STUDY SAYS: ACID PEELS GREAT FOR ACNE

Acne is one of the most common and well-known skin disorders around the world. If you have already been through your teen years, then you probably had acne, as it affects 85% of adolescents. What’s even more annoying is the fact that, in many cases, acne may not disappear once we reach adulthood. The spots and zits, that can be red and inflamed or not, stay there on your skin, erupting daily and making your life very unpleasant.

If acne products at the pharmacy aren’t helpful, then you have the choice of acne-erasing chemical peels here in our plastic surgery practice in Delaware. Glycolic and salicylic acid peels have both been found very effective against mild to severe acne, according to a study performed at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

The acids in chemical peels remove the outer layer(s) of the skin and thus control acne risk. The study mentioned above and published in the latest issue of the Dermatologic Surgery journal found that both AHA (alpha-hydroxy or glycolic) and BHA (beta-hydroxy or salicylic) acids are potent enough but also safe to use for acne control. Dee Anna Glaser, M.D., vice chair and professor of dermatology at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine stated: "This is good news for the millions of Americans who suffer from mild to moderately severe facial acne. This provides more options for patients and doctors to choose from when it comes to tailoring a treatment program for each individual."

Glycolic and salicylic acids are less aggressive compared with TCA (trichloroacetic acid) and phenol, which stronger can be more destructive to the skin. They both come from organic compounds: glycolic acid is extracted from unripe grapes, sugar beets, sugarcane, cantaloupe, pineapple and salicylic acid is obtained from salicin, used in aspirin.

The good news is that a chemical peel made with one of these acids is not only going to treat your acne, but it will also leave your skin smoother, brighter and free of fine lines and wrinkles.

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

New Supplement Increases Botox Results by 93%

Imagine taking a vitamin supplement four days before your next Botox injection and the Botox results would be 93% more effective! It’s true and this new supplement will be on the market within the next month or so. If the supplement, which will be available by prescription, isn’t overpriced, it could be a real money-saver for those of you who benefit from Botox for wrinkles and/or migraines.

Dr. Charles Soparkar, who is an oculoplastic surgeon at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas and his fellow researchers performed a study that showed that a combination of organic zinc plus the enzyme phytase, taken for four days before receiving their Botox injections, made the toxin 93% more effective. Because of the amazing results, a patent was filed for the combination, which is now called ZYTAZE™. It’s reported to be available soon. The study was not originally performed for those who receive Botox for cosmetic purposes, however. It was performed for patients with a rare form of eyelid spasm. However, this research is positive news for anyone who gets injections of Botox for cosmetic reasons.

"Surprisingly, the results showed that in over 90% of the patients studied, the zinc/phytase combination resulted in a remarkable improved responsiveness to treatment of blepharospasm using the same amount of botulinum toxin as previously used," said Soparkar. "The toxins seemed to have greater effect and last longer. Potentially, this could mean using less toxin, offering patients financial savings, greater safety, and more consistent results."

If the prescription is reasonably priced, it could result in an overall savings for those individuals who use Botox for wrinkle reduction, as less Botox will be needed and the results will last longer. I’ll keep you updated as soon as I hear further news on this topic.

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Arms: Your Greatest Beauty Asset?

Put those uncomfortable stilettos back in the closet. According to StyleList.com, a recent study has found that men are more attracted to a woman’s arms than her legs.

The study, which was administered by the University of New South Whales in Sydney, was recently published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology. The study involved Chinese and Australian women and men. The men were asked to watch videos of 96 women from the ages of 20 to 49 and then to rate their appearance.

The researchers found that the length of a woman’s legs had no significant impact on how attractive she was perceived. On the contrary, women who had long arms were ranked continuously as the most attractive. Although the study pointed to a strong appeal to long arms, lead researcher Professor Robert Brooks attributes attraction to a combination of good traits.

"The dimensions can tell observers if that person is suitable as a potential mate, a long-term partner, or perhaps the threat they pose as a sexual competitor,” Professor Brooks told the Daily Mail.

Waist-to-hip ratio, age and weight are also common factors that play into our judgment of appearance.  Next time you go to the gym, you might want to consider trading in squats and opting for push-ups instead.

Drink Those Wrinkles Away

According to the Deccan Herald, a new study has found that drinking water can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Not only that, certain waters can reduce wrinkle depth more than others.

Any medical professional will tell you that drinking eight glasses of water a day is good for your health. For years, we have been told that staying hydrated adds to clear skin and a youthful complexion.  Now there is solid evidence to back up these claims.

During the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, female volunteers has their skin analyzed with the VISIA complexion imaging system.  Following their initial analysis, the women were asked to drink 1.5 liters of water daily for 8 weeks. In addition, the women were not advised not to change their diet or exercise routines.

A number of the participants drank only tap water over the course of 8 weeks, while others were given mineral-rich Willow Water from England.  Willow Water contains willow bark extract that is high in salicin, an anti-inflammatory agent that metabolizes into salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is commonly found in many skincare and acne products.

