You have to be Beautiful!

HDTV may be great for seeing the detail in sporting events it is larger and up to five times sharper than regular TV – but it can be a little too revealing when it comes to the imperfections of a celebritys complexion. Make-up artists have had to adapt their craft to cope with the switch from analog television to digital.

One of the big issues facing professional make up artists is limiting shine while still creating a fresh-faced look on camera. Emmy award-winning artist Marie DelPrete warns Anything that shines – be it frost or shimmer makeup – will appear wet and accentuate wrinkles. This applies to the shine that can come with the use of traditional moisturisers too.

“High Definition is the too-much-information camera,” says Gregory Arlt, MAC Cosmetics’ director of makeup artistry. “You have to treat the makeup like a tight, not-retouched beauty photograph,” he said.

Nicola Burford, one of Australia’s top make-up artists, has more than 15 years experience in the international make-up industry, creating looks for celebrities including Fergie, Dita Von Teese, and Mischa Barton. To overcome the problem of super-shiny faces on HDTV, Nicola loves KOSMEA Eighth Natural Wonder and uses it as an Under base for celebs on HDTV. I use it instead of moisturiser as moisturiser can sometimes be too rich and shine up too quickly! She also uses it for brides to create a glow without too much shine and loves she loves the way it has a slight tightening effect on the skin, minimising pores and fine lines.

KOSMEA Eighth Natural Wonder contains Myoxinol, obtained from the seeds of Hibiscus Esculentus, which offers a natural and pain-free solution to the visible signs of aging. It is this key ingredient that gives Eighth Natural Wonder its power to combat wrinkles and fight the signs of aging. KOSMEA then added a high content of super-hydrating, free radical fighting rose hip oil to create natures answer to cosmetic surgery.

Eighth Natural Wonder is available in 20ML for 30 and 50ML for 50

Source:cosmeticnewsportal.com

 0 posts

A nose job to treat a mental health problem? Teeth whitening to overcome a severe anxiety disorder? These are just two procedures that people with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have traditionally turned to in order to deal with body-related concerns. The excessive use of (and dissatisfaction with) cosmetic treatments, along with obsessive rituals and social isolation, is what scientists from the Fernand-Seguin Research Centre of Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital, affiliated with the University of Montreal, are hoping to fight with a novel therapy to treat BDD.

BDD is not a well-known disease: it is characterized by a significant dissatisfaction with one’s appearance, particularly with perceived flaws. Included in the category of obsessive-compulsive disorders, this mental health problem leads to ritual behaviours and social isolation. Although any part of the body may become the subject of these obsessions, those who suffer from BDD most often focus on their skin, eyes, nose, teeth, buttocks, stomach, hair or chest.

Kieron O’Connor, director of the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Tic Disorder Studies Centre at Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital, said that people coping with BDD seek out in particular plastic surgeons, orthodontists and esthetic professionals to alleviate their suffering. “However, what they really need is psychological support and assistance,” said Dr. O’Connor, who is also a researcher at the University of Montreal Department of Psychiatry and the Universit du Quebec en Outaouais Department of Psychology.

To help people struggling with BDD, Dr. O’Connor and Annie Taillon, a doctoral student in psychology, developed a specialized and innovative cognitive behavioural therapy in collaboration with their team at the Fernand-Seguin Research Centre of Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital. “Our preliminary results are very promising,” explained Ms. Taillon. “We observed a clear decrease in appearance-related fixations among participants and a reduction by more than half in ritualized behaviours. Nearly one third of the depressive symptoms associated with these fixations also disappeared.”

The benefits of this therapy are very real; however, too few people dare to ask for help. By the nature of their illness, these patients are reluctant to go out in public, making a visit to the clinic a significant hurdle.

Kimberly is a woman who has benefited from the program. Speaking under an assumed name, she agreed to share the scope of her daily suffering: “I was ashamed to go out in public; I avoided all social activities. When I heard about this research project, it was a great relief for me. Finally, there was an explanation for my problems and, above all, a solution. This therapy helped me break free of my fixations and go back to work. I highly recommend it. ”

Although BDD is little known, the disease is thought to affect over 350,000 Canadians, all of whom experience the same suffering, fears and turn to the same rituals and cosmetic procedures to avoid addressing the real nature of their illness. Nevertheless, these attempts to solve their problems reflect a true desire to end their suffering. Hair salons, dental offices, cosmetic surgery centres or a psychologist’s chair? For people with body dysmorphic disorder, knocking on the right door is the true challenge.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Over 350,000 Canadians are estimated to suffer from BDD
Specific populations: students (2 percent to 13.1 percent); clients of cosmetic surgery clinics (6 percent to 20 percent)
Affects both men and women
Rates of suicidal ideation (57.8 percent) and suicide attempts (2.6 percent)

Preliminary findings
Specialized therapy for a period of 20 weeks
Average reduction of 46 percent in appearance-related fixations
Average reduction of 53 percent in ritualized behaviours associated with these fixations (e.g., looking in the mirror, applying makeup, skin picking at the location of a perceived imperfection, etc.)
Average reduction of 34 percent in associated depressive symptoms

Researchers are currently seeking participants for their Montreal-based study.

Source:
Catherine Dion

University of Montreal

The Lava Shells treatment from the Tropics has all the benefits of a hot stone massage but with an added bonus of being eco friendly. All shells are 100% genuine recycled Tiger Striped Clam Shells from the South Pacific, and the shells heat up internally through an innovative selfheating blend of natural minerals and ingredients including algae and dried sea kelp that, when blended with salt water, generate its own controlled heat for an hour-long massage.

