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Aesthetics

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San Francisco - For patients who want to smooth out wrinkles and facial lines but who cannot tolerate collagen injections, alternative fillers already in use in other countries are at the cusp of FDA approval. More people than ever are interested in pursuing such anti-aging measures, as worldwide facial aesthetic product sales in the first quarter of 2003 rose to $17 million, an increase of 8 percent over the first quarter of 2002.

Beware Risks of Blindness

New York - Permanent blindness can occur as a complication of facial filler procedures, but it is probably a preventable phenomenon with use of proper injection technique, Sydney Coleman, M.D., said at Emerging Technologies and Techniques in Plastic Surgery, a meeting sponsored by the New York University School of Medicine.

Same-Day Tx

San Francisco - Two new dermal fillers approved for use without a pre-treatment skin test will enable dermatologists to offer patients same-day collagen replacement therapy.

Angiogenesis Starters

San Francisco - Angiogenesis stimulation is a key strategy for promoting wound closure, and there are now a number of modalities available for achieving that goal, said Vincent W. Li, M.D., M.B.A.

San Francisco - Results of animal studies and limited clinical research indicate that estrogen can have a positive effect on wound healing, and findings from a case-cohort investigation provide preliminary evidence that oral estrogen in the form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might protect against the development of pressure ulcers and venous ulcers in an ambulatory population. However, a role of estrogen for treating those lesions remains to be defined, said David J. Margolis, M.D.

Healing Tools

San Francisco - Various medical devices can be a helpful addition to the dermatologist's repertoire for the management of chronic wounds, Marco Romanelli, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Hair Loss and Found

Information about topical minoxidil in treating androgenetic alopecia was gleaned from a year-long study of men with AGA.

Laser Clearance

Cynosure Inc. has received additional government clearance for Apogee lasers, which can be used for pigmented lesion treatments and permanent hair removal.

License Agreement

SkinMedica Inc. and Osmotics Corp. announced that they have entered into a license agreement related to Osmotic's Barrier Repair technology.

BOTOX and Prostate

Botulinum toxin injected into the prostate reduced symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and was well tolerated, according to the results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, preliminary trial (Urology 2003; 62:259-265).

Healing Foot Ulcers

Diabetics with ulcer sores on their feet that are difficult to treat may be helped by the use of Or-cel, a collagen sponge containing human cells.

PILL FOR SUN PROTECTION?

Cyanotech, a Hawaiian company, reportedly is growing a patented substance in man-made ponds that it claims can help prevent sunburns.

INHERITED MELANOMA

People should not be tested for hereditary risk of melanoma until the influence of melanoma genes is better understood, according to National Cancer Institute scientists in a report published in The Melanoma Letter, a publication of The Skin Cancer Foundation.

SCLERODERMA & CANCER RISK

The risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer, is higher for scleroderma patients than for the general population, particularly for male patients and those with diffuse scleroderma, according to a recent Australian study.

BCC DRUG UNDER REVIEW

Photocure ASA's photodynamic therapy, Metvix (methylaminolevulinate) is scheduled for review this month as a basal cell carcinoma treatment.

GOING BANANAS

The department of surgery, LTMG Hospital and LTM Medical College in India strongly recommends the use of banana-leaf dressings for partial thickness burn wounds.

CAT-SCRATCH DISEASE

The incidence of Bartonella hanselae, or cat-scratch disease, is on the rise in Oregon.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study with metronidazole in patients with mild to moderate seborrheic dermatitis found the drug seemed to lack effectiveness.

Hormone Therapy

Additionally, hormone therapy was found to be warranted for some female patients with moderate to severe acne.

Headache Help

Botulinum toxin is proving helpful when applied into acupuncture points for those suffering with migraines.

STOPPING TONGUE-SPLITTING

Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich signed a law that restricts the practice of tongue-splitting.

TATTOO WORRIES

One family in Oakland, Calif., believes that a tattoo contributed to the death of their 21-year-old son, Eric Racheski.

ADDING PRODUCTS

Senetek expanded its manufacturing licensing agreement with ICN Pharmaceuticals Inc. for products containing Senetek's skincare ingredient Kinetin.

GETTING BIGGER

Bradley Pharmaceuticals said it will expand its sales force, primarily focusing on its Doak Dermatology Subsidiary.

MEDICAL ETHICS INITIATIVE

The American Medical Association introduced a medical education initiative, Strategies for Teaching and Evaluating Professionalism.