Aesthetics

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.

San Francisco - Preliminary investigations of laser-assisted lipoplasty using a low-energy (1mW), 635nm helium:neon diode laser (Laser PL) suggest the technique may have promise for improving postprocedural wound healing and skin redraping, but further study is needed to clarify whether or not the laser is a useful adjunctive tool for liposuction, Neil S. Sadick, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - Despite strong data to suggest otherwise, therapeutic footwear for patients with diabetes is often not part of routine care of these patients. The failure to provide for such care can have significant negative impact on a diabetic patient's ability to heal foot ulcers, as well on their quality of life, Gary Sibbald, B.Sc., M.D., F.R.C.P.C., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco -The conversation has to go beyond sunscreens when dermatologists counsel patients on photoprotection strategies, Darrell S. Rigel, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - A realistic analysis of the risks and benefits of UV exposure and photoprotection suggests adults at high risk for skin cancer and children should be the primary focus of public health messages about shunning the sun. However, there remains a need for more innovative strategies and more user-acceptable sunscreens providing the necessary broad-spectrum coverage, Robert S. Stern, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Maui, Hawaii -- Joseph B. Bikowski, M.D., speaking at the annual Hawaii Dermatology Seminar, offered anecdotal information for 15 common facial issues, based on what has worked in his Pittsburgh-area dermatology practice.

Rancho Mirage, Calif. - The cosmetic surgery community needs to take a new look at what causes facial features to droop and need correction - and find new methods to correct iatrogenic defects that sometimes result from traditional facelifts, Mark Berman, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Los Angeles - Elucidation of the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism for the development of silicone granulomas suggests possible new approaches for the effective management of what has been considered an untreatable complication of silicone injection for soft tissue augmentation, David M. Duffy, M.D., said.

Maui, Hawaii - Canadian physicians in their fifth year of using a hyaluronic acid filler called Restylane can't help but smile -- and neither can their patients.

Maui, Hawaii - While medical treatment and patient education on proper hair care practices are the mainstays of management for traction alopecia and central centrifugal scarring alopecia (CCSA) in black women, hair transplantation can have an important role as a second-line measure to correct hair loss, Valerie D. Callender, M.D., said at the annual Hawaii Dermatology Seminar, sponsored by the Skin Disease Education Foundation.

San Francisco - Using a dermal skin substitute instead of skin grafting in children with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) speeds postoperative healing following surgical release of contracted and webbed hands (pseudosyndactyly). In addition to decreased healing times, children also reported decreased discomfort compared to previous surgeries using split thickness skin grafting, Gary Sibbald, B.Sc., M.D., F.R.C.P.C., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Maui, Hawaii--Updated Soriatane (acitretin) label information will equip prescribers with the most current data about this systemic retinoid and enhance their ability to use it safely and effectively, Ronald W. Gottschalk, M.D., said at the annual Hawaii Dermatology Seminar, sponsored by the Skin Disease Education Foundation.

San Francisco -- Results of a comparative clinical trial indicate there are marked differences in the cumulative irritation potential of marketed topical retinoids, Judit Nyirady, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco -- Topical eflornithine hydrochloride 13.9 percent cream (Vaniqa) can be used safely by patients undergoing laser hair removal and may have added value for improving the response to photoepilation, especially early on, according to results of a double-blinded study presented by Stacy R. Smith, M.D., at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - Successful nasal reconstruction demands that doctors fit the procedure to the nose they're working on rather than vice versa, Jonathan L. Cook, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco -- Alitretinoin 0.1 percent gel (Panretin) appears to be an effective modality for improving the appearance of photoaged skin and may have an added benefit for treating some benign and precancerous lesions common in aging skin, according to preliminary results of a pilot trial conducted by investigators from the Cosmetic Center of the University of Miami.

Bal Harbour, Fla. - The excessive sweating of hyperhidrosis causes significant stress and has been shown to affect quality of life, especially in those who develop it at a young age. Of all the treatments available today, one of the safest and most effective for hyperhidrosis patients is botulinum toxin, according to Leslie Baumann, M.D.

Bal Harbour, Fla. - Andrea Trowers, M.D., fellow in pediatric dermatology and assistant professor, department of dermatology, University of Miami School of Medicine, touched on issues that pediatric dermatologists deal with daily. She spoke of sun exposure, use of cleansers for babies, and treating ethnic skin.

Chicago - Laser treatment can play a varied and valuable role in the management of patients with uncomplicated, infantile hemangiomas, Arielle N.B. Kauvar, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Maui, Hawaii - Every person who has acne who is not pregnant should be on a topical retinoid, said Julie C. Harper, M.D.Topical retinoids either alone or in combination with antibiotics should be first-line treatment in acne, no matter what kind of acne it is.

Maui, Hawaii - Preliminary results from an open-label study suggest PUVA-bexarotene is a safe and effective combination regimen for the treatment of early cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), Joan Guitart, M.D., said at the annual Hawaii Dermatology Seminar, sponsored by the Skin Disease Education Foundation.

Bal Harbour, Fla. - The use of topically applied immune response modifier imiquimod (Aldara) goes beyond its FDA-approved application for the treatment of genital and perianal warts.

Chicago - Nonablative thermotherapy using radiofrequency energy (ThermaCool TC System) is showing promise as a very effective and highly safe modality for the treatment of moderate-to-severe inflammatory acne and associated scarring, Javier Ruiz-Esparza, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Rancho Mirage, Calif. - Cosmetic surgeons know well the early postoperative complications of liposuction, but long-term complications such as disharmonious obesity are not as recognized, James E. Fulton Jr., M.D. said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.