The Lava Shells massage is now available at Londons leading beauty haven, Urban Retreat at Harrods. One of the biggest salons in the world, with over 22,000ft of wall to wall beauty heaven, including 32 beauty rooms and 45 styling stations, Urban Retreat combines the talent of some of the top therapists with the most spectacular locations across England, so that you will have an unforgettable and luxurious experience.

Urban Retreat at Harrods are now offering clients three types of Lava Shells Massage:

Lava Shell Back Massage
For an intensive back, neck and shoulder treatment this deep tissue massage uses heated lava shells to achieve a firm deep pressure and treat deep rooted muscle problems. The radiating heat from the shells releases tension and leaves you feeling instantly stress free and rejuvenated.
60.00 booking time 45mins

Lava Shell Stomach and Back Massage
A complete treatment of the back and tummy areas to improve core stability and strength. Ideal for anyone suffering with minor back ache this treatment uses the hot lava shells to massage the tummy and mid to lower back areas working as a natural colonic and relaxant to achieve total body alignment.
60.00 booking time 45mins

Lava shell full body massage
Relieve the deepest aches and pains, stress and tension with this revolutionary and unique full body massage which uses the natural benefits of heated Tiger Clam Shells from the Tropics. The smooth shells are expertly glided over the body with varying pressures, techniques and precision by the therapist tailored to meet your particular needs. Hydrating oils are used during the treatment to moisturise the skin as the warming energy of the shells helps to revitalise and rebalance the body and mind.
85.00 booking time 75mins

Source:cosmeticnewsportal.com

The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society is warning patients to avoid “foot facelifts.”

Cosmetic foot surgery includes narrowing the foot to better fit high heels; shortening the second toe so it’s not longer than the big toe and making the little toe shorter and skinnier to accommodate high heels.

“The risks of such surgeries — including infections, pain, scarring and nerve damage — are much greater than the benefits,” said Loyola University Health System foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Michael Pinzur.

“I hope patients will follow the Foot and Ankle Society’s recommendation that surgery never be performed just to improve the appearance of the foot,” Pinzur said.

Pinzur is a professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

On June 23, 2010, the Foot and Ankle Society reiterated its earlier position statement that advised against cosmetic foot surgery.

Source:
Loyola University Health System

ghd has released a limited edition range of hair straighteners in four wickedly inspired colours and matching cases. The Destiny ghd is the must-have style accessory for the season and now available at Wantthelook.com.

The ghd hair straightener is the ultimate hair styling tool, great for everyday styling or to take hair to the next level for that special occasion. From gorgeous curls to waves, flicks or a sleek straight look any hair-type can be transformed in minutes thanks to the revolutionary ceramic plates. New technology also means hair is static-free, plus a built-in auto sleep mode ensures the ghds switch themselves off after 30 minutes.

Available in four sinful inspired colours each Destiny ghd styler also comes with a matching heat resistant quilted case and black hard case.

The ghd Destiny range available at wantthelook.com:
Green Envy
Purple Indulgence
Red Lust
Blue Serenity

Source:cosmeticnewsportal.com

Twilight Venom Blush brings a softer and sweeter look to the biting lipstain made popular last year. It continues the partnership between DuWop, the creators of Lip Venom, and Stephanie Meyers Twilight saga.

Twilight Venom Blush is a shimmering pink lip stain suspended in a venom-laced liquid lip conditioner containing argan, avocado and olive oils as well as vitamin E. Twilight Venom Blush should be shaken before use (to represent the blending of the human and vampire worlds).

Apply to lips until desired intensity of color is reached OR dip the brush in the top without shaking for conditioning and plumping alone OR dip the brush into the bottom of the vial directly into the undiluted stain for a more potent look.

RRP 14.50
Stockists : Simple Beauty ASOS Look Fantastic Beauty Bay

Source:cosmeticnewsportal.com

Do you dream of a more striking smile? Want that Cheryl Cole picture-perfect grin? Look no further than Dr Simon Darfoor and his personalised selection of acclaimed tooth whitening treatments.

Dr Simon Darfoor has introduced a selection of bespoke tooth whitening treatments at The Darfoor Dental Practice, No.1 Harley Street. Revered by celebrities and a-list clientele world wide, Dr Simon Darfoor is a leading cosmetic dentist famed for his unparalleled knowledge and skill. With over 10 years experience, Dr Simon Darfoor is at the forefront of modern cosmetic dentistry and will guarantee the perfect smile.

Dr Simon Darfoor is well known for his unrivalled, safe, and effective tooth whitening expertise. Choose from a selection of services to ensure a set of whiter than white teeth all year round.

Zoom! In-Office Whitening

The a-listers favourite. Using the revolutionary Zoom! tooth whitening system, Dr Darfoor can whiten teeth by up to 9 shades in one sitting. Stains and discolouration are removed in an instant to reveal a brighter, more beautiful smile. Sit back and relax with a selection of DVDs or soothing music and let this gentle yet effective tooth whitening process work its magic. The ultimate anti-ageing beauty treatment.

The Darfoor Practice Take Home Kits

Easy to use, safe and effective. Bespoke plastic trays are created by Dr Darfoor from initial impressions of the teeth. The trays are dispensed with the necessary whitening gel and instructions. Results can be seen between 1 to 3 weeks.

