Bioengineered follicles grow hair on bald mice!

Enjoy this article from:

Tokyo — Transplanted hair follicles derived from adult stem cells have demonstrated normal hair cycles in bald mice, according to a recent study published in Nature Communications.

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science bioengineered hair follicle germ cells from adult epithelial stem cells and dermal papilla cells. They then implanted the bioengineered cells into the skin of bald mice, resulting in normal hair cycles and other signs of normal function, including piloerection, or goosebumps, Medical News Today reports. Along with normal functioning, the implanted hair follicles also developed the correct structures and made the right connections with surrounding tissue, according to the report.

“Our findings suggest that the transplantation of a bioengineered hair follicle germ can restore natural hair function and re-establish the cooperation between the follicle and the surrounding recipient muscles and nerve fibers,” the authors wrote. “Thus, the transplantation of bioengineered hair follicle germ is potentially applicable to the future surgical treatment of alopecia.”

Aside from raising hopes of a cure for baldness, the study is a significant advance toward next-generation organ replacement regenerative therapies, which will enable the replacement of damaged organs, according to the report. Notably, the study used adult stem cells, rather than embryonic, and it also marked the first time bioengineered follicles were fully functional and integrated into surrounding tissue, according to the report.

By: Paul Gillette

VERY IMPORTANT: The Push for Daily Sunscreen!

Please enjoy this article from:

Wall Street Journal - Health and Fitness

brought to you by Las Vegas Laser and Lipo; which carries one of the best and most effective physician's strength physical SPF's on the market from Skinceuticals (division of Loreal):

The Myths of Daily Sunscreen 

 By: Elizabeth Holmes

Few People Apply It the Right Way, New Labels Try to Help; a Shot Glass of Protection in the Morning!

Even the most diligent, well-intentioned daily sunscreen wearers are likely doing it wrong.

That's because, for women, protecting yourself from the sun is more complex than just choosing an SPF number. The sunscreen in foundation or tinted moisturizer isn't enough for everyday protection. And the sunscreen in cosmetics mostly offers protection against one type of ultraviolet ray, and makeup isn't applied as thoroughly or frequently as needed.

And though dermatologists recommend wearing a sunscreen every day, most people don't. Only about one in five people wears sunscreen properly on a consistent daily basis, says Neil Sadick, clinical professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York.

"Even if they are using a makeup with a sunscreen, I would tell my patients they're not getting enough protection," he says.

 

A face creamcontaining antioxidants helps prevent thesun's rays from causing free-radical damage, say some dermatologists. Free radicals can damage protein structures within cells and accelerate aging and wrinkles. Some creams also contain sunscreens.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Sunscreen

A broad-spectrum sunscreen—which protects against UVA and UVB rays—should have an SPF of at least 15. People with fairer skin or a history of skin cancer should opt for SPF 30.

 

On a daily basis, people should wear a small shot glass worth of sunscreen.

Apply about an ounce, or a small shot glass full, on all exposed skin, including face, neck,chest, ears, hands and feet, 15 minutes before going outside.

Choices abound: Some sunscreens for the face are tinted;some face moisturizers contain sunscreen.

3. Makeup

 

Cosmetics with SPF act as an extra shield against the sun, especially when the SPF comes from a physical sunscreen, like zinc oxide. Many dermatologists suggest applying makeup before sunscreen, but they admit most women won't want to smear sunscreen over their finished makeup.

What the FDA Guidelines Mean

• Products that pass a test to show they protect against both UVA and UVB rays will be labeled 'broad spectrum' followed by an SPF number
• Any product with an SPF of 14 or lower and products without broad spectrum status are required to carry a warning that reads, in part, 'This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn not skin cancer or early skin aging.'
• The terms 'sun block,' 'water proof' and 'sweat proof' can no longer be used. Products that pass an FDA test can be labeled 'water resistant' up to 40 or 80 minutes.
• A product can no longer claim to offer all-day protection. All sunscreens must warn users to reapply every two hours.

