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 Implant Safety
"The goal of www.breastimplantsafety.org is to give women a reliable resource as they investigate the vast, often confusing and sometimes inaccurate information available online about breast implants and other breast surgery," says Mark Jewell, MD, president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, which joined with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to launch the informational Internet resource in January.
The website will be especially helpful once the FDA announces its final decision on the availability of silicone breast implants, which is expected later this year. "Changes in the availability of silicone gel implants will create new options for women considering breast surgery for the first time and for those who have had previous surgeries but are seeking replacements," says Richard D'Amico, MD, chair of the ASPS/ASAPS Breast Implant Task Force. Check out the website for yourself and let your patients know about it.
Murad Celebrates
 Murad Medical Spa in El Segundo, California, celebrated its 10th anniversary in October 2005 with Survivor host Jeff Probst and several local dignitaries, including El Segundo Mayor Kelly McDowell. Guests were treated to hors d'oeuvres and goji berry smoothies, a drawing for 10 gift baskets and a choice of three mini services: a vitamin C hand treatment, an exfoliating mini facial and a consultation based on Dr. Howard Murad's latest book, The Water Principle. After receiving an award for continuing support from the Greater Los Angeles/Inland Empire chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Dr. Murad gave guests a sneak peak at architectural rendering of the impressive Murad Center for Inclusive Health, a clinic designed to promote health from the inside out, which is scheduled to open in early 2006.
In-Office Training
Bionet Esthetics has established Bionet Education Institute to provide wider training opportunities to its clients. The Institute's Cosmeceutical Training Course on its Micro-Peel procedure, a combination treatment utilizing chemical acid peel agents and microdermabrasion, includes education on the purpose of acid peels, benefits of alpha and beta hydroxy acids, skin analysis and suggested treatment programs, precautions and contraindications, and tips on marketing the services. The one-day course consists of a lecture, live demonstrations, a reference training manual and a certificate of completion. For more information, contact Bionet Esthetics at 800.743.3795 or e-mail mjackson@bionetesth.com.
DUSA Grows Stronger
In January DUSA Pharmaceuticals, developer and marketer of Levulan photodynamic therapy, announced that it has signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire all of the common stock of Sirius Laboratories, Vernon Hills, Illinois, in exchange for cash and common stock worth up to $30 million. Sirius, a privately held dermatology specialty pharmaceuticals company, was founded in 2000 with a primary focus on the treatment of acne vulgaris and acne rosacea.
"The combination of Sirius and DUSA is a major step forward in DUSA's plan to become a leading provider of dermatological pharmaceuticals," said Dr. Geoffrey Shulman, DUSA chairmain and CEO. "Upon closing of the transaction [expected in the first quarter of 2006], we will be offering an expanded line of innovative products to dermatologists, while also enhancing our near-term development pipeline."
 Board Appointment
The American Association of Cosmetology Schools has appointed Susanne S. Warfield, president and CEO of PCI Publishing and executive director of the National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors & Associations (NCEA) to its board of directors.
Warfield is a leading expert on business, legal and liability issues that affect estheticians. She has contributed to national esthetician textbooks and tests and authored more than eight books and contributed to more than 200 articles for industry-focused publications, including the "Synopsis" column in each issue of MedEsthetics. Warfield says she is honored to serve on the National School Board and to provide esthetic education to teachers at the Annual Cosmetology Educators of America Conference, sponsored by NCEA, which is being held in St. Louis, "Being appointed to the national school board will give me an opportunity to help raise the standards of esthetic education in this country and, therefore, pave the way toward national endorsement," she says.
 Academy Names New President
The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery announced that Jim E. Gilmore, MD, of Dallas, Texas, has been named the new president of the Academy.
Dr. Gilmore, who served as Chair of the Academy’s 2006 Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando in January, is board-certified in three specialties, including the American Board of Otolaryngology, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
With over 25 years of cosmetic surgery experience, Dr. Gilmore also serves as an associate professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas and maintains his private practice, The Gilmore Centre for Cosmetic Excellence, in Dallas, specializing in cosmetic/facial plastic surgery.
Aesthetic Treatment System Cleared for Marketing in Korea and Taiwan
Lumenis Ltd., a global developer, manufacturer and seller of laser and light-based devices, has announced that it has received approval to market its Lumenis One aesthetic system from the Korean Food and Drug Administration and has acquired a license to import the device from the Taiwan Ministry of Heath.
Providing several technologies in one modular and customizable system—IPL, LightSheer, Nd:YAG and Aluma—Lumenis One is designed for comprehensive aesthetic treatments. “Lumenis One provides practitioners leading-edge technology to address the vast majority of their aesthetic treatment needs in one sophisticated platform-better for their patients and their practice,” says Avner Raz, president and CEO of Lumenis. “We are pleased that the clinical efficacy and product safety of Lumenis One has been stringently reviewed and publicly validated.”
