FDA Clears Fraxel re:pair
Reliant Technologies, Mountain View, California, announced that its Fraxel re:pair laser system received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for ablation, coagulation and skin resurfacing. The system delivers the industry’s first and only fractional deep dermal ablation (FDDA) treatment, which leads to tissue contraction, tightening and collagen repair. The laser also removes and eliminates aged and damaged skin without prolonged downtime and adverse reactions.
 
For more information, call 888.437.2935 or visit reliant-tech.com.
 
 
Palomar Medical Announces Stock Repurchase
Palomar Medical’s Burlington, Massachusetts-based board of directors has approved a stock repurchase program under which the company is authorized to repurchase up to one million shares of its common stock. Repurchases will be made through open market purchases in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission safe harbor provisions.
 
For more information, call 800.725.6627 or visit palomarmedical.com.
 
 
Pink Clarisonic Fights Cancer
Pacific Bioscience Laboratories, Bellevue, Washington, makers of the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush, is partnering with the National Breast Cancer Foundation to create a special edition, pink Clarisonic to help support the fight against breast cancer. The company will donate $10 from each purchase to the NBCF. The brush is waterproof and rechargeable for use in the shower or at the sink.
 
For more information, call 888.525.2747 or visit clarisonic.com.
 
 
Artes Medical Names New CMO
Greg J. Kricorian, MD, is taking over Chief Medical Officer duties at Artes Medical, San Diego, California. Previously, Kricorian served as senior director of medical affairs for Valeant Pharmaceuticals, with prior experience at ICN Pharmaceuticals and Dermatology Associates of San Diego, where he was a practicing physician focusing on aesthetic procedures. He holds an MBA from University of California Los Angeles, and an MD from Stanford University Medical School. He reports to Diane S. Goosetree, president and CEO of Artes Medical.
 
For more information, call 858.550.9999 or visit artefill.com.
 
 
Iridex Appoints New Vice President
Iridex, Mountain View, California, introduces Gary Seeger as its vice president of quality assurance and regulatory affairs. Seeger has more than 35 years of experience in pharmaceutical and medical device quality assurance and regulatory affairs, and has worked with the FDA on both 510(k) clearances and PMA approvals. Before joining Iridex, Seeger held executive positions at Stellartech Research Corp. and Synvasive Technology. He holds a BS in physics from Harvey Mudd College and an MBA from the University of California Los Angeles.
 
For more information, call 800.388.4747 or visit iridex.com.
 
 
Candela Reports Founder’s Passing
Candela Corp., Wayland, Massachusetts, announces the passing of company co-founder, Dr. Horace Furumoto. “Candela’s history is rooted in Horace’s scientific achievements. His vision shaped the aesthetic laser industry as we know it today,” noted Gerard E. Puorro, president and CEO. Furumoto earned a PhD in Physics from Ohio State University and held positions at NASA and Avco prior to co-founding Candela in 1970. He served as the company’s president and CEO until his retirement in 2003.
 
For more information, call 800.733.8550 or visit candelalaser.com.
 
 
Alma Lasers Names New VP
Alma Lasers, Caesarea, Israel, announces William F. Bruckner as the company’s vice president of global marketing. CEO Howard Kelly notes, “Bill is known for his ability to position products for explosive growth...his knowledge and experience will serve our customers well.” Prior to joining Alma, Bruckner was vice president of marketing at Obagi Medical Products and has held positions with OraSure Technologies, Johnson & Johnson, Wyeth and Yamanouchi Pharmaceuticals.

For more information, call 866.414.2562 or visit almalasers.com.
 
 
Cynosure Goes to China
Cynosure, Westford, Massachusetts, has received regulatory clearance to market and sell its Elite family of lasers in China. The Elite workstation combines the Aphogee 5500 system, which contains a short wavelength (755nm) Alexandrite laser for lighter skin types, and the Acclaim 7000 system, which is equipped with a high-powered 1064nm Nd:YAG laser for use on tan and darker skin types to permanently remove hair. The two systems can be sold as stand- alone systems and upgraded in the field to achieve the full versatility of the Elite. In addition, the Elite can be used to treat benign epidermal pigmented lesions such as age spots, sunspots, freckles, and leg and facial veins.

For more information, call 800.886.2966 or visit cynosure.com.
 

Medical Aesthetics Training Expands
National Laser Institute, a provider of medical aesthetics headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, announced the opening of its new training program in Las Vegas. The program trains students to perform treatments such as laser hair removal, intense pulsed light skin rejuvenation, laser wrinkle reduction and laser tattoo removal. NLI president, Louis Silberman, personally teaches the marketing and career development portion of the course and plans to open additional schools around the country.

