News

What will it take for medspas to survive? What is the role of franchises in the medspa industry? While most parties have their own ideas, all agree that oversight and supervision are prerequisites for survival and success.

More untrained, unsupervised individuals are getting into the medspa niche, and complication rates are rising. While derms fight to persuade legislators that nondermatologist-run or insufficiently supervised spas increase the risk of medical complications or, worse, such errors as missing deadly melanomas, some states are passing laws enabling under-trained individuals to take the reins.

There are two sides to every story, and the medspa industry is no exception. While dermatologists have expressed concern about inadequate supervision of this growing industry, those providing goods to the medspas defend their stance.

As the number of medical spas mushrooms, so too do the dermatologic community's concerns over who's supervising medical cosmetic procedures - and even over who's performing the procedures. Less-than-stringent state regulations and an almost total lack of federal regulations are prompting dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons to lobby for change.

Madison, Wis. - A new study suggests that individuals have variable responsiveness to UV radiation, which causes some to have low vitamin D status despite abundant sun exposure, according to Neil Binkley, M.D., University of Wisconsin Osteoporosis Clinical Center and the Osteoporosis Clinical Research Program, Madison, Wis., and author of the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

One of the oft-repeated concerns in the dermatology field is about the "shortage" of dermatologists. Admittedly, that can vary from region to region, or even city to city.

Without Congressional intervention for the sixth year in a row, physicians participating in the Medicare program will see their fees reduced by an average 9.9 percent for 2008, a move that already has prompted a call for action from a coalition of specialty groups and the American Medical Association (AMA).

Dr. Comfort is a practicing dermatologist in a large U.S. city, and he prides himself on making patients extraordinarily comfortable during and after surgical procedures.

The concept of a Medical Spa has attracted the attention of many physicians looking to enhance their existing cosmetic practice or add a profitable service to a practice that otherwise was getting harder to maintain profitability. A medical spa can be both rewarding and successful or disappointing and a financial loss.

National report - While medical spas appear to be here to stay, many struggle simply to stay open, sources tell Dermatology Times.

National report - At the urging of advocacy groups and large corporations, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has launched a six-month, temporary initiative that will be the first step in measuring health care quality against health care dollars spent.

Dermatologists can agree the goal of reducing the number of medical errors that occur in hospitals is a laudable one. A problem arises, however, when trying to determine when specific conditions are caused by medical error, or when they occur naturally, especially in the dermatological arena.

Bombay, India - Ranbaxy Laboratories Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bombay-based Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., has acquired the U.S. rights to a group of 13 dermatology brands from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. for $26 million, Domain-b.com reports.

Rotterdam, Netherlands - A new study suggests that long-term treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2b in stage III melanoma has a significant impact on relapse-free survival (RFS), PRNewswire reports.

Rochester, Minn. - Preliminary findings of a study conducted by Mayo Clinic and North and Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) researchers suggest that two chemotherapy drugs combined with an agent that prevents the growth of blood vessels can significantly delay the spread of tumors in patients with metastatic melanoma.

London - Research conducted at University College London’s Institute of Child Health suggests that excessive washing with abrasive soaps and skincare products could be to blame for an increase in incidence of allergic diseases such as eczema, BBC News reports.

Iowa City, Iowa - According to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, toenail dystrophy, tinea pedis and other conditions are associated with an increased risk of onychomycosis, HealthDay News reports.

Atlanta - The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released information saying that more than 20,000 new Lyme disease cases per year were reported from 2003 to 2005, making it the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, according to HealthDay News.

Tel Aviv, Israel - The results of an Israeli study suggest a link between penicillin use and a twofold risk of developing pemphigus variant, HealthDay News reports.

Austin, Texas - A recently published study suggests that psoriasis patients who have had extended exposure to high-dose etanercept (Enbrel, Immunex) respond positively and experience no increased infections or other serious adverse effects, MedPage Today reports.

National report - With no indication when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will decide on its proposed rule essentially banning all hydroquinone products that have not undergone the new drug approval process, dermatologists and patients are seeking alternatives.

Vitiligo patients can benefit from any number of therapies offered by dermatologists. One expert discusses the etiologies of this hypopigmentary disorder, its various treatments and its therapeutic challenges.

Vitiligo patients can benefit from any number of therapies offered by dermatologists. One expert discusses the etiologies of this hypopigmentary disorder, its various treatments and its therapeutic challenges.

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International report - In attempting to ban OTC hydroquinone, FDA could follow South Africa, Japan, Australia and the European Union, which have banned hydroquinone from cosmetic products, sources say. However, some of these areas are experiencing problems with black-market hydroquinone, experts add.

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National report - With no indication when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will decide on its proposed rule essentially banning all hydroquinone products that have not undergone the new drug approval process, dermatologists and patients are seeking alternatives.

National report - While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ponders hydroquinone's future, manufacturers and physicians continue to emphasize that no bleaching agents come close to hydroquinone's effectiveness, and research doesn't support a ban.

Even though he has not yet launched his dermatology career, Craig Burkhart, M.D., is already making his mark in the profession.

Once a dermatologist receives a letter regarding a Medicare audit, it is best to take notice and get prepared, says Jack Resneck Sr., M.D., F.A.A.D., of Shreveport, La., who was audited two years ago.