Aesthetics

National report — Treating wounds is a delicate mixture of new tools and tried-and-true wound healing basics, according to Mark D.P. Davis, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

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

Topical retinoids, namely tretinoin and adapalene, have been used successfully for acne vulgaris for years.

Chicago — Completing the puzzle that is psoriasis treatment demands that all of the pieces fit precisely into place.

Chicago — As psoriasis often affects persons during their reproductive years, dermatologists are often faced with decisions regarding management of patients who are pregnant or who want to have a child.

While the FDA approval trials were completed over a year ago, work continues on two additional trials to determine the minimum dose to maintain efficacy.

A Brazilian immunologist reports that he has developed a cancer treatment using dendritic-cell/tumor-cell hybrid vaccinations.

Philadelphia — For reasons not fully understood, some of the lighter resurfacing peels are achieving results nearly equivalent to CO2 resurfacing, without the long list of complications.

Chicago — Cutaneous optical imaging, nonablative light rejuvenation, endovenous laser treatments and minimally invasive facial rejuvenation techniques represent some of the most significant advances in the rapidly changing field of dermatologic surgery, according to one expert.

Burlington, Vt. — The continually expanding array of new products for dermatologic surgeons includes several modalities that are particularly noteworthy because of their potential for enhancing efficacy and/or safety, says Glenn D. Goldman, M.D.

National report — The medical spa industry's rapid expansion has created an environment in which patrons don't always know what they're getting — and many providers don't know what they're getting into.

Two-way communication also is crucial. In this regard, Dr. Bock recommends soliciting patient feedback at various points.

Vienna, Austria — Dermatologists have cautioned people for decades to use sunscreen to reduce sun exposure, yet some researchers continue to debate whether these products can really protect against melanoma.

Theoretically, the use of these immune response modifiers could lead to cancer control and regression of tumors.

Medical therapies have a lower efficacy than traditional surgical therapies for treatment of NMSC.

A rapidly growing trend in medical practices is the expansion into ancillary services. The rising costs of operating a medical business have forced physicians to take a look at how they can expand and better serve their patients.

Sacramento, Calif. — A new skin rejuvenation modality using high-energy plasma (Portrait PSR3, Rhytec) improves the appearance of photoaged skin in a procedure that is well-tolerated, appropriate for all skin types and associated with minimal downtime, says Suzanne L. Kilmer, M.D.

New Orleans — Botulinum toxin treatments in the lower third of the face and the neck require caution because these areas offer far less forgiving terrain than does the glabellar complex.

Various types of botulinum toxin — including A, B, C and E — function in different ways at a molecular biology level. Specifically, the different types of Botox (Allergan) act by enzymatically cleaving one of several proteins in the SNARE complex, which normally allows the release of acetylcholine neurotransmitter from nerve terminals to cause muscle contraction.

New Orleans — As researchers learn more about botulinum toxin, clinicians continue to refine techniques for treating the upper face, especially in male patients.

New Orleans — Lateral infrabrow injection of botulinum toxin type A (Botox/Botox Cosmetic, Allergan) may be considered as a less invasive alternative to blepharoplasty in patients seeking treatment for mild-to-moderate dermatochalasis, says Joel L. Cohen, M.D.

The broad range of fillers available today allows dermatologists to target any depth of the skin and treat an array of cosmetic defects. Now, according to Kevin Pinski, M.D., the emphasis is on indications, and analyzing the skin of each patient to determine which fillers would be best and then tailoring a treatment plan that's just right for that person.

As of late, there has been a renewed interest in estrogens through the phytoestrogens contained in soy.

Chicago — With the marketing push manufacturers are putting behind cosmeceutical products, patients need dermatologists to help them separate helpful innovations from hype.

Bethesda, Md. — A variety of funding opportunities are available for research into improving the processes of wound healing. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is supporting clinical research that is interdisciplinary, multi-phased and translational — going from bench to bedside.