Aesthetics

New York - Two years ago Neil Sadick, M.D., started a newsletter to inform his patients about new procedures and research studies at his practice in New York City. One issue included stories about laser liposuction, the new botulinum toxin B molecule called Myobloc, and IPL photorejuvenation.

Denver - Liposuction safety is no accident, according to Robert A. Shumway, M.D., F.A.C.S.. a La Jolla, Calif.-based cosmetic surgeon and founder of the Shumway Institute of Laser and Cosmetic Surgery.

Denver - Most cannula manufacturers seem to care more about doctors' well being than that of patients, Gerhard Sattler, M.D., said here at the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery's world congress on liposuction. A board-certified dermatologic surgeon based in Darmstadt, Germany, Dr. Sattler presented an analysis of six common cannulas that addressed how they perform from a patient's perspective.

Denver - While new surgical tools are always welcome, doctors must not forget about the old reliable ones, Pierre F. Fournier, M.D., an aesthetic plastic surgeon b based in Paris, said at the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery's world congress on liposuction.

Chicago - Although certain problems may arise after sclerotherapy even when performed by the most skilled hands, those adverse sequelae may be minimized with proper treatment technique and appropriate postoperative management, Mitchel P. Goldman, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Chicago - Complete avoidance of laser treatment for patients on photosensitizing drugs may err on the side of caution but may not be routinely necessary with certain lasers, according to results of a study presented by Min-Wei Christine Lee, M.D., at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Chicago - Perioral injection of botulinum toxin type A (Botox Cosmetic) can be a very safe and effective modality for ameliorating the appearance of vertical upper lip rhytides with an added benefit of enhancing upper lip fullness, Roberta D. Sengelmann, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Virginia Beach, Va. - Describing idebenone as the "most potent" antioxidant he's researched to date, David H. McDaniel, M.D., believes the synthetic analog of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10) represents the first of a new class of cosmeceuticals.

Palm Beach, Fla. - Dermatologists apparently have had enough hype, spam, and promotion of new retail creams claiming to be "better" than mainstay anti-aging products. The upshot is a first-ever clinical comparison of such topicals to botulinum toxin A, a wrinkle fighter turned household word by Allergan's Botox Cosmetic.

Denver - Tumescent liposuction pioneer Jeffrey A. Klein, M.D., strongly advised against being overly aggressive with the procedure.

g? Carolina, several medical practices that deal in cosmetic procedures have worked out deals with their managed care companies to provide discounts on cosmetic procedures for their patients who are members of those particular managed care programs.

Denver - Low-level lasers could provide a safe, effective option for surgeons performing tumescent liposuction, Kimberly J. Butterwick, M.D., said at the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery's World Congress on Liposuction.

Chicago - A novel topical peel containing lidocaine and tetracaine (S-Caine Peel) provides convenient, safe, and effective anesthesia for patients undergoing a variety of laser and other dermatologic surgery procedures, researchers from the Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of New York and New Jersey reported at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Chicago -- Off-label experience using injectable silicone (Silikon 1000) in an investigational protocol indicates it is a highly effective and, thus far, very safe modality for treating facial lipoatrophy in HIV-infected patients, Derek H. Jones, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Chicago - Nonablative skin rejuvenation can be performed using a number of infrared (IR) lasers, but users need to understand that the various devices yield different clinical effects depending on their wavelength, said Robert A. Weiss, M.D., at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Los Angeles - Ablation with a short-pulse CO2 laser may be the best treatment option for patients who are seeking facial rejuvenation and need improvement of deeper wrinkles, in the opinion of Ronald L. Moy, M.D.

San Francisco - A seminar presented at an anti-aging symposium suggests that when it comes to proper nutrition and how it impacts health and longevity, so-called advanced cultures have much to learn from ancient and what might be viewed as less-advanced civilizations of today.

Chicago - Nonablative treatment with an intense pulsed light (IPL) source results in clinical and histological improvements in vascular, pigmentary and dermal elastotic alterations associated with photoaging, Neil S. Sadick, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Chicago -- Although published clinical trial results suggest systemic retinoid therapy administered for skin cancer chemoprevention in immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients is well tolerated despite causing frequent adverse events,

New York - Even as biologic therapies become available, there will still be a place for acitretin, methotrexate and cyclosporin-based treatment protocols, according to Mark Lebwohl, M.D.

New York - For severe forms of psoriasis, dermatologists should choose treatments based on efficacy and rapidity of response more so than potential for chronic toxicities, according to Kenneth B. Gordon, M.D.

As physicians who care for large volumes of patients of all ages, dermatologists develop bedside manners and communication skills to a high level

Columbus - When it comes to the regulation of office-based surgery, Brett Coldiron, M.D., has plenty to beef about in the Buckeye State. He even has a popular rally cry:

San Francisco - People do not just want to look younger, they actually want to be younger and to live longer, healthier lives. While that may not be a chronological possibility, it does give a boost to the newer interests of anti-aging medicine discussed at the Anti-Aging Symposium, held here.

Anew oral retinoid has been FDA cleared for the treatment of psoriasis. It has been shown to be safer than all previously available retinoids. Dr. Doe learned that this medication has been used safely in Europe for the prevention of acne in pre-adolescent teenagers. He has a large adolescent practice and is excited about using this medication on his young patients. Recognizing that the drug does not have FDA clearance for his intended use, he asks parents of prospective patients to sign a consent form allowing him to use this potentially miraculous drug on their children. Is the consent of the parent valid?

A decade has passed since the FDA prohibited the use of injectable silicon for cosmetic purposes after complaints were made that leaking silicone breast implants caused a variety of autoimmune ailments, and that the migration of silicone in facial cosmetic use caused granulomas and permanent swelling.

Paris - New technologies for evaluating physical and biochemical aspects of chronic wounds are being looked at for their potential to enhance assessment of tissue repair and the management needs of a given wound, Marco Romanelli, M.D., Ph.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

San Diego - Low-level (wattage) lasers hold great promise for accelerating wound healing, Douglas Dedo, M.D., said at the American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery meeting.

Paris - Some drugs can play a role in the management of ulcers due to venous insufficiency, but surgical and physical interventions remain the mainstays for treating the chronic wounds, Mieke Flour, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

New York-The pharmacologic use of growth factors already FDA approved and useful in treating recalcitrant diabetic leg ulcers shows promise as an off-label therapy for other wounds that heal slowly, Chris Arpey, M.D., associate director of dermatologic surgery, University of Iowa, said.