Aesthetic VideoSource

Research presented at the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors Annual Conference reveals that Botox cosmetic therapy creates a more positive mood.

BOTOX® cosmetic injections for frown lines and wrinkles can alleviate depression, according to a new study by Michael B Lewis PhD, School of Psychology, Cardiff University UK and Dr Patrick Bowler Court House Clinic, London UK. Published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology this new research shows that relaxation of the corrugator (frown) muscles leads to less facial feedback for negative emotions. Consequently a negative mood is harder to maintain and so the person has a more positive mood.

Dr Patrick Bowler, Medical Director of Court House Clinics is unsurprised by the results of the study, and reveals that this may be one of the reasons patients are less likely to give up Botox treatments during an economic downturn.

“For many years I have noted the positive effect of Botox cosmetic treatments on my clients, including some who have been suffering from mild depression. Despite the current recession we have not seen a decline in the demand for Botox in our clinics. We now have proof that alongside the ‘feel good’ factor that a cosmetic treatment can provide, there are also psychological mechanisms at work that show treatments such as Botox that prevent frowning correlate with a more positive mood.”

Localized facial muscular paralysis is a consequence of the use of Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A; e.g. Botox® or Dysport®) for cosmetic dermatology. Treatment involves injections into the frown muscles, relaxing them for up to 6 months. The cosmetic effect of this treatment is a smoother, less-lined forehead. As well as being responsible for frown lines, the frown muscles are universally important in the expression of negative emotions including sadness, fear, anger and distress.

The relaxation of these muscles means that the ability to form facial expressions of these emotions is reduced. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that people who have received Botox treatments for frown lines are rated as showing less negative facial expressions. The facial feedback effect suggests that the paralysis of muscles associated with negative emotions may have effects beyond the outward appearance of emotion.

In order to test this mechanism, the mood of 25 patients who had received Botox treatment for glabellar frown lines at Court House Clinics was measured and compared with patients who had received other cosmetic treatments. The patients treated with Botox showed a significantly less negative mood.

“The results support the facial feedback view that frowning can make people unhappy.” says Bowler.

Dr Patrick Bowler is the founder and Medical Director of Court House Clinics, co founder and fellow of the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors, a not-for-profit organization, established for the advancement, education and practice of cosmetic dermatology in the UK. Members are fully GMC registered; undergo thorough background screening, training and certification. Information about specific procedures and doctors contact details can be found at www.cosmeticdoctors.co.uk

If you are a medical professional and would like to learn how to inject botox, Aesthetic VideoSource has a Botox Training DVD.

Botox Injection Technique

Despite the financial pressures brought about by the recession, it seems that patients are still keen to keep up their beauty regime with regular doses of Botox as a top UK clinic reveals it was the most popular treatment of 2009.

Bookings for Botox-type treatments including Azzalure® and Botox® were up 43% compared to 2008 at the multi-award winning Riverbanks Clinic in Harpenden, with other common treatments such as Fillers, used to treat fine lines in the face increasing by 11% as well as the demand for Skin Care prescriptions rising by 26%.

Dr Jain, Medical Director at Riverbanks Clinic believes that their latest figures reflect a rising trend and a new breed of patient who puts skin health as their top priority, recognizing that a less invasive but more frequent maintenance program of treatments can provide much better, long term results.

“Many patients are now beginning to see the real benefits of combining good skin care with regular maintenance treatments for creating a long lasting, natural and radiant appearance. I’ve been telling patients for years that less is more when it comes to cosmetic treatments and the true mark of success is not when friends and family say ‘Wow you look great, whose your surgeon’, but ‘Wow you look so well, have you been on holiday? If administered correctly, Botox and fillers are an ideal way to make subtle changes to the face whilst retaining a natural look,” says Dr Jain.

Botox is the most popular name for botulinum toxin A, however there are a number of brands currently on offer at clinics including Dysport, Vistabel as well as the British derived Azzalure. All work in the same way, by blocking the signal from the nerve to the muscle and each surgeon tends to have their preferred brands of Botox.

However, Dr Jain is keen to remind people looking to invest in cosmetic treatments in 2010 that beauty isn’t just skin deep, but requires improvements in other areas too such as from maintaining a health diet and exercising regularly to really maximize results. According to the multi-award winning specialist, the two most important beauty tips for achieving soft, supple and revitalized skin are usually the ones that are forgotten by the majority of patients.

“Botox and Fillers can only go so far and patients must always remember to keep hydrated if they want to achieve the very best from their treatments and skin care routines. Many are surprised to learn that the skin requires more hydration in the winter because the combination of indoor heating and cold weather can dry out the skin. Also, everyone should be wearing sun cream everyday, both in winter and the summer, a minimum of SPF30 should be worn come rain or shine, even in the snow, to prevent harmful rays from damaging the skin’s surface. The less damaged the skin is, the less work we need to do,” says Dr Jain.

If you are in the medical profession and would like to learn about Botox Injection Techniques and Dermal Filler Injections, Aesthetic VideoSource has step-by-step training DVDs that teach the techniques.

