Effects of hyaluronic acid filler injection for non-surgical rhinoplasty on first impressions and quality of life (FACE-Q scale).

BACKGROUND: The nose is a central visual feature of the face leading many patients wishing to improve their facial esthetic appearance to undergo rhinoplasty. Increasingly more patients are seeking non-surgical alternatives such as hyaluronic acid filler injections. These treatments have the ability to profoundly impact patients' esthetic appearance and first impressions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of hyaluronic acid filler injection in non-surgical nasal augmentation on first impressions, quality of life, and to evaluate treatment efficacy in reducing the height of the nasal dorsal convexity. METHODS: Ten female subjects underwent small-particle hyaluronic acid filler injection into the nasal soft tissues. Photographs of the subjects were taken at baseline and post-treatment after achieving an optimal correction result. Patients reported satisfaction with outcomes using a validated patient-reported outcome measurement tool. Blinded evaluators were used to assess first impressions across specifically defined categories using the baseline and post-treatment photographs. The height of the pre and post-injection nasal dorsal convexity was compared. RESULTS: All patients experienced a statistically significant reduction in the height of their dorsal nasal convexity. There was significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes based on all measures of the FACE-Q scale. A total of 224 evaluators completed blinded assessments of first impressions. Mean first impressions in all eight categories, along with overall first impression score showed statistically significant improvement following treatment. CONCLUSION: Hyaluronic acid filler injections for non-surgical nasal reshaping are a safe and effective method to improve perceived first impressions and to improve patient-reported self-esteem and esthetic satisfaction with their nose.

The Safety and Efficacy of a Sustainable Marine Extract for the Treatment of Thinning Hair: A Summary of New Clinical Research and Results from a Panel Discussion on the Problem of Thinning Hair and Current Treatments.

Alopecia and thinning hair are highly prevalent conditions affecting a large proportion of men and women. Diffused hair loss is often more difficult to diagnose in women, mostly due to over-reliance on the assumption of hormonal influences, and it is commonly treated with a multi-therapy approach. Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of a nutraceutical supplement to provide essential nutrients that aid in stimulating existing hair growth and reducing hair shedding. The supplement Viviscal® contains a proprietary blend of proteins, lipids, and glycosaminoglycans derived from sustainable marine sources. We present here a summary of studies that have examined the safety and efficacy of this nutraceutical; as well as discussions on hair loss and current therapies from a recently convened expert panel in dermatology and plastic surgery.

Treatment of Hyaluronic Acid Filler-Induced Impending Necrosis With Hyaluronidase: Consensus Recommendations.

Injection-induced necrosis is a rare but dreaded consequence of soft tissue augmentation with filler agents. It usually occurs as a result of injection of filler directly into an artery, but can also result from compression or injury. We provide recommendations on the use of hyaluronidase when vascular compromise is suspected. Consensus recommendations were developed by thorough discussion and debate amongst the authors at a roundtable meeting on Wednesday June 18, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV as well as significant ongoing written and verbal communications amongst the authors in the months prior to journal submission. All authors are experienced tertiary care providers. A prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment with high doses of hyaluronidase (at least 200 U) are critically important. It is not felt necessary to do a skin test in cases of impending necrosis. Some experts recommend dilution with saline to increase dispersion or lidocaine to aid vasodilation. Additional hyaluronidase should be injected if improvement is not seen within 60 minutes. A warm compress also aids vasodilation, and massage has been shown to help. Some experts advocate the use of nitroglycerin paste, although this area is controversial. Introducing an oral aspirin regimen should help prevent further clot formation due to vascular compromise. In our experience, patients who are diagnosed promptly and treated within 24 hours will usually have the best outcomes.

Minimally invasive neck lifts: have they replaced neck lift surgery?

The aging neck is accompanied by an increase in submental fat, platysmal banding, and redundant dyspigmented skin. Creating a more acute cervicomental angle, distinct mandibular border, homogeneous skin tone, and smoother texture helps to achieve a more youthful appearance. The aesthetic provider's armamentarium has long had surgical techniques in the highest regard, but a new wave of minimally invasive procedures looks to offer a nonsurgical approach to cervicomental rejuvenation. Selecting the appropriate procedure for appropriate patients that will effectively meet their aesthetic goals and expectations is the core of successful neck rejuvenation.

A phase 2, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of a novel nutritional supplement product to promote healthy skin.

BACKGROUND: Despite an abundance of nutritional supplements, very few well-controlled trials have assessed their beneficial effect on the skin, such as hydration, antioxidant levels, texture or appearance. The objective of the following placebo-controlled, double-blind study was to determine the effects of the Skin Health Experimental Product (SHEP) on skin health. METHODS: The study enrolled healthy men and women aged 30 years or older. Subjects were randomized to receive a twice-daily regimen of SHEP or placebo. The effects SHEP had on overall skin appearance and health were assessed by measuring improvements in: (1) skin hydration using a closed-aperture transepidermal water-loss moisture meter and a vapometer; (2) skin texture using silicon profilometry; (3) skin carotenoid concentration using Raman spectrometry; and (4) reported self-image assessments using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). RESULTS: SHEP-treated subjects demonstrated a significant reduction in fine lines compared to the placebo-treated group. Raman spectroscopy showed that SHEP increased carotenoids at some measurement sites. Based on the GAIS, SHEP-treated subjects were three times more likely to perceive an improvement in their appearance compared to placebo-treated subjects (P>0.049). CONCLUSION: The orally-administered SHEP nutritional supplement improves skin texture, carotenoid levels in specific areas of the hand, and improves patients' perception of skin health.

Superficial skin resurfacing.

Options for both the cosmetic surgeon offering and patients seeking treatment for cutaneous aging have expanded greatly in recent years and continue to grow. Increasingly sophisticated aesthetic patients are seeking procedures to rejuvenate in record numbers,but many are unwilling to tolerate a large amount of downtime. In expert hands, ablative laser resurfacing has a long history of dramatic results for the treatment of cutaneous aging. During the last decade, there have been a growing number of reports of modalities targeting the more superficial skin structure. Such modalities offer more modest results without the downtime associated with more aggressively ablative procedures. These resurfacing techniques include the use of mechanical, chemical, and thermal forces.

Nonablative resurfacing.

In expert hands, ablative laser resurfacing has a long history of excellent results in the treatment of photodamage-induced rhytids, depressed acne scars, and other signs of cutaneous aging. Over the last decade there have been a growing number of reports in the emerging area of nonablative resurfacing. Nonablative modalities provide less impressive clinical results for rhytid reduction but have shown particular promise for the treatment of scars and superficial dyschromias. It is also ideally suited for those patients seeking a minimally invasive, greatly reduced downtime procedure.