|
Patients Seek Better Results in Nonsurgical Cosmetic Treatments
WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Physicians attending the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery in Chicago were invited to a Hot Topics session on the latest advances in plasma skin regeneration. Co-moderated by Richard Fitzpatrick, MD, and Christopher Zachary, MD, the session focused on new studies, expanded protocols, treatment of acne scars, skin tightening -- especially around the eyes -- and delivering CO2-like results with less recovery time. Presentations were made by a world-renowned faculty that included Drs. Kenneth Arndt, Brian Biesman, Jeffrey Dover, David Goldberg and Nathan Uebelhoer. According to David Goldberg, MD of Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of New York & New Jersey, "The reason why this technology all of a sudden is becoming very exciting is that the whole pendulum with what we are trying to accomplish is swinging back with patients wanting to see some results.
Acne Drug Accutane Ups Cholesterol
In a study involving almost 14,000, mostly young patients taking the drug, elevations in blood cholesterol, triglycerides (a blood fat), and a blood liver function test were more common than have been previously reported. Blood levels returned to normal or to pretreatment levels in the vast majority of patients in the months after they stopped taking Accutane, however. Researchers say this finding is reassuring, but they add that patients should be followed longer to see if there are long-term implications for cardiovascular and liver disease risk. "We do want to know if there are long-term consequences, but that was not a part of this research," researcher Michele Manos, PhD, MPH, tells WebMD. Tighter Controls on Drug First approved in 1982 for the treatment of severe disfiguring acne , Accutane use in women has long been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and birth defects.
Living with acne
Drugstores offer a mind-boggling array of products and treatments that range from "The Power Pimple Peel" to the formidable sounding "Teminator 10," next to long-time standards such as Clearasil and Stridex. A stroll down most crowded malls will find a kiosk marketing Proactiv, the skin regimen touted by celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Vanessa Williams and Sean "Diddy" Combs as an acne cure-all. "The over-the-counter stuff isn't necessarily bad for mild acne," Ganz said. "Look for topical creams, products with salycic acid or benzoyl peroxide; that's what's in Proactiv, by the way," she said. But you might want to see a dermatologist if the over- the-counter products don't work after two months, both Ganz and Lawley advise. "If they're using these things regularly, and the (skin) is not responding after two months, it should be worth it to go to a dermatologist and start prescription treatments," Lawley said.
New Study Shows Isolaz Can Reduce Acne Up to 90 Percent
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southern California-based dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD and co-investigators Mikiko Enokibori, MD, and Vic Narurkar, MD, conducted a global multi-center study using Isolaz to treat patients suffering from various degrees of acne, ranging from mild and moderate inflammatory acne to severe nodular and cystic acne. The February edition of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology will report the results of this study using the Isolaz device (Aesthera Corp(TM), Pleasanton, CA) for the treatment of mild to severe acne. Prospective and retrospective data was collected from 56 patients who had undergone two to four treatments with a photopneumatic device (Isolaz). Evaluation criteria included lesion counts, using blinded physician evaluations of acne clearance, as well as treatment satisfaction surveys given to the participating physicians and patients.
|
