January/February 2009

Syneron Acquires Inlight Corp.
Syneron Medical, an innovator in the development, marketing and sales of combined-energy medical aesthetic devices, has signed an agreement to acquire San Diego-based Inlight Corporation, a laser technology development and research firm. As part of the agreement, Inlight president and cofounder Shlomo Assa will join the Syneron management team. Assa has worked with several laser companies including Laser Industries and holds multiple United States patents for laser-based technologies. “With the expertise offered by Inlight, we have assembled a powerful team for enhancing the capabilities, applications and success of laser technology for our customers and partners,” said Doron Gerstel, CEO of Syneron. “This acquisition represents an important expansion of our product development presence in the U.S. and serves as a foundation for our commitment to improve and continue to diversify our product offerings.”

Isolagen Completes Phase III Studies
Isolagen has presented an analysis of results from the completed pivotal phase III double-blind, placebo-controlled studies IT-R-005 and IT-R-006 of Isolagen Therapy for the treatment of nasolabial folds. Both studies, conducted under the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Special Protocol Assessment (SPA), showed statistically significant results compared to placebo. Under the SPA, a two-point improvement on both scales was required to demonstrate the efficacy of Isolagen as compared to placebo. The subject response rates for the modified intent to treat (MITT) populations, those subjects who received at least one of three treatments, were 68.7% (Isolagen Therapy) versus 33.7% (placebo) and 51% (Isolagen Therapy) versus 19.2% (placebo) in IT-R-005 and IT-R-006 respectively. The occurrence of local adverse reactions was low and events reported were mostly mild in nature and of short duration. Adverse events reported were similar to those seen in the placebo group. “The full analysis of data from these pivotal studies is very exciting and further supports the potential of Isolagen Therapy as an innovative and well-tolerated treatment for wrinkles,” said Stacy R. Smith, MD, study investigator and assistant clinical professor, division of dermatology, University of California, San Diego.

Dr. Zoe Draelos Joins Histogen Aesthetics
Clinical and research dermatologist Zoe Diane Draelos, MD, has joined Histogen as a member of the company’s scientific advisory board to assist in the introduction of the company’s new Histogen Aesthetics division. Dr. Draelos is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dermatology Consulting Services, which provides education, conducts clinical studies and develops formulation technology. She has served as principal investigator on more than 200 clinical trials, is a national and international speaker, and author of more than 200 articles and 25 book chapters. Dr. Draelos is also the author of Cosmetics in Dermatology and editor of Cosmeceuticals. “To have Dr. Draelos, a renowned dermatologist and skin biologist with focused expertise in cosmetic dermatology, join Histogen’s scientific advisory board validates our technology and potential for treatments in the growing specialty of aesthetic medicine,” says Lawrence A. Rheins, PhD, president of Histogen Aesthetics. “We are excited to have the opportunity to utilize her insight and clinical expertise.”

Sagging Breasts Not From Breast-feeding
A study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (September/October 2008) suggests that, contrary to popular belief, breast-feeding is not a likely cause of post-pregnancy breast drooping or ptosis. Using data from 93 patients who sought aesthetic breast surgery between 1998 and 2006, plastic surgeon and lead author Brian Rinker, MD, determined that older age, larger pregnancy cup size, higher body mass index and a history of smoking were significant risk factors for post-pregnancy ptosis, while breast-feeding was not. All patients had a history of at least one pregnancy, and 54 patients (58%) had a history of breast-feeding. “Patients need to be armed with objective data rather than broad assumptions when making important health decisions,” said Alan H. Gold, MD, president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). “While further study in a larger number of patients is necessary to assess the effects of breast-feeding on the breasts versus other factors, this study is a good start in providing information for those who are concerned about the potential aesthetic effect of breast-feeding.”

And the Winner Is...
Murad Resurfacing Peel with Durian Cell Reform has been awarded a 2008 Fitness beauty award for “Best Cell Renewal System” in the antiaging category. “It is such a great honor to be recognized in a category in which I have devoted most of my research,” says Howard Murad, MD, associate clinical professor of medicine, UCLA, and founder of Murad Inc. The Fitness Beauty Awards are presented by Fitness magazine, a national publication reaching more than 6.5 million readers. Fitness editors served as judges for the annual awards that recognized nearly 40 products in a variety of categories.

