The Aesthetic Show 2012

The Aesthetic Show 2012 was held at the convention center at the Aria resort and casino in Las Vegas, NV April 12 - 15, 2012. This was the sixth annual edition of the show organized by Michael Moretti, president of Medical Insight and editor of the Aesthetic Guide. The theme this year was Hollywood, with an emphasis on teaching people about procedures through television, and it coincided with the launch of Aesthetic TV. Doctors and their staff members came from around the world to learn about what's new in aesthetic medicine such as Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, lasers, and skin care products. Exhibitors ranged from laser companies to skin care lines to textbook publishers. Numerous world renowned leaders in the field gave talks about various topics. Dermatologist Dr. Michael Gold of the Gold Skin Care Center in Nashville, TN, a world expert in the field of aesthetic medicine, gave talks on Botox, fillers, lasers, and skin care. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Alexander Rivkin of Westside Aesthetics in Los Angeles, pioneer of the non-surgical nose job and a regular on numerous television shows, gave talks on non-surgical rejuvenation of the nose as well as using television as a platform to promote one's practice. There were even talks about practice management, marketing, and social media. The highlight of the show was The Aesthetic Awards hosted by Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Ordon of the award winning TV show "The Doctors." Awards were given to doctors for their work on facial and body rejuvenation. Additionally a raffle was held and many prizes were given away; the grand prize was a laser by Palomar Medical. The event was a great hit again this year and we look forward to the conference next year.

Fillers for the Lips

Dermal fillers are great for enhancing the skin. As their name implies, they are used to fill volume to areas on the skin. While the most common area to treat is the smile lines or nasolabial folds, they can also be used to enhance the lips. Fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane can be used to volumize the lips or provide definition to the borders. The effects typically last about one year. Other fillers such as Radiesse, Scupltra, and Artefill should not be used in the lips. Everyone is different and there are a lot of considerations to think about when adding filler to the lips. These include the thickness of the lips from top to bottom, the width of the lips from side to side, the definition of the borders, the ratio of the size of the upper lip to the lower lip, the angles of protrusion of both lips, the location of the upper and lower teeth relative to each other and the lips, the distance from the nose to the upper lip, and the distance from the chin to the lower lip. Keeping all of these in mind is important when deciding how to add fillers for the best results. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not have filler treatments.

New FDA Sunscreen Regulations

On June 14,  2011 the FDA announced new requirements for over-the-counter sunscreen products. In the past the only labeling requirement has been the SPF value, which measures how many times longer a person can be in the sun before getting sunburned after applying the sunscreen compared with not applying it. This does a good job in addressing the UVB damage, which causes burns. But there is another part of the ultraviolet spectrum called UVA which causes skin cancer and premature aging. Beginning in the summer of 2012, sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection and SPF of at least 15 will be labeled "broad spectrum." Be sure to look for this on the label when deciding on a product. The other change will be that the maximum SPF value will be 50, so any products with SPF value of greater than 50 will be labeled SPF 50+. This is because sunscreens with SPF greater than 50 have not shown to be more protective against premature aging, sunburns, and skin cancer when compared to those with SPF 50. I recommend daily use of a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 30.

The Importance of Hydration for the Skin

The skin is the largest organ in the body and has numerous functions including sensation, temperature regulation, preventing water loss, and protecting the body from insults such as chemicals, infections, and sun. Having an appropriate amount of water in the skin cells is essential for these metabolic functions. The skin is made up of approximately 70 % water and it contains a natural moisturizing factor to prevent water loss. As we age the amount of this moisturizing factor decreases leading to dryness, redness, and irritation. Moisturizers and hydrators replenish this function when applied topically to the skin. But it is also important to make sure your body is well hydrated from the inside to provide water that is essential for the skin. Hydrated skin is healthy and appears supple, plump, and radiant, like a fresh grape. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is wrinkled and dry and resembles a raisin. Drinking at least eight cups of water every day provides the skin with adequate hydration to perform all of its important functions. Drink more water when the weather is hot or dry and when you exercise. At the same time avoid alcohol and caffeine which dehydrate the body. Water intake also benefits overall health because it stimulates metabolism throughout the body.

American Academy of Dermatology Conference 2012

The American Academy of Dermatology Conference was held at the Convention Center in San Diego, CA March 16-20, 2012. Approximately 20,000 people attended including doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and medical staff. There were many lectures about various topics in dermatology given by experts from around the world. Additionally, there were many poster presentations on new research. The technical exhibits featured many exhibitors including those who make neuromodulators, fillers, lasers, and skin care products. There were many dinners and parties in the evenings, keeping everyone very busy. It was an outstanding educational experience for all involved. The weather was unseasonably cold but it will hopefully be better next year in Miami, FL.

Acne Treatments

There are many different treatments for acne. One guideline that should be followed by all is good skin hygiene. This includes washing the face twice daily and additionally after exercise, heat exposure, or anything that causes sweating. In addition, there are both topical and oral treatments with multiple categories. For example, some target bacteria; these include benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics such as doxycycline and clindamycin. Some products lead to exfoliation of cells that lead to clogged pores; these include hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid. Retinoids such as retin-A are now considered first line therapy for all forms of acne. They stimulate cell turnover, collagen production, and exfoliation of the dead skin cells on the surface. Accutane is the oral equivalent and is typically reserved for severe cystic acne. Hormonal therapy such as oral contraceptives works well for those who get breakouts at certain times in the menstrual cycle. In addition, there are procedures that work well for treatment of acne. These include extraction, steroid injection, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser treatments.

Dermal Fillers

As we age, we lose fat in the skin that gives it its youthful appearance. Additionally collagen and elastin production slow down, leading to laxity and sagging. At the same time bone resorption occurs leading to volume loss. Together, these lead to changes such as formation of nasolabial folds or smile lines, marionette lines, and jowls. Dermal fillers are products which are injected into the skin to reverse these changes. Common fillers include Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane, Radiesse, Sculptra, and Artefill. They last anywhere from six months to over two years depending on the filler and the person. The great thing about dermal fillers is that, unlike Botox, chemical peels, or laser procedures, results are seen immediately, which is perfect for those who want instant gratification. It is minimally invasive, which is nice for those who don't want surgery. Prior to the procedure the skin is numbed with a topical cream or injection so that the procedure is painless. The procedure can be performed in less than 30 minutes. Common areas of treatment include smile lines, lips, and areas under the eyes. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not be treated.