American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting News and Presentations
More than 790 speakers contributed to more than 1,300 presentations on the latest research in the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of skin, hair and nail conditions at the American Academy of Dermatology 64th Annual Meeting, March 3-7 in San Francisco. Some of the highlights include Derek D. Jones, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, Los Angeles, speaking about selecting the right filler for a patient’s skin. “When he proper filler is selected and used by an experienced physician, most people will have successful results and will be very pleased,” he said.

Also speaking was Arielle N.B. Kauvar, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine in New York City, who discussed how dermatologists are using photodynamic therapy (PDT) to successfully treat a variety of medical and cosmetic skin conditions, including skin cancer, sun damage and acne.

Zoe D. Draelos, MD, clinical associate professor in the department of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, discussed how moisturizer ingredients work. “There are four categories of moisturizers: facial moisturizers, lip balms, body lotions and hand creams,” Dr. Draelos stated. Aside from hydrating the skin, the ingredients in today’s moisturizers can hide flaws, add color and protect skin against UV rays.

Dermatologist James Q. Del Rosso, DO, clinical assistant professor in the department of dermatology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, spoke about the individualized treatment options that are helping patients manage rosacea, which affects as many as 14 million Americans.

James M. Spencer, MD, MS, clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, discussed the types of scars, new treatments and common scar treatment myths, including topical vitamin E and onion extract.

Awards Presented
The AAD presented several awards during its annual meeting. Gary S. Wood, MD, professor and chief of dermatology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison was presented with the Marion B. Sulzberger Memorial Award and Lectureship. Carol W. Greider, PhD, professor and director in the department of molecular biology and genetics at John Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, was presented with the Lila Gruber Memorial Cancer Research Award. Aimee S. Payne, MD, and David H. Chu, MD, PhD, were presented the 2006 Young Investigators in Dermatology Awards, given to recognize outstanding research by dermatologists-in-training for their contributions to dermatological research.

Steven Feldman, MD, Delivers AAD Lectureship
Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based dermatologist Steven R. Feldman, MD, delivered the prestigious Clarence S. Livingood Lectureship. The lectureship was established in 1993. In his lecture, “Looking Beyond the Borders of Our Own Specialties,” Dr. Feldman addressed the importance of perception and its impact on the physician-patient relationship. “Patients’ impressions of their healthcare provider and the quality of care they receive from them are colored by their entire experience in the office,” he stated. “Therefore, managing perceptions is very important.” Dr. Feldman also discussed how perception of the medical community can affect the outcomes of patient care and how perception affects relationships between medical specialties.

Dr. Feldman is a professor of dermatology, pathology and public health science at Wake Forest University School of Medicine where he directs the Center for Dermatology Research, a health services research center which works to improve the care of patients with skin disease. Since Dr. Feldman’s chief clinical interest is psoriasis, he will be donating the honorarium that accompanies the Livingood Lectureship to the National Psoriasis Foundation.

New Journal and Conference
Prism Business Media (formerly Primedia Business Magazines & Media) announced it is no longer producing the semiannual Integrative Medicine for Anti-Aging Conference & Exposition, nor the accompanying e-journals. However, in response to the need of industry members to support the new sub-specialty of age management medicine, which focuses on a proactive, preventative approach toward preserving an optimal quality of life, the Age Management Medicine Group (AMMG) has been formed. Consisting of leading healthcare professionals, physicians, practitioners, researchers, medical associations and providers of products and services, AMMG will provide education and information to physicians and healthcare professionals. To this end, AMMG is launching an e-journal of age management medicine as well as planning a conference in the fall that will offer continuing medical education credits. For information on receiving the e-journal, contact journal@AgeMed.org, and for conference speaking and sponsorship opportunities, contact conference@AgeMed.org, or call 847.579.1088.

