Karen Klickmann(847) 240-1735[email protected]
Jennifer Gale(847) 240-1730[email protected]
Julie Bremer(847) 240-1743[email protected]EMBARGOED UNTIL OCTOBER 17, 2001
LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GROW OLD GRACEFULLY? YOUR DERMATOLOGIST HAS THE ANSWERS
NEW YORK (October 17, 2001) -- What if there was a treatment that would eliminate your frown lines and crow's feet in 30-minutes? What if there was a skin rejuvenation treatment that would let you leave your dermatologist's office immediately after treatment, and make your wrinkles disappear? The answer to these questions is--today there is.
Speaking today at the American Academy of Dermatology's Derm Update 2001, dermatologist Robert A. Weiss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, discussed the latest scientific and technological innovations, including non-ablative resurfacing, radio frequency and soft-tissue augmentation, for the treatment of aging skin.
"This is an exciting time for patients who are searching for ways to look and feel years younger without extensive surgery," stated Dr. Weiss. "Dermatology has never been more on the forefront of treating aging skin than it is today."
For those who baked in the sun during their youth, there are several minimally invasive skin rejuvenation techniques to choose from to make you look and feel years younger. These procedures are ideal because they are quick, cost effective and won't interfere with the busiest lifestyles.
Non-Ablative Resurfacing
To retain a youthful appearance, patients should consider non-ablative lasers for the successful treatment of fine lines and irregular pigmentation associated with sun-damaged skin. Non-ablative resurfacing can also be used with chemical peeling, microdermabrasion, or a facelift procedure to enhance results.
Instead of heating and removing the top skin tissue like traditional lasers, non-ablative lasers work beneath the surface skin layer to improve tone and texture and minimize fine lines. Using a series of gentle pulses of light to remove redness, dilated blood vessels, age spots and fine lines, the targeted cells absorb the light energy, are broken apart and absorbed by the body. The skin then begins to produce new and more elastic collagen.
Non-ablative therapy includes various wavelengths of yellow, red and infrared beams. The laser's yellow and red elements are absorbed by the red blood cells and pigment. The blood cells are gently heated by the laser and are then absorbed by the body's own healing process. The infrared beam allows for the restructuring, regeneration and repair of collagen, resulting in a smoother surface texture and diminished fine lines.
Non-ablative resurfacing treatments take 15 minutes to complete. Typically, the patient will see improvement in their skin's appearance after three to five treatments, spaced out three to four weeks. Following the procedure, patients must protect their skin from sun exposure by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen of 15 or higher. If the patient is diligent about staying out of the sun, the resurfacing results can last up to four years.
"Non-ablative resurfacing has many advantages because the wavelength of the laser can be adjusted according to a patient's skin type and condition," explained Dr. Weiss. "New collagen is stimulated in the deep layers of the skin reducing the appearance of fine lines; the underlying skin is firmed; and loose skin is tightened and toned without evoking any visible injury to the skin."
Radio Frequency
A new procedure to treat aging skin, which uses radio frequency, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 1999. The best candidates for radio frequency are patients who have severe sun damage with deep lines and wrinkles.
During the 15 to 30 minute radio frequency treatment, a small metal circle or plate that emits the radio frequency is applied to the surface of the skin. The collagen in the skin absorbs the radio frequency and starts to contract, causing the collagen to tighten. After the treatment, the skin may be red or swollen for three to four days.
Soft-Tissue Augmentation
Soft-tissue augmentation provides a transitional means of correcting problems before the need for more extensive procedures. This procedure involves injecting a filling substance under the skin to "plump up" or contour fine lines, furrows in the brow and hollows in the face.
A good candidate for soft-tissue augmentation is anyone interested in improving their appearance, normally between the ages of 30 and 60, and for those who are looking for quick results with no down time. While the soft-tissue augmentation procedures can take up to an hour, the results last for a year or longer.
Some of the most widely used fillers include bovine collagen and the patient's own fat. With the latest science and technology in dermatology, newer substances have been developed for soft tissue augmentation such as human collagen and artificial collagen sources like micro-beads of gortex. While fat transplantation relocates the body's own fat from one location to another, micro-beads of gortex builds collagen around foreign, non-organic substances. This artificial collagen source is beneficial since it allows patients to manufacture their own collagen, using the micro-beads as a stimulant. The use of micro-beads of gortex for soft-tissue augmentation is currently pending FDA approval.
"This is an exciting time for research in skin rejuvenation," said Dr. Weiss. "New technology has created better materials and more successful methods that are being used to effectively manage a variety of cosmetic conditions. With the help of their dermatologist, people can look as young as they feel."
The American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of over 13,000 dermatologists worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin. For more information, contact the AAD at 1-888-462-DERM or www.aad.org.
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) was founded in 1970 to promote excellence in the field of dermatologic surgery and to foster the highest standards of patient care. The Society supports clinical and basic science research grants, provides professional continuing education of its members, and sponsors public education programs related to cosmetic, therapeutic and reconstructive skin surgery. For more information on dermatologic surgery procedures and referrals to board-certified doctors in specific geographic areas, please contact the ASDS Consumer Hotline, 1-800-441-ASDS (2737), during weekday business hours or log on at www.aboutskinsurgery.com
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