More Comfortable and Less Down Time!

This is a great article on something we offer at Las Vegas Laser and Lipo for resurfacing instead of high energy CO2 because it is more comfortable and has less down time. 

Article: Beauty Tech Review: Skin Resurfacing - Portrait Plasma Skin Rejuvenation

The Portrait Plasma Skin Rejuvenation (PSR) provides dramatic overall skin rejuvenation without harsh healing typically associated with lasers.

There are a variety of devices in the market that use different energies to rejuvenate skin: fractional lasers, radiofrequency (RF), intense pulsed light (IPL) and that's just to name a few. And while each procedure is well suited to treat many skin issues, they all differ in technology, downtimes and efficacy. The Portrait Plasma Skin Rejuvenation (PSR) uses plasma kinetic energy to provide skin tightening and treat wrinkles.

The Portrait Plasma Skin Rejuvenation (PSR) has 3 levels to treat different skin issues, based on levels of severity. Acclaimed dermatologist Dr. Christopher Zachary says, "If you use the high energies with this device, you can get very nice skin tightening, excellent reduction in pre-cancers and very nice color and texture and tone."

 Actual Portrait Plasma Skin Rejuvenation (PSR) Results of Dr. Suzanne Kilmer
Full face skin regeneration with rhytide reduction and marked improvement is tone, texture and elasticity (Images Courtesy of The Energist Group)

World renowned leader in the field of dermatology, Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick notes the Portrait PSR is ideal due its ability to deliver an overall peel. For patients who may suffer from an abundance of dyschromia or precancers, Dr. Fitzpatrick says, "The Portrait has an advantage because it gets a 100% peel across the surface."

Portrait PSR uses a highly energized gaseous state known as plasma to produce a unique thermal profile to penetrate the superficial and deeper levels of the dermis to replace damaged collagen and encourage new collagen growth for new skin. Dr. Zachary comments, "The plasma kinetic device actually energizes nitrogen which then produces plasma, a form of heat which rapidly causes heating - elevation of the temperature in the epidermis and the superficial dermis and it very rapidly becomes cool again."

After which, the outer layer of skin actually dies off, similar to a Chemical Peel. New skin that is beneath the uniform injury created by the treatment begins to grow thicker, pushing off the superficial dead skin, without the bleeding and oozing typically associated with other skin rejuvenation procedures, such as CO2 lasers.

According to Dr. Zachary, "The Portrait PSR creates its own dry membrane on the surface of the skin which would peel off after a number of days. In fact, when the patients went home, unless treated with the higher energies, they just look a bit red and swollen. Two or three days later, that skin darkens and actually starts to peel off. The natural dressing is of huge importance when it comes to allowing the new skin underneath, to grow with minimal post inflammatory hyper pigmentation, reduced infection, and reduced redness."

Actual Portrait Plasma Skin Rejuvenation (PSR) Results of Dr. Brian Biesman
Portrait periorbital skin regeneration with rhytide reduction and pronounced tightening of the eyelid
(Images Courtesy of The Energist Group)

 The downtime associated with the procedure is dependent on the severity of wrinkles and loose skin being treated and which treatment depth level used. Dr. Fitzpatrick recommends a 7-10 days of downtime after performing this procedure. Dr. Zachary states, "The healing characteristics with this device are somewhat different. With fractionated CO2 lasers, there will be oozing and bleeding for the first 48 hours. The opposite is true with the PSR, when patients go home they’re a little bit red and swollen but it’s really on day 3, 4 and 5 when the skin darkens and peels, without bleeding and oozing."

Original Post: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 2:35 PM

Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick and Dr. Christopher Zachary

Men's Facelifts Surge in 2010

Arlington Heights, Ill. — Men’s cosmetic/plastic surgery procedures grew 2 percent in 2010, with some — particularly facelifts — showing a dramatic increase, Medical News today reports.

Facelifts rose 14 percent among men in 2010, while male liposuction increased 7 percent, according to newly released statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Interestingly, the majority of the 10 fastest-growing cosmetic procedures among males are surgical, going against the growth trend in minimally invasive procedures over recent years, ASPS reports.