Millions Spent Billions on Cosmetic Procedures
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) reports that 11.5 million Americans spent just under $12.4 billion on cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures in 2005, $4.2 billion on nonsurgical procedures alone. Compared to 2004 data, nonsurgical procedures declined 4% to 9.3 million. However, the overall number of cosmetic procedures has increased 222% since ASAPS began collecting data in 1997.

Nearly 3.3 million Botox injections were given (3,294,782) making it the most frequently performed nonsurgical procedure. Women far outstripped men in the number of procedures, accounting for 91% of all cosmetic procedures. Nearly 10.5 million surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed on women, a decrease of 2% from 2004.

Clinical Study on Sculptra
Kenneth Beer, MD of the Palm Beach Esthetic Center in Florida, announced that he is launching a clinical study to test the efficacy of cosmetic filler Sculptra to treat acne and varicella (chicken pox) scars on ten participants between the ages of 18 and 65. The scars will be injected with the poly-L-lactic acid filler on a weekly basis for a period of four months. Sculptra is typically used on mature patients to reverse lipoatrophy (facial fat loss) due to aging, or on malnourished patients, specifically those diagnosed with HIV, to restore facial fat. “Based on its long-termcorrection of lipoatrophy, we feel it would be reasonable to consider treatment of other indications and determine the effects of Sculptra on acne scars,” says Dr. Beer.

Allergan Acquires Inamed
Allergan, developer and manufacturer of Botox, announced on March 13, 2006 its final extension of the expiration date of its exchange offer for all outstanding shares of common stock of breast implant manufacturer Inamed. Allergan extended the offer to obtain at least 90% of the outstanding Inamed common stock so it can complete the acquisition through a short-term merger under Delaware law. Allergan began extending the expiration date back in January, due in part to awaiting approval of the deal from the Federal Trade Commission. FTC approval was announced on March 8.

In related news, Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. announced it has signed a deal to acquire the rights to a Botox-like treatment manufactured by French drugmaker Ipsen Promesses. Inamed owns the rights to Reloxin, which is still in clinical trials in the U.S., but Allergan agreed to divest Inamed’s rights to Reloxin rather than risk federal antitrust impediments to a merger. In 2005 Medicis was poised to acquire Inamed but was beat out by Allergan.

Microdermabrasion Partnership
Aesthetic Technologies announced that its Parisian Peel Medical Microdermabrasion System has joined forces with Altair Instruments’ DiamondTome Skin Resurfacing System to create the Duette. The all-in-one microdermabrasion system allows practitioners to switch between crystal-based and crystal-free treatments, not only for different patients, but also during a single session.

“We developed a partnership between the best known companies in the microdermabrasion industry to give practitioners the opportunity to treat a more diverse group of patients,” states Alison Shaya, president of Aesthetic Technologies.

The Duette features a special handpiece to increase operator control and minimize fatigue, self-contained waste canisters, triple HEPA filtration, a dehumidification system for clog-free operation and DiamondTome’s multiple diamond-tipped treatment wands in varying degrees of coarseness.

“By offering both modes of treatment in one machine,” says Shaya, “we allow every practitioner who uses the Duette to be on the leading edge of the skincare field.”


Canadians OK Alma Lasers
Alma Lasers, a global manufacturer and marketer of laser, light-based and radiofrequency systems, announced that it received a Health Canada Medical Device license for its new Accent system, a device with both unipolar and bipolar radiofrequency treatment heads for various aesthetic applications, such as body contouring and skin tightening.

Currently, there are more than 350 Accent devices installed in 15 countries worldwide. For further information, contact www. almalasers.com.

Franchise News
Winsted Holdings, a business development company, and Nu Image MedSpa of Las Vegas, Nevada, jointly announced that Nu Image has received approval from Canada to offer and sell franchises in Canada, with the exception of Ontario and Alberta. Once other documents are filed, Nu Image MedSpa expects to receive full registration from these two provinces also.

