MAY/JUNE FEATURES

Evolution of Topical Dispensing Forces Practitioners to Re-evaluate Their Sales Strategies

Physician-dispensed topical skincare products have continued to grow in popularity and remain a strong component of the overall medical aesthetic market. According to Medical Insight's Physician-Dispensed Topicals: Continued Growth for Brand Leaders market study, in the U.S. more than 20,000 medical practices retailed skincare product lines in 2012, with plastic surgeons accounting for approximately 5,000 of these and dermatologists representing around 4,000. While professional products were originally only available to patients from physicians' offices, in recent years the market for in-office dispensing has evolved. Gone are the days when manufacturers or skincare companies would sell exclusively to physicians who comprised the only distribution channel available to patients. > Download full article

THE Aesthetic Show 2013 Product Showcase

Over 2,000 aesthetic practitioners, industry executives and key opinion leaders will converge on the Mirage Resort in Las Vegas from May 16 — 19, 2013 for the seventh annual THE Aesthetic Show^™ 2013 — the premier event in medical aesthetics. In addition to offering attendees a wide-range of educational seminars, presentations and live demonstrations, the expanded exhibit hall will showcase the latest products and technologies in the industry. This is a preview of some of the innovative products and technologies being presented this year. > Download full article

FDA Identifies 350 U.S. Practices Using Counterfeit Facial Injectables

Over the last few years, the dubious world of fake facial injectables has invaded the U.S. Counterfeit neurotoxins and dermal filler products are easy to find on the Internet and are no longer marketed just to physicians. The consumer is also being targeted, notably via social media and the Internet. While this problem has existed for about a decade, recently it has worsened due to easy accessibility, economic pressures, lax standards among some practitioners and buyers, and greed. > Download full article

MAY/JUNE EDITORIALS

Letter from the Editor:
Physicians Must Lead the Charge in the Fight Against Fake Facial Injectables

Many aesthetic physicians have been almost willfully unaware that the importation and use of fake neurotoxins, dermal fillers and other counterfeit products in practices is slowly but surely becoming an epidemic. Experts tracking the ''fake Botox'' trend have characterized law enforcement efforts as helpful, but somewhat ineffectual. Physicians, not police, are supposed to vet bogus products and perform the type of scientific due diligence required to do no harm to patients. Many practices have relaxed their standards in this area and their unwillingness to perform that due diligence has boosted demand for these fake products and directly encouraged more sales. > Download full article

Non-Surgical Fat Removal Resonates with Body Conscious Clientele

As a physician and aesthetic professional, Tahl N. Humes, M.D., juggles multiple goals: providing each patient with the best possible outcome and the most comfortable experience, all while utilizing cutting edge technology in her practice. This is the philosophy of Dr. Humes' practice, VITAHL Medical Aesthetics, in Denver, Colo.> Download full article

SilkPeel System's Three-Way Approach Addresses Patients' Most Common Skin Complaints

According to José Raúl Montes, M.D., F.A.C.S., an occuloplastic surgeon with a practice in San Juan, Puerto Rico, there are only a few devices in the cosmetic industry that clearly show immediate results, and ''SilkPeel^® is one of them.'' Dr. Montes has been using the Envy Medical, Inc. (Westlake Village, Calif.) SilkPeel BODY System to treat photodamaged, dry and hyperpigmented skin, as well as acne, for more than a year. He is currently preparing to conduct a study on SilkPeel and stretch marks, a common complaint among patients. > Download full article

Third-Generation RF and Thermal Imaging Equal Dynamic Duo

While a radiofrequency (RF) device that safely, effectively and consistently delivers excellent outcomes is good, the addition of complementary technology that provides excellent third-generation RF facial contouring results, a favorable patient experience, significant word-of-mouth buzz and steady referrals makes it even better. This dynamic duo is exactly what Steven D. Shapiro, M.D., co-director of Gardens Dermatology in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., has found in the combination of Lumiere Medical's (Rockwall, Texas) TriPollar RF system and LumiCam thermal imaging device. > Download full article

FDA Clears Lutronic's Nd:YAG-Based SPECTRA Device for Melasma Tx

Cleared by the FDA to treat melasma and a number of other aesthetic conditions, Lutronic's (Fremont, Calif.) dual-pulsed, Q-switched SPECTRA laser has a lot to offer to any busy practice seeking a way to treat melasma, tattoos and more. According to Melanie D. Palm, M.D., M.B.A., a board certified dermatologist in Solano Beach, Calif., who uses this device in her practice every day, ''SPECTRA truly is the one laser that addresses the majority of my needs in day-to-day practice: pigment, vascular changes, non-ablative resurfacing, even tattoo removal.''> Download full article

Novo Solutions MD Increases Speed and Efficacy of Scar Treatments with New NovoScar MD

NovoScar MD^®, a revolutionary new scar treatment product featuring the breakthrough ingredient, NovoSerum^™, has entered the market. According to the product's inventor, Al Needleman, B.Sc., senior vice president of research and development, and chief science officer for Novo Solutions MD (Scottsdale, Ariz.), ''NovoScar MD is unique because it actually heals from the inside.''

Antioxidant Niacinamide Reduces Acne-Related Inflammation

Inflammation plays a significant role in the exacerbation of acne, so today's most effective acne treatments factor this dynamic into their formulations, according to Jennifer Linder, M.D., of Linder Dermatology & Skin Cancer Surgery Center, in Scottsdale, Ariz. ''Traditional treatments are much more drying and aggressive, and creating inflammation can worsen the condition,'' said Dr. Linder. ''By treating all four main causes of acne simultaneously without over-irritating the skin, results can typically be achieved more quickly.''> Download full article

Thermage Total Tip 3.0 Redefines Non-Invasive Facial Toning and Definition

For patients interested in reversing the signs of aging without the downtime associated with surgery, board certified facial plastic surgeons Elbert T. Cheng, M.D., and Jacqueline T. Cheng, M.D., of the Center for Facial and Body Rejuvenation, in Saratoga, Calif., recommend Thermage^® treatments. The Thermage CPT (Comfort Pulse Technology^®) from Solta Medical (Hayward, Calif.) is a non-invasive, monopolar, capacitively coupled radiofrequency (RF) device that treats wrinkles and stimulates the formation of collagen. > Download full article

VASERshape and Liposonix Provide Effective Non-Surgical Body Shaping and Fat Reduction

Every problem has a solution. It's a simple concept, but one that packs a powerful punch when confidently presented to a patient. Solta Medical's (Hayward, Calif.) VASERshape^™ system helps plastic surgeon Paul G. Ruff, IV, M.D. (Washington, D.C.), address his patients' body shape concerns. This system uses a combination of ultrasonic diathermy and massage therapy to treat cellulite and shape the body. ''I've had this device since it was first introduced two years ago and it is one of the few pieces of technology I am more than happy to have invested in because it does exactly what it claims it will do, and reliably so,'' he said.
> Download full article

OB/GYN Transitions into Aesthetics with Help from Supportive Supplier

After almost a quarter of a century of providing obstetrics and gynecological care, Laurel Bartholomay, M.D., recently realized her dream of offering a complementary palette of services. ''I have enjoyed practicing OB/GYN for 23 years and wanted to open a medical spa to offer something besides surgery and medicine to help my patients,'' said Dr. Bartholomay, of Grand Junction, Colo. > Download full article