Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:The objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of oxymetazoline hydrochloride cream, 1% (oxymetazoline) when used as an adjunctive treatment with energy-based therapy for patients with moderate to severe facial erythema associated with rosacea. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:In this Phase 4, multicenter, interventional, open-label study, eligible patients received one of four energy-based therapies (potassium titanyl phosphate laser, intense pulsed light therapy, pulsed-dye laser Vbeam Perfecta, or pulsed-dye laser Cynergy) on day 1 and day 29 and once-daily application of oxymetazoline on days 3 through 27 and days 31 through 56. Improvement from baseline in Clinician Erythema Assessment (CEA) score, patient satisfaction measures, incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), and worsening from baseline on dermal tolerability assessments and the Clinician Telangiectasia Assessment (CTA) were assessed. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. RESULTS:A total of 46 patients (mean age, 51.1 years; 78.3% female) enrolled in this study. Similar numbers of patients received each of the energy-based therapies in addition to oxymetazoline. All patients demonstrated an improvement from baseline in CEA during the study with 39 of 43 evaluable patients (90.7%) demonstrating an improvement 6 hours posttreatment on day 56. Most patients were satisfied or very satisfied with treatment at the end of the study. All TEAEs were mild or moderate in severity. Some patients experienced worsening in dermal tolerability assessment symptoms (range: 4-21 patients; 8.7-45.7%). Worsening in CEA and CTA were each reported by three patients (6.5%) at any time during the study. CONCLUSIONS:Treatment with oxymetazoline as adjunctive therapy with energy-based therapy was safe, well tolerated, and reduced facial erythema in patients with moderate to severe persistent facial erythema associated with rosacea. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Recent demand for minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures has been rising. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), the numbers of injectable neuromodulator and soft-tissue filler procedures have increased by 42% and 78%, respectively, since 2012.¹ Similarly, laser, light, and energy-based treatments have increased by 74%. Although it has been anecdotally reported that the popularity of dermatologic procedures may peak during specific times of the year, available data on consumer behavior is limited.^2,3 Understanding seasonal trends can offer insights to better forecast patient demand and optimize practice management. In order to fill this gap in the literature, we performed a temporal analysis of various procedures in a busy dermatology clinic.

Minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures are on the rise. With the advent of social media, improvements in technology, and the increased visibility of cosmetic dermatologists and plastic surgeons, consumers now have greater access to information about aesthetic procedures.

BACKGROUND:Topical adjuncts have been investigated to improve clinical outcomes associated with laser resurfacing for photodamage and cutaneous aging. One such product is a tripeptide/hexapeptide serum, which has been shown to increase dermal collagen and elastin as well as improve post-procedural recovery following treatments. OBJECTIVE:A randomized, blinded, split-face, comparative trial was performed to assess the utility of a tripeptide/hexapeptide serum as a peri-procedural adjunct to non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:A total of 20 subjects were enrolled. Each hemiface was randomized to either tripeptide/hexapeptide serum or bland moisturizer for twice daily application starting 14 days prior to first laser treatment and continuing until 60 days after. All subjects received 2 treatments to entire face approximately 1 month apart with 1927nm thulium non-ablative fractional laser. Clinical measures and immediate post-procedural recovery were assessed. RESULTS:For each hemiface, scores improved for all measures, including global photodamage, lentigines, pores, radiance, texture, and tone at 30 and 60 days. The tripeptide/hexapeptide serum had greater improvements for all measures at both time points, except for radiance at 60 days, which was equal. In cases where clinical ratings differed between sides, tripeptide/hexapeptide serum more frequently had the superior outcome. Overall, subjects were satisfied with tripeptide/hexapeptide serum. No significant adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Addition of tripeptide/hexapeptide serum as a peri-procedural adjunct to non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing improved various clinical measures of photodamage and cutaneous aging and the immediate post-procedural recovery. The tripeptide/hexapeptide serum was demonstrated to be safe, well-tolerated, and well-liked by subjects.

