You regularly hit the gym and watch what you eat, but nothing you do seems to get rid of that embarrassing “muffin top” belly fat, or the love handles? Well, now you can freeze the fat off with a procedure called Coolsculpting!!!
Coolsculpting™ is a non-invasive procedure approved by the FDA in mid-September of 2010. It is used to permanently reduce the fat in targeted areas of the body such as the stomach, love handles and back. Developed by ZELTIQ™, CoolSculpting™ uses a cooling technology to eliminate fat cells without using drugs, chemicals, needles or surgical incisions. The procedure takes about 1 to 3 hours, depending on the area being treated. During the procedure, the targeted area is drawn up between two cooling panels, and controlled cold temperature is applied to the skin, which freezes fat cells under the skin. These treated cells then gradually eliminate from your body through normal metabolic processes. Visual results from the treatment can be seen in about 2 to 4 months, and are permanent as long as the patient maintains his or her weight with diet and exercise.
Because CoolSculpting™ is non-invasive, anesthesia or pain medication is not necessary, and there is no down time. Side effects are minimal and may include minor bruising, redness and numbness, all of which resolve on their own. The CoolSculpting™ procedure is perfect for people who have achieved their ideal weight, but want to target those small areas of stubborn fat that seem to resist exercise and diet.
Now there’s a pain-free, effective method to treat nail fungus (also known as onychomycosis). The PinPointe TM FootLaser, manufactured by Pinpointe USA, Inc., works by using laser light to treat infected nails. The laser beam penetrates the nail bed to target only the infected area, leaving the nail and surrounding healthy tissue unharmed. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, and does not require the use of anesthesia.
It’s estimated that more than 10 percent of Americans (roughly 35 million people) are affected by chronic fungal nail infections. Once a fungal infection invades the nail, the fungus feeds on the keratin, which is the protein that makes up the hard surface of the nail. The fungus causes the nail to change color and texture. The nail may thicken and become difficult to clip. The infection can also cause the nail to become pitted, brittle, chalky, crumbly or the nail may even fall off. Left untreated, a nail fungus infection can spread to other nails and surrounding skin and interfere with wearing shoes and can cause pain.
The PinPointe TM FootLaser offers many advantages over other treatment options. Unlike topical and oral antifungal drugs, there are no unwanted side effects. And unlike treatments involving painful surgical removal of the nail, the PinPointe TM FootLaser treatment requires no down time or healing period.
If you would like more information on the PinPointe TM FootLaser, visit their website at http://pinpointefootlaser.com/
To find a doctor in your area that offers the treatment, visit http://pinpointefootlaser.com/patients/find
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) posted its fourth annual Sunscreen Guide for 2010, and surprisingly only 39 out of 500 beach and sport sunscreens earned a “green” rating for safety. All 39 sunscreens contained the either zinc or titanium.
The remaining 92% of suncreens scored either a “yellow” or “red” rating due to one of the following reasons:
- An SPF rating of 50 or more, which often give consumers a false sense of security and encourages the user to stay out in the sun longer than advised.
- The sunscreen contains a form of vitamin A called retinyl palmitate, which FDA studies suggest may actually accelerate skin damage and cancer risk. (Although the studies are non conclusive, for now EWG recommends vitamin A-free sunscreens).
- The suncreen containcs oxybenzone, which is a hormone-disrupting compound that is absorbed into the skin and enters the bloodstream.
- The sunscreen product is in the form of a spray or powder that may be harmful to breathe.
Want to see how your favorite sunscreen ranked, or view EWG’s list of recommended suncreens? Visit the website here: http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/
Summer time is right around the corner, and it’s always a good time to stock up on sunscreen. In fact, most people don’t realize that sunscreen should be applied every day, year round in order to properly reduce the risk of skin cancers. According to a survey of 1,000 adults by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, 31 percent of Americans reported not using sunscreen while the remaining 69 percent were only occasional users. There are a lot of misconceptions about sunscreen use, and hopefully this article will help dispel some of those myths.
All sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB radiation.
Not true. The word SPF stands for sun protection factor. The SPF rating only applies to UVB protection. Sunscreen manufacturers often make inaccurate claims about UVA protection. When buying sunscreen, look for products that contain avobenzone, mexoryl, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide for adequate UVA protection.
Sunscreen only needs to be applied once a day.
Nope. Sunscreen should be re-applied every two hours — especially if swimming or perspiring. Water-resistant sunscreens can lose their effectiveness after 40 minutes in the water.
A bottle of sunscreen retains its potency and effectiveness for a long time.
Not true. The components of sunscreen begin to break down after one year, and is mostly ineffective after three years. Check the expiration date, and toss out old bottles without expiration dates.
Sunscreens with an ultra high SPF are better than SPF 30 sunscreens .
Not so. Although a higher SPF number provides for longer sun exposure before getting burned, SPF 30 sunscreen already blocks 97% of UVB rays, which is suitable for most individuals. SPF’s higher than 30 block only 4 percent more UVB which provides only a marginal increase in protection, and tends to cost more. Sunscreen with an ultra high SPF may be more suitable for individuals who are sun-sensitive, skin cancer patients, and people at high risk of developing skin cancer.