Power Whitening

A treatment devised by Dr Darfoor for clients with substantial tooth discolouration and darkening. Also suitable for tetracycline staining. This pioneering treatment works with both in-home and in-office methods which will be discussed over the initial consultation.

Prices start from 225

Source:cosmeticnewsportal.com

One facial change that really bothers people is the appearance of jowls – those fleshy, droopy folds at the jaw line that typically come with age. Many surgeons consider jowl correction as the single most important part of a facelifting procedure. The issue will be debated by leading experts at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), being held at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center April 23-27, 2010. “The Jowls – Their Importance in Achieving Successful Facial Rejuvenations” will be moderated by Charles H. Thorne, MD, and will include Fritz E. Barton, MD, Alain Fogli, MD, James C. Grotting, MD, and Nigel Mercer, MD.

Jowls eventually appear in a large percentage of people. The appearance of jowls is a “double whammy” because it also brings with it a distinct change in facial shape (wider and more rectangular in the lower face) characteristic of “older” people. At first glance it appears that the jowls simply drop from the face and are a result of gravity; research, however, suggests that atrophy of surrounding fat may be as important as gravity in the etiology of jowls.

“A theme in recent years has been the maintenance and enhancement of facial volume. Patients, however, do not want volume in their jowls. Should fat be excised or suctioned? Should the fat be pulled up into the face by tension on the SMAS (musculature of the face)? Should the pre-jowl area be filled with fat to make the transition from chin to jaw line smoother? Or are jowls so difficult that they require all of the above maneuvers?” said Dr. Thorne, a plastic surgeon in Manhattan and moderator of the panel. “The panel will address all of these questions, and it promises to be a fascinating and potentially controversial discussion.”

The formation of jowls is one of the earlier signs of aging along with laxity in the neck. Generally part of an overall facelift procedure, correction may be accomplished by trimming fat, repositioning the jowl fat at a higher level, disguising the jowl by injecting more fat along the jaw line, or by a combination of these procedures. There were 94,927 surgical facelift procedures performed in the U.S. in 2009, according to ASAPS statistics.

“There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to jowl correction,” said Dr. Grotting, a plastic surgeon in Birmingham, AL. “We will examine various techniques for improving the jowls in different types of patients.”

Panelists have been assembled from the U.S. and Europe in order to get diverse opinions on the subject of jowl correction.

“Europeans are reacting against a ‘look different’ facelift that delivers dramatic results – the trend in Europe is toward less invasive surgery when it comes to facelift procedures,” added Dr. Mercer, a plastic surgeon from the United Kingdom. “Toward this end, a ‘short scar lift’ with minimal incision and more subtle result has developed, and has broadened the scope of facelifting.”

When it comes to facial rejuvenation, many considerations must be made when determining the most appropriate approach for correcting the jowl, not the least of which being patient expectations, physical characteristics of the face and a patient’s medical history, and an ever-increasing number of potential procedures. Thus, selecting a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon is the first and most important step toward safely achieving the ideal result.

Source
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

The pros and cons of laser-assisted lipoplasty will be discussed by leading experts at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), being held at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center April 23-27, 2010. “Point/Counterpoint – Laser Lipoplasty – Hype or Useful Tool?” will be moderated by Franklin DiSpaltro, MD, and will include Barry DiBernardo, MD and Jeffrey M. Kenkel, MD.

According to the Society’s statistics, lipoplasty is the second most popular surgical procedure in the United States, with 283,735 performed in 2009. Laser-assisted lipoplasty, in which a laser is used to disrupt fat cells prior to suctioning, has been hotly debated by plastic surgeons since the first laser-assisted device received FDA clearance in late 2006. “The past two decades have been highly technology-driven, with the introduction of many advanced liposuction-assisting devices,” said Dr. DiSpaltro, a past president of ASAPS from West Orange, NJ. “Each new technology has spurred great interest and enthusiasm. It is our role to determine if it is hype or a useful tool.”

With laser-assisted lipoplasty, a laser probe is inserted into the target area through a small incision, which the surgeon aims at fatty tissue to rupture the fat cells. The laser is then directed toward the skin layer to initiate a stimulation of these cells to achieve a reported tightening of the skin. Fat and disrupted tissue is then suctioned out. The technique received significant media attention as a popular “fat-melting” treatment with a celebrity following.

However, initial data showed that this procedure was no better than traditional liposuction. Additionally, it could present some risks to the liver and kidneys by releasing fatty acids from the fat cells if the recommended concurrent liposuction step approved by the FDA and included in current teaching is not performed. In the wake of the media storm around the fat-melting “phenomenon”, a task force was assembled and charged with investigating the technology, analyzing any safety issues and efficacy as compared to other devices, developing a teaching protocol, and educating 2,500 surgeons in how to effectively perform the procedure.

“Over the last two-and-a-half years there has been extensive research and development into laser-assisted lipoplasty, including multiple rounds of research and comparative studies published in peer-reviewed journals,” said Dr. DiBernardo, a plastic surgeon in Montclair, NJ. “Ultimately, laser-assisted lipolysis has come to be an important tool in the fat loss armamentarium.”

While laser-assisted lipolysis has since been found to be a safe, effective, and teachable technique for body contouring, the bottom line is that no tool on its own is a replacement for the skill and experience of a board-certified plastic surgeon.