In 2010, men underwent more than 1.1 million cosmetic procedures, both surgical and minimally invasive.
Following are the top 10 fastest-growing procedures, by percentage increase. The only criterion for inclusion is that the procedures were performed on at least 1,000 men in 2010:

Facelift — 14 percent increase
Otoplasty — 11 percent
Soft-tissue fillers — 10 percent
Botulinum toxin type A — 9 percent
Liposuction — 7 percent
Breast reduction — 6 percent
Eyelid surgery — 4 percent
Dermabrasion — 4 percent
Laser hair removal — 4 percent
Laser treatment of leg veins — 4 percent

Plastic surgeons say they also are noticing a shift in the type of patient seeking their services. Medical News Today quotes Stephen Baker, M.D., an ASPS member in Washington, as saying, “Typically people think of celebrities and high-profile men going under the knife. And while that may be true, the typical male cosmetic surgery patient that I see is an average guy who wants to look as good as he feels. Most of my patients are ‘men’s men,’ the kind of guy you might not think would have plastic surgery.”

In an ASPS statement, society President Phillip Haeck, M.D., says, “The growth in cosmetic surgical procedures for men may be a product of our aging baby boomers who are now ready to have plastic surgery. Minimally invasive procedures such as Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA, Allergan) and soft-tissue fillers work to a point. However, as you age and gravity takes over, surgical procedures that lift the skin are necessary in order to show significant improvement.”
 

Mar 24, 2011
By: Bill Gillette
Cosmetic Surgery Times E-News

Risky Combo: Tanning Beds, Meds

Bloomington, Ind. — A new study suggests that self-treating skin eruptions by using a tanning bed may cause more problems than it solves, ScienceDaily.com reports. 

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine’s department of dermatology randomly surveyed 1,200 people and found that nearly 10 percent of those who frequented tanning salons did so in response to treatment of skin disease — and that only 5 percent did so on the advice of a physician. 

“There is an increasing trend for patients to seek tanning bed radiation exposure as a means of self-treatment because, among much of the general public, the perceived benefits of tanning bed radiation include its ability to treat rashes,” the study notes. 

The study reports on an individual who went to a tanning bed to self-treat a mild skin rash caused by an allergy to ibuprofen. Following exposure, the patient’s skin developed toxic epidermal necrolysis with severe blistering. Her blood pressure dropped significantly and her rash spread. High levels of a protein responsible for inflammation were found in the patient’s skin. 

The researchers used laboratory studies to show that normal skin cells, when exposed to UV radiation of the type found in tanning beds, produced very large amounts of protein responsible for inflammation and cell death. According to the researchers, these studies demonstrate that patients with rashes caused by allergic reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory or prescription drugs can experience severe reactions following exposure to tanning bed radiation. 

ScienceDaily.com quotes study author Jeffrey B. Travers, M.D., as saying, “There are many reasons to be cautious of tanning bed radiation, but some people use tanning beds to self-treat skin eruptions. If the skin eruption is eczema or even psoriasis, a tanning bed might help. However, if the eruption is caused by a drug reaction, then (use of a tanning bed) can be dangerous.” 

Mar 23, 2011
By: Bill Gillette
Dermatology Times E-News

Did You Know? Finasteride May Impair Sex Drive

Washington — Results of a new study suggest that men who take the drug finasteride to halt male pattern hair loss may experience an ongoing reduction in sex drive and, in some cases, prolonged periods of erectile dysfunction even after they stop using the drug, Medical News Today reports.

 Researchers at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences looked at the reported types and duration of persistent sexual side effects in otherwise healthy men who took finasteride — commonly marketed by Merck under the names Propecia and Proscar — for male pattern hair loss. Michael Irwig, M.D., assistant professor of medicine, conducted standardized interviews with 71 men ages 21 to 46 who reported they were in otherwise good health and claimed they experienced the onset of sexual side effects after they began finasteride.

Of the men studied, 94 percent said they developed low sexual desire, 92 percent said they developed erectile dysfunction, 92 percent said they developed decreased arousal and 69 percent said they developed problems with orgasm.

The men reported using finasteride for an average of 28 months and stated that from the time of stopping finasteride to the interview date, the average duration of persistent sexual side effects was 40 months.
Medical News Today quotes Dr. Irwig as saying, “While finasteride has been associated with reversible adverse sexual side effects in multiple randomized, placebo-controlled trials, this is the first series to find that symptoms persisted for at least three months despite stopping finasteride.”

