News

Among the certainties awaiting new dermatologists joining or starting a practice — especially one specializing in cosmetic dermatology — is this: They'll be doing a lot of procedures using Botox (Allergan) and fillers.

There are now approximately 60 million people who are HIV-infected, while each day, 16,000 individuals become newly infected and 8,000 die from their disease.

Dermatologists report using various methods to keep abreast of the latest in dermatology, often with an eye to finding news outlets that are most accessible.

This time during her physical examination, the patient was certain that she was touched inappropriately.

As might be expected with any new cosmetic procedure, suture suspension, popularly known as "thread lift," has engendered significant media attention. Thread lift has been promoted on "Oprah," "Today" and "Good Morning America" as a "lunch-time facelift." More recently, articles in The New York Times and Allure magazine have questioned the predictability and longevity of results, and the potential for complications.

National report - Biologic agents will not necessarily be more effective than current drugs used for dermatological conditions, but will produce less toxicities, says the professor and chairman of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N. C.

Like the pre-change certification process, the new one is not mandatory, though the lion's share of reputable medical facilities and healthcare organizations have required board certification, and most physicians have willingly complied.

State College, Pa. -- Researchers at Pennsylvania State University say they have discovered a gene that is responsible for Europeans' pale skin tones and the dark skin tones of Africans.

Berkeley, Calif. -- A new study says that an additive commonly found in cosmetics may inhibit the activity of sirtuins, enzymes associated with lifespan control in yeast and other organisms.

Washington -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported recently that Zostavax, Merck & Co.?s experimental vaccine to prevent shingles, does help curb related pain but does not significantly affect rates of death or hospitalization, U.S. regulatory staff said in documents released recently.

Menlo Park, Calif. -- After an unsuccessful attempt to persuade pharmaceutical companies to fund further research on a head lice treatment he says he discovered and developed, a dermatologist here has revealed that the treatment is actually an over-the-counter skin cleanser.

I'm not a big fan of New Year's resolutions. Before the first month of the new year rolls to a close, most will already be little more than hazy memories. Still, the beginning of a new year is a good time to reflect on the year just past, and take stock of your personal financial goals for the future — where you're heading, how you'll get there.

Permanent fillers ... remain a tough sell as doctors increasingly consider the ever-changing structure of the face as it ages.

National report — Dermatologists in private practice face growing challenges in managing their finances, a recent survey says.

I'm not a big fan of New Year's resolutions. Before the first month of the new year rolls to a close, most will already be little more than hazy memories. Still, the beginning of a new year is a good time to reflect on the year just past, and take stock of your personal financial goals for the future — where you're heading, how you'll get there.

The ever-changing United States tax law is the most complex set of rules ever created by one society. The lengthy and confusing Internal Revenue Code is only the beginning.

Vancouver, British Columbia — The vertical growth phase of melanoma presents as a tumor nodule or tumor-infiltrating lesion.

Atlanta — Mesotherapy, a method of delivering drugs or mixtures subcutaneously, has been used in Europe for more than 50 years and in the United States for about five. According to one physician, there are reasons that mesotherapy has gained less-than-rave reviews domestically.

Baltimore — While there is general agreement that certain features define female facial beauty, it is often some idiosyncrasy that distinguishes exquisite beauty from ordinary attractiveness, according to Murad Alam, M.D., speaking at the East Coast Dermatology Seminar, here.

Even seasoned dermatopathologists may be uneasy with the diagnosis of exotic worms and fungi like this.

If fingernails are abnormal but toenails are normal, the diagnosis is not likely to be onychomycosis. An exception to this rule, however, is in cases of Candida onycholysis, which are more common in women and among those with Raynaud's syndrome.

National report — Misdiagnoses and misconceptions can hinder treatment when pediatric dermatology emergencies occur, an expert says.

Lyon, France - A partial face transplant recently performedin France raises both technical and ethical concerns, doctors andethicists tell Dermatology Times.

Dr. Joe recently acquired a new laser. Because he has always tried to treat patients in a most conscientious manner, he had a clause placed in his laser purchase contract that provided that Dr. Doe, a laser expert, would come to Dr. Joe' s office to help him with his first day of treatments.

Princeton, N.J.--Barrier Therapeutics Inc., a pharmaceutical company that specializes in dermatologic products, is now marketing and selling Vaniqa Cream (SkinMedica) in Canada.

Washington--The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Commission (EU) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have agreed to a five-year extension of their confidentiality arrangements regarding medicines for human and veterinary use.

San Diego--IDM Pharma, based here, has begun phase 2 clinical trials in Europe for its melanoma vaccine Uvidem, which IDM is developing in collaboration with Paris-based pharmaceutical firm Sanofi-Aventis.

Exton, Pa.--Antares Pharma and a firm specializing in treatments for dermatological conditions have signed a feasibility development agreement to develop and apply Antares' transdermal delivery ATD? gel platform to formulate an active compound contained in a topical skin product.

Denver--Responding to research indicating that certain anti-cholesterol drugs also have anti-cancer properties, a recently published review of studies says there is no clear evidence to support that proposition.

Counterfeit prescription drugs pose a "potentially serious health threat" in the United States — one that can result in serious or deadly consequences for patients because of unscrupulous acts of profiteers who take advantage of a lack of uniform regulation and enforcement.