Aesthetics

Palo Alto, Calif. - The first systematic comparison of CO2 laser, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels and 5 percent fluorouracil (5FU) cream as nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) prophylactics suggests all three may be beneficial, though patients tolerated TCA peels best, says the study's lead author.

Toronto - The most important way to avoid having dissatisfied cosmetic patients is to emphasize good patient selection, an expert says.

National report - There are several methods of lip augmentation at the disposal of the dermatologist for achieving ?sthetically desired lips in patients, including fillers, implants, resurfacing techniques (e.g. dermabrasions, peelings, lasers) botulinum toxin injections, as well as surgery.

Paris - To be a successful cosmetic eyelid surgeon, the physician must understand ethnic anatomic differences, as well as culturally diverse ?sthetic principles.

National report - Promising new temporary fillers will give dermatologists creative new options for combinations, but for some, semi-permanent fillers won't be among them, as many remain highly skittish over unresolved problems and safety issues.

National report - Results of a pivotal study evaluating a new generation hyaluronic acid (HA)-based gel filler (Juv?derm, Allergan) for correction of nasolabial folds show that all three formulations of the injectable product provide significantly greater and longer-lasting improvement than crosslinked bovine collagen (Zyplast, Allergan) reports Leslie Baumann, M.D.

Are you confused about lasers? Are you afraid to admit that you don't know the difference between "Q- switched" and "pulsed dye"? You are not alone and we are here to help "shed the light" on the confusing array of lasers and light devices.

In general, women tend to do a lot more wet work; they are exposed to more detergents and things that are used in household cleaning products that cause the nails to become more brittle.

For individuals with recalcitrant disease, the combination of topical therapy for melasma plus a physical modality to remove or destroy pigment might provide additive or synergistic activity.

The Baumann Skin Typing System empowers patients by helping them make their own decisions about what skincare products to buy.

Edinburgh, Scotland - A goldfish on display at the Royal Museum of Scotland has undergone cosmetic surgery after visitors said it looked ugly.

New York - The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) has launched a public safety campaign in response to what it calls the "alarming national trend" of nonphysicians performing procedures such as Botox (Allergan) injections, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion and chemical peels.

Chicago - Only 6 percent of the adult population in the United States has had cosmetic surgery, but almost 20 percent aspire to it, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery's 2006 Consumer Perception Survey.

Rochester, Minn. - Injecting botulinum toxin (Botox, Allergan) into muscles surrounding forehead wounds enhances the appearance of scars when they have healed, the Mayo Clinic reports.

London - Botox (Allergan) therapy may be addictive, researchers in the United Kingdom report.

National report - "My sister died of cervical cancer," says New Orleans-area dermatologist Patricia Farris, M.D., who has a private practice that is overwhelmingly female.

Cleveland - As Dermatology Times continues to grow, our mission to serve you, our readers, grows as well.

In dermatology, we are losing products more quickly than we are gaining products.

Rochester, Minn. - Results of a Mayo Clinic study show that treating a facial wound in the early healing phase with botulinum toxin improves the appearance of a scar later.

San Francisco - A new study suggests that patients being treated with isotretinoin may risk heart and liver problems.

While results from Sculptra are not immediate taking three to six months they can last three to five years.

The highly purified liquid injectable form of silicone received approval in 1997 specifically for intraocular injection for tamponade of retinal detachment, but can be used off label.

When assessing the base of the breast, the surgeons judge the distance to be considered in proportion with the width of the chest.

Addressing ethical concerns related to laser medicine requires both professional society oversight and individual responsibility.

National report - Dermatologists are changing the way they treat and manage hemangiomas.

This is in response to the excellent article, "Frequent tanners may be addicted, study shows," in the June 2006 issue.

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Missing follow-up appointments include what Ms. Coates calls the "out of sight, out of mind" phenomenon, which she says is less common in patients with psoriatic arthritis than those with psoriasis alone.

Results of a phase 4, open-label, multicenter study indicate that low-dose acitretin (Soriatane, Connetics) in moderate to severe psoriasis patients provides efficacy as monotherapy by 24 weeks, but requires patience, said Gerald G. Krueger, M.D., at the American Academy of Dermatology's Academy '06.

Before age 50, patients might want to just soften the nasolabial fold, rather than completely reduce it, and they are looking to accentuate the lips, as opposed to making them fuller.