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Kim Nichols, MD, understands that, as a cosmetic dermatologist, she treats more than skin. “I strive to improve my patients’ self-confidence,” she explained. “As a woman, I understand the pressure to look young forever, but I believe aging gracefully is the result of being confident in yourself. That is why I developed my mission statement: ‘Never fear a birthday.’” While this motto has helped inspire others, Dr. Nichols knows that cultivating self-confidence is easier said than done. “I really feel for my patients because I also struggle with being overcritical of myself, especially when it comes to my ‘success’ in my practices,” she admitted. “I know I should give myself the same encouragement that I give to my staff and patients, but, to tell the truth, it has been an ongoing battle for me. While this motto has helped inspire others, Dr. Nichols knows that cultivating self-confidence is easier said than done. “I really feel for my patients because I also struggle with being overcritical ...

These less invasive procedures are often done under local anesthesia with less pain and scarring, and a shorter recovery time. This is due in part to specially designed surgical tools that allow treatments to be performed without the need for open surgeries.Robert Dorfman, MD, a plastic surgeon and hair transplant surgeon at Ziering Medical Hair Restoration in New York City, N.Y., believes that minimally invasive surgeries are the future of aesthetics, and for good reason. “Patients want results, and they want them fast. They also look for no downtime and they want minimal risk and minimal scars. In the past, the technology just was not there to achieve this, but as we progress into the 21st century things are finally catching up,” he explained. “For example, current research in hair cloning may lead to a future in which we may not need to do any punches or strip procedures. We may just be able to culture hairs in a petri dish and then implant them!” More Innovative Advancements in ...

There is a limited capacity, so to become an “MVP,” you must be invited or nominated by a colleague within the medical aesthetic industry. Those accepted as MVPs are given opportunities to strengthen their education, build status and legitimacy as a key opinion leader (KOL) and/or subject matter expert (SME), and receive national recognition, including this Aesthetic MVP feature profile. For this issue, we interviewed Rahi Sarbaziha, MD, an aesthetic specialist with private practices in Beverly Hills, Calif., and New York City, N.Y., as well as satellite locations in Hawaii and Fla. Dr. Sarbaziha has been practicing for five years and uses a holistic and integrative approach because she believes that empowering her patients to live optimally will help them look and feel their best. TAG: Dr. Sarbaziha, can you tell us what inspired you to become a medical professional? I was drawn to the medical field because I believe it is where I can make the greatest, most positive impact in the ...

According to board-certified dermatologist Kim Nichols, MD, founder of NicholsMD (Greenwich, Conn.), with the medical aesthetic market continually accelerating and the demand for non-invasive aesthetic procedures continuing to rise, it is important to stay up to date with new research and studies on new and treatments and technology. What’s Notable – According to the Experts In November 2022 AviClear by Cutera (Brisbane, Calif.) announced that their laser device has been FDA cleared, and Health Canada approved to treat mild, moderate and severe acne. “We recently introduced AviClear to our practice,” Dr. Nichols reported. “The device is safe on all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) and targets and suppresses the sebaceous glands. With this kind of technology, we are slowly phasing out the need for prescription medications.” When it comes to injectable treatments and products, Dr. Nichols highlighted JUVÉDERM VOLUX™ XC from Allergan Aesthetics. “This highly cohesive, hyaluronic acid-based ...

Occasionally, we are fortunate to have a moment of inspiration that changes the way we view a problem that we are facing. For me, this moment happened at the intersection of third grade engineering and lip filler. I have been injecting dermal fillers for eight years and, like most of you, my first passion was injecting lips with dermal fillers. I eagerly soaked up any mention of better ways to create the perfect lip. I would pore over photos that other injectors posted and try to understand how they accomplished their results. I tracked down the source behind every mention of new, innovative lip filler techniques. I even paid serious money to watch some of the world’s best injectors inject and would hound them for clues on how to become a better injector. The more I researched, the more I became stumped. I kept recognizing a certain pattern in the shape of lips that for the life of me I could not figure out how to correct. The Dilemma I want you to take a moment and analyze the ...

Daisy Ayim, MD, has always been able to clearly see how women’s health, wellness and cosmetic care fit together. She is triple board certified in cosmetic surgery, facial cosmetic surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology – a combination that was heard of during her medical training more than 20 years ago. “I had a vision for myself and my practice that involved these distinct specialties, but, when I sought advice on dual residency training, I was met with blank stares or flat out, ‘No, that is not possible,’” she explained. “My love interest at that time in my life was also completely unsupportive about women in surgery, and he basically gave me an ultimatum to choose him or my career.” Although she was a woman entering a male-dominated specialty, Dr. Ayim did not consider gender important. “For me, personally, I do not think being a woman hindered or influenced my choices in life. Instead, I have been reminded of my womanhood when other people project their limitations or support on ...

