Individualized skin care with "PCA SKIN"

I'm pleased to announce the arrival of a new line of skin care products at our office - PCA Skin.

Their award-winning product line is divided into two parts:  daily use products, and their professional-grade peels.

What I really like is their individualized approach to skin care.  For each common type of problem skin - whether it's "sensitive" or "Acne-prone" or "hyperpigmentation issues", they've hand-picked certain types of products to optimize the skin treatment.  So, the most appropriate cleanser, toner and various active treatments for the skin type are included in each kit.  This really makes a difference in outcomes compared to the "one-size-fits all approach".

Also, they have a nice introductory or "travel-size" kit, which is quite reasonably priced, as well as the full size kit.  This means you can sample the products to see how they work for you, without a huge investment!

PCA Skin products are formulated using all-natural, technically advance ingredients that are safe for sensitive skin types or people that have recently had a chemical peel or laser treatment.  They do not use animal testing.

So, if you've struggled with dry, red skin from previous skin care lines, have rosacea, have acne breakouts, or pigmentation issues - I think you'll find these products worthy of your attention.

Come and see Kim, our aesthetician, if you'd like more details on the products, or their advanced professional peels.

ATX-101: the new injectable fat-melter

Here's an update on the progress of ATX-101, an up and coming drug which melts fat by injection.  (We've reported on this previously in our blog, now here's the latest news....)

It's like mesotherapy, except with actual science, data and careful clinical testing.

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In two mid-stage trials, injections of ATX-101 reduced fat deposits under the chin within 16 weeks, researchers said this week at the American Academy of Dermatology's annual meeting in San Diego.

Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, the manufacturers of ATX-101, are hoping that its experimental drug, a formulation of the bile acid sodium deoxycholate, will become a pharmaceutical alternative to neck-lift surgeries and liposuction for this area of the body.

Pooling the results of two double-blinded studies, researchers evaluated 155 patients who had been randomly assigned to four groups. Three groups received ATX-101 injections in different doses and the fourth received a placebo. Injections were given at baseline and weeks four, eight, and 12.  At 16 weeks, all three ATX-101 groups showed statistically significant improvement compared to the placebo group. ATX-101 patients also reported significantly greater satisfaction with their appearance than the control group.

The effects appeared to last. More than 90% of those who responded 27 months after their last treatment showed continued or even greater improvement. Likewise, at the same point, more than 80% reported continued or greater satisfaction with the treatment.  Adverse events were mild to moderate pain, swelling and other issues localized to the injection site; they cleared up within 28 days.

ATX-101 has not yet gained FDA approval. According to Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, Inc, more clinical trials are getting underway in Europe and the U.S.

Source:  Medscape - edited for length & clarity

ASAPS 2011 Cosmetic surgery stats are out - part I

Every year, we look forward to seeing the statistics from ASAPS.  They act as a barometer, refelcting the total volume of procedures in the U.S., and also help us to identify trends in what's popular, and what's not.

Here are some highlights from their report.

1.  If you combine the surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, there were over 9 million procedures performed in the United States in 2011. Surgical procedures accounted for 18% of the total number of procedures and nonsurgical procedures made up 82% of the total number of procedures.  Women had 91% of the total. The number of cosmetic procedures for women has increased over 208% since 1997.

2.  From 2010-2011, there was almost a 13% increase in the total number of liposuction procedures, with over 300,000 procedures performed. For the first time in three years, lipoplasty has surpassed breast augmentation, returning as the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States.

3.  The top five cosmetic surgical procedures in 2011 were:
-  liposuction (325,332 procedures)
-  breast augmentation (316,848 procedures)
-  abdominoplasty (149,410 procedures)
-  blepharoplasty (147,540 procedures)
-  breast lift (127,054 procedures).
It's interesting to note that rhinoplasty, which used to be a top 5 procedure, is no longer present.

4.   The top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in 2011 were:
-  Botox (2,619,739 procedures)
-  filler injections with restylane, juvederm (1,206,186 procedures)
-  laser hair removal (919,802 procedures);
-  microdermabrasion (499,427 procedures)
-  IPL laser treatment (439,161 procedures).

No surprises here.  Botox and fillers remain popular on the minimally invasive side of things, while breast augmentation, liposuction and tummy tucks are still very popular on the surgical side.

Insider espionage: Allergan wins injunction against Merz

Allergan, the makers of Botox, have announced that they recently won an injunction against Merz Pharmaceuticals and Merz Aesthetics. The injunction prohibits Merz from selling Xeomin, a Botox competitor, in the U.S. for 10 months.

U.S. District Judge Andrew J. Guilford wrote in his decision that Merz misappropriated trade secrets belonging to Allergan.  He wrote, "there is overwhelming circumstantial and direct evidence" that Merz stole the trade secrets and that "Allergan faces a substantial threat of impending injury as a result of this misappropriation."  Allergan claimed that Merz hired seven former Allergan sales reps in 2010, who provided this insider information.

Since the U.S. Botox / Dysport / Xeomin market is very lucrative for these manufacturers, this represents a big setback for Merz.

Florida Liposuction Safety bill passes!

As part of Florida House Bill 1263, the new liposuction requirements have passed.  This means that any physician (MD or DO) who performs liposuction of more than 1 litre of fat, or any sedation case lasting more than 5 minutes must do so in an accredited surgical facility.  Lipo in the back room of a spa, unaccredited medical office, hotel or some other location....is now officially a no-no.

This is a legislative victory, as it should improve safety for cosmetic surgery patients in Florida.  As we've said before, liposuction surgery is real surgery... and it needs the same quality patient care and attention that all surgical procedures should have.  It should be performed in an accredited, inspected surgical facility, by appropriately trained surgeons and their staff, with standard safety monitoring devices and access to emergency resuscitation equipment.  The phrase "it's just a little bit of lipo" or "it's just cosmetic" doesn't mean one can skimp on safety.

Here's the official text:

458.309
(3) A physician /All physicians who performs liposuction procedures in which more than 1,000 cubic centimeters of supernatant fat is removed, perform level 2 procedures lasting more than 5 minutes, and all level 3 surgical procedures in an office setting must register the office with the department  unless that office is licensed as a facility under pursuant to chapter 395. The department shall inspect the physician's office annually unless the office is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or an accrediting organization subsequently approved by the Board of Medicine.

459.005 same language, but for Doctors of Osteopathy.

FDA approves new silicone gel-filled breast implants

Today, the U.S. FDA gave approval to a third breast implant manufacturer  - Sientra -  to supply silicone gel-filled breast implants for both cosmetic and reconstructive patients in the U.S.  Sientra joins Allergan and Mentor as FDA-approved implant manufacturers.

As a condition of approval, Sientra is also required to conduct several ollow-up studies that will assess patient outcomes and safety issues.

The FDA based the approval on a three year study of 1,788 patients.  Complications and outcomes were similar to those found in previous studies of other breast implants.

The FDA has required Sientra to perform a number of additional long-term follow-up studies, as well, to maintain their approval.

Details on the product dimensions and types are not yet available on the Sientra website, but I would expect them to be similar to the current Silimed brand devices.  They have both smooth and textured implants.  The date of availability has not yet been announced by the company.  In other countries, they also sell polyurethane-coated implants, which are not approved here. 

I'll keep you posted as details become available.