He said the study underscores the importance of physicians discussing the potential risk of persistent sexual side effects with their patients.

Mar 23, 2011
By: Bill Gillette

Fibrin Matrix Yields Good Results

New York — A new study suggests that the use of autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) yields good results in facial plastic surgery procedures, Reuters Health reports. 

Study author Anthony Sclafani, M.D., director of facial plastic surgery at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, conducted a chart review of 50 patients who had undergone aesthetic facial procedures with autologous PRFM. The most common indications for treatment were nasolabial folds, facial volumization, superficial wrinkles and acne scars. 

According to Dr. Sclafani, most patients were satisfied with the treatments and noted improvement within seven days. Five of the patients were dissatisfied with their results and underwent a second PRFM treatment. One of these patients remained dissatisfied with results following the second PRFM procedure. 

In his study, published online Feb. 21 in Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sclafani writes, “Autologous tissue would be the ideal material choice for soft-tissue augmentation in the face if it could be provided in a simple process with good predictability.” 

Publish date: Mar 10, 2011
By:  Bill Gillette

When Should Aesthetic Interventions be Initiated?

Question:

At what point in the aging process should aesthetic interventions be initiated?

Answer:

As we learn more about the long, slow process that is aging, perhaps the most sophisticated way to treat the aging face would be to initiate treatment when only the professional eye of the physician can see aging-associated changes. The face loses a little volume across the entire face as aging progresses, so why not replace a little volume as soon as possible after it is lost rather than waiting until all the changes associated with aging have taken their toll? Doesn't a stitch in time save nine? In addition, because loss of integrity in one tissue influences loss of integrity in another tissue, it is possible that fixing a few small things early might slow down the aging process to some degree. I think there is a lot to be gained by starting interventions earlier.

-Response from Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD; Clinical Instructor, University of California Los Angeles

Real Results with the PureGraft Fat Transfer!

Dr. Zimmerman is the first doctor in the state of Nevada to complete a PureGraft Fat Transfer! PureGraft is redesigning natural beauty!

Here are some real Before and After photos of patients that have had the PureGraft FatTransfer:

 These photos are actual patients and surgeries performed by Dr. Zimmerman at Las Vegas Laser and Lipo.

An Informative Article on Skin Care, Sun Exposure, and Vitamin D

The Importance of Skin Care at ALL Ages

March 3, 2011 — The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued guidelines on limiting sun exposure in children and supporting legislation to prohibit salon tanning by minors, according to a policy statement entitled "Ultraviolet Radiation: A Hazard to Children and Adolescents."

The new recommendations and an accompanying technical document are reported online February 28 and published in the March issue of Pediatrics.

"Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) causes the 3 major forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma; and cutaneous malignant melanoma," write Sophie J. Balk, MD, former chairperson, AAP Committee on Environmental Health, and colleagues.

"Public awareness of the risk is not optimal, overall compliance with sun protection is inconsistent, and melanoma rates continue to rise. The risk of skin cancer increases when people overexpose themselves to sun and intentionally expose themselves to artificial sources of UVR."

Despite these risks, sunburn continues to be prevalent, and teenagers as well as adults continue to make frequent visits to tanning parlors. Therefore, the policy statement suggests that pediatricians offer advice about UVR exposure during health supervision visits and at other appropriate times.

Recommendations
Specific recommendations for pediatricians include the following:

