Text, J. Ecochard
Remember Moore’s Law?
That’s the oft’ quoted rule that computer chips double in memory capacity every two years…meaning every techno gadget you buy will be outdated in 24 months.
Well, the advances in skin care and body shaping methodologies are nearly as rapid. That’s a good thing. In fact, we feel that we are looking at a near future where the ole’ knock em’ out, stitch it up or suck it out of facial/body contouring-will be as much of a relic as the gloomy lab that came up with the big dude Frankenstein.
At a recent breakfast seminar at the stately Plaza Athénée in New York, our host, the multi-titled dermatologist and researcher Neil Sadick MD, FAAD, FAACS, FACP, FACPh kept our eyes wide open as we took in his fast-paced presentation on the latest scientific breakthroughs. Our summary is a simplification of the hour plus meeting…so naturally, everyone needs to do his/her due diligence. And of course, it’s most critical to engage board-certified/qualified physicians in any treatment option.
Sadick began the seminar with a discussion on the second generation of resurfacing Fraxel lasers…highlighting how skin laxity, acne scaring, redness, and pigment discoloration (including tattoos) can now be “significantly corrected with one treatment” without the two week down time to heal, uneven results or sedation requirements of the old workhorse CO2 laser.
Options he cited included:
Quanta’s Matisse System
Smart Xside Ultraspeed CO2
Fraxel CO2
Q Switch Systems
The second part of the presentation really got our attention. Sadick educated the crowd with the first real (we think) alternative to BOTOX…the GFX Radiofrequency Technology. With a small wand like probe targeting the nerves and inactivating them for a botox-like effect lasting 12-18 months…it takes about 10 minutes to do the entire face. Fortunately, doctors will be able to mark the muscles desired for customized treatments (vary the energy for some facial movement). And yes, the brain is like, THERE- however, the neuro-blocker technology has been successfully used by cardiologists for 15 years. Sadick considers this a “major advance” in the quest to relax the brow’s furrows.
Next up was an upbeat take on the new pliable injectible filler “EVOLENCE/Breeze” by Johnson & Johnson (as long suffering stockholders, we hope so!). Sadick considers this porcine derived collagen an “important filler for lips and nasolabial folds” (the deep folds from nose to mouth). Better yet, Sadick remarked on the filler’s decreased side effects of swelling, discoloration, and bruising-making this a true lunchtime treatment without looking like you’ve been slugged. And it’s been road tested in Europe for years and is undergoing FDA trials.
We know many readers of this site are anti any treatments. But everyone can get onboard with the advanced cosmeceuticals that treat fine lines, wrinkling and discoloration...and are embedded in over the counter serums and creams. Dr. Sadick commented on such powerful anti-oxidants as:
Yquem extract - found in Christian Dior’s L’Or de Vie Eye Crème and anti-aging skin line.
Coffee Berry-thought to be 3x more effective than green tea
Niacinamide-a water soluble vitamin B3 found in some of Proctor and Gamble’s Olay skin care line.
New fat and cellular treatments to sculpt and mold fat via high power energy devices is still in “early pioneering stage…and are promising” according to Sadick. He referenced:
Eleme Medical’s Smooth Shapes a non-invasive laser based system
VelaShape in combination with Thermage,
Alma Accent laser, a non-ablative, non-invasive cellulite treatment based on radio frequency technology with FDA approval
Mesotheraphy (several injections that “melt fat cells”)
Also of interest were the at home devices that Sadick feels are “an important trend.”
The No!No! Hair Removal device that’s a huge Sephora seller, the soon to be introduced No!No! Skin-a broad spectrum light source and heating element to treat acne, and LED home rejuvenation devices with blue/red (acne) and red light (photo-rejuvenation) – are meant to be idiot-proof ways to treat the afflicted. Sadick also highlighted the Clarisonic Skin Care system that Oprah anointed as one of her favorite things.
Sadick wrapped up his informative talk with new advances in treating excessive sweating aka hyperhidrosis (sweaty palms syndrome). In addition to botox, Sadick commented on new “laser assisted ablation” – a “basically painless…5 minute” procedure that curbs “50%-70%” of sweating for 6-12 months.