What’s New in Dermatology 2009

It seems that almost weekly there are astounding medical advances in dermatology related treatments. Many of these claims are seen by our patients in the news media before we, as physicians, hear about them. This is because the companies that make these devices or medicines are trying to create a “buzz” for their product even before it comes out. As dermatologists, we then need to rush and find out all we can as to whether the company’s claims are true or not and if they are safe to use.

Here are some of the newer products and procedures in dermatology that seem to have panned out well for the consumer.

• Latisse is an eyelash length enhancer that has gone thru years of use and study. Studies have shown that most of people that use this lotion (applied topically to the eyelashes) report an average of one and one half millimeter lengthening of their lashes. Side effects are rare and include possible darkening of the eyelash hair color. The cost of this treatment is reasonable when you consider what women spend on their eyelashes already.
• There are now more than one home laser hair removal device and esteemed laser colleagues of mine have studied them and have found some of them effective and safe.
• Dysport, a Botox competitor for wrinkle reduction, has just gotten FDA approval. It seems to work as well as Botox and is reported to have its onset of action sooner than Botox. Side effects should be comparable between both of these products.
• Fractional lasers (a milder alternative to resurfacing skin lasers) are all the rage. We now have dozens of companies vying for the laser surgeon’s attention. Each laser is slightly different but, in summary, they can all give you permanent improvement in facial and non – facial skin wrinkles, scars and irregular pigmentation without the long downtime of the earlier lasers. Local or topical anesthesia is all that is needed with these lasers.
• Lasers in liposuction (” laser lipo”)are a few years old now but recent studies have confirmed that they can be used safely with tumescent liposuction techniques to give more skin tightening and a smoother result. All body areas can be treated with these lasers and they make the postoperative period more comfortable as well.

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