Aesthetic Medicine News

Researchers Find Demand for Cosmetic Procedures, Dermatologic Surgery Rising Rapidly (Aesthetic Medicine: A Recession Proof Revenue Generator?)

leslie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:48:07 +0000

Physicians looking for a way to boost their revenue stream and expand their clinical expertise are turning their attention to aesthetic medicine, a field whose services span minimally invasive cosmetic procedures from peels, injections and laser services, to more invasive procedures such as plastic surgery. It’s a niche some experts believe is fairly recession-proof.

While plastic surgery has demonstrated significant sensitivity to weaknesses in the U.S. economy, according to a national procedural statistics report released this spring by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), minimally invasive procedures (up by 5 percent since 2007) are still popular, which confirms the so-called “Lipstick Effect” that is observed during economic downtimes; the term was coined by Leonard Lauder, chairman of Estee Lauder, who witnessed a surge in lipstick sales following the events of 9/11. Conventional wisdom tells us that during times of economic and social instability, consumers substitute small, affordable luxuries for their bigger, more expensive splurges. This concept translates to aesthetic medicine and surgical services in that patients are now foregoing or postponing pricier and more invasive procedures and opting for cheaper, less risky and more temporary fixes, such as injections and dermal fillers instead of face lifts. (more…)

Do-It-Yourself Botox? There’s an App for That!

leslie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:42:34 +0000

Five in 5 (http://www.fivein5.com/), an iPhone app just released in the App store, is a do-it-yourself video tutorial that teaches users to tone, tighten and firm their face using their own two hands. It’s the first facial exercise app available on iPhone (http://www.itunes.com/apps/fivein5).

Five in 5 consists of five facial exercises, plus a bonus exercise, that you can do in five minutes that take 5 years off your face. Since the muscles of the face are attached directly to the skin that covers them, when you firm your facial muscles with Five in 5, the skin attached to them firms up too. (more…)

Botox Takes A Shot At Pain

leslie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:39:36 +0000

No longer just a wrinkle fighter, Botox® may have indications as a pain medication to fight Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), reports a new study presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2009 conference, Oct. 23-27, in Seattle.

Between 5 and 26 people out of every 100,000 have their lives significantly disrupted by some form of chronic pain. Traditionally, treatments for the nervous system-based pain disorder have included massage, physiotherapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, and heat/cold therapy. Despite those, many patients often continue to experience disruptive pain.

The study found injecting Botox into the area affected by pain provides significant pain control. Eight patients suffering from severe pain received an average of nine injections — one every four weeks. All of patients reported a significant improvement (31.25 percent) in their daily pain control that was maintained for up to 17 months.

More than 5 million Botox injections were performed in 2008, according to ASPS stats. Botox injections are up 8 percent since 2007 and 537 percent since 2000.

Science Daily, Nov. 9, 2009

Acne Leads to Stress and Low Self-Esteem

leslie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:35:49 +0000

Acne affects nearly 50 million Americans, making it the country’s most common skin disease. Anyone who’s ever suffered from acne knows just how tough it can be on mood and self-esteem, and a new survey now backs them up.The Skin Matters Survey, commissioned by Retin-A Micro Pump and conducted by Harris Interactive (please note I’m not affiliated with this company), asked dermatologists, adults and teens about the social effects of acne and contained a few surprising results:

Seventy percent of teenagers feel pressure to have clear skin, but teenage girls take a greater hit to their self-confidence, mood, physical health and relationships with family as a result of acne than teenage boys do.
Sixteen percent of adults and twenty-nine percent of teens have made significant changes to their social lives because of acne. Nine percent of adults refrained from asking someone out on a date or accepting a date, seven percent cancelled plans and three percent said they’ve been passed over for a promotion because of their skin.
Thirty-eight percent of adults with acne agreed it’s more stressful having acne as an adult than as a teenager. (more…)

New study may deal final blow to acne drug Accutane

leslie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:31:10 +0000

The study bolstered evidence of a link between the drug, pulled from the market in June, and inflammatory bowel disease. No medication is as effective in treating severe cases of acne. Teenagers and young adults suffering from severe, scarring acne may ultimately lose the most effective treatment for the condition.

Swiss-based Roche Holding quietly pulled its blockbuster drug Accutane off the market in June amid early signs that the drug may be linked to inflammatory bowel disease. And last week, a study was released that quantified those risks, finding that users of the medication have almost twice the odds of developing a serious bowel disorder as nonusers.

For now, generic versions are still available, but the latest troubles could lead to the withdrawal of the controversial medication considered the treatment of last resort for acne so damaging it can lead to pitting of the face and a lifetime of anguish.

In its tumultuous 27-year history, the drug, also known as isotretinoin, has been found to cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy and to possibly increase the risk of depression, including suicidal behavior. Women who take it must register with the government, sign a consent form saying that they understand the medication’s risks, use two forms of birth control, and submit to monthly pregnancy tests. (more…)

The end of Evolence

leslie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:07:29 +0000

Little more than a year after receiving FDA approval, Evolence will no longer be manufactured or marketed in the U.S. Its steadily growing fan base appeared to prime collagen fillers for a major comeback, but the abrupt discontinuation leaves patients with more questions than answers.

