Protect skin from sun damage: Educate patients

Pharmacists are in a good position to tell patients that sand, water, snow, and clouds reflect and intensify the sun’s rays, causing unsuspected sun damage, even in shade, and that protecting skin from sun damage should be incorporated into a daily routine.

Statistics

The sun produces ultraviolet (UV) radiation A and B. UVB has traditionally been associated with sunburns, while UVA has been known to penetrate the skin, causing premature aging of the skin and skin damage, leading to skin cancers.
 
One in 5 Americans will develop skin cancers, of which 90% will be caused by sun damage. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in young adults and the incidence is climbing from year to year. The American Dermatological Association has projected that more that 1.3 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year. In light of this, it is important to educate patients on proper skin protection in all seasons.

Everyone is at risk

How much sunscreen does the job?
 
Patients should be informed that some individuals are at increased risk because of environment, skin tone, skin irregularities, and use of certain medications that cause photosensitivity. Read more

Cosmetic facial filler suspended in the EU

An injectable cosmetic filler that smooths out facial wrinkles has been suspended from use after it was found to cause painful redness, bruising and swelling in some patients.  

Novabel is marketed as “the gentle, powerful, versatile dermal shaper” by its manufacturer, Merz.

Since its introduction in January the algae-based product has been used by cosmetic surgeons to fill out lines, reduce hollowness below the eyes and plump out cheeks.

According to Merz, 17 clinics use the substance and about 1,700 people across Britain have been treated with it.

But on Thursday the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) issued an alert that it should be withdrawn immediately from use. Read more

Teens using Botox are upsetting but rare

Teens in the United States got about 12,000 Botox treatments last year.

It’s a disturbing statistic, but not as upsetting as it seems at first glance, although the New York Times cited “outrage” after 18-year-old celebrity, Charice, recently had a Botox treatment, which apparently was for both cosmetic and medical reasons. Even celebrity watcher Perez Hilton called that treatment “sick.”

As a wrinkle-fighting drug, Botox seemingly makes little sense except for older faces. But some cosmetic doctors disagree.  For example, plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Bivens of Newport Beach said that, with Botox injections, the area between the eyebrows “of the teenage face will certainly benefit from muscle relaxation and improvement of frown lines.”

“The use of Botox in teenagers is a growing phenomenon,” he said. “We are certainly getting many more inquiries into the use of Botox by teenagers, mostly girls. Much of this is due to the fact that the mothers and fathers of the teens are using the product in greater and greater numbers.”

His observation is more believable than the semi-accurate report by ABC News that “more teens than ever before are getting Botox injections.”  The basis for ABC’s statement is shaky — an estimated 2 percent increase from 2008 to 2009 in the number of Botox treatments for patients aged 13 to 19, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The society calculated that increase from surveys that are accurate to within plus or minus 4 percent, so it would be more valid to say that the change in teens’ Botox use from 2008 to 2009 might be anywhere from a 2 percent drop to a 6 percent increase. Read more

Sugary Drinks Linked to Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes

 Consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks, at least 1 drink per day, is significantly associated with the development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus vs consumption of less than 1 sugar-sweetened drink per month, and these effects do not appear to result entirely from an association with weight gain, new research findings suggest.Vasanti S. Malik, ScD, with the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, and colleagues reported their findings in Diabetes Care, published online August 6, 2010.

Although consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks has been associated with weight gain, their role in the development of related chronic metabolic diseases, such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, has not been quantitatively reviewed, Dr. Malik and colleagues note.

According to the researchers, the high content of rapidly absorbable carbohydrates in sugar-sweetened drinks and the large volumes consumed may “increase risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus not only through obesity but also by increasing dietary glycemic load, leading to insulin resistance, beta-cell dysfunction, and inflammation.”

To evaluate this association, the researchers conducted a MEDLINE database search, selecting 11 prospective cohort studies assessing sugar-sweetened drink intake and the risk for type 2 diabetes (8 studies) or the risk for metabolic syndrome (3 studies). Read more

Botox Training with the IAPAM can help Physicians Boost Profits

As the demand for minimally-invasive treatments continues to rise, specifically the demand for Botox and other cosmetic injectables, physicians who are expertly trained through accredited multi-day training programs like the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine’s (IAPAM’s) Aesthetic Medicine Symposium, can capture the lion’s share of this growing market and greatly benefit their bottom lines.

As reported by the IAPAM and other aesthetic medicine associations, there were 11 million cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures performed in 2009, an increase of 1% over 2008, and an astounding increase of 99% over the course of the first decade of this millennium. Surgical procedures declined by 20% over this same 9 year period. Office-based cosmetic procedures were up 6%, and the top non-invasive modalities were reported to be: botulinum toxin type A, soft tissue fillers, chemical peels, medical microdermabrasion, and laser hair removal. Equally, Allergan reported a 36% surge in profit for the second quarter 2010. This profit was partially due to higher sales of Botox. In fact, Botox sales were up 7% over last year.

The IAPAM confirms this trend, noting that each of their Aesthetic Medicine Symposiums has sold out in the first half of 2010, and their September event is expected to sell out any day.  Furthermore, while Botox training is still very popular, more and more physicians are also appreciating that the key to a successful and profitable aesthetic practice is not just offering Botox Cosmetic treatments, but also other skin rejuvenation procedures including: chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and IPL skin rejuvenation.   Read more

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