RevitaLash Hits the Runway
RevitaLash eyelash conditioner made its runway debut during Mercedes Fashion Week in Los Angeles, October 12-16. Developed by ophthalmologist Michael Brinkenhoff, MD, for his wife Gayle as she recovered from breast cancer, RevitaLash was found backstage, in the reception area and on the runways of some of the season’s hottest shows, including Ed Hardy, Christian Audigier, Cloth Logic, Tulle and Leila Hafzi. The brush-on eyeliner helps natural lashes appear longer, thicker and healthier. Since its inception, the company has been a strong supporter of breast cancer research and education initiatives. A portion of the product’s proceeds is donated to research organizations and breast cancer awareness events across the country.

SkinMedica Summit
Forty-five sales consultants from SkinMedica’s aesthetics division and 40 company employees converged on the Hotel Coronado in San Diego, for four days in October. The occasion was the SkinMedica aesthetics division national sales meeting. Consultants from across the country received product and sales education from speakers including SkinMedica CEO Mary Fisher, dermatologist Deborah Atkin, MD, and esthetician Lora Levin. The site of the meeting was chosen for its role in the 1959 film Some Like It Hot to coincide with the meeting’s theme of “Hot New Products.” The event featured an awards dinner to honor top consultants and the unveiling of TNS Essential Serum, a dual-chamber, anti-aging serum, which is the company’s newest product.

Aesthetic Startup Workshop
The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM) has developed a new workshop for physicians entering the aesthetic medicine arena. The one-day Aesthetic Startup Workshop was designed for physicians, business managers and key staff members to help them successfully navigate the process of launching a medspa business. Attendees receive education on business planning, including financing options, target demographics for aesthetic procedures, staffing, pricing, startup costs, media and marketing and more. “The workshop provides registrants with a ‘road map’ for launching their aesthetic practice, and the knowledge gleaned is invaluable in ensuring the future profitability of any new aesthetic medicine offering,” said Jeff Russell, executive director, IAPAM. For more information, contact 800.219.5108, ext. 705 or www.iapam.com.

Events

January 15-18
American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) 25th Annual Scientific Meeting
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, Phoenix, AZ
312.981.6760, www.cosmeticsurgery.org

January 16-19
Orlando Dermatology & Aesthetic Conference (ODAC)
Disney's Contemporary Resort, Orlando, FL
212.213.8784, www.orlandoderm.org

January 23-25
Expanding Horizons Symposium
Wynn Hotel, Encore Tower, Las Vegas, NV
ASPS, 847.228.9900, www.plasticsurgery.org

February 12-16
2009 South Beach Symposium
Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Miami Beach, FL
904.309.6262, www.southbeachsymposium.org

February 19-21
Aesthetic Facial Reconstruction in Adults/Children
Omni San Diego, San Diego, CA
ASPS, 847.228.9900, www.plasticsurgery.org

February 21-22
Medical Spa Expo & Conference
Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
Eileen Baird, 203.840.4800, www.medispaexpola.org

March 4-7
Association of Dermatology Administrators & Managers 17th Annual Meeting
Parc 55 Hotel, San Francisco, CA
ADA/M, 866.480.3573, www.ada-m.org

March 6-10
American Academy of Dermatology 67th Annual Meeting (AAD)
Venue TBA, San Francisco, CA
866.503.7546, www.aad.org

March 9-12
7th Annual Society of Dermatology Skin Care Specialists Meeting
Marines Memorial Club and Hotel, San Francisco, CA
SSDS, 201.670.4100, www.sdss.tv

March 15-18
Perspectives and Advances in Plastic Surgery
Vail Marriott Resort and Spa, Vail, CO
ASPS, 847.228.9900, www.plasticsurgery.org

April 1-5
American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS) 29th Annual Conference
Gaylord National Resort, National Harbor, MD
715.845.9283, www.aslms.org

April 22-24
16th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine
Venue TBA, Orlando, FL
Matt Thompson, www.anti-agingevents.com/orlando

April 26-28
International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference
Jacob Javits Center, New York, NY
www.iecsc.com

June 13-20
Biennial Plastic Surgery Cruise/Aesthetic Surgery on the Mediterranean
Venue TBA
ASPS, 847.228.9900, www.plasticsurgery.org

June 22-23
17th Annual National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers, Distributors & Associations Meeting (NCEA)
The Marriott, Albuquerque, NM
Suzanne Warfield, 201.670.4100, www.ncea.tv