“It is important to note that no device is a magic wand,” added Dr. Kenkel, a plastic surgeon in Dallas, TX. “Despite any hype generated by manufacturers, physicians, patients, or the media, results are ultimately practitioner-driven.”

Source
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Patients can decrease the frequency of Botox© Cosmetic injections after approximately two years and still receive most of the same wrinkle-smoothing cosmetic benefits, according to new research at Oregon Health & Science University.

“After two years of treatment at recommended intervals, patients can potentially cut the frequency, and thus the cost, of their Botox© treatments by half,” said Roger A. Dailey, M.D., F.A.C.S., professor and Lester Jones Endowed Chair of oculofacial plastic surgery in the OHSU School of Medicine. The results of Dailey’s work were presented at a meeting of American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon on April 24 in Washington, D.C. The research was sponsored by an unrestricted educational grant from Allergen, Inc., the maker of Botox© Cosmetic.

The Botox© research effort also demonstrated that the injections have a wrinkle preventing – or prophylactic – effect. Patients who begin receiving injections between their 30s and 50s are able to prevent wrinkles from forming and eliminate existing wrinkles, said Dailey, head of the Casey Aesthetic Facial Surgery Center, which opened in 1991 as part of Casey Eye Institute.

Based on previous studies, doctors advised patients who wished to reduce wrinkles in the glabellar region – the area between the eyebrows – that they needed to have Botox© Cosmetic injections every three months to maintain the cosmetic wrinkle-smoothing benefits. Such frequent treatment, however, deterred some patients, Dailey said.

Dailey studied 50 women ages 30 to 50, who received regular Botox© injections for two years. “We found that after the patient receives Botox© Cosmetic injections every four months for two years, the frequency of the injections can be changed to every six months and still achieve good results,” Dailey said. “This demonstrates patients have the ability to achieve good results with broader treatment schedules and ultimately at a lower overall treatment cost.

Botox© has been approved for cosmetic use for eight years. In 2008, more than 5 million patients in the United States received cosmetic Botox© treatments, according to Allergen, the manufacturer. About 313,000 of those patients were men.

Source:
Ken Olsen
Oregon Health & Science University

.

Techniques for using digital technology in separating conjoined twins, developing facial prostheses and acquiring data from anthropologic specimens will be among the topics presented at a symposium sponsored by the American Association of Anatomists (AAA; http://www.Anatomy.org) on April 28. The symposium is part of the Experimental Biology 2010 conference being held April 24-28, 2010 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

“The common thread of digital technology in fields from prosthetics to surgery to anthropology is its ability to enhance outcomes,” said Suzanne N. Verma, MAMS, Assistant Professor and Anaplastologist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Texas A & M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, who will co-chair the symposium. “Technology is the palette and the specialist’s creativity is the brush.”

Kenneth E. Salyer, MD, FACS, FAAP, of the World Craniofacial Foundation in Dallas will discuss how he used technology in planning the surgery performed to separate Egyptian conjoined twins Mohamed and Ahmed Ibrahim in 2003. The twins were joined at the top of their heads. Lessons learned from the successful separation and reconstruction of the twins are opening up new opportunities for future work in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Douglas Owsley, PhD, Curator and Head of the Division of Physical Anthropology at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., will discuss scientists’ perspective of Kennewick Man, one of the earliest skeletons ever found in the Americas. Kennewick Man is more than 9,000 years old, and Dr. Owsley used digital technology to scan the specimen’s skull and help to physically determine what it would look like with facial muscles and skin.

Ms. Verma will speak about how digital technology assists her in planning surgery and designing facial prostheses. “For example, we can use radiographic data to virtually create a 3D model of our patients, allowing us to preoperatively plan where to place an implant, plan the surgical approach for removing a tumor, or use the data to create a physical model of the missing anatomy” she said.

Andy Christensen, President of Medical Modeling Inc. in Golden, Colo. and co-chair of the symposium will discuss tactile medical modeling and the digital reconstruction process. In tactile medical modeling, specialists use data from digital imaging processes such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to create accurate plastic models.

Other topics to be presented at the symposium include the assessment of hard tissue structure and mechanics using digital models, and synchronizing sound, spatial positioning and anatomic visualizations in real time.

The symposium, “Digital Technologies in Anatomical Reconstruction: Rebuilding the Past and Engineering the Future,” will be held Wednesday, April 28, at 8:00 a.m. in Room 212AB of the Anaheim Convention Center.

Note

The symposium is part of the Experimental Biology 2010 conference being held April 24-28, 2010 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Source
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB)

Severely obese adolescents may desire or potentially benefit from bariatric surgery. However, half of primary care physicians say they would not recommend the procedure to a patient under the age of 18, according to research published in Obesity Surgery.

Childhood obesity has increased dramatically since the 1970s. Obese adolescents are more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, hypertension, non-alcoholic steotohepatitis, sleep apnea, choleolithiasis and premature death as adults.

Researchers surveyed a national random sample of pediatricians and family physicians for their opinions on referring adolescents for bariatric surgery. They discovered half of these physicians would not consider it for adolescent patients.

“We still have a lot to learn about the long term effects of bariatric surgery among adolescents,” says Susan Woolford, M.D., M.P.H., medical director of the Pediatric Comprehensive Weight Management Center at the University of Michigan, “But recent studies suggest that it can be helpful to improve the health outcomes of severely obese adolescents.”