New guidelines by the Food and Drug Administration aim to protect consumers from skin cancer through greater testing and clearer labeling on sun-protection products, including cosmetics with sunscreen. The guidelines take effect June 18, though it will take time to clear out-dated products from store shelves.

More than two million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. The incidence of melanoma, the most dangerous form, continues to rise in most age groups in the U.S. It increased eightfold in women ages 18 to 39 from 1970 to 2009, according to a recent study from the Mayo Clinic. It pointed to the use of tanning beds by young women as a possible cause for the increase.

Gabrielle Bogan, 24 years old, who works in advertising in Pittsburgh, went tanning as often as 10 times a month in her teens, but stopped when she found two moles on her scalp. They weren't cancerous, but she began using a sun-protection factor of 45 as part of her daily routine. "I like the fact that this [sunscreen] has a bit higher of an SPF," Ms. Bogan says.

But a product's SPF indicates only its ability to defend against sunburn-causing ultraviolet-B rays—and not against ultraviolet-A, which penetrate deeper into the skin and cause premature aging. (Both types contribute to skin cancer.) For example, a person wearing SPF 50 could spend considerable time in the sun without getting burned. "They think they're getting protected but they're getting the silent damage from UVA," says Steven Q. Wang, director of dermatological surgery and dermatology at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center site in Basking Ridge, N.J. 

Sunscreen products that pass a new FDA test will now say "broad spectrum," followed by the product's SPF, to indicate its effectiveness for both types of rays. Dermatologists recommend wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15 every day. The UVA component is important as window panes—at home or office or car—often block UVB but not UVA rays. 

Adding sun protection into makeup or a moisturizer is a challenge, says Curtis Cole, vice president of skin care innovation at Johnson & Johnson consumer products, which includes the popular skin care line, Neutrogena.

 

Makeup with SPF less than 15

"Formulators have to do a lot of extra work to get the feel and the texture of them so that they're still 'consumer delighters'," Dr. Cole says. 

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, often called physical sunscreens, provide a physical barrier, but may leave a white residue if not formulated correctly, says Dr. Cole. So-called chemical sunscreens are oil based—not a desirable quality in most skin products. Also, the pigments in foundation or tinted moisturizer can interfere with the products' photostability, or their ability to remain effective once exposed to the sun, Dr. Cole says.

L'Oréal USA, which includes the Maybelline brand, added more UV filters to a handful of its products in order to meet the new FDA guidelines, says Anthony Potin, assistant vice president of skin care and sun care research and innovation at L'Oréal USA. The company also developed a line of sunscreen products specifically geared to the guidelines. L'Oréal Paris Sublime Sun hit store shelves in February with the proper formulation and packaging. 

On a daily basis, people should wear a small shot glass worth of sunscreen to cover face, ears, neck, hands and any other exposed skin, says Dr. Sadick.

Cosmetics brands including L'Oréal, Neutrogena, Clarins and Chanel, are marketing new thinner, liquid sunscreens specifically designed to layer under makeup and be lighter and drier than traditional sunscreens.

People typically wear about a half to a third of the recommended amount of sunscreen. As a result, they get half to a third of the coverage—an SPF 30 suddenly becomes SPF 15 or SPF 10, says Dr. Deborah Sarnoff, senior vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation and clinical professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center.

Neutrogena makes its products with a higher SPF than most cosmetic companies for that reason. "Even when they put on too little, they're still getting a meaningful amount of protection," Dr. Cole says.

 

A CoverGirl compact with SPF 22 (bottom) and a Neutrogena compact with both UVA and UVB protection (top).

The FDA is considering a proposal to cap the SPF indicator at "50+," based on research that anything higher than 50 is only slightly better. Neutrogena says it has published research that suggests otherwise.

On the other end of the spectrum—very low SPFs—the FDA has already drawn a line in the sand. Products that do not pass the broad spectrum test or those with a SPF of 14 or lower will be required to carry a warning that reads, in part, "This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn not skin cancer or early skin aging."

Men should also be wearing sunscreen every day, especially those who are bald or losing their hair, as there is more skin likely to be exposed in the direct line of the sun.