On November 3, despite a seemingly economy-immune rise in the popularity of wrinkle-smoothing injectables, Johnson & Johnson division Ortho Dermatologics announced their intention to end production and sales of the porcine (pig-derived) product, explaining that the decision was difficult—but little else.

No specific reason for the unexpected termination was given; however, Ortho Dermatologics implied in multiple statements that it has nothing to do with adverse or poor effects: “Patients and medical professionals who may currently be using Evolence products can be assured that they remain effective for the approved indications [moderate to deep wrinkles and folds] with a favorable safety profile.”

Posted Friday, November 06, 2009, New Beauty

Solta Medical Announces FDA 510(k) Clearance of New Fraxel re:store Dual Laser System

leslie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:13:19 +0000

Solta Medical, Inc., recently announced it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for the new Fraxel re:store Dual laser system. The Fraxel re:store Dual system adds a novel 1927 nm wavelength, the first ever application of a Thulium laser in the aesthetics market, to the company’s existing technology. The new Fraxel re:store Dual system is optimized for both on face and large body areas to address clearance of pigmentation and other superficial skin conditions all in a single treatment, according to Solta Medical. (more…)

Overweight Patients May Have Effect on Doctor’s Attitude

leslie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:58:48 +0000

Study finds that physicians may have lower respect for patients with higher body mass index.

THURSDAY, Oct. 29 (HealthDay News) — Physicians have lower respect for patients with high body mass index (BMI), which may have an impact on patient care and outcomes, according to a study published online Sept. 18 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Mary Margaret Huizinga, M.D., of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, and colleagues analyzed data from questionnaires completed by 40 physicians and 238 patients enrolled in the Patient-Physician Partnership Study in 2003 to 2005. The researchers analyzed the association between physician respect of patients (self-assessed on a five-point Likert scale) and BMI. (more…)

Botox Training: IAPAM Announces 2010 Training Dates for Physicians

leslie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:24:09 +0000

Presented by the IAPAM, the Botox & Dermal Filler Training Bootcamp and the Advanced Dermal Filler Training Program announces their dates for 2010. Through the IAPAM’s industry-leading aesthetic medicine educational programs, physicians will continue to recieve the most intensive, hands-on cosmetic injectable and Botox training available in North America.

The IAPAM has developed three different programs to train physicians in the injection of Botulinum Toxins (Botox and Dysport) and dermal fillers. Physicians with limited Botox injection experience, should first attend the IAPAM’s Aesthetic Medicine Symposium in Scottsdale, Arizona. Physicians with some Botox injection experience will then want to attend the Botox & Dermal Filler Bootcamp, where they inject over 10 live patients over the weekend in Toronto, Canada. Once a physician has 6 months of injection experience, we also have the Advanced Dermal Filler training program where they’ll have an opportunity to learn more advanced dermal filler injection techniques, including: Jaw contouring, Tear trough, Cheek Augmentation, and Advanced Lip sculpting techniques in Toronto as well. And most importantly, all of our injection training is done in a medical facility or medical spa, not in a hotel room chair.

The IAPAM’s Botox / Dermal Filler Bootcamp Leads the Industry

“What makes our Dermal Filler & Botox Training stand out from all the others is that physicians get to inject 10-14 live patients over the weekend, and they do it in a clean medical facility, not a hotel room chair,” says IAPAM Executive-director, Jeff Russell. “This allows the attendees to learn proper injection technique, as well as the opportunity to inject and evaluate many patients all with different musculature structure, which are both critical for success in the medical spa industry.”

Preview the IAPAM’s Botox Training video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc6XkuFOHrw (more…)

Surgery at a Spa? Buyer Beware.

leslie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:18:35 +0000

THERE is little to suggest that the TriBeCa MedSpa in Manhattan is a medical facility, at least in the traditional sense. In the waiting area, called the Tranquillity Room, a waterfall cascades down one wall. A client may have a pedicure or facial before entering a softly lighted space where a plastic surgeon performs laser Fraxel treatment or some other minimally invasive procedure that would cost twice as much in a harried doctor’s office.

TriBeCa MedSpa is one of 1,800 medical spas in the United States, hybrid facilities that offer treatments like laser hair removal and liposuction alongside massages and other traditional spa fare. In recent years, the business has become a growth industry: from July 2007 to December 2008, the number of medical spas increased 85 percent, according to the International Spa Association, far outpacing the growth of day, destination and resort spas.

The kinds of procedures performed in medical spas has also increased. At the Park Avenue Medical Spa in Armonk, N.Y., for instance, clients who have undergone chemosurgery for skin cancer, which may leave the skin pitted, can receive reconstructive surgery, a treatment that falls outside the strictly aesthetic category and may point in the direction the industry is evolving. (more…)