Aesthetics

Evidence exists in animal studies indicating LLLT may play a role in treating wound infections including those of bacterial and fungal etiologies.

"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."

When patients miss appointments, what should a practice do?

I do a lot of complicated skin cancer repairs and I have never really been very sure of the correct way to code for this particular type of closure: the purse string repair. I have spoken with several of my colleagues and everyone seems to be coding this differently. I have also scoured the CPT book with no real hints at what I should code. What do you think?

Failing to preserve the natural look of the tragus and the pretragal depression can betray the best and most innovative cosmetic procedure.

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

Paris - Lower-facelifting in anti-aging medicine is one of the most sought after procedures by patients.

National report - Both the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser and broadband light (BBL) source are safe and effective modalities for hair removal, but even better results may be achieved using them in combination, according to the results of a study undertaken by Michael H. Gold, M.D., medical director, Gold Skin Care Center and The Laser and Rejuvenation Center, Nashville, Tenn.

National report - Patients with axillary hyperhidrosis derive significant quality-of-life benefits from treatment with botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Allergan), and the magnitude of improvement remains consistent with repeated injections over a period of at least three years, according to the results of an open-label extension study.

Toronto - Women's skin ages faster than men's, according to a German study, Reuters reports.

Irvine, Calif. - Botox manufacturer Allergan Medical is launching Juvederm, its "next-generation" family of hyaluronic acid dermal filler products, in November through an experience trial involving physicians with expertise in facial aesthetics.

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.

Washington - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for filing Dermik Laboratories' supplemental pre-market approval application (s-PMA) for Sculptra, an injectable poly-L-lactic acid, for facial cosmetic use.

Philip Werschler, M.D., is as passionate about work as he is about play. The assistant clinical professor of medicine/dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, has managed to follow his calling to teach, while running a thriving practice and without sacrificing his commitment to family, his love of auto racing and more.

International report - Botulinum toxin has been used as a non-invasive facelifting procedure for some time now, establishing itself as a useful and safe tool for facial rejuvenation in patients worldwide.

Toronto - An expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) implant that offers two different pore sizes reduces problems with implant migration and shrinkage, an expert says.

Toronto - Listening to patients' desires in the lip area will help physicians choose the best products and injection techniques for each clinical situation, an expert says.

Q Is there such a condition as permanent postpartum telogen effluvium?

Boston - Understanding the basic science behind new and evolving laser surgery devices provides a basis for safe, effective clinical use, according to an expert.

National report - There are different types of cutaneous wounds with varying degrees of depth; therefore, there are also various methods to treat these wounds.

National report - Community-acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has become a ubiquitous presence across the United States.

Washington - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s General and Plastic Surgery Advisory Panel has recommended that Radiesse, a soft-tissue augmentation product manufactured and distributed by San Mateo, Calif.-based BioForm Medical, be approved for use in restoring facial contours such as nasolabial folds and in treating facial lipoatrophy associated with HIV.

National report - Constant assaults from sun, wind and rain.

Because the category is so broad, Dr. Wu says it's impossible to generalize about the effect the products have on the skin barrier function. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that manufacturers are not required to test for the safety or efficacy of their products.

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.