This commentary examines the recent general movement in the field of cosmetic dermatology toward imitation and reproduction. The issues of medical spas, nonphysician operators, and counterfeit products have recently garnered interest in aesthetic dermatology. As physicians, it is our professional and bioethical responsibility to ensure that our patients are educated on the presence of medical spas, nonphysician operators, and counterfeit products in our field, especially given the discrepancies in patient safety and outcomes. There are also actions that dermatologists can take in order to help differentiate themselves in this current market. This will not only protect our field, but also our patients, who we are obligated to provide high-quality care for as physicians.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:Q-switched (QS) and picosecond lasers can effectively and safely remove unwanted tattoo pigments. Cosmetic mucosal tattoos are rare and there are only a handful of cases of successful laser tattoo removal, all with QS 1064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:A 19-year-old Fitzpatrick skin-type II female presented for treatment of a 6-month-old, black tattoo on the mucosal surface of her lower lip. She underwent six treatment sessions with a QS 694-nm ruby laser on months 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 12. A 30-year-old Fitzpatrick skin-type IV male presented for treatment of a 10-year-old black tattoo on his left buccal mucosa. He underwent one treatment with 755-nm alexandrite picosecond lasers. RESULTS:One month after last treatment, both patients demonstrated marked improvement to the treatment area without scarring or dyspigmentation. CONCLUSIONS:Given the excellent results seen in the patients presented here, the authors recommend that lasers should be the first-line treatment for the removal of unwanted cosmetic mucosal tattoos, which are typically easier to remove than cutaneous tattoos and can be accomplished with various wavelengths in the picosecond and nanosecond domains. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The clinical phenomenon of a cosmetic procedure use disorder has not been formally introduced into the medical lexicon. However, anecdotal clinical experience from physicians and the popular media indicates that there may be a subset of patients who demonstrate addictive-like behaviours [Landsverk G. The 'human Ken doll' has spent more than $750,000 on 72 cosmetic surgeries, and doctors warn that his addiction has gotten dangerous. Available at: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.insider.com/hu__;!!MXfaZl3l!PwVrW7_JP2tY0xvqxwLQjbKx-1gEoGBvlIefnofQPZZtBvMl4YTGebXm0UP5qVRx$ man-ken-doll-plastic-surgery-addiction-2019-10 (last accessed 14 April 2020]. To date, the only other investigation establishing a role of addiction psychiatry in aesthetic treatmentseeking behaviour is with ultraviolet light tanning (Warthan MM, Uchida T, Wagner Jr RF. UV light tanning as a type of substance-related disorder. JAMA Dermatol 2005; 141: 963-6). We aimed to investigate the possibility of a novel diagnosis of substance-related use disorder involving cosmetic procedures. We hypothesize that individuals with abuse or dependence on cosmetic procedures exist and can be captured through the administration of modified questionnaires designed to detect alcohol use disorder (AUD). We implemented a cross-sectional survey study of self-identified behaviour with cosmetic procedures. Two validated instruments, the CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) questionnaire and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for AUD, were modified to evaluate patients for abuse or dependence on cosmetic procedures. Adults (> 18 years) were surveyed in a waiting room of a laser and skin surgery private practice in New York. Respondents were included if they indicated having received at least one cosmetic procedure in the past 12 months. A positive response on the modified CAGE questionnaire was a score of 2 or more out of four questions, which is similar to the cutoff for AUD screening. Positive findings on the modified DSM-5 questionnaire was defined as two or more out of 11 questions, which is similar to the cutoff for a diagnosis of AUD. Statistical association of the two diagnostic instruments was performed using the Pearson c2-test. Of the 55 participants, six (11%) met the modified CAGE criteria and 13 (24%) met modified DSM-5 criteria, indicating that a subset of individuals may qualify for abuse or dependence on cosmetic procedures. The results from both instruments were significantly associated (P = 0.0019). A novel type of substance-related disorder involving cosmetic procedures may exist. Further investigations with larger and varied study populations may validate these findings and ascertain the nature of the dependence and its relation to increased utilization. Validated screening tools may help physicians recognize these patients, guide informed consent, and provide risk-benefit counselling prior to the initiation of cosmetic procedures

Clinical characteristics of skin exposed to ultraviolet and infrared radiation include dryness, dyschromia, laxity, roughness, sallowness, scaling, telangiectasia, and wrinkles. Fractional photothermolysis promotes skin remodeling by formation of new dermal collagen. The nonablative fractional diode laser (NFDL) system employs fractional photothermolysis to rejuvenate the skin, using 2 distinct handpieces for wavelengths of 1440 nm and 1927 nm. Fractional photothermolysis from nonablative fractional diode lasers facilitates delivery of small molecular-weight compounds, such as L-ascorbic acid, through the skin without compromising barrier function of the stratum corneum. Both handpieces of the NFDL system are effective for rejuvenation of photodamaged facial skin, providing clinical improvement in skin tone, skin texture, fine lines, and dyschromia and reducing the number of detectable skin pores. Application of the 1927 nm wavelength handpiece has shown clinical improvement of hyperpigmentation, melasma, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, which have been challenging to treat effectively with other laser devices. With a target chromophore of water, the infrared energy of the 1440 nm and 1927 nm NFDL system is appropriate for skin rejuvenation and treatment of dyschromia in skin of color, with a reduced risk of the adverse events observed with other nonablative and ablative fractional lasers. Clinical data have demonstrated that both the 1440 nm and 1927 nm wavelengths are effective, with high levels of patient satisfaction, transient side effects, and minimal patient downtime.

BACKGROUND:Adipose and adipose derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) play an increasing role in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the safety and feasibility of fat grafts enriched with ADRCs in early AGA. METHODS:Seventy-one subjects were treated: 16 with Puregraft fat and 1.0 x 106 ADRCs/cm2 scalp; 22 with Puregraft fat and 0.5 x 106 ADRC/cm2 scalp; 24 with Puregraft fat alone; and 9 saline control. Treatments were delivered into the skin and subcutaneous layer of the scalp. 40 cm2 of scalp was treated and macrophotography and global photography were obtained at baseline and at 6, 24, and 52 weeks. RESULTS:The 71 subjects tolerated the procedures well. No unanticipated adverse events associated were reported. When evaluating all subjects at 24 weeks, there were no statistical differences between any of the treatment groups with respect to non-vellus (terminal) hair counts or width. There were increases (mean change from baseline) in terminal hair count for the low-dose ADRC group in the Norwood Hamilton 3 subgroup at week 6 (13.90±16.68), week 12 (11.75±19.42), week 24 (16.56±14.68), and week 52 (2.78±16.15). For this subgroup, the difference in hair count between low-dose ADRC group and no-fat saline control was statistically significant (p=0.0318) at Week 24. CONCLUSIONS:Puregraft fat and ADRCs are safe and well tolerated. In early male hair loss, this therapy demonstrated a statistically significant increase in terminal hair counts relative to control population at 24 weeks and represents a promising approach for early androgenetic alopecia.