miraDry: The Perfect Solution, No Sweat!

Excessive armpit sweating is a huge problem that has very few treatment options. Antiperspirants offer temporary, yet meager results. While Botox injections require a huge amount of product with effects lasting only six to nine months, a new treatment called miraDry could be the answer for patients suffering from hyperhydrosis. In February, the FDA approved miraDry, a new medical device that uses electromagnetic energy to disable the sweat glands. miraDry heats up and disables the sweat glands without damaging any of the surrounding tissue. Sweat glands often do not regenerate, so patients receiving treatment see a dramatic reduction in underarm sweat. Completely non-surgical, this procedure does not require surgical incisions or cuts.

miraDry promises to deliver results lasting up to 12 months. The procedure is delivered in a series of three one-hour treatments spaced three months apart. In my personal experience, patients have seen results even after one treatment. Almost any skin type can be treated.

My offices in Manhattan and Hillsborough, New Jersey are now offering this unique technique to a limited number of patients.

David J. Goldberg, M.D.

Director, Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of NY/NJ

Chief of Dermatology

Hackensack University Medical Center

Clinical Professor of Dermatology

Director, Laser Research

Mount Sinai School of Medicine,

Clinical Professor of Dermatology

Chief, Dermatologic Surgery

UMDNJ- New Jersey Medical School

Dr. Goldberg Lectures about Bella Contour

Yesterday, Dr. David Goldberg spoke to the beauty editors from all the prominent women’s magazines in the U.S. on Bella Contour, the revolutionary new painless body contour and cellulite treatment at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

This weekend the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Anti-Aging Medicine: The Next Generation meeting is taking place in the same location. The APSAM meeting covers a number of current and emerging aesthetic procedures, including anti-aging stem cell treatments, the latest in non-invasive body contouring, and facial healthy skin approaches.

David J. Goldberg, M.D.
Director, Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of NY/NJ
Chief of Dermatology
Hackensack University Medical Center
Clinical Professor of Dermatology
Director, Laser Research
Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
Clinical Professor of Dermatology
Chief, Dermatologic Surgery
UMDNJ- New Jersey Medical School

Research: Cosmetic Procedures

Research activities at Skin Laser and Surgery Specialists are going strong. We are currently evaluating the new eMatrix device from Syneron, which produces different results depending on the tip we utilize. On lighter skin we are using the machine to treat photoaging, where as for darker skin types we are using the eMatrix to tighten skin and diminish the appearance of acne scars. To provide patients with a youthful look and healthy skin we are also assessing the Viora Reaction, which combines RF energy and vacuum therapy to treat cellulite, as well as Ultherapy as a non-surgical approach to lift, firm, and tighten skin on the face. In addition, we are testing out Allergan Voluma, which is a volume filler for natural facial recontouring, as well as Medicis’ Dysport for relief from oily skin and facial flushing. Ultimately, we look forward to presenting our results next month at the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Anti-aging Medicine meeting at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel as well as at the FACE meeting at London’s Royal College of Physicians.

David J. Goldberg, M.D.
Director, Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of NY/NJ
Chief of Dermatology
Hackensack University Medical Center
Clinical Professor of Dermatology
Director, Laser Research
Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
Clinical Professor of Dermatology
Chief, Dermatologic Surgery
UMDNJ- New Jersey Medical School

Update from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting

Last week I attended the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting (ASAPS), which proved to be very exciting. Experienced doctors from across the country, including myself, lectured on various hot topics including fat grafting and the roles stem cells and acellular dermal products, such as Alloderm and Strattice, play in the procedure. My favorite talk was by Dr. Barry DiBernardo on Cellulaze, the new Cynosure device for long-term cellulite improvement. I also enjoyed Boston dermatologist Jeff Dover’s presentation on the amazing results of Bella Contour, a new body-contouring product. I had the pleasure of sharing my expertise on the skin tightening procedures Sciton, SkinTyte, and the new Ultra Shape as well as co-chairing a session on laser complications with Atlanta’s Dr. Foad Nahai. I also filmed segments for The Plastic Surgery Channel on laser resurfacing and cellulite. ASAPS further ignited my excitement for future innovation and advancements in plastic surgery. I have a number of upcoming meetings with companies interested in testing new products and am eager to see what this year holds for research.

Dr. David Goldberg Lectures at L'oreal Corporate Headquarters

Last week, CosmeticMDNation Cosmetic Dermatologist, David J. Goldberg, MD, was invited to speak at L'oreals US research center in Clark, NJ. The talk was in honor of the 100 year anniversary of L'oreal's commitment to skin care. Dr. Goldberg's lecture focused on various devices used to rejuvenate the skin on the face and body. Devices discussed included Fraxel, FX, eMatrix, CoolSculpting by Zeltiq, Accent, Viora, and VelShape. The final portion of his presentation focused on the future of skin rejuvenation combining energy based treatments such as described in combination with great skin care products such as those made by L'oreal.

Relief for Migraine Sufferers Boosts Allergan’s Stock after Fed Crackdown

For migraine sufferers, the recent FDA approval of Botox as a migraine treatment gives them access to the only thing that might actually work—injections of Botox.

Migraine victims have long awaited a drug that would avoid migraines, not just treat them after they start. Studies prove Botox’s ability to block nerves that cause a migraine. In one study, chronic migraine sufferers getting Botox injections had 9 fewer days of headaches per month compared with those receiving a placebo, who reported 6.7 fewer.

In another study that was funded by Allergan, Botox users reported 7.8 fewer days per month of any headaches (including migraines) compared with 6.4 days’ fewer headaches reported by those receiving the placebo injections.

Guilty Plea

Allergan had previously been ordered by the Justice Department to pay $375 million in fines for unauthorized promotion of Botox for headaches and cerebral palsy from 2000 to 2005. The fine was lowered to $350 million upon Allergan’s willingness to plead guilty to the charges. Allergan was also ordered to forfeit $25 million in assets and to stick to a 5-year mandated plan to disclose any payments to doctors and annually certify that their various divisions meet federal health care requirements.

Who can use it?

Men and women who have a migraine headache at least 15 days a month with pain lasting at least four hours qualify for treatment. It is assumed that health insurance carriers will approve this as a covered expense, since no other treatment has provided similar results. Treatment includes multiple injections around the neck and head every 3 months.

Allergan spokesperson, Caroline Van Hove, believes that insurers are unlikely to fight coverage of the drug since “this is a population that hasn’t responded to any of the conventional treatments.” Botox was cleared for migraine treatment earlier this summer in the UK and the company anticipates approvals in the rest of Europe and Canada yet this year.

Stock Market Reaction

Allergan (AGN) is running around $72 per share this month (Oct 2010). A month ago it was averaging $66 per share. The company, which generated $1.3 billion in 2009 sales, may earn $1 billion more in annual revenue with the migraine approval, said Aaron Gal, a Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. analyst in New York, in a May 2010 report.

Cranberry Juice Can Stop Staph in its Tracks!

For many years, cranberry juice has been recommended to help prevent and treat urinary tract infections. Researchers have now discovered how cranberry juice works to avoid bacterial infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In urine samples collected from those who drank cranberry juice, the bacteria were not able to link together and form a film or stick to the wall of the container. This process is calld “biofilm formation.” When bacteria cannot stick together, they are more likely to be flushed out during urination instead of creating an environment for the bacteria to thrive.

The bottom line? Future studies may lead to attempts to engineer invasive medical tools such as catheters, cannulae and others to make them more bacteria-resistant.

AAFPRS: Non-Invasive Procedures Continue to Rise

A recent article from the Examiner analyzed the latest plastic surgery statistics released by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). Not unlike last year, the AAFPRS survey reported a significant increase in non-invasive treatments amongst their 2009 plastic surgery trends.

According to the AAFPRS, non-invasive cosmetic treatments rose 47% in 2009. The Examiner sites the current economic standing as an influencer in consumer behaviors. Dermal fillers and botulinum toxin A injections are growing in popularity because, even though their results are temporary, they are much more cost effective compared to invasive surgery.

Of the physicians surveyed, another 80% reported that patients were seeking non-invasive treatments as means to staying competitive in the workplace. The procedures with the largest amount of growth were as follows:
• Poly-l-lactic acid (Sculptra®)-up 71%
• Chemical peels-up 52%
• Hyaluronic acid (Juvederm®, Restylane®)-up 48%
• Botulinum toxin type A (Botox®, Dysport®)-up 45%

The majority of surgeons surveyed (77%) reported that patients are also more educated about their plastic surgery options. Patients are spending more time researching different procedures, costs, recovery time and physician qualifications before even stepping into a surgeon’s office.

The survey also found that women continue to be the majority of facial plastic surgery candidates, accounting for 84% of all non-invasive and surgical procedures.

The surgical procedures with the increases and decreases were:
• Ablative skin resurfacing (up 57%)
• Revision surgery (up 18%)
• Facelifts (up 14%)
• Lip augmentation (DOWN 52%)
• Rhinoplasty (DOWN 13%)

As we continue to see FDA approval for new products such as Xeomin and PurTox, the number of non-invasive procedures performed will surely continue to rise. New non-invasive technologies are continually being developed and put on the market.