“Physicians worry whether the risks will outweigh the benefits,” adds Woolford, who is also an assistant professor in the department of pediatrics and communicable diseases at U-M. “How long adolescents will be able to sustain the weight loss and what the psychological outcomes would be in their future, are questions that are still being explored. If findings are similar to those in adults, there could be significant weight loss and health benefits.”

Physicians who support the possibility of bariatric surgery for adolescents may do so because studies have indicated that obesity in adolescents has long-term health effects even if patients eventually lose weight, the authors write. Adolescent years can also be difficult socially and emotionally for extremely obese youth.

“With the increasing media presentations of surgeries for weight loss among the general public and Hollywood celebrities, more obese adolescents and their parents are likely to consider it,” the authors write. Primary care physicians should be prepared to discuss this treatment option with families.

“Primary care physicians are on the front line of obesity treatment,” says Woolford, “Their attitudes regarding bariatric surgery may affect whether or not an adolescent pursues the procedure.”

The study also found almost all physicians endorsed participation in a monitored weight loss program as a prerequisite for bariatric surgery, though the minimum suggested duration for participation varied from three months to over 5 years.

For adolescents, participating in these programs could be helpful by providing time to make a stable decision regarding surgery and to adopt healthy habits that will improve their post-operative course, but the delay in surgery could also lead to further weight gain.

The authors suggest further studies should explore primary care physicians’ knowledge regarding the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery for adolescents and the basis upon which they make referral decisions regarding bariatric surgery for their obese patients.

Additional authors: Along with Woolford, Sarah J. Clark, M.P.H., Achamyeleh Gebremariam, M.S., Matthew M. Davis, M.D., M.A.P.P. and Gary L. Freed, M.D., M.P.H., all of the University of Michigan.

Source: University of Michigan Health System

Suneva Medical, a privately-held aesthetic medical device company, announced that Steven R. Cohen, M.D., F.A.C.S, Clinical Professor, University of California, San Diego and John H. Joseph, M.D., F.A.C.S, Assistant Clinical Professor, UCLA, presented interim results from the prospective, open-label, five-year safety study on Artefill for nasolabial fold (NLF) correction. The oral presentations took place at the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s Aesthetic Meeting 2010 in Washington, D.C. and the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery’s International Symposium in Hollywood, FL, respectively.

Dr. Cohen commented, “Artefill has consistently proven to be an effective, more permanent treatment option for smile lines. Our initial findings from this five-year study are consistent with the pivotal trial and show Artefill has a safety profile that appears to be similar to other dermal fillers on the market today.”

The 23-center, prospective, open-label study consists of 1,008 patients who had no recent history of nasolabial fold correction. Patients received an initial treatment with Artefill, and up to two touch-ups after 30 and 60 days, until full correction was achieved. Potential adverse events and satisfaction data are reported by all patients at 2, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months to assess the presence of or absence of adverse events, patient satisfaction, and any changes in health. Potential subject-reported AEs were followed up on and changes thought to be granulomas were biopsied and confirmed or ruled out by histology. All study patients will complete a final in-office visit at 60-months.

Dr. Joseph added, “Patient satisfaction is critical to our success as surgeons. Our patients have been extremely pleased with the long-term benefits of Artefill and the interim trial results further support this, showing consistent and lasting high patient satisfaction ratings with the product.”

About Artefill

Artefill is the first and only FDA-approved microsphere-enhanced dermal filler for the correction of nasolabial folds, better known as smile lines. Since Artefill was approved in 2006, over 20,000 patients have been treated.

About Suneva Medical

Suneva Medical, Inc. is a medical technology company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing novel, differentiated aesthetic products for the dermatology, plastic and cosmetic surgery markets. The Company’s lead product is Artefill®, the first and only microsphere-enhanced collagen filler for the correction of nasolabial folds, or smile lines.

Source: Suneva Medical, Inc

Lifestyle treatments that improve the effects of aging and damage to the skin have performed better than other dermatologic drugs due to the demands of an aging baby boomer population. These lifestyle products do not treat diseases but rather meet cosmetic needs, and they are a new focus for many pharmaceutical companies facing tough regulations, market conditions and fewer blockbusters. The trend was reported by healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Information in its new title “The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition.”

The pharmaceutical industry is facing a tougher environment in general, due to harder regulations for gaining approvals for mainstream products, the economic downturn, and a dwindling pipeline of new products, and prescription dermatologic makers have the same challenges. Reliance on blockbuster drugs is, according to Kalorama Information’s research, no longer a viable strategy for many drug developers. In cosmetic medications, manufacturers are realizing there is less scrutiny from the FDA and healthy consumer demand for effective products that reduce the signs of aging such as wrinkles and imperfections of the skin.

Competitors are increasingly offering products that meet this need. According to the report, the market leader in the prescription anti-aging and photodamage market is Allergan, the producer of the popular Botox filler, but Dysport and other products in development may cause a slight shift in their market share in the future. Medicis, which produces the popular filler Restylane, and Johnson & Johnson, which offers Renova and the Retin A line, are also competitive in the cosmetic treatment market. Kalorama Information estimates the global market for prescription anti-aging and photodamage products reached $1.4 billion in 2009, largely due to the increasing popularity of collagen implants and injections. Growth should continue at an annual rate of 6.1% through 2014.

