Society of Dermatologic Surgeons meeting.

Atlanta - Two recent studies suggest that the 308nm excimer laser may be the first device effective in the treatment of hypopigmented facial scars, striae, and hypopigmentation caused by resurfacing with the CO2 laser. Both studies were presented at the 22nd annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Geneva - Providing patients with the best long-term skin rejuvenation means integrating a full range of corrective and preventive treatments on an ongoing basis, according to Luigi L. Polla, M.D.

Los Angeles - Preliminary results from a split-face, double-blind study are further substantiating the efficacy of a unique topical product containing growth factors and antioxidants for improving photodamaged skin and indicate that its effects persist and increase even after treatment is stopped, Richard E. Fitzpatrick, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology.

New Orleans - Sedating patients is a serious business, and dermatologic surgeons need to be well aware of the progressive levels of sedation and ensure that patients are monitored appropriately to prevent complications, J. Lance Lichtor, M.D., said.

Atlanta - Older tattoos are removed faster and more completely after laser treatment compared with newer tattoos, according to the results of a preliminary study presented by Erick A. Mafong, M.D., at the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Atlanta - Physicians may be able to expand the uses of the 1064nm Nd:YAG laser, used to treat telangiectasias and small reticular veins in the lower extremities, by also applying it to the treatment of facial telangiectasias, said David J. Goldberg, M.D., J.D., director, Skin & Laser Surgery Specialists of New York and New Jersey.

Atlanta - A new radiofrequency energy device that can nonablatively change the morphology of the dermis and allow the physician to put a high amount of energy into the skin is a huge step forward in the treatment of cosmetic conditions, said Karl Pope, director of research, Thermage, Hayward, Calif. Thermage is developing an RF device for treatment of skin in dermatology and plastic surgery applications.

Atlanta - Treatment of rosacea with an intense pulsed light laser not only eliminates telangiectasia but reduces background redness and the severity and frequency of flushing episodes.

New Orleans - As the direction of cosmetic dermatology moves toward nonablative rejuvenation, physicians need to understand the current state of the science and continue to pursue new nonablative modalities, Robert A. Weiss, M.D., said.

Tazarotene, a topical retinoid used to treat psoriasis and acne, alsohelps heal photodamaged skin, according to new research by Sewon Kang, M.D.,associate professor of dermatology at the University of Michigan MedicalCenter in Ann Arbor. Like Retin-A, the prescription cream fades hyperpigmentationand fills fine lines, too. Self, May 2002

Las Vegas - Destruction of veins by a sharp-tipped needle maybe a more effective approach to leg telangiectasias than sclerotherapy,according to Linda Woodson, M.D. She views this new modality as an appropriatestrategy for sites that have been resistant to sclerotherapy, rather thanas a first-line therapy.

New York ­­ A few procedural developments stood out amongmyriad presentations at the 8 th International Symposium of Facial PlasticSurgery, according to sources.