• Health-supervision practices should include advice about UVR exposure, such as avoiding sunburn and suntan, wearing clothing and hats with brims, using sunglasses, and applying sunscreen. If possible, outdoor activities should be scheduled to limit exposure to peak-intensity midday sun (10 AM to 4 PM).
• When a child or adolescent might sunburn, he or she should use sunscreen to reduce the known risks for sun exposure and sunburn, including the increased risk for skin cancer. Sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 should be applied every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or drying off with a towel. People may prefer avoiding sunscreens containing oxybenzone, as these may have weak estrogenic effects when absorbed through the skin.
• Although all children need counseling about UVR exposure, this is particularly true for children at high risk for the development of skin cancer, including those with light skin, nevi, and/or freckling; and/or a family history of melanoma.
• Skin cancer prevention is a lifelong effort, and beginning in infancy, at least 1 health maintenance visit per year should include advice about UVR exposure. All children are at risk for adverse effects of UVR exposure on the eyes and immune system, although not all children sunburn. Especially appropriate times for counseling about UVR exposure include during the spring and summer in northern states, before anticipated sunny vacations, and during visits for sunburns.
• Because outdoor physical activity should be strongly encouraged, this should be promoted in a sun-safe manner.
• Sun-protection practices tend to wane in early childhood. Beginning at age 9 or 10 years, it may be helpful for pediatricians to discuss sun protection with children, together with parents, to encourage joint responsibility for the child's sun protection.
• Infants younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight and covered with protective clothing and hats. When sun avoidance is impossible, parents may apply sunscreen only on exposed areas. Absorption of sunscreen ingredients may be higher in preterm infants.
• Pediatricians should become familiar with chemical photosensitizing agents. People using these oral or topical agents should limit sun exposure and avoid all UVA from artificial sources. When sun exposure is inevitable, they should wear fully protective clothing and high SPF sunscreen that also blocks UVA wavelengths.
• Breast-fed and formula-fed infants and other children should receive vitamin D supplementation in accordance with guidelines, for a total intake of at least 400 IU of vitamin D daily. Children at risk for hypovitaminosis D may need laboratory testing of 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration.
• Deliberate UVR exposure to artificial sources and overexposure to sun with the goal of increasing vitamin D concentrations or for other reasons should be avoided.
• Pediatricians should advocate for adoption of sun-protective policies (eg, shaded playgrounds, outdoor time before 10 AM, and allowing hats at schools and child care facilities).
• Pediatricians should support and advocate for legislation banning use of tanning parlors by children younger than 18 years.

Benefits of Limiting Exposure to UVR
The AAP, the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Dermatology all support legislation prohibiting access to tanning salons or use of artificial tanning devices by children younger than 18 years.

"Skin cancer is a major public health problem; more than 2 million new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year," write Dr. Balk and coauthors of the accompanying technical report. "Approximately 25% of sun exposure occurs before 18 years of age. The risk of skin cancer is increased when people overexpose themselves to sun and intentionally expose themselves to artificial sources of UVR."

In addition to describing new evidence on the association of exposure to sun and artificial sources of UVR with skin cancer and other health risks, the report also highlights sun-protection methods, vitamin D, community skin cancer–prevention efforts, and the pediatrician's role in preventing skin cancer.

This report describes the interrelationship between sun exposure and vitamin D status, and the requirement of adequate vitamin D for bone health and for various other health conditions. Sunlight exposure is needed for cutaneous vitamin D production, but the efficiency of this production is complicated by many factors.

"Ensuring vitamin D adequacy while promoting sun-protection strategies, therefore, requires renewed attention to evaluating the adequacy of dietary and supplemental vitamin D," the report authors write. "Daily intake of 400 IU of vitamin D will prevent vitamin D deficiency rickets in infants. The vitamin D supplementation amounts necessary to support optimal health in older children and adolescents are less clear."

Brought to you by:

Pediatrics. Published online February 28, 2011.

Dr. Z and CoolSculpting!

CoolSculptVegas has just launched today and Dr. Zimmerman of Las Vegas Laser and Lipo will feature this new state-of-the-art treatment beginning on Friday, March 18th!

SO WHAT IS COOL SCULPTING?

CoolSculpting™ by Zeltiq™
Lose unwanted fat quickly and painlessly!

Non-invasive CoolSculpting™ by Zeltiq™ reduces fat cells with no needles, surgery or downtime. This is great news for men and women dealing with exercise and diet-resistant persistent fat areas such as the tummy, love handles and back rolls!

The unique Zeltiq™ Procedure (pronounced Zel ′teek) is an effective way to reduce fat without the pain, risk, and recovery time of surgical procedures. Results are natural-looking fat reduction in treated areas involving the stomach, love handles, thighs, hips, arms, chin and the lower and upper back. The Zeltiq™ procedure utilizes a patented method called Cryolipolysis™ (the use of precisely controlled cooling to remove fat) that is designed to target only fat cells without causing damage or trauma to the skin.

