Rallying Point

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Academy of Dermatology have joined forces with other national and state organizations and industry leaders, such as Allergan and Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp., to launch a website that will help keep physicians up to date on medical tax legislation.

StopMedicalTaxes.com went live on July 1 with fact sheets, sample letters to legislators and other information designed to help physicians advocate that medical procedures remain tax-free. The coalition has already been successful in keeping other states from adopting laws similar to the New Jersey cosmetic procedure tax that was enacted earlier this year. For news affecting your state or more about how you can get involved, visit www.stopmedicaltaxes.com.

Lumenis Shines

Each year Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, recognizes companies that demonstrate best practices in a variety of regional and global markets. The recipient of the Frost & Sullivan 2005 Technology Leadership Award is Lumenis, a global developer, manufacturer and seller of laser and light-based devices for medical, aesthetic, ophthalmic, dental and veterinary applications.

“We present this award for Technology Leadership to Lumenis based on technological expertise, an extensive range of products and clinical applications in multiple markets, combined with continuous innovations that offer physicians precision, accuracy and customization,” notes Nathan Halabrin, marketing director of the Best Practices Group at Frost & Sullivan.

“It is gratifying to know that independent experts studying this industry and the global markets in which we compete recognize the quality of our products as well as our constant testament to the dedicated team at Lumenis who strive to deliver superior technology and support for clinicians and patients worldwide,” comments Lumenis president and CEO Avner Raz. For more on Lumenis products visit www.lumenis.com.

Microcurrent Position

The National Coalition of Esthetic & Related Associations developed a position on microcurrent at a recent NCEA members meeting in Mesa, Arizona. This position differentiates microcurrent from TENS and EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) units by stating that microcurent procedures are not intended to cause a visible contraction of the muscle via the electric current. The position also states that microcurrent is appropriate for aesthetic applications intended to help reduce the visible signs of aging. Susanne Warfield, executive director of the NCEA, says, “Our goal is to ensure that estheticians perform microcurrent applications with a clear and confident understanding of the procedure.” Microcurrent, recently featured on Oprah, reduces the signs of aging by utilizing a low level of electricity to firm, contour and revitalize the skin. For more information on microcurrent devices for aesthetic use, visit the Bio-Therapeutic website (www.bio-therapeutic.com), a leading manufacturer in the industry since 1975.

NOP Certified Organic

The USDA’s National Organic Program must now certify personal care products that meet NOP standards for organic agricultural products as well as food products, according to an agreement reached in August in response to a complaint filed by the Organic Consumers Association and Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps.
“We are pleased that the USDA has decided to follow the law and promote the interests of consumers by recognizing that certified organic producers are indeed able to access the NOP program and display the USDA organic seal,” said Joe Sandler, the lead attorney handling the complaint. The complaint resulted from attempts by the USDA earlier this year to prevent all non-food products from displaying the USDA organic seal. For more information visit www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare.

EuropeLabs To Distribute Syneron

Syneron Medical, Yokneam, Israel, has selected EuropeLab’s Platinum Equipment Division, Montreal, Canada, as its North American distributor for the dental spa, day spa, aesthetic and chiropractic spa markets.
The agreement covers both Syneron’s VelaSmooth, which was recently cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in treatments to reduce the appearance of cellulite, and Pitanga, used in treatments of benign superficial and vascular lesions and for permanent hair reduction. Both systems are based on Syneron’s elôs technology, which combines light and bipolar radio frequencies for the treatment of multiple cosmetic conditions. For more information visit www.platinumequipment.com.

Smooth Partnership

Syneron Medical and Syneron North America recently announced that American Laser Centers has purchased $6 million worth of Syneron equipment for its more than 100 physician-supervised locations across the nation. ALC evaluated the Vela-Smooth, which received U.S. Food & Drug Administration clearance for use in treating cellulite earlier this year, and decided to expand its clinics from hair removal and skin rejuvenation to include cellulite treatments as well.