For more information, call 480.222.4389 or visit nationallaserinstitute.com.

AGI Dermatics Announces New CFO
Robert L. Nostrand joins AGI Dermatics, Freeport, New York, as its executive vice president and CFO. Previously, Nostrand was senior vice president and chief compliance officer of OSI Pharmaceuticals. During his tenure at OSI, Nostrand raised over $1.4 billion in capital as the company’s CFO. He serves on the public company boards of Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Apex Bioventures and Metabolix, and also sits on the boards of the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Center and the Foundation Board of Farmingdale College. Daniel B. Yarosh, PhD, CEO and chairman of AGI notes, “Bob brings invaluable experience in corporate financing and in building a biotech company into a top-tier performer.”

For more information, call 561.868.9026 or visit agiderm.com.

 
FDA Approves Differin Gel for Acne
Galderma Laboratories, Fort Worth, Texas, announces FDA approval of Differen (adapalene) Gel, a new, higher concentration (0.3%) formula of Differin 0.1%, a topical retinoid indicated for the treatment of acne. The new formulation provides physicians with a more potent form of adapalene to treat moderate-to-severe acne while still providing a favorable side effect profile.

For more information, call 817.961.5000 or visit galdermausa.com.
 
 
Institute Opens Consulting Division
The Ageless Aesthetic Institute, Columbus, Ohio, has launched a new division, Ageless Business Consulting. The division offers products and services to develop an aesthetics practice such as site selection, competitive analysis, marketing demographics, medical procedural education, operational systems and compliance aspects. “Our team includes specialists in healthcare law, finance, operations, aesthetic medical procedures, marketing, compliance, and staff development,” explains Sharon McQuillan, founder of The Ageless Aesthetic Institute and co-founder of Ageless Business Consulting.

For more information, call 800.420.2689 or visit agelessaestheticinstitute.com.
 
 
Photo Therapeutics Adds Expert Staff
Photo Therapeutics, Carlsbad, California, has added staff as part of the company’s sales growth for its two major brands, Lumiére Light Thérapie and Omnilux. Sylvia Alvarez is the new sales representative for both Lumiére Light Thérapie and Lumiérespa. She is a licensed esthetician and has a sales background with companies such as Procter & Gamble, Wella, Nordstrom and Lancôme.

For more information, call 760.607.0488 or visit phototherapeutics.com.

Events

2008

January 17-20
American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) 24th Annual Scientific Meeting, TBA, Orlando, FL.
Contact: AACS, 312.981.6760; cosmeticsurgery.org.

January 18-21
Orlando Dermatology & Aesthetic Conference, Buena Vista Palace, Orlando, FL.
Contact: Orlando Dermatology & Aesthetic Conference, 212.213.8784; orlandoderm.org.

January 30-Feb 2
Association of Dermatology Administrators & Managers (ADA/M) 16th Annual Meeting,
El Tropicano Riverwalk, San Antonio, TX.
Contact: ADA/M, 866.480.3573; ada-m.org.

February 1-5
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) 66th Annual Meeting,
The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX.
Contact: AAD, 866.503.7546; aad.org.

February 4-7
6th Annual Society of Dermatology SkinCare Specialists (SDSS) Meeting,
El Tropicano Riverwalk, San Antonio, TX.
Contact: SDSS, 201.670.4100; sdss.tv.

February 14-17
South Beach Symposium, TBD.
Contact: SBS, 850.531.8386; southbeachsymposium.org.

February 21
Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers & Distributors Association’s Tech Forum, TBD.
Contact: ICMAD, 800.334.2623; icmad.org.

February 23-25
Medical Spa Expo & Conference, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA.
Contact: Eileen Baird, 203.840.4800; medispaexpo.com.

March 25-28
Dermatology Nurses’ Association (DNA) 26th Annual Convention, Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, NV.
Contact: DNA, 800.454.4362; dnanurse.org.

April 2-6
American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS) Annual Meeting,
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Kissimmee, FL.
Contact: ASLMS, 715.845.9283; aslms.org.

April 13-14
The International Congress of Esthetics & Spa, Arlington Convention Center, Arlington, TX.
Contact: Christele de La Haye, 305.443.2322; lneonline.com.

April 27-29
International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference,
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY.
Contact: Shelby Swanson, 218.279.8871; iecsc.com.