A new twist on Latisse, and more from the Annual Cosmetic Dermatology Meeting

I have just returned from co-directing the Annual Cosmetic Dermatology-Santa Monica Meeting. The meeting, directed by me and Dr. Christopher Zachary, Chairperson of Dermatology at the University of California –Irvine, was highlighted by discussions about 1) Dysport – the new competitor to Botox; 2) new techniques for body contouring; 3) novel approaches for the use of wrinkle fillers; 4) the benefits of cosmetic camouflage; 5) nuances of Latisse, the new eyelash enhancer; and 6) a look at the aging process of the face.

Dysport, the newly FDA approved wrinkle relaxer, will be available to US physicians over the next month. Based on the European experience with this product, US physicians are expected to embrace the new Botox competitor. In Europe, Dysport has been very popular for both wrinkles and excess sweating. Of note, the amounts to be injected are different than Botox. Patients will need to be certain injections are undertaken by experts so as to receive the appropriate response while lessening the chance of complications.

Cryolipolysis by Zeltiq, Focused Ultrasound by UltraShape and Liposonix (Medicis) are all expected to have a major impact on non-invasive body contouring. Although the results do not appear as profound as those seen with surgery, the non-surgical nature of these techniques should make them highly popular. What is not at all clear is when the FDA will approve these methods.

Wrinkle fillers are commonly used for smile lines. However the meeting focused on the use of such fillers for creating 1) a more natural lip appearance and 2) gently lifting droopy eyebrows. However, with any technique some bruising is possible. Dr. Howard Steinman, an expert in cosmetic mineral based camouflage techniques, taught attendees how to hide injection induced bruising.

We also learned some of the nuances of Latisse, the newly FDA approved eyeliner enhancer. It seems that although life-long use is required to keep eyelashes thick, the daily applications initially required may not be required with time. Finally, Dr. Val Lampros, a California based plastic surgeon, gave a fascinating lecture on the 3 dimensional changes that occur in all of our faces over the course of our lives. By understanding this, techniques for cosmetic improvement will continue to improve.

The meeting was highly educational. Santa Monica was fun. I will be back there again in a year.

Dr. Jason Pozner
Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center, Boca Raton
Sanctuary Plastic Surgery, Boca Raton

Dr. David J. Goldberg
Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center, Boca Raton
Skin Laser Surgery Specialists of NY/NJ

Forbes: Allergan CEO defends Botox from new challenger

From Forbes:

"Each of these botulinum toxins behaves in practice quite differently," Allergan Chief Executive David Pyott said in an interview with the Associated Press. "We've said for quite a while that switching from one to another is like saying 'I'm going to stop speaking English and start talking to you in German.'"

Pyott stressed that Botox and Dysport are not interchangeable because the drugs are dosed and injected differently."

Update from Dr. Goldberg, whose practice in New Jersey was one of the 80+ test sites for Dysport: "Side by side studies have already been done in Europe. The Allergan CEO is correct. There are doing differences, so they are not apples and apples. On the other hand both products work and both products work well. Doctors will need to learn the dosing differences-and they will."

Dr. Jason Pozner
Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center
Sanctuary Plastic Surgery

Dr. David J. Goldberg
Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center
Skin Laser Surgery Specialists of NY/NJ