Aesthetics

Increasingly, clinicians may use biologic agents in addition to phototherapy to maximize results in their patients, notes Dr. Lui, and reduce the overall number of treatments.

There have been advances in cooling of lasers, Dr. Hamzavi notes.

National report — Patients with periorbital wrinkles can benefit from ablative treatments with a new plasma-based system.

Europe's version of Botox, Dysport (Ibsen-Biotech Laboratories) is poised to officially cross the Atlantic, mainly into the offices of U.S. cosmetic surgeons, once Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval is obtained by its U.S. marketer, Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Inamed.

Chicago — The popularity of botulinum toxin type A injections for correcting wrinkles of the upper face has increased dramatically over the past few years. The extent of its popularity as a cosmetic procedure is obvious when this statistic is considered: The number of botulinum toxin type A procedures rose 157 percent from 2002 to 2003; the next highest increase was chemical peels, which rose a relatively sparse 48 percent over that same period.

In Dr. Baumann's experience, Sculptra is safe and effective for off-label cosmetic use alone or in combination with other fillers. The nature of the product makes it suitable not just for filling wrinkles, but for changing the structure of the face.

The Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation (CARF) convened its first patient conference in late August.

Traction alopecia is commonly seen in patients with ethnic hair.

Dr. Ferrara's work provided a basis for a major breakthrough in cancer research — the development of an antibody against VEGF in the treatment of lung and colorectal cancer.

Montreal - Doctors at Montreal Children's Hospital here have successfully treated an infant in danger of drowning in his own saliva by paralyzing his saliva glands with Botox.

New York - In what is believed to be the first product collaboration between a cosmetics company and a drug, Elizabeth Arden Inc. and Allergan Inc., the pharmaceutical firm that markets and distributes Botox, have teamed up to market a reformulated version of Allergan's anti-aging product, Prevage.

Chicago — Patients seeking safe and effective fat removal procedures presently must stick to dermatologist-performed tumescent liposuction, according to an expert.

Curcumin has been manufactured in a variety of vehicles, including oral capsules, topicals, as well as intravenous and subcutaneous injections.

New Orleans - Results of a study comparing the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and the dual-mode long-pulsed erbium:YAG laser for ablative facial resurfacing demonstrated that patients in the erbium:YAG laser group experienced less scarring and fewer pigmentary changes, according to John L. Burns, M.D., of Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, Dallas.

Sacramento, Calif. - As the array of ablative, nonablative and other options for facial rejuvenation continues to expand, doctors say the key to achieving optimal results is in knowing when to use which technology.

Baltimore - Results of an exploratory phase 3 clinical trial demonstrate that injection of autologous living skin fibroblasts provides safe and effective correction of facial contour deformities that is sustained for at least 12 months, reports Robert A. Weiss, M.D.

National report - Even as new techniques, devices and pharmaceutical developments for facial contouring and wrinkle refinement proliferate for dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons, two trends are gaining momentum - one for the better and one for the worse, according to dermatologist David H. McDaniel, M.D., and his colleague, cosmetic surgeon Kyle S. Choe, M.D.

Chicago — As the array of laser and light sources for hair removal continues to grow, so does their efficacy and safety, according to Vic Narurkar, M.D., a dermatologist in private practice and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine (and president-elect of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery).

National report — Photodynamic therapy using the topical photosensitizer methyl aminolevulinate 16 percent cream (Metvix, Galderma) is a non-invasive, well-tolerated, effective treatment for Bowen's disease, offering excellent cosmetic results, according to the findings of a multicenter, randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study, says Colin A. Morton, M.D., consultant dermatologist, Falkirk Royal Infirmary, Falkirk, Scotland.

How does Captique (Inamed) fit into the mix of fillers?

National report — The use of facial fillers to help counteract the effects of facial aging is becoming more widespread, with new techniques and products springing up regularly. In a recent seminar, Paul M. Friedman, M.D., comprehensively covered the topic of facial fillers, with a focus on the hyaluronic acid products.

While permanence may have yet come to fruition among plastic surgeons, they are recognizing that fillers and other non-surgical modalities are now an important part of their practices.

Chicago — As physicians increasingly use injectable fillers and botulinum toxin as complementary treatments for facial rejuvenation, success depends on educating patients thoroughly and injecting products cautiously, says Seth L. Matarasso, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine.

Chicago — Patients seeking safe and effective fat removal procedures presently must stick to dermatologist-performed tumescent liposuction, according to an expert.

Chicago — Traditionally used to treat unwanted veins in the legs and thighs, sclerotherapy can provide an effective tool in other areas as well, according to David Green, M.D., a Bethesda, Md.-based private practitioner and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Howard University Hospital, Washington, D.C.