Dermal Fillers Video

Botox Injection Video

Though none of the reported problem cases have involved using the drug for dermatological or cosmetic procedures, skin care professionals should note the newly Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-mandated warnings on Botox and other similar products.

Reports of deaths among people using popular anti-wrinkle injections such as Botox to treat muscle spasms have prompted a change in labeling. Botox Injections and similar products will now be required to carry boxed warnings, the most serious type of label warning, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday.

Most cases involved children given the drug to control muscle spasticity associated with cerebral palsy and adults using it to treat muscle spasticity, migraines and cervical dystonia. “The hospitalizations are very few, deaths are very rare, but they have been reported,” said Dr. Ellis F. Unger, acting deputy director of the FDA’s Office of Drug Evaluation, said during a teleconference. “We don’t want to discourage use of these drugs as patients taking them have significant disability and the drugs are effective to relieve important problems. But people just need to understand the risks that are involved so they can make informed, risk-benefit decisions.”

Unger said the deaths have not been clearly attributable to injection of the drugs, as everyone who died also suffered from other conditions. None of the cases so far reported have been associated with use of botulinum products in cosmetic or dermatological procedures, such as clearing furrows between the eyebrows, according to the FDA. Botulinum toxins are not approved by the FDA to treat severe arm and leg muscle spasms, although they are approved for dermatological indications as well as cervical dystonia.

Officials believe that most of the problems occurred when one product was substituted for another without corresponding dose adjustments. “There are now three products approved in the U.S., each with different units, and the units cannot be interchanged,” Unger said. “Switching patients from one to another runs the risk of underdosing or, more important, overdosing.” The three approved products are Botox, Myobloc and Dysport, which was approved this week. Officials said there have been no post-marketing reports of similar problems with the newest drug.

The injections, which temporarily “paralyze” muscles, are intended to have a localized effect but can pose problems if the compound spreads to other parts of the body. “When given in a particular place, they spread locally, meaning they move into adjacent structures,” Unger explained. “We have known that for years, and it can be annoying and somewhat of a significant problem for given patients but does not result in disability or harm. The real concern is when there is distant spread. It is injected at one point and spreads to areas not adjacent.”

The FDA issued an “early communication” in February 2008, warning of these adverse reactions. The month before, the watchdog group Public Citizen petitioned the agency to add a black-box warning to the two drugs then on the market in the United States, describing 180 “adverse event cases” related to the drugs, including 16 deaths, four in people younger than 18. Between early 2008 and now, the FDA became “more certain about the cases,” Unger said. “We felt we really needed to nail down the scope of the problem before we placed a boxed warning, which is something we take very seriously.”

The FDA will also require manufacturers to put in place what it calls a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy—in essence, a comprehensive patient safety guide. “Updating labeling will help patients and health care professionals better understand the risks and benefits,” Unger said. “These drugs have benefits, but they also can cause serious problems.”

This article was originally published in the May 2009 issue of Skin Inc. Magazine and is being reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

Hair removal is, by nature, an intimate process. Whether it is an eyebrow tweezing, a bikini laser session or perhaps a back wax for a man, hair removal inspires feelings of sensitivity in almost everyone. This is one reason why spas work hard to develop good rapport and relationships with their clients—to develop an atmosphere of trust that will foster the faith that the esthetician will give the client a great service every time.

However, it’s also important to keep up with the latest in hair removal services to provide clients with current offerings from which to choose. “Hair removal is such an intimate thing, clients want to work with someone they feel comfortable with. They want it to be done as quickly and painlessly as possible,” says Heidi Lamar, owner of The Lamar Everyday Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Finding someone you trust and feel comfortable with usually leads to better results.” Of course, for the client, results are ultimately what it is all about.

Hair removal has become a normal part of the beauty regimen for many; not just women, but also men, teens and athletes. Although this expands your client base, it also leads to more customers who want the service done right, every time. “It has just become an extension of what our clients do—a natural part of health and taking care of themselves. This is the best environment for hair removal to be performed, where it’s calm and peaceful and they are familiar with their esthetician and the surroundings. It doesn’t make sense for people to go somewhere else to have hair removal done,” says Lamar.

But to make sure it’s your spa people keep coming back to, you need to not only offer a trustworthy atmosphere, but also high-quality treatments, as well as safety, a large array of options and, perhaps most importantly, the convenience that just isn’t available through home hair removal. “Our hair removal services are quick, effortless and just better than trying to do it on your own, especially since men can’t usually reach their own backs,” jokes Rebecca Dayan, an esthetician with Emerge Spa & Salon in Boston.
Steady waxing

As a standard hair removal treatment, waxing still appears to be a leader in a spa’s arsenal against unwanted hair. Techniques, supplies, wax types and areas to treat continue to evolve, and smart spa owners are watching for trends on the horizon. “For women, the brow, lip and chin tend to be the most popular, followed pretty closely by the Brazilian. Actually, I think the Brazilian is really becoming more mainstream,” Lamar explains. “Clients find that once they start getting it done, they can’t imagine not doing it. The clean look and feel becomes part of their beauty regimen. Of course, the same is true with facial, underarm and leg waxing, too—clients are loyal to their regimen.”