The Jan/Feb issue of The Aesthetic Guide (TAG) is now available. Explore the features covering new products and technologies coming in 2023, aging and the endocrine system, Dr. Tracy’s bridging lip filler technique and how to provide your patients with the ultimate experience. Don’t miss out on the first issue of the year! READ NOW #Events

YOUNG ADULTS WANTING BOTULINUM TOXIN COSMETIC TREATMENTS Injectable neurotoxins continue to be a staple of aesthetic practices worldwide, but little is known about the use of this therapy in younger patients. A recent review investigation appearing in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology sheds light on this issue and calls for more research to fill the gap. ‘’When I started practicing 15 years ago, some younger patients wanted wrinkle reduction, but the patient was commonly aged 50 and older,” explained author Alain Michon, MD, medical director of The Ottawa Skin Clinic/Project Skin MD in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. “There has been a recent shift in the patient demographic with younger patients seeking injectable neurotoxin, but also in the treatment paradigm with prevention in mind, rather than correction.” Despite this shift, there remains a lack of high-quality research on use of injectable neurotoxins in this patient demographic. In fact, Dr. Michon could only find four papers ...

Anti-aging hormone therapies allow patients to reclaim hope of counteracting age-related hormonal changes. With nearly 48% of menopausal American women taking hormone therapies, this industry is already a multi-billion-dollar business expected to reach around $53 billion by 2030. Francisco Llano, MD, a specialist in nutrition and anti-aging in Mexico City, Mexico, compares the endocrine system to an orchestra. “One out-of-tune hormone can result in significant changes to some of the body’s standard processes,” he said. In addition to skin aging, waning hormone levels manifest as weight gain, energy loss, decreased sex drive, sleepless nights, memory loss, mood swings, hot flashes, decreased muscle mass and more. As the sex hormones estrogen (estradiol), progesterone, and testosterone lessen, shifts in bone health, protein synthesis, and muscle mass transpire in both sexes. “There is this idea that only sex hormones age, but all hormones age,” Dr. Llano reported. Take, for example, declining ...

Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company (NYSE: ABBV), announces the launch of the long-awaited SkinMedica® Even & Correct Collection. Clinically proven and formulated to deliver targeted results, these three products work separately and together to even skin tone and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots on the face: Advanced Brightening Treatment, Dark Spot Cream, and Brightening Treatment Pads. "Hyperpigmentation is the second-highest professional-grade skincare concern seen in-office1 with demand for effective treatment continuing to rise," said Carrie Strom, President, Global Allergan Aesthetics and Senior Vice President, AbbVie. "With a formulation backed by science, our R&D team has developed an innovative collection to meet patients where they are in their hyperpigmentation journey. SkinMedica® continues to be a category leader innovating for all patient skin types." "Hyperpigmentation is a complex, emotional condition that is often misunderstood and ...

Endo International plc (OTC: ENDPQ) announced today that it will cease the production and sale of Endo Aesthetics' Qwo® (collagenase clostridium histolyticum-aaes) in light of market concerns about the extent and variability of bruising following initial treatment as well as the potential for prolonged skin discoloration. For more than a year, Endo worked to address those concerns, including launching an open-label study in June 2022, APHRODITE, to test different interventions and whether they might mitigate bruising. Although certain APHRODITE study cohorts' results reflected a modest reduction of bruising area and severity, none achieved a consistent level of reduced bruising following initial treatment to adequately alleviate the market's concerns. "After careful consideration, we have determined that QWO does not represent a viable commercial opportunity for Endo," said Blaise Coleman, President and CEO of Endo. "This difficult decision unfortunately results in a workforce reduction. ...

The New Year is arriving with a wave of innovative products and services to help enterprising aesthetic practitioners keep up with the demand for aesthetic treatments. Our final Hot Products feature of 2022 highlights a wide range of innovative solutions — from state-of-the-art imaging and skin analysis systems, to new or upgraded technology and ingredient introductions. With these ground-breaking therapies today's aesthetic providers can look forward to cutting edge devices and products that improve the consult, increase patient safety, advance treatment protocols, enhance outcomes and most importantly, ensure patient satisfaction. This is a sample article from The Aesthetic Guide. Become a free member of the AMS to access all digital issues. Continue reading here: The Aesthetic Guide #OtherAestheticProcedures

Cosmetic surgeon Sheila Barabarino, MD, is a world-renowned lecturer and key opinion leader in the medical aesthetic space, so it may come as a surprise to learn she once dreaded standing in front of a crowd. “I used to have an extreme fear of public speaking,” she admitted. Not only has she overcome this fear, but she now looks forward to opportunities to share her expertise. “I really enjoy speaking to my colleagues about what I know and what I have seen in my practice.” Dr. Barbarino believes that her willingness to share what she has observed in her years of practice is one of her greatest strengths. “The most courageous thing I have ever done is stand by my thoughts on products and my publications,” she said. “It is easy to go along with what everyone else says in aesthetics, but it is so important to share your real experience. Nine times out of ten, other practitioners feel the same way, but are too scared to give their real opinion.” The Female Perspective Going against ...

