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.
The company Medicis has finally begun shipment of the injectable drug Dysport (abobotulinumtoxin A) to physicians. Dysport is a newly FDA approved cosmetic injectable used for the treatment of wrinkles and frown lines.
Dysport® Cosmetic Injection was approved on May 1, 2009 in the United States as a new regimen for wrinkles located on the forehead and facial frown lines. Made by Ipsen Diopharm Ltd, Dysport is now the second drug in the US that has been approved for wrinkles. Dysport has been used in many other countries for nearly 20 years. Dysport was previously known as Reloxin and contains the same active ingredient as Botox, Clostridium Botulinim toxin. This works to reduce the look of wrinkles by limiting the muscle actions that are causing the creased lines. Similar to Botox, Dysport is injected into the site where the wrinkle or line is located.The approval of Dysport was based on clinical trials of 2,900 people in 80 study sites. One trial shows that between 93% and 95% of those studied saw improvement in the look of their forehead wrinkles in just seven days and with additional treatment they saw a difference that lasted for over 13 months. Ipsen has also given distribution rights to Medicis for the drug’s use in cosmetics. Medicis believes this regimen for wrinkles will be on the market within 30 to 60 days in the United States.
- Cleanse face twice a day with a mild facial cleanser. Pat dry - never rub.
- Use a humidifier at night while sleeping to keep your lips and skin moist, particularly in dry weather.
- Take Vitamin E supplements daily - the antioxidant properties of Vitamin E protect the skin from free radicals and keep it healthy.
- Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and drink sufficient amounts of water to keep the skin well hydrated.
- Exfoliate your skin on a regular basis. Gentle exfoliation helps uncover new layers of skin, unclogs the pores, removes dead skin cells, cleans the skin’s surface and help prevent acne breakouts.
- Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, even if it’s cloudy or you don’t plan on spending a lot of time outdoors. If you sweat a lot or go swimming, reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours (even if the bottle says the sunscreen is waterproof).
- Utilize the power of green tea! Studies have shown that when worn under sun screen, green tea in a cream base may offer additional sun damage protection by quenching free radicals and reducing inflammation. Taking green tea extract as a supplement or as a brewed beverage gives the skin the benefits of green tea’s antioxidant and anti-flammatory properties. Studies have also shown that green tea may increase the skin’s elasticity and suppleness.
Here are some simple skin care tips using green tea:
- Additional sunscreen protection - combine green tea with zinc oxide-based sunscreens.
- Skin toner - brew a batch of green tea, freeze in an ice cube tray and thaw as needed. Moisten cotton ball with thawed green tea and apply to face and neck.
- Make your own green tea cream using standardized extract as an active ingredient.