“There are many advantages to entering the largely untapped market for prescription anti-aging and photodamage products,” notes Mary Anne Crandall, analyst for Kalorama Information and author of the report. “These include huge demand driven by the unquenchable desire of an aging population to hold onto its youthful appearance for as long as possible and fewer regulatory hurdles; also many therapies may offer a signification upside potential for a switch to nonprescription status in the future.”

Kalorama Information’s “The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition” analyzes this market, identifies major market factors that may help to shape the global market in the future, and provides key information including market data and forecasts, product reviews, trends and issues, and detailed company profiles. The report is available here.

Source
Kalorama Information

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) applauds Ramona Singer, one of the ‘Real Housewives of New York City’, for emphasizing the importance of choosing a board certified plastic surgeon with appropriate hospital privileges in a recent episode of the reality show. On the 9th episode of Season 3 titled “Stay on Message,” one of the featured women, Sonja Morgan, takes her friend, Ramona Singer to her plastic surgery consultation to help her ask the surgeon necessary questions about her lipoplasty (liposuction) procedure.

During the consultation, Ramona Singer asked the surgeon if he had operating privileges at a hospital to perform the procedure in question, what year he was board certified in, and if he is a member of ASAPS.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the only national organization of board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in cosmetic surgery, applauds Ms. Singer’s questions and suggests that other people considering plastic surgery ask the same questions during their consultations or bring along a friend who will.

The Aesthetic Society offers the following list of questions as a guideline of what to ask during a consultation with a plastic surgeon:

- Check Board-Certification: A doctor’s board-certification is the best indicator of his or her training in a particular medical or surgical specialty. Look for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only Board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify doctors in the specialty of plastic surgery.

- Check ASAPS Membership: ASAPS membership ensures that a doctor not only is ABPS-certified (or, in Canada, certified in plastic surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.) but also has significant experience in cosmetic surgery. ASAPS membership is by invitation only.

- Check Facility Accreditation: Cosmetic surgery can safely be performed in a hospital, a surgicenter or an office-based surgical facility: Current published data show that accredited office-based facilities have a safety record comparable to that of hospital ambulatory surgery settings. However, the majority of office-based surgical facilities are not accredited. Another advantage of selecting an ASAPS member is that all ASAPS surgeons operate in accredited, state-licensed or Medicare-certified facilities.

- Check Hospital Privileges: Before granting operating privileges, hospital review committees evaluate a surgeon’s training and competency for specific procedures. Wherever the surgery will be performed, be sure that the surgeon has operating privileges in an accredited hospital for the same procedure being considered.

- Check Reliable Sources: Asking a patient’s primary care doctor for recommendations is a good place to start, and friends may offer suggestions; but the surgeon’s board-certification should always be verified independently by contacting the American Board of Plastic Surgery . Free referral information to board-certified plastic surgeons with significant experience in cosmetic surgery can be found on http://www.surgery.org. ASAPS’ web site also offers extensive information about cosmetic surgical procedures.

Source
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)

More than 12.5 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2009 at a cost of $10 billion including 5.1 million reconstructive surgeries such as scar revisions, breast reconstructions, burn care, hand surgeries and correction of birth defects, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Plastic surgeons are on the forefront of new methods to reduce downtime, increase post-operative healing, lessen discomfort, and decrease scarring. Downtime is reduced from weeks to days so that patients are back to work and regular activities quickly. Reduced downtime means patients lose less time away from work (lost wages), family and social activities.

The low lever laser used is the Patented ML830® which was the first “low level Laser” approved by the FDA in 2002 to treat pain and swelling. The Laser produces no heat to tissue and causes vasodilation in the Micro Capillary bed, the treatment is painless with no side effects.

Daniel Man M.D. reports reduction in post-operative downtime for his cosmetic surgery patients. Post surgical scarring, discomfort and pain has been dramatically reduced with minimal downtime, in most cases downtime is reduced from weeks to days. More than 1,000 treatments were performed on 125 patients during a 4 month period resulting in an 80% improvement in scar reduction and overall pain. Dr. Man has published extensively on the subject of facelifts and advanced lipoplasty techniques. He is the author of numerous articles and books, and is a featured speaker at the national scientific meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) “Hot Topics.” His paper on more natural facelifts entitled “Reducing The Incidence of Ear Lobe Deformity in Facelifts” was published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Aug./Sept. 2009.

Source
MicroLight Corporation

Cohera Medical, Inc.® announced that top-line clinical study results demonstrate the safety and preliminary effectiveness of the company’s lead surgical adhesive product, TissuGlu®.

The prospective, open-label, randomized study involving 40 patients at three sites in Germany met its primary endpoints of safety and preliminary effectiveness related to time to drain removal and secondary endpoints of associated wound healing complications, cumulative wound drainage, number of additional procedures and visits, and improved quality of life. In the trial, investigators compared standard wound closure techniques used in abdominoplasty surgeries, or “tummy tuck,” to standard wound closure techniques plus the application of TissuGlu. The purpose of the study was to determine TissuGlu’s effect on wound drainage and associated complications in the surgeries.

“We are pleased that the top-line clinical trial results demonstrate both the safety and preliminary effectiveness of TissuGlu,” said Klaus Walgenbach, M.D., Ph.D., of the Universitatsklinikum Bonn and the principal investigator for the study. “The product has the potential to change the way plastic surgeons address the wound drainage challenges of abdominoplasty procedures. We look forward to presenting detailed study results at an upcoming medical conference as well as submitting them for publication.”