Patients are looking for nonsurgical, minimally invasive options to address excess fat under the chin and neck. A submental fat pad, or a double chin, can occur due to a variety of factors, including genetics, lifestyle habits, stress, and hormone imbalances, or simply because of the aging process. This excess fat is not correlated with body mass and can, in some cases, be resistant to diet and exercise, which makes it particularly frustrating for patients. Injection lipolysis with phosphatidylcholine has become a popular treatment option for submental fat in the last several years, but many patients experience pain, edema, erythema and a stinging sensation after injection. Although these side effects are temporary, they can take up to three days to disappear. Enzymatic therapy can be a highly effective and safe alternative, as it allows practitioners to perform tissue remodeling with minimal downtime and negligeable adverse side effects. In this article, I will break down how to use ...

Beauty is more than skin deep, and nutrition’s role in aesthetics is more evident today than ever. As the worlds of skincare, anti-aging and aesthetic procedures merge with holistic living, optimal nutrition and healthy supplementation, modern-day anti-aging now includes personalized nutrition. Nutrition is integral in limiting inflammation, which affects skin quality, aging and procedural outcomes. Savvy patients are laser-focused on every element of internal health that translates externally, so it is no surprise the category’s relevance continues to grow and is expected to be a $20 billion industry by 2029. What is Personalized Nutrition? Personalized nutrition applies to the science of nutrigenomics, which considers a patient’s genetic, phenotypic, medical and nutritional status, and lifestyle choices to develop a holistic dietary and supplementation protocol. The antithesis of a one-size-fits-all approach, personalized nutrition first analyzes specific genes that cause some patients ...

As the sayings go: “You never get a second chance to make a first impression” and, “A picture is worth 1,000 words.” In an industry based on outward appearance, where patient satisfaction is the indicator of success, the role of imaging cannot be understated or underestimated. Yet so many aesthetic physicians and practices fail on what should be an all-important “one-inch putt” when they do not follow basics for good before-and-after (B&A) photos, or try to oversell patients using flashy tools without knowing the how, what and why. Imaging is all about accurately capturing what can and cannot be seen and analyzing it, or framing it, in a useful manner. To the practitioner, this information can be revealing; to the patient, enlightening; to your staff, sensational and educational. Putting Your Images to Work Erica Crawford, president at Influx Marketing (Los Angeles, Calif.), has guided physicians around the U.S. on how to put their best image, and images, to work for them. “For ...

Board-certified American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS) physicians across the country have volunteered to remove branding tattoos free of charge for survivors of trafficking! This pro bono service, known as the New Beginnings Tattoo Removal Program, has been created in partnership with the National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance (NTSA), a community of service providers working to enhance resources and increase access to care for survivors of trafficking, and is open to all survivors with branding tattoos. By partnering with NTSA’s network of 100+ affiliate members that collectively identify and serve the needs of survivors across America, deserving individuals are now able to connect with highly skilled ASLMS physicians who are interested in delivering this vital service free of charge. Many survivors are branded by their traffickers with tattoos conveying ownership, including names, symbols, and barcodes. This dehumanizing practice can often be a reminder of the trauma ...

In response to patients looking to avoid the cost and risk associated with surgical facial rejuvenation, plastic surgeon Marlen Sulamanidze, PhD, introduced a barbed suture to lift ptotic facial tissues in the late 1990s. However, this treatment soon fell out of favor, due to temporary results that were riddled with reports of complications. Neverthless, this was not the end of the road for suspension sutures. In 2002, the technology progressed from the original antiptosis sutures when Woffles Wu, MD, developed a technique using bidirectional barbed sutures to suspend facial tissue from a fixed point within the deep temporal fascia. He called the procedure a nonsurgical facelift. These early contributions began an explosive revolution in thread lifting technologies and methods that is still flourishing 20 years later. Thanks to innovative and determined companies, improved thread technology and methods have catapulted thread lifting procedures into one of the top nonsurgical treatments ...

What is the AMS? The Aesthetic Multispecialty Society (AMS) has been created to gather the Aesthetic Medical community together, promoting education and knowledge sharing with the primary goal of improving techniques and good practice in the field of Aesthetic Dermatology and Surgery. #BodyShaping