John Jesitus

National report - The Food and Drug Administration's plans for 2007 and beyond include greater attention to postmarket risks and more timely reviews of medical devices, including those used for plastic and reconstructive surgery, spokesmen say.

Las Vegas - Building a successful cosmetic practice from scratch requires starting with low-risk treatments geared to one's skills and interests, says a cosmetic office practice expert.

Transplanting with "follicular unit" grafts - consisting of one to four follicles as they emerge naturally from the scalp - for all transplant areas has simplified the process.

National report - A pilot study has identified gadolinium within the soft tissues of patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), formerly known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy.

International report - The world's first full-face transplant could happen in 2007, sources say, even though they say there's no race to perform the groundbreaking surgery.

Toronto While plasma and CO2 laser resurfacing technologies each offer distinct advantages for perioral treatments, meeting patients goals and preferences is the key to success, an expert says.

RCM has shown promise in clinical studies evaluating its potential in melanoma diagnosis.

"Usually, when kids go to the clinic, especially if they're little, they get so many vaccinations that when one takes off their clothes, they think they're getting a shot," explains Papri Sarkar, M.D., a third-year resident in Harvard's dermatology training program. "Also, I try to avoid using gloves unless they're clinically necessary."

To ensure that patients understand their doctors' messages, Dr. Kobylarz also recommends using teach back techniques, whereby patients explain what they understand, and "show me" techniques, through which they emonstrate a skill such as how to use medications.

National report - For many hair removal indications, existing lasers perform well, an expert says.

National report - Studying the genetic roots of mosaic disorders often presenting in pediatric patients could provide important insights into how effected genes function - and, possibly, direction for future treatments, an expert says.

National report - A new four-year, $13 million initiative aims to give treatments for chronic wound healing a much-needed shot in the arm through a combination of envelope-pushing science and interdisciplinary teamwork.

Louisville, Ky. - Recent insights into the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) and its role as a possible precursor to food and other allergies are driving treatments that seek to restore the skin's barrier function, experts say.

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 - New understanding has led to new approaches in the search for the genetic origins of generalized vitiligo, says a leading researcher in the field.

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

Louisville, Ky. - In treating difficult dermatologic conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis (AD) and plantar warts, a leading expert says the key to successful treatment often involves picking the right vehicle.

Dermatology residency programs are seeking to maximize flexibility in areas such as structured electives, while dermatology by its nature provides one of the most flexible specialties in which to train.

Common legal issues facing physicians who perform cosmetic laser treatments include medical malpractice, as well as issues related to physician extenders and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), an expert says.

For many controversies surrounding laser treatments, there are no black-and-white answers. What works for one physician or patient may not work for another, says an expert.

As new cosmetic treatments are introduced and physicians' understanding of existing treatments grows, determining whether a particular technology fits in one's practice requires evaluating arguments both pro and con, says the president of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS).

Although many lasers have earned Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for treating patients of color, an expert says that physicians' expertise has yet to catch up with the technology available.

As nonablative rejuvenation techniques advance, physicians are striving for more impressive results in a higher percentage of patients, an expert says.

Used alone or in combination with aminolevulinic acid (ALA), lasers and light sources have shown effectiveness in treating acne, according to an expert.

Key developments from the recent American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) meeting include broader applications for existing devices and the growing availability of treatments that combine modalities, sources tell Dermatology Times.

Tumor recognition has long been a stumbling block for cancer vaccine esearch.

Further down the road, pluripotential hair follicle bulge stem cells might provide a solution for hair replacement, but not for 10 to 20 years, according to Dr. Leigh.

Atlanta - With laser resurfacing on the decline, dermatologists might see more complications with dermabrasion and peels, partly because the sheer number of these procedures is rising. However, other factors are also at play.

Washington, D.C. -- When it comes to complications from laser resurfacing, prevention is the best medicine. For patients, this means picking the most qualified doctor available. For doctors, it's sometimes a matter of knowing your limitations.