“We are confident that Lumenis One will be as well received in Korea and Taiwan as it has been elsewhere in the region, where physicians report safe and effective treatments on Asian skin,” explains Qiying Zhai, Lumenis’ vice president for China and Asia Pacific. Raz adds, “Recent industry estimates suggest the combined aesthetic laser and light device market in Korea and Taiwan is over $38 million and growing rapidly, with skin treatments driving the market.”
 IMSA Provides Insurance Program
The International Medical Spa Association has just announced that it is offering qualified IMSA members a special medical spa malpractice insurance program.
Highlights of the program include:
- A premium credit/discount of up to 5% for eligible members.
- Deductibles starting at $2500 and annual premiums beginning at $7500.
- Automatic coverage for approved non-physician employees and approved medical directors’ administrative duties.
- Coverage for clinical patient-care service physicians.
IMSA members may also opt for other insurance coverage including workers’ compensation, products liability, group health and more.
As an added incentive, the company that is brokering the insurance will financially assist medical spas to join IMSA, according to Gina K. Meyer, vice president of the medical malpractice department at Scanlon, Guerra, Jacobsen and Burke Insurance Brokers. “On behalf of the excellent quality of educational and mentoring services provided by IMSA and a desire to see such an excellent association flourish, SGJB will pay half of a business IMSA membership to aid medical spas with joining the organization.” For further information visit www.malpracticeins.com or call 818.449.0246.
Thermage Body Treatment Approved by FDA
Thermage, an antiaging treatment that uses radiofrequency technology to noninvasively tighten and lift facial skin, has just been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use on other body parts like the upper arms and abdomen.
“For a couple of years, we’ve been using Thermage on the face to alter collagen and make it more resilient,” explains Marcy Street, MD, founder of Doctor’s Approach Dermatology and Laser Center. “Now with the FDA’s approval, we can use it on larger areas.”
The new 3.0 cm2 Therma Tip covers a much bigger area than the original 1.5 cm2 tip, allowing practitioners to reduce procedure time. “This larger tip is great for anyone who wants to see results in areas such as around the belly button, back of the upper arms, hips, thighs and lower chest to uplift the breasts,” says Dr. Street.
The 1.5 cm2 tip is still available for facial usage where it contours better to small surfaces like the forehead and around the nose and lips.
Events
2006
March 1-4 Association of Dermatology Administrators and Managers 14th Annual Meeting, Renaissance Park 55 Hotel, San Francisco, CA. This year’s conference title is “Mastering the Curves with ADAM.” Contact: Dana DePonzi-Haas, Executive Director, 510.839.2326.
March 2-5 Dermatology Nurses’ Association (DNA) 24th Annual Meeting, Hyatt Regency Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA. Contact: Rose Marie Sonni, 800.454.4362; www.dna.inurse.com.
March 3-7 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) 64th Annual Meeting, The Moscone Ctr., San Francisco, CA. Contact: Robin Downey, 847.330.0230; www.aad.org.
March 5-8 Society of Dermatology SkinCare Specialists 4th Annual Meeting, Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel, San Francisco, CA. Contact: 201.670.4100; www.sdss.tv
April 5-9 American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS) 26th Annual Meeting, Sheraton Boston Hotel, Hynes Convention Ctr., Boston, MA. Contact: Dianne Dalsky, 715.845.9283; www.aslms.org.
April 7-9 International Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine, Miami, FL. Contact: A4M Customer Service, 773.528.1000; www.worldhealth.net.
April 8-9 2006 Miami Spa & Resort and Medical Spa Expo and Conference, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL. Contact: Diana Press, 800.363.3631; www.medispaexpomiami.com
April 21-26 American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) Annual Meeting, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Orlando, FL. Contact: ASAPS, 800.364.2147; www.surgery.org.
May 1-4 9th International Symposium of Facial Plastic Surgery, Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas, NV. Contact: AAFPRS Foundation, 703.299.9291, wjackson@aafprs.org; www.aafprs.org
May 3-7 Society for Investigative Dermatology 67th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. Contact: 216.579.9300
May 7-8 Milano Systems Annual SAMinar, Sheraton Parkway Hotel, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. Contact: 800.667.1596
June 3-5 International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. Contact: 800.624.3248; www.iecsc.com
July 26-30 American Academy of Dermatology Summer Meeting, San Diego, CA. Contact: 847.330.0230; www.aad.org
October 26-29 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Annual Meeting, Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Palm Desert, CA. Contact: 847.956.0900; www.asds.net.
December 7-12 A4M World Anti-Aging Congress & Exposition, Las Vegas, NV. Contact: A4M Customer Service, 773.528.1000; www.worldhealth.net
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