How the Zeltiq™ Procedure is performed.

The applicator is applied to the skin surface targeting folds of fat that can be grasped by gentle suction; drawing a roll of skin and fat into the applicator. The fat is then chilled under precise temperature control, until it is firm but not to the point of freezing. There is no pain during treatment and no anesthesia is needed although you may experience a strong pulling sensation. Most patients find CoolSculpting™ by Zeltiq™ comfortable and are able to read, listen to music or just relax during the procedure. Typically patients resume their routine activities, including returning to work and exercise regimens on the same day as the procedure.


Several days after the procedure, the cooled fat cells begin to shrink. These damaged fat cells are slowly eliminated through the body's normal metabolic processes. Fat cells that have been treated fail to regenerate themselves and are eliminated slowly over several months. The result is a reduction in bulging fat for natural contouring in about two to four months.

Are there side effects after the Zeltiq™ Procedure?

The Zeltiq™ Procedure is non-invasive, allowing return to normal activities on the same day as the procedure although redness may appear in the treated area, and may last from a few minutes to a few hours. Some localized bruising may occur, which clears within a few weeks. Many patients experience a temporary dulling sensation in the treated area which can last for several weeks.

How long does the CoolSculpting™ Procedure take?

Procedure time can be two hours or more depending on the size of the area to be treated.

Am I a candidate for the Zeltiq™ Procedure?

Zeltiq™ is ideal for those seeking a more natural contoured physique. Ideal candidates for the Zeltiq™ Procedure are at or near their ideal weight, but have some excess fat areas that are resilient through diet and exercise. CoolScuplting™ by Zeltiq™ is not intended as a weight-reduction program for overweight individuals. Even though Zeltiq™ CoolSculpting™ technology delivers permanent results, patients must maintain a healthy weight to maintain the results. A consultation with will determine whether the Zeltiq™ Procedure is right for you. -www.coolsculptvegas.com

Good News for BioLife

Cytori (NASDAQ: CYTX) received US Patent No. 7,901,672 ('the 672 patent) today from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a method of enriching a patient's own fat with their own adipose derived stem and regenerative cells (ADRCs) to create a cell-enriched fat graft. This patented method is the essence of the company's innovative procedure for treating a variety of cosmetic and reconstructive soft tissue defects and is being used in Europe and Asia as a natural filler for breast reconstruction after partial mastectomy (such as in Cytori's RESTORE 2 trial), breast augmentation, facial rejuvenation, wrinkle filling, as well as other soft tissue defects such as those secondary to radiation therapy.

The '672 patent is not limited to any particular way of obtaining the stem and regenerative cells or any particular way of enriching the fat with the cells. Accordingly, the '672 patent covers both manual and automated methods of making cell enriched fat grafts. For example, the patented method covers cells disaggregated from the fat tissue by enzymatic digestion or mechanical force and cells concentrated by density, filtration or centrifugation. The cell-enriched fat graft may be prepared manually or in a device that operates in a closed system such as Cytori's Celution® 800/CRS System.

The '672 patent is broader than US Patent No. 7,887,795, issued on February 15th, 2011, covering a method of making a fat graft enriched with ADRCs plus an additive. Additives may include materials that enhance the delivery, efficacy, tolerability or function of the cell-enriched fat graft, e.g., antibiotics, growth factors, immunosuppressive agents and resorbable scaffolds.

The '672 patent is a significant addition to our multi-layered intellectual property strategy aimed at protecting the devices, methods and uses surrounding adipose derived stem and regenerative cells. In September 2009, Cytori received US Patent No. 7,429,488 covering the Company's Celution® 800/CRS based methods of cell enriched fat grafting.

In January 2010, the Company received US Patent No. 7,651,684 covering methods of making cell enriched fat grafts to treat soft tissue defects, promote neovascularization, or reduce necrosis in the breast, lips, wrinkles, undereyes, cheeks, thighs, arms, abdomen, urethral sphincter, rectal sphincter and other areas of the body using the Company's current Celution® 800/CRS system. The '684 patent also covers methods using alternative device configurations such as desktop versions with accelerated processing times tailored to smaller volume procedures. Cytori now has 31 issued patents worldwide and over a 100 pending patent applications.

Press Release Source: Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. On Tuesday March 8, 2011, 8:30 am EST. SAN DIEGO, CA (Marketwire - 03/08/11) 

Cedar's Needles Fight MRSA

Columbia, Mo. — A University of Missouri forestry professor has found that a species of cedar tree carries an antibiotic that appears to be effective against the bacterial infection methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Sify.com reports.

Chung-Ho Lin, Ph.D., a research assistant professor at the university’s Center for Agroforestry, and colleagues were researching possible uses for tree species that are considered a nuisance. They identified, isolated and tested 17 bioactive compounds.

Among these was a chemical compound found in the needles of the eastern red cedar. After a series of tests, the researchers discovered that a small amount of the compound — 5 micrograms per milliliter — was effective against several versions of MRSA.

The team also discovered that in addition to the MRSA-fighting compound, the eastern red cedar carries chemical compounds that can kill skin cancer cells in mice.
The team’s research was presented at the recent International Conference on Gram-Positive Pathogens in Omaha, Neb.

By: Bill Gillette
Dermatology Times E-News

Higher Vitamin D Cuts Cancer Risk

San Diego — New research suggests that a significantly higher vitamin D intake than previously thought is required to reach blood levels that can prevent or lower the incidence of breast cancer and other major diseases, Newswise.com reports.

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine and the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Neb., found that daily vitamin D intakes of 4,000 IU to 8,000 IU are required to maintain the blood levels of vitamin D metabolites needed to reduce by about half the risk of breast and colon cancer, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes.

The study notes that these daily intake levels are higher than traditional recommendations, but are within the range declared safe in a December 2010 National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine report. The recommended minimum daily intake is 600 IUs.

The study reports on a survey of several thousand volunteers who took daily vitamin D supplement dosages ranging from 1,000 IU to 10,000 IU. Blood studies were conducted to determine the level of 25-vitamin D.
Newswise.com quotes Cedric Garland, Dr.P.H., professor of family and preventive medicine at UC San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center, as saying, “Most scientists who are actively working with vitamin D now believe that 40 ng/mL to 60 ng/mL is the appropriate target concentration of 25-vitamin D in the blood for preventing the major vitamin D deficiency-related diseases, and have joined in a letter on this topic.

“Unfortunately, according to a recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, only 10 percent of the U.S. population has levels in this range, mainly people who work outdoors.

“Now that the results of this study are in, it will become common for almost every adult to take 4,000 IU a day. This is comfortably under the 10,000 IU a day that the IOM Committee Report considers as the lower limit of risk, and the benefits are substantial.”

The findings were published Feb. 21 in the journal Anticancer Research.

By: Bill Gillette
Dermatology Times E-News

Facial Analysis

Question: I hear a lot about the importance of facial analysis. What is analyzed and why is it important?

We now know that multiple tissues of the face are involved in aging, including bone, fat, muscle, and skin. We also know that these tissues seem to age independently and each influences the aging of proximal tissues. Although the sequence of age-related changes is predictable, the pace of those changes varies. It is crucial to bear this in mind when developing a facial rejuvenation plan for a patient.

For example, the most commonly treated area when a patient walks into a cosmetic clinic is the nasolabial fold; however, in a lot of 50-year-old women who are going through perimenopausal bone loss, the lower third of the face looks 5-10 years older than the mid face or the upper face. So if you make the mid face look even younger by filling the nasolabial fold, you have taken the face out of perspective. I think that this practice creates a face that isn't harmonious, that doesn't seem to go together, and the final effect is that the patient looks "filled" or "done."

Facial analysis is a process. It is a read, not a recipe. It isn't a checklist that the physician goes through, looking for glabellar lines, tear troughs, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines, and then fixing what needs to be fixed. We know that some changes that physicians note clinically and that patients say bother them are the end stage of a longstanding, underlying global process. We are constantly gaining new insights into what changes and where it changes as the face ages. This knowledge allows us to address the underlying process and achieve much more natural-looking results.

In conclusion, facial analysis is important because it allows us to focus our attention on rejuvenating the particular facial tissue and the particular region that seem to be aging the face we are treating, thus creating harmonious results.

-Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD  (Clinical Instructor; UCLA - Los Angeles, CA)

A Medscape Article on the Importance of Facial Analysis:

First Doctor in NV - PureGraft

Dr. Zimmerman is the first doctor in the state of Nevada to complete a PureGraft Fat Transfer! PureGraft is redesigning natural beauty!

The PureGraft(TM) System sets a new standard for fat graft processing with its membrane-based tissue filtration combined with speed, simplicity, safety and precision. The PureGraft(TM) technology takes only 15 minutes to purify a fat graft ranging from 50 to 250 mL, removing excess and unwanted fluid, lipid, blood cells and debris in a controllable manner. The consumable-based system, used within the sterile field, "dialyzes" off everything but the purified fat tissue without centrifugation or other methods. The ease of use and simplicity of this innovative system sets it apart from other traditional fat grafting methods. - Press Release (PureGraft)

How it is done: Fat is collected from a variety of methods- from abundant areas or as part of the Lipo-Sculpting process. The fat is then processed with PureGraft to purify and remove contaminants. Then, micro droplet grafting is delivered to every layer, from many vectors to enable reperfusion and hardiness. Unused fat and stem cells can be preserved for future aesthetic and medical needs!

Cytori Therapeutics Featured in The Wall Street Journal: Use Stem Cells to Reconstruct Breasts

ZUG, Switzerland (Dow Jones)--A longterm study looking at Cytori Therapeutics Inc's (CYTX) tissue regeneration method--which uses stem cells from a person's own fat to reconstruct breasts--shows the procedure to be safe when used on former breast cancer patients who suffered from scars or had part of their breast removed, the U.S.-based company said Wednesday.

The findings could help thousands of former breast cancer patients benefit from a minimally invasive method to restore breasts disfigured by surgery.

It could also open a potential multi-billion dollar market for Cytori, which generated sales of about $6 million in the first nine months of 2010 and hopes to broaden the use of its method outside the cosmetics market.
Cytori said the fresh 12-month trial of its Celution System, which included 71 patients, confirmed the findings of an earlier six-month trial which registered high physician and patient satisfaction ratios of around 80%. Cytori said the comprehensive data are being prepared for peer-review and should be publicly available later this year.
"The data is likely to increase physicians' confidence to use our method," Cytori president Marc Hedrick told Dow Jones Newswires at the company's new European headquarters in Zug, Switzerland. The San Diego-based firm also owns offices in Tokyo and Mumbai.

The reluctance of many doctors to apply Cytoris' method in cancer patients is due to its use of stem cells from patients' own fat. It reflected concerns that the use of a patient's own cells could allow the cancer to reappear. The study failed to back these fears, however, and showed that the method is safe.
Cytori's system includes the extraction of stem cells from the fat tissue of a patient, which are then injected in the affected area such as the breast, where tissue needs to be regenerated.

Unlike other stem cell companies such as Stemcells Inc (STEM), Cytori doesn't use embryonic cells, a method which is facing opposition as it is considered unethical. Scientists, however, hope the use of stem cells can help cure complex diseases such as cancer as stem cells have a long life and can develop into other cells.

Increased patient and physician acceptance for Cytori's breast regeneration method could spur sales, Hedrik said, seeing a market potential of about $3 billion in this area. "There are about 450,000 women that are diagnosed each year with breast cancer. Around 70% of those women are eligible for breast conserving surgery," he said.
Many women who suffer from breast cancer need to have parts of their breasts removed to extract the cancer tissue. While this can help women survive the disease, living with a disfigured breast comes with a heavy psychological burden. Today, implants are often the only solution to restore breasts.

Cytori's method, meanwhile, could help many women regain a higher quality of life. The intervention is also relatively simple. The extraction of the stem cells takes only a few minutes and the entire procedure until the cells are injected in the breast takes several hours. After about six weeks, the breast is restored.

- Wall Street Journal

If you missed the Patient Education last night with Dr. Z...

For anyone who missed the patient education evening with Dr. Zimmerman last night on the topic of liposuction and fat transfer (Pure Graft), here is short summary on how the process works. Keep current and keep checking back as we will be sharing before and after photographs of actual patients and their amazing results with PureGraft!