The positive results from the first-in-man study of Cohera’s surgical adhesive in abdominoplasty procedures move the product toward CE Mark application in Europe and a larger clinical study in the U.S. this year.

“We are moving quickly to address a significant unmet medical need while helping plastic surgeons to improve the overall care of their patients,” said Patrick Daly, president and chief executive officer of Cohera Medical. “The positive study results add to the extensive preclinical data that show the safety and effectiveness of TissuGlu. We envision the TissuGlu market opportunity in plastic surgery to encompass applications beyond tummy tuck, such as breast reconstruction and body contouring. This is a large opportunity that can exceed $700 million world wide.”

Currently, patients who undergo abdominoplasty require the insertion of drains to remove fluids that accumulate under the skin at the surgical site. In some cases, drainage is inadequate, and the excess fluid accumulation called seroma requires an additional procedure for removal. TissuGlu adheres the tissue flaps created during the procedure to reduce fluid accumulation, and, ultimately, the duration of use of the surgical drains. With the use of TissuGlu, patients may experience a significant reduction of fluid accumulation and a more comfortable recovery, which may lead to a quicker return to normal activity.

About Cohera Medical

Cohera Medical, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based company that is developing a revolutionary line of surgical adhesives. Cohera Medical’s products are based on a unique chemical design that is purely synthetic, easy to use, biocompatible and fully resorbable. The company’s lead product in development, TissuGlu, is an adhesive for plastic surgery procedures. TissuGlu adheres flaps of tissue after surgical procedures, eliminating the spaces where fluid accumulates and reducing wound drainage. Cohera Medical is also developing surgical adhesives targeting mesh fixation, small bone fixation and other plastic surgery indications that will fill similar market needs in plastic, orthopedics and general surgery. For more information, visit www.coheramed.com. TissuGlu and the other Cohera products are currently indicated for investigational use only and have not yet been approved for medical use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. or in any other market.

Certain statements made throughout this news release that are not historical facts contain forward-looking statements regarding the Company’s future plans, objectives and expected performance. Any such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, but are subject to a wide range of risks and uncertainties and, therefore, there can be no assurance that actual results may not differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Source: Cohera Medical, Inc.

A new method of analysing squalene and squalane, oils often used in the production of cosmetics and vaccines, can show whether they came originally from the liver oil of deepwater sharks or from olive oil.

In 2006 the European Union imposed deep-sea shark fishing limits in the North-East Atlantic, and since 2008 some important cosmetic firms have declared that they have stopped using shark squalane. Up to now however there has been no way that a manufacturers could determine whether the squalene or squalane they are using has come from sharks or olives, but the new scientifically validated method announced in this month’s edition of Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry will reveal the source.

Squalane is used as an emollient and a hydrating agent in many cosmetics, and squalene is used to increase the power of the vaccines.

Currently thousands of endangered deep sea sharks are killed each year purely to supply a cheap source of these oils, with squalene being the second most sought after raw product of sharks after their fins. A technique does exist to extract these compounds from vegetable sources such as olive oil, but shark-derived squalene offers a higher yield and requires shorter processing times, therefore involving lower costs. Consequently there is a temptation for oil suppliers to keep on exploiting sharks.

“Our method will protect both cosmetic firms and consumers from commercial fraud and will make it possible to promote the production of squalene from olive oil. It will also allow the origin of squalane within a finished product to be determined. Together, this will discourage the illegal fishing of deepwater sharks and thus contribute towards protecting sharks from the threat of extinction,” says Federica Camin, who works at the IASMA Research and Innovation Centre Fondazione Edmund Mach, in San Michele all’Adige, Italy.

The method uses an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer coupled to an Elemental Analyser or Gas Chromatographer/combustion system to measure the ratio of two different forms of carbon (Carbon-13 and Carbon-12). In the study published in this month’s paper, the team of researchers analysed 13 authentic samples from olive oil (from Spain, Italy, France and Turkey) and 15 samples from shark liver oil (from Spain, Portugal, Japan and Korea), therefore representative of the production area of squalene. The Carbon-13/Carbon-12 ratios were significantly lower in authentic olive oil than in shark samples.

“The new method could be proposed as an official way of detecting whether any batch of squalene or squalane has come from animal or plant sources, allowing manufactures to make clear claims about the ethical status of their products,” says Camin.

Source:
Michelle Martella
Wiley-Blackwell

A study of patients undergoing elective facial plastic surgery suggests that older patients and those currently being treated for depression may be more likely to be satisfied with the results of their procedures, whereas overall optimism and pessimism do not appear related to satisfaction with surgical outcomes, according to a report in the May/June issue of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Almost 12 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2007, a more than four-fold increase over the previous 10 years, according to background information in the article. “Because more patients choose to undergo cosmetic surgery, improvement of surgical outcomes becomes increasingly important,” the authors write. “Currently, there is an emphasis in the plastic and facial plastic surgery literature on surgical techniques to improve surgical results. A relative improvement in surgical outcomes, however, tends to be subjective and patient and/or surgeon satisfaction can be highly unpredictable.”