A little dab will do ‘ya.
No it won’t. The recommended application amount is about one palmful (or one ounce) and it needs to be applied to the skin 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors, so that the skin has time to absorb the lotion to be fully effective.
When the sun is behind the clouds, you don’t need sunscreen.
Yes, you still do. Up to 80% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can pass through the clouds. In addition, sand and snow reflect and magnify the sun’s rays and can result in sun burn and skin damage.
Using sunscreen is enough to prevent skin cancer.
No it isn’t. Even with proper sunscreen usage, your skin still has some exposure to UV rays. Skin cancer prevention works best with a comprehensive sun protection program that includes sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, keeping in the shade, and sun avoidance during the hours of 10 A.M. to 4 PM. And you should completely avoid tanning beds.
There are a lot of people out there who suffer from psoriasis and a whole lot more who don’t understand how much misery this skin condition can cause. When you hear about itchy places on the skin, well, that just doesn’t tell the whole story. Abnormal skin cell growth is the cause of the condition, and it makes those thick, red, scaly patches that are the main characteristic of plaque psoriasis.
The fact is that psoriasis is chronic and is often associated with other serious conditions like diabetes, obesity and heart disease. About 56 million work hours are lost per year due to the misery it causes American adults. Even mild forms of the condition cause the itching and thick scaly patches that are so very uncomfortable. They can occur anywhere on the body, and are exceptionally excruciating when they arise on tender skin fold areas.
Fortunately for those suffering from psoriasis, the FDA recently approved a new treatment. Vectical™ ointment, manufactured by Galderma, is a Vitamin D3 ointment which is formulated for adults over 18 who have a mild to moderate form of psoriasis. Vectical™ contains calcitriol, a natural, active type of vitamin D3.
During the clinical trials, Vectical™ proved to be tolerated well even on those sensitive skin folds. Two, eight-week studies were performed in which Vectical™ ointment was used twice a day. Patients showed marked improvement by the second week of the study, and continued to improve throughout. Vectical™ brought much better results than the leading Vitamin D treatment to which it was being compared in the study.
Two of the problems with treating chronic conditions like psoriasis is that it requires frequent trips to the doctor and medications that can be used for long periods of time. Corticosteroids have often been used for psoriasis, but are not meant for long term use. Other Vitamin D creams have been used, but they tend to be irritating to the afore-mentioned tender skin folds. The good news is that is looks like Vectical™ is safe for the long haul. It has been used on patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis for a full year, and has been very successful.
Vectical™ Ointment may cause some mild side effects—most medications do—so talk to your doctor and see if it might be a good fit for you. It’s available by prescription, and could make your life a whole lot easier.
Solta Medical really knows the way to a woman’s heart. With their newest breakthrough, we can not only get more beautiful, but we can do it in less time and with more comfort! When it comes to skin tightening and body contouring, Solta Medical’s Thermage system has already been on the top of the list for physicians as well as patients. With the introduction of their new Thermage CPT (Comfort Pulse Technology), Solta will be winning new converts right and left.
Solta has always been committed to marketing innovative, almost avant-garde products for those of us who wish to keep our youthful good looks. Adding an extra comfort level with the Comfort Pulse Technology is just a bonus. The original Thermage already used the best available radiofrequency technology, and now Thermage CPT is a giant step further ahead. The CPT utilizes a more effective heat delivery system, which means that more tissue than before reaches therapeutic heat levels. The outcome is more consistent results, and a better over-all skin-tightening experience.
For those of us who prefer non-ablative treatments—in other words we don’t want our skin tissue destroyed in order to make it better—this is the cream of the crop. A newly redesigned and scientifically advanced face tip (Face Tip 3.0) and the Body Tip 16.0 integrate this new technology for a huge improvement in patient satisfaction and comfort.
Not only is it more satisfying for patients, but the multi-functional, ergonomically designed, vibrating hand-piece provides greater comfort and efficiency for the physician as well. Anything that is more user-friendly for the doctor translates into value-added for the patient as well.
A. Jay Burns, MD, assistant professor of plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and past president of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, had this to say: “This is what I have been waiting for from Thermage - advanced skin tightening and body contouring results in a procedure that is both comfortable for the patient and more user friendly for the physician.”
Let’s recap: enhanced effectiveness, greater comfort for the patient, high patient satisfaction levels, superior ease of use for the doctor. Thermage CPT sounds like a winner!
Kudos to Solta Medical for their commitment to continually improve their products, and for seeking new ways to help both patient and physician in the quest for more effective, faster, more comfortable and over-all more valuable treatments. And for their commitment to keeping us looking good!
Wrinkles—look out! A new and wonderfully effective treatment for the reduction of wrinkles has been approved by the FDA. Developed by EndyMed Medical Ltd, this new treatment system is now being called the EndyMed PRO, as opposed to its original name, Imagine. Imagine indeed: imagine a treatment that erases those unsightly facial wrinkles with a gentle and non-invasive therapy.
There are lots of other benefits to the EndyMed PRO, too, including treatment customized for each patient, and a short treatment with no recovery time. No pain, which is always a plus, and no side effects. Go right back to work, or shopping, or watching your soaps. You will see immediate improvement coupled with long term results. In studies which were done to determine the safety and effectiveness of the EndyMed PRO, dermatologists found that more than 80 percent of patients still had significant reduction of their wrinkles a full three months after treatment. This clinical study was done in several centers, and results were consistent throughout.
This is actually the first product of its type to be approved for marketing in the US. Quite a feather in the cap of EndyMed, as it makes them a real contender in the aesthetics market, not just in America, but around the world. EndyMedPRO uses third generation 3DEEP(TM) radio frequency technology, which means it’s a new and improved version.
The way I understand it is that the 3DEEP technology provides for effective individual contouring, and apparently uses minimal energy flow to the surface of the skin. The specialized technology controls not only the depth, but the power and three-dimensional pattern of the radio frequency energy. What does that mean? It means you get a totally painless, safe and non-invasive treatment which is very effective at reducing those wrinkles. Doesn’t get much better than that!
Alas, Accutane, you are no more! Economic and legal factors have combined to force pharmaceutical company Hoffman-La Roche to announce that they are discontinuing the acne drug Accutane. This didn’t come as a surprise to dermatologists, as pharmacists have been in the habit for quite some time of filling prescriptions for Accutane with the generic equivalent isotretinoin. Unfortunately for Roche, this has had the effect of lowering their market share drastically, so that their current share is only 3%, leaving the rest of the market to the lower-priced generics Amnesteem, Sotret, and Claravis.
Dermatologists disagree in their perceptions of these generics. Some feel that they are just as good; others have said they might as well give their patients a placebo. One doctor interviewed claimed that it was necessary to prescribe higher doses of the generics, and keep patients on them longer, in order to achieve the same effect as Accutane. Patients want to pay as low a cost or co-pay as possible, and Accutane, like all branded medicines, is more expensive. Bottom line—the wallet rules.
Legal issues have also plagued Roche. Besides the millions of dollars any pharmaceutical company spends to develop, test, and market a new drug, Roche has spent millions on lawsuits defending Accutane. IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), depression, suicide and birth defects have been linked to this drug, resulting in hundreds of lawsuits and FDA warnings on labels. Similar lawsuits have been filed against manufactures of the generic isotretinoin.
With the situation Roche found themselves in–millions spent to bring the drug to market, millions spent defending themselves against lawsuits, market share down to 3%– it’s no wonder they decided to pull the plug. But what does that mean for the future, and the patients who need it?
Dermatologists are concerned that with Accutane out of the picture, the pharmaceutical companies who produce the generics will increase their prices. They have already begun to face the same legal issues as Roche. It would be a shame if this drug, a boon to many people over the years who have severe acne, was pulled off the market entirely.
On June 8, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a 12 month labeling supplement for Evolence, a collagen-based facial filler. The labeling reflects the results of an FDA review of additional clinical data that demonstrated safety and efficacy of EVOLENCE for a period of 12 months. EVOLENCE, collagen-based dermal filler used to correct of moderate to deep facial wrinkles and folds, is the first and only collagen dermal filler recognized to provide results through 12 months after an initial treatment. EVOLENCE, manufactured by Ortho Dermatologics, was originally introduced in the US in 2008 with a six-month duration labeling.
EVOLENCE is formulated from natural collagen to replace the body’s lost collagen, adding volume and structural support in depleted areas, to create a more naturally younger appearance. Because natural collagen is used, patients require no pre-testing. Results are immediate and visible, with minimal to no bruising or swelling.
EVOLENCE is the first and only collagen-based dermal filler recognized in the US to provide results through 12 months after an initial treatment.
Saving up for a tummy tuck or budgeting for Botox? Well, it looks like you might need to save up a bit more - about 10% more. National news sources have been abuzz over a potential excise tax that would be imposed on elective surgeries and cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, skin fillers, teeth-whitening procedures and Botox injections. Basically, the tax would apply to any procedure which is disallowed as deductible medical expenses under Section 213(9) of the Tax Code. This tax was proposed by Treasury Department economic adviser Gene Sperling as part of an administration effort to help finance the trillion-dollar healthcare overhaul plan.
Although the idea was brought up in a mid-July meeting, so far it doesn’t yet appear to be a serious consideration amongst the Senate committee. Senate Finance chairman Max Baucus told reporters that the tax idea was discussed briefly, but is currently not under active consideration.
If this proposal should ever become tax law, this new tax would likely be shouldered mostly by women, since women currently make up over 90 percent of the cosmetic patient demographic in the United States. And since many cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists offer financing options, the quest for beauty isn’t just for the rich anymore. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons approximately one third of people considering plastic surgery reported average household incomes below $30,000!! Less than 10% reported incomes over $90,000. Essentionally, this tax burden would be shouldered by the lower to middle class. Needless to say, a proposed excise tax on cosmetic procedures would also face serious opposition from many plastic surgeons, as it would dramatically cause a drop in patient bookings.
Let’s just hope that Congress doesn’t decide to slap a tax on beauty.