Winsted Holdings has decided to concentrate its efforts on the East and West Coasts. “The two markets in which we have selected to sharply focus our resources initially will be Montreal in the east and Vancouver in the west,” states Winsted Holdings’ CEO Mark Ellis.

Elite Med Spa Development Group announced that it will franchise its medical spa concept that is already successful at two locations. This business solution will include FDA-approved laser equipment, location selection assistance, marketing support, initial medical supplies, physician oversight and a clinical support team, training, staffing assistance and more. The decision was reached in response to continued market demand for affordable medical spas that offer a wide range of patient solutions. Additionally, the billion-dollar industry is poised for significant growth over the next few years, according to medical spa industry experts.

Events

2006

May 1-4 American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) 9th Annual Symposium of Facial Plastic Surgery, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, NV. Contact: Meetings & Education Coordinator, 703.299.9291; www.aafprs.org.

May 5-6 AACS Live Surgery Workshop: Current Options in Cosmetic Surgery, Northern Westchester Hospital, Mt. Kisco, NY. Contact: Moira Murphy, 312.981.6762; www.cosmeticsurgery.org.

May 19-21 23rd Congress of the French Society of Aesthetic Surgery, Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel, Paris, France. Contact: EuroMedicCom, 33.1.5683.7800; www.euromedicom.com.

July 14-16 International Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Chicago, IL. Contact: A4M Customer Service, 773.528.1000; www.worldhealth.net.

July 26-30 American Academy of Dermatology Summer Meeting, San Diego, CA. Contact: 847.330.0230; www.aad.org.

September 8-10 California Society of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery Calderm 2006 Annual Meeting, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, San Diego, CA. Contact: Calderm, 800.815.6397; www.calderm.org.

September 8-10 AACS Live Surgery Workshop: Total Facial Rejuvenation, Tulsa, OK. Contact: Moira Murphy, 312.981.6762; www. cosmeticsurgery.org.

September 16-17 AACS Live Surgery Workshop: Current Concepts in Breast Aesthetic Surgery, Marion, IN. Contact: Moira Murphy, 312.981.6762; www.cosmeticsurgery.org.

September 17-18 Medical Spa Expo & Conference, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY. Contact: Eileen Baird, 203.840.4800; www.medispaexpo.com.

September 30—October 1 California Society of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery Calderm 2006 Annual Meeting, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, San Diego, CA. Contact: Calderm, 800.815.6397; www.calderm.org.

October 6-11 ASPS/PSEF/ASMS Plastic Surgery Annual Meeting, Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA. Contact: Patty Anderson, 847.228.9900; www.plasticsurgery.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.

November 3-5 4th Congress of the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, Miami, FL. Contact: Peggy Shepard, 604.681.5226; www.aaamed.org.

November 11-13 4th Face & Body Expo and 3rd Annual Medical Esthetic Conference, Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA. Contact: Maureen Ckuj, 630.653.2155, ext. 561; www.faceandbody.com.

December 2-3 Cosmetic Surgery Expo, John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, Boston, MA. Contact: Ken Field, 248.561.4079; www.cosmeticsurgeryexpos.com.

December 7-12 International Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine, Paris Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV. Contact: A4M Customer Service, 773.528.1000; www.worldhealth.net.

2007

January 25-28 The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting, Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA. Contact: Moira Murphy, 312.981.6762; www.cosmeticsurgery.org.

February 1-4 Dermatology Nurses’ Association (DNA) 25th Annual Convention, Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Washington, DC. Contact: Rose Marie Sonni, 800.454.4362; www.dna.inurse.com.

February 2-6 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) 65th Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C. Contact: Robin Downey, 847.330.0230; www.aad.org.

February 26-27 Medical Spa Expo & Conference, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA. Contact: Eileen Baird, 203.840.4800; www.medispaexpo.com.

April 11-15 American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS) 27th Annual Meeting, Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, TX. Contact: Dianne Dalsky, 715.845.9283; www.aslms.org.