Jill L. Hessler, M.D., of Premier Plastic Surgery, Palo Alto, Calif., and colleagues surveyed 51 patients at one facial cosmetic surgery center between 2007 and 2008. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, a test to evaluate optimism and pessimism and a surgical outcomes survey specific to their type of procedure (for instance, facelift or nasal surgery). Four to six months later, they again completed the optimism/pessimism and surgical outcomes assessments. The four surgeons at the center were also asked to participate.

Patients who were older than the average age of 53 were more satisfied with their surgical results than patients younger than the average age. This may reflect more realistic expectations among older patients, the authors note.

In addition, those currently being treated for depression were more satisfied than those who were not being treated for depression. No correlation was identified between a patient’s optimism or pessimism at the beginning of the study and later satisfaction, nor did any other demographic factor assessed predict later satisfaction.

Patients and physicians generally agreed with regard to satisfaction, although surgeons tended to be less positive in their assessment of outcomes than were patients.

“The ability to preoperatively identify patient characteristics (psychological, social or demographic) that might impact the subjective perception of surgical outcome and predict dissatisfaction with facial plastic surgery could be highly useful to surgeons,” the authors conclude. “Although preliminary, our observations provide insight into these relationships and identify potential associations, which establish a basis upon which future studies can be built. In particular, it will be interesting to design larger scale studies to examine the potential associations between perceived surgical outcomes and sex, education, marital status, depression and/or inclination toward optimism/pessimism.”

Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2010;12[3]:192-196.

Source
Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery

A compound found in sunless tanning spray may help to heal wounds following surgery, according to new results published by plastic surgeons from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City and biomedical engineers at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., where the novel compound was developed.

Results published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences show that a sticky gel composed of polyethylene glycol and a polycarbonate of dihydroxyacetone (MPEG-pDHA) may help to seal wounds created by surgery.

Procedures to remove cancerous breast tissue, for example, often leave a hollow space that fills with seroma fluid that must typically be drained by a temporary implanted drain. “This is an unpleasant side effect of surgery that is often unavoidable,” explains Dr. Jason Spector, co-author of the study and plastic surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

The gel could potentially be used in all different reconstructive surgeries to prevent seroma formation. “The new substance would act to glue together the hole left behind to prevent seroma buildup,” says Dr. Spector.

DHA is a compound that sticks to compounds in biological tissues, called amines. The sticky properties of DHA are what allows sunless tanner to adhere to the skin without being wiped off. However, it is biodegradable and water soluble as well, which means that the compound does not stay tacked onto the body’s tissues forever. Currently used “bio-glues” are made from animal products and take a long time to degrade in the body — both factors that raise the risk of infection.

“DHA is a compound that is naturally produced in the body,” explains Dr. David Putnam, the study’s senior author and a biomedical engineer from Cornell University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. “The glue is broken down, or metabolized, and then safely removed by the body.”

Dr. Putnam’s lab and his collaborators work to create safe, synthetic compounds from chemicals found in nature. DHA is an intermediary compound produced during the metabolism of glucose, a sugar used by the body for fuel.

To create the new compound, MPEG-pDHA, Dr. Putnam and his lab first bound the single molecule monomer of DHA, which is highly reactive, to a protecting group molecule, making it stable enough to manipulate. This allowed the engineers to bind the monomers together to form a polymer, or chain of molecules, along with MPEG. Doing so allows the polymer gel to be injected through a syringe.

“Making a polymer from DHA has eluded chemical engineers for about 20 years,” says Dr. Putnam.

Now in gel form, the compound has the ability to stick tissues together, preventing the pocket from filling with seroma fluid, like an internal Band-Aid, explains Dr. Putnam. The researchers found that the gel prevented or significantly lowered seroma formation or fluid buildup in rats that had breast tissue removed.

“The next step would be to test the gel on larger animals and then in clinical trials in human surgical cases,” says Dr. Spector.

Previous results, published by Drs. Putnam and Spector, in the August 2009 issue of the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, showed that the gel also prevented bleeding in a rat liver.

“This is another aspect of the compound that would be greatly beneficial if proven to be applicable in humans,” says Dr. Spector. “The gel could speed the healing and decrease bleeding within the body.”

This research was supported in part from a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, a grant from the Morgan Tissue Engineering Fund, an Early Career Award from the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation, and the New York State Center for Advanced Technology.

Co-authors of the study include Dr. Peter Zawaneh from Cornell University, Dr. Sunil Singh and Dr. Peter Henderson from Weill Cornell, and Dr. Robert Padera from the Department of Pathology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, located in New York City, is one of the leading academic medical centers in the world, comprising the teaching hospital NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medical College, the medical school of Cornell University. NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell provides state-of-the-art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine, and is committed to excellence in patient care, education, research and community service. Weill Cornell physician-scientists have been responsible for many medical advances — including the development of the Pap test for cervical cancer; the synthesis of penicillin; the first successful embryo-biopsy pregnancy and birth in the U.S.; the first clinical trial for gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease; the first indication of bone marrow’s critical role in tumor growth; and, most recently, the world’s first successful use of deep brain stimulation to treat a minimally conscious brain-injured patient. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital also comprises NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division and NewYork-Presbyterian/The Allen Hospital. NewYork-Presbyterian is the #1 hospital in the New York metropolitan area and is consistently ranked among the best academic medical institutions in the nation, according to U.S.News & World Report. Weill Cornell Medical College is the first U.S. medical college to offer a medical degree overseas and maintains a strong global presence in Austria, Brazil, Haiti, Tanzania, Turkey and Qatar.

Source: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital