Aesthetics

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Walnut Creek, Calif. — Advances in phototherapy are bringing greatly needed new options for the treatment of hypopigmentary conditions in patients with ethnic skin, says Min-Wei Christine Lee, M.D., M.P.H., a dermatologic surgeon and director, The East Bay Laser and Skin Care Center, Walnut Creek, Calif.

Atlanta — There is a spectrum of modalities available for clearing solar lentigines, but management of those pigmented lesions should be individualized based on patient-related factors and be integrated into a general skincare program that simultaneously addresses comorbid features of photoaging and prevents future damage, says Jonathan S. Weiss, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, here.

National report — Prevention of photoaging is the ultimate approach to a growing problem, yet a population persists in which more than 90 percent of actinic damage can be attributed to long-term sun exposure. The use of non-invasive methods, often preferred by patients, can reverse the obvious signs of aging.

National report — Accumulating data is adding evidence to support a role for topical imiquimod 5 percent cream (Aldara, 3M Pharmaceuticals) as a secondary alternative to conventional excisional or Mohs micrographic surgery for treating various types of skin cancers in patients who are poor surgical candidates — or refuse surgery — says M. Shane Chapman, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, N.H.

After exposure to UV, "Keratinocytes send out immune suppressing signals [the cytokine IL-10] and antigen presenting cells are chased out of the skin," Dr. Yarosh explains.

A bipolar radiofrequency, infrared heat and pulsatile suction device is a non-surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic option that can improve body contouring, circumferential measurement reduction and smoothness associated with a bumpy and dimpling appearance of the skin, according to a new study.

Atlanta — A common and inexpensive petrolatum-based scar treatment emollient was as good as more expensive, heavily marketed onion extract over-the-counter topicals, according to a new study.

For hair transplants to be successful in the long-term, it is critical to consider that patients are limited by the amount of good genetichair that can be transferred to the balding area, and the establishment of the hairline will ultimately dictate the amount of balding scalp that willeventually need to be covered.

Palm Desert, Calif. — As an alternative to the increasingly popular option of using botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Allergan) to treat excessive underarm sweating, some patients are experimenting with undergoing surgery that they report to be more lasting.

Treating hyperhidrosis

Botox can also be injected to smooth out wrinkles, but Dr. Markus believes that Botox is safe even if injected for wrinkles and axillary hyperhidrosis at the same time.

With these OTC products, one observes superficial frosting that can last for seconds to a few minutes, but its relevance is debatable.

Atlanta — According to a recent study, placing ointment on surgical wounds before applying occlusive dressings provides no observable benefits; moreover, applying mupirocin ointment to clean surgical wounds is contraindicated given the potential for creating antibiotic resistance.

Hyperbaric oxygen almost completely reverses the delay in wound healing caused by chronic stress and restores normal patterns of healing in mice, according to Phillip T. Marucha, D.M.D., Ph.D., a researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Washington--The Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne has issued new acne-treatment guidelines that emphasize the importance of topical retinoid agents in treating lesions and acne precursors, and caution against the overuse of oral antibiotics.

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.

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.