However, there’s a shift going on in those who are seeking waxing treatments. Lip, underarm, bikini and leg waxing are still popular for women, but a growing number of spas are seeing men’s needs move into this market, as well. “We are starting to see more men coming in for waxing services,” says Lamar. “We do primarily chest and back waxes, and sometimes the arms.”

Dayan, who specializes in male hair removal services at Emerge, sees the trend only getting bigger because there seem to be fewer preconceived notions or qualms about male hair removal. “Men do come in and get their backs, shoulders and eyebrows waxed,” says Dayan. “More and more are coming in because it’s getting more fashionable and more normal. We work with a wide range of ages who want to look better. From college-age to grandfathers—there isn’t any set group that’s wanting it, it’s all types. Big, strong guys, professional guys, more metrosexual guys—there aren’t any guidelines. We do see most men for back and shoulder waxes, but then eyebrows second, and neck, chest and ears follow.”

Educating female and male clients about what to expect from waxing is a good way to start treatments, and often, reassurance is necessary. “A lot of men relate waxing to that scene in the movie The 40-Year-Old Virgin, but, for the most part, they are just fine,” says Dayan. “There is definitely a sense of fear that first time and the first pull isn’t very fun, but most men handle it really well.”
Making sure estheticians know a client’s expectations from the outset is important, too. Discussing how much hair should or should not be left, as well as any sculptural grooming, should always be done before the service. Dayan says, “Eyebrow waxing is another popular male waxing treatment, and I always assure clients they won’t end up looking like Joey from the television show Friends. We won’t overly sculpt them—most men just want to be groomed and look professional, so that’s what we offer.”

So although waxing maintains its presence in the hair removal business, spas shouldn’t take advantage of clients’ comfort with it. Continuing to update materials, training, techniques and other wax offerings ensures that you aren’t coasting by on your waxing laurels.

Natural alternatives
Waxing isn’t the only hair removal offering that has clients booking regular appointments at their favorite spas though. Jennifer Pesce, brand director with Shobha, notes more people are seeking other methods of hair removal, and some are looking for a more naturalistic path. “Hair removal is definitely going in two different directions: either all-natural or all high-tech,” Pesce notes, and she leans toward offering the more holistic options: treatments and training for the hair removal techniques of sugaring, threading and tweezing. Although most people are familiar with tweezing, or removing hairs with tweezers, threading and sugaring are just starting to re-emerge legitimate offerings.

Pesce describes the threading hair removal technique as using a thread that has been twisted like a miniature lasso to loop around the hair and pull it out from the root. “The method we use for eyebrows and other facial hair is threading,” she explains. “Threading and tweezing are good for sensitive skin. You have to be careful with eyebrow waxing because the process can rip off the upper layers of the skin, leaving the client bright pink even several days afterward. Threading has minimal contact with the skin, and I find any signs of irritation go away within an hour.” This less-invasive method makes it preferable for facial hair removal.

For other areas where more extensive hair removal is done, Pesce suggests using sugaring, a waxing alternative. “Sugaring is somewhat similar to waxing, but instead of using resin and chemicals, it’s sugar, water, glycerin and lemon juice,” she says. “The mixture sticks to hair, but not the skin, and it’s less irritating, so people really like that.” Sugaring is often done for underarm, leg, chest, back and bikini-area hair removal services, leaving them smooth and hair-free for a period of time, but not permanently. Pesce says, “Waxing and sugaring do take the hair out at the root. It will grow back less in time, but it will still grow back.”

Electric options
If you are looking to go high-tech when getting rid of unwanted hair, you likely have clients interested in the option of permanent hair removal. In the past, electric methods were plagued by the expense and time restrictions involved, including high-priced equipment and training for a spa’s team—not to mention the investment on the clients’ part. Today, a large number of customers are beginning to invest in long-term treatments, such as laser and electrolysis, as hair removal options, making it a much more worthwhile endeavor for spas.

“Electrolysis is a permanent method of hair removal, not just a temporary fix,” says Trudy Brown, founder and owner of Advanced Electrolysis and Laser Care Clinic, Inc., which has locations in High Point and Greensboro, North Carolina. “There are three types of electrolysis. The first is thermolysis, where a thin filament or probe inserted into the opening of the hair follicle uses a high-frequency current that basically heats the moisture in the lower portion of the follicle and desiccates it. Then there’s electrolysis by theory, which uses direct current to create a chemical destruction of the follicle; and finally, the method of blend, which is a combination of using the high-frequency current with galvanic heat to create that chemical destruction of the follicle.” As a pioneer in permanent hair removal, electrolysis is often seen as a mainstay in the treatment of unwanted hair.

Much of the recent news in electric hair removal tends to center on laser treatments however, as the method is growing considerably in popularity. One reason for this, according to Louis Silberman, founder of the National Laser Institute, is the cost restrictions are actually a lot less than they used to be. “Laser is more mainstream because it became affordable to the masses,” he says. “Before, machines were costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, so spas had to price treatments outrageously just to pay for the equipment. Now that the machines are more affordable, more people are coming to see laser as a better hair removal option.”

Weighing monthly waxing services versus six months of laser treatments, many are also finding a cost benefit in electric hair removal. “The average consumer is doing their homework now, and they can see that laser hair removal can be cheaper in the long term than waxing,” Silberman says. The upfront time and cost expense is something these clients are willing to forfeit now in order to reap the benefits later.
But to go electric, should you choose electrolysis or laser treatments? Brown says you don’t have to decide, explaining that the methods can work in harmony. “Laser doesn’t treat white, gray or colorless hairs because it responds to the melanin coloring in the hair,” she says. “Electrolysis can treat any color, so using laser to do the larger sections, and then going back and getting the grey or white hairs with electrolysis works well, but electrolysis isn’t as feasible for large areas. It is good for smaller areas, such as the eyebrows, because you do have to go into each follicle one by one. That makes it difficult to do electrolysis on the full legs and back.”

However, some clients still may be skittish at the thought of doing away with hair forever. Silberman recommends weighing the options and helping your client to pick and choose a selection that is right for them. “Trends do change, so some people are nervous that they won’t like not having the hair when that happens,” he says. “But then they can choose what they do want permanently gone—like the underarms or the bikini area.”

Permanent hair removal isn’t only of interest to women, however. “More men are interested in laser hair removal and we recommend them to an area plastic surgeon who offers it,” says Dayan. This, of course, brings up the need for training and professionalism when offering these high-tech services. In many states across the nation, laser use in the spa setting is still unregulated. However, for best results, training is a must. When people start zapping around without knowing what they’re doing, Silberman warns, injuries can happen, and you can quickly turn a loyal client into an angry one. Invest in training before offering these laser and electrolysis services because it will pay off later.

Estheticians who are familiar with their laser treatments and terms also simply offer clients a better result. “Laser hair removal works great on all parts of the body, but different skin types require you to use different lasers,” Silberman explains. “For someone whose skin is dark, if they are African-American or of Middle Eastern decent, you’d probably want to use a 1064 nanometer (nm) laser, where the number represents the wavelength. For someone who is light-skinned, you want to use laser with a different wavelength because it has a different melanin absorption, so maybe a 755 nm or 810 nm laser.”

Keeping it clean
Of course, consulting with your clients before any hair removal treatment is always a must. Waxing, laser, electrolysis, sugaring—almost every hair removal service has contraindications. For example, Lamar says, “Some people are just not good candidates for waxing. Checking someone’s health history for prescriptions or other things that could cause bad reactions is something we always do.”

Having a list of preplanned questions to ask and issues that may arise with hair removal treatments is a good starting point when working with clients seeking removal services. “Treatments are the most consistent and safe with lots of prescreening questions, but you also need to ask the right ones,” explains Silberman. Knowing contraindications, medication issues and health-related problems that could result from a hair removal treatment will help stop problems before they start. For example, both Silberman and Brown point out clients on isotretinoin, often used for acne treatment, should not partake in laser or electrolysis hair removal, and people should also avoid the sun before receiving a treatment.
“It’s very important to focus on training your technicians,” recommends Pesce. “Other than having each technician properly licensed according to your state laws, it’s also good to have a process specific for each waxing service you offer. Some spas are just giving their technicians a vat of wax and saying ‘Go try it.’ Training is a great way to make sure you are offering the same service consistently every time.”

For laser and electrolysis hair removal, initial and continuing training can be of particular importance. “You have to have a knowledge of skin relating to lasers,” says Silberman. “Any esthetic professional offering laser hair removal should understand the physicality and safety of lasers; how the light beam works in the skin and affects the hair shaft before giving treatments. You need to understand the why and what—talk the talk and walk the walk.” With the accumulation of a thorough knowledge of skin, esthetics and hair removal techniques, your team will be more trusted and help you bring in more business.

Even spa owners who aren’t trained in hair removal themselves have options for getting the right instruction for their staff. “You don’t have to be an expert yourself,” says Pesce. “You can outsource your training to people who know what they’re doing and how to teach it.”

A final pre-client prep tip to always remember is to keep your hair removal treatments clean. “It’s really important for hair removal to be a sanitary service,” Pesce says. “Make sure your staff is dedicated to cleanliness for themselves, the equipment, the treatment room, everything.”
Once again, this step is an easy way to avoid potentially complicated problems before they arise, and it makes your spa look respectable, healthy and clean—exactly the message you want to convey.
In the treatment room

Once you’ve had the proper training, asked the right questions and created the ideal conditions for a hair removal treatment, the next step is to prepare the client. This can start as simply as paying attention to the area you’re conducting the service in and the way you offer it.
“We have a dedicated waxing suite, but we also have wax equipment in each treatment room. That way, if the waxing suite is booked, the esthetician can still offer the client a lip or brow wax during their facial,” says Lamar.

Emerge has dedicated an entire floor of its spa solely to men’s services, with Dayan noting that its male clientele enjoys this.“The men are more comfortable in the men’s area. Its more discreet, their own private space where they don’t have to walk through a waiting room full of women in just a towel,” she says.

Next, prepping the client for the procedure should involve making the skin ready for hair removal, and partnering hair removal with other services is a great way to introduce spa methods for getting rid of unwanted hair, showing clients how quick and simple it can be. “In terms of body treatments, you can offer body hair removal especially when you are doing body treatments, such as scrubs. The exfoliation of the scrub sloughs off dead skin and helps to free ingrown hairs for optimal removal,” says Pesce. “With facials or hairstyling, you can suggest eyebrow maintenance to really give a polished, final look. If you do provide hair removal while the client is getting a facial, though, it’s best to do the facial first, and then just tweezing or threading, because deep cleansing afterward could make the area really sensitive.”
Other hair removal post-care tips are to advise the client to stay out of the sun and allow the area to rest for a few days. Pesce says, “I always tell our clients that it takes two to tango, so we’ll be doing our part and they need to be doing their part. For after-care, I basically talk about the big nos: no sun, no sauna, no steam and no sex for bikini treatments for 48 hours after getting the hair removed. The skin is sensitive then, and it’s more susceptible to potential infection. Then, after the first 48 hours, they should be exfoliating on a daily basis and possibly using an ingrown hair relief lotion. But I always tell clients that 48 hours of rest is best.”

Specifically for electric hair removal treatments, Brown also notes, “Post-care, clients should use an antibiotic cream on the area following the treatment, and they need to keep their hands off the area. Also, no microdermabrasion, chemical peels, glycolics or tretinoin should be used on the area.” Giving the skin time to rest and heal is ideal in order to stay safe, so be sure you let clients know they can’t hit the beach immediately.

Finally, once the hair is gone, how long should it stay that way? For treatments such as electrolysis and laser, obviously there will be a longer-term result, but with alternate offerings, such as waxing and tweezing, it’s often the client’s prerogative. “I get the question a lot, ‘How often do I need to come in?’ ” says Dayan. “It’s a personal choice, depending on whether they want the hair to just constantly be gone or not, but usually I see people coming more often, especially during warmer seasons, anywhere from once a month to every two months.”

The growth of hair removal
As an area of spa offerings that continues to earn its keep, hair removal can be an integral part of a business’s menu. “As a spa owner, I encourage other spa owners to understand the significant amount of profit in offering waxing services,” says Lamar. “Take the time to talk with your clients about providing hair removal, because you are doing them a disservice if you don’t take care of what they need. Not to mention that you are losing out on income.”
Ask clients their opinions about your options, as well as other menu items they’d like to see. Brown recommends keeping clients as informed as possible. “I wish spas would better educate clients on all the different hair removal methods,” she says. “They should know about the effectiveness of mixing treatments.” And by combining a trustworthy environment, well-trained estheticians, knowledge about the techniques and products used, ideas about how to pair removal treatments with complementary body and facial services, and a customer-friendly approach, these services can keep your clients coming back for hair removal—as well as the other services on your menu—for years to come.

This article was originally published in the December 2008 issue of Skin Inc. Magazine and is being reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

Investing in self-improvement will still be a priority for many in 2009 according to recent predictions made by the leadership of the Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety. The most prevalent prediction: a continued growth in consumers who elect to enhance personal appearance with cosmetic injections. “Despite an economic downturn in the worldwide economy, the growth of injectables is unlikely to decrease in 2009,” said Roger Dailey, MD, an oculoplastic surgeon from Portland, Oregon. In a tight economy, trendy products and leisure travel are often hard hit. “As we have seen in previous recessions, people are investing in ‘self’ more so than disposable goods. They are willing to cut back on luxury vacations, but not on Botox® or fillers,” said Dr. Dailey. Cosmetic injections collectively numbered nearly 4.5 million procedures in 2007* and are generally less expensive than more invasive surgical procedures.

Among other predictions:
•    Safety will continue to take the spotlight with a greater focus on injectors, qualifications and proper use of injections
•    States will adopt stricter regulations of providers for cosmetic injections, highlighting the importance of qualified injectors
•    Awareness for the importance of FDA approved brands will grow as the result of further investigations into importation and use of non-approved injectables
Coalition members agree that the problem of untrained and unqualified injectors remains an issue, however, there is hope that their campaign will continue to raise consumer awareness. “With the economy weak, some patients and doctors alike will be looking to cut corners,” said Dr. Dailey. “This will lead a segment of these populations to wander into some fringe activity like counterfeit injectables, or lower-priced, unqualified providers.” “Safety issues will be in the news and state medical boards will start to impose regulations concerning supervision of non-physician injectors,” says Ira D. Papel, MD, Baltimore, Maryland. “These types of actions and an emphasis on appropriate physician credentials are important messages for consumer safety.”

New Cosmetic Injectables Introduced
“New cosmetic injectables will present greater options, but require a more concerted effort to educate consumers on safety and choice in 2009,” says Jeffery Kenkel, MD, a plastic surgeon in Dallas, Texas. Regarding the introduction of new injectables in 2008 and those anticipated in 2009, the Coalition predicts:
•    Continued demand for safe and effective cosmetic treatment options will increase the number of consumer options including cosmetic injections
•    Emphasis on consumer education by injectable companies, qualified physicians and in media will specifically highlight consumer safety and choice, and identify the risks of non-FDA approved or counterfeit products
•    Focused research and physician training resulting in greater predictability of results and fewer adverse outcomes, with existing and new cosmetic injectable drugs and devices

The Coalition, charged with educating consumers on safe choices in cosmetic injections and eradicating the use of counterfeit and illegally imported cosmetic injectables, suggests all consumers follow these steps to ensure safe and effective treatment:
•    Doctor: Ask your doctor or injector for qualifications. Choose a doctor who specializes in treating all cosmetic concerns of the face, such as a board certified plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon or dermatologist. Examinations and procedures should take place in a licensed and properly equipped medical facility. Establish a positive and on-going relationship with your doctor and follow-up as directed. A nurse or physician’s assistant may perform your injection if you elect, but a licensed physician must prescribe the treatment.
•    Brand: Ask specifically for the brand name of the injectable recommended for you, the approval status of regulatory agencies in the country where you will be treated (the FDA in the United States) and about any potential outcomes and the likelihood of adverse events. If your doctor does not offer, ask specifically to see the packaging and identifying marks that can verify authenticity, including the serial and lot number (which as a matter of proper procedure must be recorded in your medical chart). For reference, images of all US FDA approved brand logos and packaging are available at: http://www.injectablesafety.org/html/ataglance.php.
•    Safety: If you suspect your injector is not properly trained, is not following proper procedure or is injecting you with a non-branded, non-approved or unsafe substance, do not accept treatment. Follow-up by anonymously reporting suspected illegal activity to your local FDA field office that can be found at http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/oci072307.html.
To learn more about the benefits of cosmetic injections, the uses for approved cosmetic injectables, to plan for your treatment, see video of live, appropriately administered injectables and more, visit http://www.injectablesafety.org and http://www.realself.com/injectable-safety-campaign

New York, NY (Vocus/PRWEB ) — The Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists (SPSSCS) celebrates its 15th Annual Meeting – Play the Winning Hand: Watching Your Fortunes Grow in Skin Care, to be held in Las Vegas, NV. The meeting offers educational seminars for nurses, aestheticians and other trained skin care specialists working in the offices of plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Also featured are exhibits from companies providing the latest products and services for medically-supervised skin care.

“This year’s educational program balances the science of corrective skin care, the safety standards that should be adhered to, and the medical-legal aspects involved in patient-care,” says SPSSCS President-Elect and Program Chair Sandra Day, from Sarasota, FL. “As we all know, this is a challenging time in our economy. However, ’skin care’ is not a frivolous expense. As corrective skin care specialists, we are promoting not only appearance, but the health of good skin as well.”

One of the highlights from the Skin Care 2009 Meeting will be a breakout session titled Product Evaluations – A Comprehensive Method of How To Look Beyond The Hype. This is an interactive course designed to discuss the various range of home care product options available to the medical skin care specialist and systematic ways for evaluating them. The discussion will be led by Sandra Adams and Denise Byrnes, skin care specialists and former SPSSCS board members, who currently work for companies that develop and market skin care products.

“Good skin care is not determined by a product’s package or price point,” says Ms. Day. “Skin care specialists are not sales people. We want our patients to buy what is appropriate for their skin, products that will effectively address their concerns and goals. This session is about how to evaluate a skin care product based on the helpful and harmful ingredients in each product, and the effectiveness of their delivery method.”

(PRWEB) — Laser Hair Removal. Finding The Best Laser For Safe, Effective, Affordable Hair Removal. Medical Spa and Laser Hair Removal Expert in Raleigh, NC Provides Guidelines.

Laser Hair Removal: A Guide to finding effective, safe fast and affordable laser hair removal treatments. Raleigh Laser Hair Removal and medical spa expert Kile Law Provides guidelines for choosing the appropriate Laser Hair Removal system.

Laser hair removal has come a long way since the first laser for hair removal received FDA clearance in the mid 1990s. Older generation lasers were very slow, very painful and worked only on individuals with very dark hair and very light skin. Today, lasers can work on all skin colors and some lasers are even safe for treating tanned skinned.

Which laser to choose? -Spot size
The spot size of a laser determines how much skin area can be covered per laser pulse. Lasers with larger spot sizes (18 mm)can cover more area much more quickly. For example, a laser hair removal treatment of the back or full legs could take as long as 2 hours with older lasers. Today, these areas can be completely treated in less than 20 minutes. The spot size not only determines the speed and comfort of the treatment, but the efficacy as well. In the April 2004 issue of Derm Surgery, a peer reviewed medical study showed that lasers with an 18 mm spot size (exclusive to the Candela GentleLase www.candelallaser.com ) was more effective at removing hair than lasers with smaller spot sizes.
-Cooling systems
Each laser has a different way of cooling the skin. Some lasers use a topical cooling gel, others use a chilled tip. The most consistent, comfortable and safest way to cool the skin is with a Dynamic Cooling Device or DCD. Lasers equipped with a DCD cooling system are so effective in providing cooling to the skin that no topical numbing creams are necessary.
-Light Sources
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Systems are not lasers. They can remove hair, but recent peer reviewed medical studies show that most lasers are much more effective in treating unwanted hair than IPL systems

Choosing a Laser Hair Removal Center
Board Certified Physician
Many laser hair removal centers today operate without a physician. It is important to be certain that a board certified physician is on the premises or available in case of a concern. To determine whether or not a physician is board certified, go to www.abms.org. Board certified plastic surgeons can be found at www.plasticsurgery.org
Possible complications:
Complications with newer laser hair removal systems (built in 2002 or later) is not common, particularly if the laser is equipped with a Dynamic Cooling Device. It is important, however to determine how the laser clinic handles potential complications. Is there a physician available to examine the problem and prescribe medications if necessary?
Packages of treatments
Laser Hair Removal works on hair while it is in the growth phase only. At any given time, between 20% to 40% of the hair on any face or body area may be in a growth phase. Multiple treatments are required for complete clearance of the hair. However, each person may respond slightly differently. Laser hair removal centers should charge for just one treatment at a time. A reputable medical office or medical spa offering laser hair removal will offer individual treatments and not insist on payment of multiple treatments up front.
Pricing:
Because lasers for hair removal are much faster today than ever before, prices should be lower as well. An office offering laser hair removal can charge less for a laser hair removal treatment of the legs taking just 20 minutes vs. a 2 hour treatment with an older generation laser. Avoid centers offering specials” on treatment packages, particularly if there is pressure to buy because a “special” is set to expire.
Consultation:
A complimentary consultation should be available for you to visit the facility, meet the laser technician and experience a spot test with the laser.
When considering a hair removal laser treatment, consumers should ask the following questions:
1) Is this laser FDA approved for hair removal on my skin type and hair color?
2) What is the spot size of the laser? In order for a laser to perform quickly and most effectively, it should have an 18mm spot size
3) Is the laser equipped with a dynamic cooling device (DCD)? This is the safest and most consistent method of cooling the skin. It ensures patient safety and comfort.
4) Is there a board-certified physician on site? A facility without appropriate medical supervision may not be the safest environment for a laser procedure.
5) Are treatments sold in a package or one at a time? Businesses that want your money up front may not have the confidence that their laser will perform effectively. A client should be able to pay for treatments as needed without paying all at once.
6) Are complimentary consultations and spot tests available? You should be able to meet the technician and experience a pulse or two before committing to a treatment.

To learn different laser hair removal techniques, please visit Aesthetic VideoSource. Their new Laser Hair Removal DVD shows 2 different doctors procedures for effective laser hair removal.

New York, NY – The Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety (http://www.injectablesafety.org) today advises patients that all nurse and physician assistant injectors may not be qualified to perform cosmetic injections such a Botox, Restylane or other dermal fillers. Patients should be aware that the most important factor to any nurse or physician assistant injector is their relationship with an appropriately trained, supervising physician, and how closely the nurse and physician work together. The Coalition offers these guidelines to consumers who have questions about the safety or appropriateness of cosmetic nurse injectors:

•    Nurses and physician assistants performing injectable treatments should only treat under the following conditions:
•    The nurse or PA is under the supervision of a board certified plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon, ophthalmic plastic surgeon or dermatologist who has prescribed the injectable treatment appropriate for the patient
•    The nurse or PA can demonstrate appropriate medical education, licensure and training specific to the delivery of cosmetic injections
•    The nurse or PA only performs injections in a medical setting supervised by the prescribing physician
•    The nurse or PA follows all of the appropriate steps in performing cosmetic injections, and that all patients are given informed consent documents that clearly define the risks and benefits of the procedure.
•    The patient has the option to request the doctor perform cosmetic injections

Patients should not accept treatment from nurses or any other clinician in private homes, hair salons, hotels, bars or any other non-medical setting. “It is generally safe for nurses to perform injectable treatments under the appropriate circumstances: proper training specific to cosmetic injectables, proper supervision by a qualified physician, and within the supervising physician’s office,” says Jeffrey Kenkel, MD of Dallas, TX. “I have personally trained my nurses in performing injectables. They present an option to patients who understand that regardless of who delivers the injection, I prescribe treatment and inevitably patient outcome is my responsibility. However, if a patient of mine prefers that I treat them, that is entirely the patient’s right.”

“Physicians have differing in-office philosophies. I prefer to perform cosmetic injections personally, to evaluate a patient’s goals and physical condition before prescribing treatment and to also administer that treatment.” says Roger Dailey, MD, of Portland, OR. “Like many physicians who perform their own injections, I enjoy spending time with patients whether the injection is a first-time treatment, or a treatment to refresh appearance.” A survey conducted by the Coalition in July 2007 reports that while 94.6% of physicians personally perform cosmetic injections, only 24.4% of Coalition member practices include nurse or physicians’ assistant injectors. In addition, 45.3% of complications resulting from cosmetic injections are reported to result from unqualified providers, and that 35.2% result from injections administered in a non-medical setting, such as a spa, hair salon or private home.

Whether the patient opts for cosmetic injections performed by the physician or accepts injection by a registered nurse (R.N.) or licensed physician’s assistant (P.A. or P.A.-C), it is important to make sure the patient follows the safety guidelines of DOCTOR. BRAND. SAFETY:
•    Doctor: Is the injectable recommended by a qualified doctor who regularly treats similar conditions, in an appropriately licensed and equipped medical facility? Has the doctor examined the prospective patient before recommending treatment?
•    Brand: Is the injectable recommended approved by the U.S. FDA, in the U.S. (and by equivalent agencies in the country of origin) for cosmetic indications and is it appropriately labeled and packaged to reflect its authenticity and approval?
•    Safety: Is the setting a proper medically-equipped office, with safety and sterilization procedures? Has the physician evaluated conditions, recommended treatment, offered alternatives and clearly defined the potential outcomes including any complications?
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It’s no new kid on the block for dramatic skin renewal, and with the obsession today with appearing as youthful as possible, use of BOTOX for wrinkle and line removal has increased dramatically. Every case is different, so be se to be as detailed as possible when discussing this procedure with your clients.

We’ve all heard the stories. No matter what wrinkle creams they use, how much water they drink or how much sun block they apply each day, some clients simply have line and wrinkle conditions that they can’t correct. There are many factors that can attribute to facial wrinkles. Stress, dehydration and sun-exposure are just a few of the obvious answers. Like grey hair or varicose veins, some people are preconditioned to obtaining wrinkles and lines more easily than others.
Prominent facial lines can make even the most upbeat person appear stressed, tired or even angry all the time. Age, gravity and sun-exposure only exasperate the condition; so many clients feel they’re fighting a losing battle.
When talking to a client with facial wrinkles, find out from them what they’ve done so far to help eradicate the problem. Most likely they’ve tried several of the major wrinkle creams on the store shelf and have a regular cleansing, toning and hydrating routine most days and nights. They may feel frustrated that they have so little success after all the effort, but they don’t relish the idea of cosmetic surgery.
Now is the time to discuss BOTOX. Find out from your client what their expectations would be for a BOTOX procedure and be sure to explain to your client the process in depth. BOTOX is applied with injections directly into the facial musculature surrounding the lines. The procedure can be as short as 10 minutes long, with little or no down time for the client. The effects tend to be both dramatic and pleasing to most BOTOX recipients, which is why it is the number one non-surgical cosmetic procedure for both women and men.
Used to relieve or eradicate facial lines like crow’s feet, horizontal forehead lines and marionette smiles among other conditions, BOTOX can provide your clients the relief from the facial lines that are plaguing them. It’s important that you talk about preventative maintenance after the procedure, though. A proper cleansing, toning and hydrating routine along with regular facials can help elongate the life of BOTOX effects.
Be sure to give a detailed account of the BOTOX procedure to your client, as well as finding out their expectations. We hope you enjoyed learning about BOTOX. To learn more about Botox injections and Botox injection techniques, please visit Aesthetic VideoSource.

Dermal fillers are a treatment that will help reduce the signs of aging without any harsh invasive surgery. A client can receive the beautiful benefits of pure facial rejuvenation without getting cut or sliced.

A secure and natural dermal filler is restylane. The chemicals used in restylane do not have any allergic reactions and can actually last longer than many other injections. This type of dermal filler can enhance the client’s area around the mouth; diminishing lines and wrinkles, while also reducing the lines around the eyes and under the nose. Restylane in lips also helps plump up the lips to the fullest.

How does a technician inject these types of fillers? A technician should know to inject the clear gel right under the surface of the skin. The restylane pervades the skin’s tissue and connects to the water molecules found in the skin. The water molecules help bring more volume to the skin and in turn helps gives a natural appearance. The client’s skin will achieve natural looking improvements without getting any surgery. The results are usually visible right after injection and should last to roughly 6 months.

A professional should always have a consult with their client before performing any injections. A client should know that the results to their injections would be based on their age, skin type, and skin elasticity and so on. It is best to explain to them the factors that the client has or does not have that will help achieve their preferred results. Depending on the client, it may take more than just one injection to achieve the desired look the client wants to achieve. As the professional, you should always express to the client how many treatments that will need to get in order to achieve the look that they want.

There can be some side effects to receiving a restylane injection, so it is always best to discuss this with your client. This type of dermal filler is usually very safe; however certain clients may have certain side effects such as swelling, redness, tenderness and even bruising. Discuss these issues with your client and be sure to explain that although these side effects can be uncomfortable, they usually only last a few days. It is always best to answer any of the client’s questions or concerns during the consult so they will know exactly what will take place during the procedure.