As luck would have it, the Dermatology Times/Aesthetic Authority booth was side-by-side with Russell Health’s at South Beach Symposium 2020. And we couldn’t help to notice all the materials on something called the “Stem Cell Recruitment Facial.” You’re probably thinking what I initially thought: The word “facial” conjures up images of salon and spa treatments. But add in “stem cells” and suddenly maybe we’re looking at something with medical-grade chops.

Alma, Inc., announced in a press release this week their Opus™ platform featuring Opus Plasma™, the company's proprietary high-frequency unipolar radiofrequency (RF) technology. According to the manufacturer, Opus Plasma is the first fractional plasma technology to enter the market.

There’s no question that patients are willing to accept lesser results in exchange for less invasive procedures. Although nonsurgical fat reduction technologies make it possible to eliminate unwanted fat, liposuction is a better bet for more dramatic fat reduction and body contouring results. And while some skin tightening can be had with energy devices, a surgical facelift remains the gold standard.

Despite the overwhelming preference for minimally invasive treatments, surgery still plays a critical role in aesthetic medicine. Blepharoplasty, specifically, continues to maintain a top 5 position among the most popular surgical procedures performed every year, according to 2014-2018 data collected by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Research has shown that the DESCRIBE perfluorodecalin (PFD) patch (Merz) can be used to safely and effectively enhance the tattoo removal process for patients by allowing multiple passes in a single laser treatment session. It has also shown that the patch improves treatment tolerability. However, research has yet to examine the effects the PFD patch has on thermal injury of the epidermis - until now.

Derms don’t let other derms leave their office without SPF. That’s essentially what Orlando, Fla.-based dermatologist, Allison Arthur, M.D., Sandlake Dermatology Center, Orlando, Fla., told me at the 2018 annual meeting of the AAD in Washington DC. Even more importantly, they shouldn’t ever let their post skin treatment patients leave without proper sun protection either.

In August we spoke with Michael Somenek, M.D., facial plastic surgeon and Co-Chair of the annual meeting of the American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) to talk about the decision to go virtual for this year’s AAFPRS meeting and what attendees can expect, including features such as live and pre-recorded sessions, workshops, CME, and the benefits of a virtual exhibition hall. The meeting, which took place September 10-12, was the first of its magnitude among the specialty's

The past five to ten years have shown steady interest and growth in regenerative therapies and cellular medicine. According to plastic surgeon Greg Chernoff, MD, nitric oxide, an important signaling molecule and gas in the body, is not only necessary for optimal cellular health, it’s also key to tissue regeneration.

Jeffrey Dover, M.D., Chairperson for the AesCert Guidance Supplement, and the entire panel of national physician experts who collaborated on the project, achieved something previously unheard of. “In two weeks, we wrote this 26-page manuscript. Four days later it was accepted for publication, and then a month later was actually in print,” says Dr. Dover.

WiQo PRX-T33 (GPQ srl; Trieste, Italy) is a recent European import to the U.S., adding an innovative, clinical nonsurgical skin revitalization option for the medical spa menu. An FDA-registered treatment as of September 2019, this patented peel penetrates the dermis, leaving the surface of the skin relatively unscathed. Call it a “biostimulator” or “clinical facial,” it’s a peel that’s not your typical peel.

In the webinar, Forging an Industry-Practice Partnership During COVID, moderators Randolph Waldman, M.D., and Jason Pozner, M.D., spoke with key industry executives on the outlook of the aesthetic medicine specialty and specific initiatives to support the aesthetic practice. Despite current Q2 challenges all parties are facing, our panelists paint a brighter picture to come.

Dr. L. Mike Nayak recalls his decision to go virtual for his Medspa Mastery course. Adding #NoFilter to the name, he says that he wants to take the best part of going to conferences — small group and one-on-one discussions with colleagues — and bring it to the computer screen.

Plastic Surgeon, Dr. James Beckman, CEO and founder of Therapon Skin Health, didn’t envision starting a skin care company over two decades ago. He set out to develop products not available at the time to improve the overall skin health and appearance of his own patients. Since then, he has created a solid, but simple, product line based on science, with a burn treatment product in the pipeline.

There’s a new cosmeceutical agent on the market that can benefit estrogen-deficient skin without the systemic effects of estrogen. It’s called MEP, or Methyl Estradiolpropanoate, and studies show that it significantly improves menopausal skin-related symptoms.