At the end of the 8 weeks, the women had their skin analyzed once more with the VISIA complexion imaging system. Researchers found that the participants who drank tap water saw an overall 19% reduction of wrinkles, while the Willow Water-drinkers saw a 24% reduction.

The great news is you can now drink your way to better skin. The bad news? Willow Water is only available in the UK—for now.

The Line Between Cosmetics and Cosmeceuticals is Getting Thinner

A recent article by Plastic Surgery Practice reports that the gray area between the skin care and cosmetics industry is growing. Global Industry Analysts, Inc., revealed that the color cosmetics market will reach $41.4 billion by 2015. This is due in part to the inclusion of UV protection, moisturizing components, and natural and organic ingredients in cosmetics.  Makeup is now available in a multitude of formats, textures and pigments.

Not only that, consumers are now benefiting from an array of different treatment options available in the cosmetics, including anti-aging effects. There is a cosmetic product made for virtually every skin type and condition.

Going green is another trend that has been affecting the cosmetics industry. Product manufacturers are now beginning to include ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ ingredients such as vitamin E and plant extracts to attract consumers.

Once upon a time, makeup contained heavy pigments that clogged pores and caused skin irritation. Now, mineral blends and light-capturing crystals, like topaz and mother-of-pearl, are being used to give skin a natural, flawless appearance. To produce an intense color and limit smudging, lipsticks are beginning to incorporate vitamins A, C and E.

Referred to as cosmeceuticals, products with skincare benefits were once only made by high-end makeup lines such as Jane Iredale. Nowadays, one can walk into a drug store and nearly every makeup brand offers SPF-enriched or mineral products. With this growing gray area, it will be interesting to see how the boundaries of the FDA will adjust.

The Future of the Body Contouring Market

Let’s face it, North America, particularly the U.S., is getting fatter. With rising obesity rates comes an increased demand in the body contouring market. Patients are seeking at latest ways to get their body in shape, and doctors are increasingly adapting to advancements in body contouring technology.

A recent article from BusinessWire.com predicts how the introduction of new devices, as well as the recession, will have an effect on the body contouring market over the next few years. There have been numerous devices approved since 2008 in the way of laser-assisted liposuction(LAL) and cryolipolysis that have recently become more available to consumers.

Despite the rising frequency of body contouring devices, the price of treatment may deter patients during the recession. Doctors have to earn back their investment on said devices, which cost upwards of $100,000, and do so through the cost of the treatment to patients. The cosmetic surgery industry is currently facing many obstacles; however, as patients postpone or even forego these elective procedures in order to conserve funds.

Despite the decline in device sales from 2008 to 2009, Millennium Research Group predicts an economic revival of the body contouring market to be reported for 2010.

SmartLipo MPX, the first dual-wavelength LAL device available in the market, was launched in Canada and the U.S. in 2008. Other big launches to take place in 2009 included CoolLipo by CoolTouch, SlimLipo by Palomar Medical Technologies, Syneron’s LipoLite, Sciton’s ProLipo PLUS and SmoothLipo by Elem Medical.

The first transdermal ultrasound device to be available in Canada was UltraShape’s Contour 1. In 2009, Medicis’ LipoSonix, which has had difficulty getting FDA approval, received Health Canada approval. To date, there are no transdermal ultrasound devices available in the U.S. In the way of cryolipolysis, Coolsculpting by Zeltiq has been available for off-label fat removal since last summer.

Even with the threats of the recession affecting the body contouring market, the obesity problem in North America guarantees a growing number of prospective patients available.  Furthermore, as body contouring technology advances there will be a growing consumer demand and market growth.

Study: Less Frequent Botox Injections Achieve Same Results

A study recently found that patients require less frequent Botox® injections after two years of treatment to maintain the same wrinkle-reducing effect.

“After two years of treatment at recommended intervals, patients can potentially cut the frequency, and thus, the cost of their Botox® treatments by half,” says Roger A. Daily, leader of the study and professor of oculofacial plastic surgery at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). The research also showed that Botox® injections are capable of preventing wrinkles in patients who begin treatment during their 30s.

During the study, 50 females aged 30 to 50-years-old were analyzed over two years while they underwent regular Botox® injections. Dailey and his colleagues found that, after undergoing injections every four months for two years, patients can slow the frequency to once every six months and still see desired results.

Physicians previously advised patients—based on earlier research—that they should undergo Botox® injections every three months to see maximum wrinkle-smoothing benefits. According to Dailey, the cost and frequency of Botox® deterred some patients from starting or even continuing their treatment.

Botox® was approved by the FDA for cosmetic purposed eight years ago. In 2009 alone, more than 2.5 million Americans underwent the popular injection (source: ASPAS). Botox® in Delaware should be injected by, or under the supervision of, a board certified plastic surgeon.