“Syneron is pleased to build on our current relationship with ALC as its exclusive equipment provider at this time of tremendous expansion,” said Domenic Serafino, president, Syneron North America. “By working even more closely with a medical group like ALC, Syneron will achieve greater market awareness for the elôs technology and Syneron’s wide portfolio of medical aesthetic platforms.” For more information call 866.259.6661 or visit www.syneron.com.

Revitalight Cleared

Revitalight from Skincare Technology, Chicago, Illinois, has become one of the few LED devices in its price range to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance for use in treatments for moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris (blue pulsator), to promote increased blood flow and facial massage (red and amber pulsators) and for relief of pain (red and amber pulsators). Revitalight incorporates red, amber and blue light emitting diodes in a handheld device that can be easily directed at any problem area. For more information visit www.revitalight.com or call 888.807.7546.

Brand-New Name at 15

Physician’s Choice of Arizona, a professional skincare leader for 15 years, is celebrating its crystal anniversary with the unveiling of a new name—PCA Advanced Skin Care Systems. The new name was chosen to reflect the company’s growing global presence and to unify the expanding family of products and treatments. The Scottsdale, Arizona, company product lines include PCA Professional Products, PCA SKIN Clinical Care Products and PCA MEN, its newest skincare line.

Along with the new name comes a fresh, streamlined brand identity that pairs clean, clinical lines with an aesthetically pleasing color palette of black, white and aqua. For more information and to wish them a happy 15th anniversary, call 877.PCA.SKIN or visit www.pcaskin.com for more information.

Award Winners

Alden Pinnell and Russell Moon of SkinCeuticals were named winners of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2005 Award in the Southwest in the manufacturing and distribution category. The award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. SkinCeuticals, which was acquired by L’Oréal in June, is a leading cosmeceutical company known for its antioxidant and sun protection technologies.

Pinnell and Moon, who were selected from 22 finalists by a panel of business, academic and community leaders, received the award at a banquet held at the International Apparel Mart in Dallas this June. They will be eligible for consideration for the national Entrepreneur of the Year 2005 award, which will be announced at a gala in Palm Springs next month.

Savvy Business Partner

MedAssets has added the leading manufacturer of microdermabrasion equipment for the medical industry, Aesthetic Technologies of Broomfield, Colorado, to its list of suppliers.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, MedAssets works with more than 22,000 healthcare providers nationwide to improve their margins and cash flow through revenue cycle and supply chain initiatives. As a strategic business partner, MedAssets can replace multiple vendors and decrease supply costs by up to 10%. For more information contact them at www.medassets.com.

2005 Gold Triangle Awards

Once again, this year the American Academy of Dermatology presented prestigious Gold Triangle Awards to organizations and individuals that demonstrated excellence in promoting dermatologic awareness and encouraging healthy behavior in the care of skin, hair and nails during the year. The following winners picked up awards in Chicago last July:

Health Individual:
Jo-David Find, MD, MPH, Robin Lawrence-Broesch, Robert Levine, Andrew Manthe, CHES, Howard B. Pride, MD, Karen E. Warschaw, MD, and Michael D. Zanolli, MD.
Health Community Organizations Communications Campaign:
The Cancer Crusaders, Inflammatory Skin Disease Institute, Locks of Love, National Alopecia Areata Foun-dation, National Eczema Association for Science and Education, National Psoriasis Foundation and National Rosacea Society.
Public Service Announcement:
The Skin Cancer Foundation Special Event: Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation, National Eczema Association for Science and Education, National Psoriasis Foundation, and Women’s Dermatologic Society.
Web site:
University of Cincinnati Department of Dermatology Industry—Public Awareness: Galderma Laboratories, LP/Nelson Communications
Special Event: Drmik Laboratories/GCI Group
Media Industry—Communications Campaign:
Beiersdoft/Brancaccio/Christofer/Shields, Coria Laboratories, Galderma Laboratories/Integrative Logic, Galderma Laboratories/Nelson Communications, Intendis, The Neostrata Company/Creative Media Marketing.
Other: La Jolla Spa M.D.

Pharmagel in Utopia

Utopia Health and Beauty announces the acquisition of Pharmagel Laboratories, a leader in the global professional skincare market. This pure antiaging line has been used by dermatologists and spas for more than 15 years. The company founders will continue to consult for the company and Joe Piscione will take over as vice president of sales. Piscione promises that the new Pharmagel team will provide greater support for the 21-product line, including new promotions, advertising and educational programs. For more on what Piscione has in mind call 800.882.4889 or visit www.pharmagel.net.

All Aboard

The International Medical Spa Association Symposium@Sea, set to cruise the Western Caribbean December 1-5, has only a few more berths available. Those interested must commit this month or get left on the dock. Registrants not only share in a voyage of discovery, but they can also earn up to 12 hours of accredited learning (CME, CEU certified) on quality of care and how to develop a successful medical spa. Meet with, listen to and learn from people working at the cutting edge of the medical spa industry within the relaxing atmosphere of a Caribbean cruise. To register call 201.865.2065; e-mail medspaassn@aol.com, or visit www.medicalspa
association.org for more information.

Support Handbook

Moritex has released an updated version of its popular 80-page manual, “Skin Counseling Advice and Support Handbook.” Aimed at cosmetic and skin counseling professionals, the handbook provides detailed information on the structure of the skin, including illustrations of a wide range of skin conditions. The handbook details how advanced imaging technology can provide fast, accurate measurement and analysis of skin texture, blemishes and pores, as well as data on the skin’s moisture content, elasticity and oiliness. For a free copy e-mail ksebley@moritexusa.com. For more information on Moritex visit www.moritex.com.

Ferndale’s New Division

Ferndale Laboratories has created Biopelle, a new division devoted to aesthetic medicine. “For more than 100 years Ferndale Laboratories has been dedicated to discovering, developing and delivering unique, value-added dermatology therapies that heal, protect and beautify the skin,” says company president Dr. Michael Burns. “We also want to actively meet the needs of cosmetic dermatologists and plastic surgeons with innovative products designed to help grow their businesses and better meet the needs of their patients.”
The mission of the new division is to provide aesthetic medicine with high-performance products that enhance the patient experience and increase practice profitability. “Biopelle products will be based on sound science that provides beauty benefits,” explains business unit director Douglas Noland. Currently, Biopelle markets L.M.X.4 (lidocaine 4%) Topical Anesthetic Cream and OC Eight Mattifying Gel, but the division will be introducing two new products early in 2006.

American Laser Centers Expands

American Laser Centers, Farmington Hills, Michigan, has acquired Lynn-wood, Washington-based Advanced Laser Clinics, doubling its number of treatment centers and expanding to 31 states. American Laser Centers will now offer services from more than 100 physician-supervised locations, up from 52 locations in 2004. For more information visit www.americanlaser.com.

Events

2005

October 21-23 Integrative Medical Therapeutics for Anti-Aging, Palm Beach, FL. Contact: Primedia, 800/927-5007, 203/358-3751; www.antiagingconference.com.
November 3-6 American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine 3rd Congress, W Hotel, San Francisco. Contact: AAAM, 604/681-5226, congress@venuewest.com; www.aaamed.org.
November 29 2nd Annual Medical Esthetic Conference, Moscone West, San Francisco, CA.
December 9-12 International Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine, Paris Hotel, Las Vegas. Contact: A4M Customer Service, 773/528-1000; www.worldhealth.net.

2006

January 26-29 The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Orlando, FL. Contact: Moira Murphy, 312/981-6762; www.cosmeticsurgery.org.
February 19-23 American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) 13th Annual Winter Symposium on Rejuvenation of the Aging Face, Boca Raton, FL. Contact: Meetings & Education Coordinator, 703/299-9291, ext. 239, or visit www.aafprs.org.
February 26-27 Medical Spa Expo, Los Angeles Convention Ctr., Los Angeles, CA. Contact: Reed Exhibitions, 877/271-6789; www.medispaexpo.com.
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.
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 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.