 

Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer with SPF 20

Lip balm with at least SPF 15 is also important, especially for men; women get some protection from matte lipstick. Dr. Sarnoff recommends special attention to the bottom lip, as that area tends to catch the most sun.

Most sunscreen brands must overhaul their packaging due to the FDA's new guidelines. Products must carry a "Drug Facts" panel, similar in prominence to over-the-counter pain relievers, listing active ingredients, uses and warnings. The FDA guidelines also require a specific size and font on what can be small containers.

"It's very difficult to do that in an aesthetically pleasing way," says Lisa Hawkins, senior vice president of marketing, education and events for Christian Dior Perfumes, "particularly on a luxury good package."

Dior, which sells its products around the world, is creating a U.S.-specific line of packaging, a "hugely costly and complex endeavor," says Ms. Hawkins. It is also considering narrowing its offerings in the U.S.

Las Vegas Laser and Lipo carries the most effective physician's strength SPF on the market by Skinceuticals! Call 702-360-6686 to order! Special pricing effective until May 31, 2012!

Platelet-Rich Plasma Procedure May Improve Facial Appearance

Dr. Z is sharing this article from:

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy involves injection of the patient's own platelets and fibrin for the cosmetic treatment of wrinkles or scars in the face, hands, and neck. Known to some as the "vampire facelift" (a term trademarked by Alabama cosmetic surgeon Charles Runels), it is less invasive than plastic surgery, takes about 20 minutes for each treatment, and offers improvements for up to 18 months. Cost of the procedure is generally similar to that of fillers and may range from $600 to $1800 per treatment.

 

However, the efficacy and safety of PRP for cosmetic treatment have not been studied in controlled clinical trials. To learn more about the role of PRP therapy in cosmesis, Medscape interviewed Alan Matarasso, MD, and Lauren Zeifman, rPA-C, both in clinical practice in New York City. 

 

Dr. Matarasso is Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and has hospital privileges at numerous New York City medical institutions, including Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital and New York Eye & Ear Infirmary. His contributions to many areas of aesthetic surgery include pioneering advances in surgical and noninvasive techniques. He is widely published and is the senior scientific editor of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

Medscape: Please define the PRP therapy procedure for improving facial appearance.

 

Dr. Matarasso and Ms. Zeifman: Selphyl® (UBS Aesthetics; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) is a patented system for safe and rapid preparation of platelet-rich fibrin matrix, which is a type of regenerative medicine that uses platelets to rejuvenate the skin.

Medscape: What is the rationale behind the use of PRP therapy to improve facial appearance?

Dr. Matarasso and Ms. Zeifman: A steady trend over the past 15 years has been for patients to seek less-invasive procedures for facial rejuvenation. Selphyl has been used by surgeons over the past 7 years to speed up soft-tissue healing from sports injuries as well as to treat burn victims and patients with severe ulcers. It is also used as an adjunct to implant therapy in dentistry.

Selphyl is now being used cosmetically to treat volume loss in the face, hands, and neck -- particularly the crepey skin under the eyes and neck -- as well as wrinkles, acne scarring, and stretch marks.

Medscape: By what mechanisms do injections of PRP restore facial appearance?

 

Dr. Matarasso and Ms. Zeifman: Platelets play a role in stopping bleeding and in repairing damaged blood vessels and cells in the body. Platelets also contain substances called "growth factors" that activate and rejuvenate cells in our body. Unlike fillers that use various synthetic substances, Selphyl uses the patient's natural biology to address skin defects and volume loss, triggering production of new cells and collagen formation.

Medscape: How long does the procedure take, and how is it performed?

 

Dr. Matarasso and Ms. Zeifman: This cutting-edge rejuvenation is a quick 20-minute procedure. After 9 cm³ of blood (approximately 1 vial) is drawn from the patient, it is spun down in a centrifuge for 6 minutes at a precalculated speed to retrieve the most viable fibrin and platelets. After centrifugation, the platelet and fibrin component of the blood (the top layer) is extracted and reinjected into the area of concern.

Medscape: What type of results can generally be expected?

 

Dr. Matarasso and Ms. Zeifman: The results are subtle, with gradual improvement in the injected area over a 3- to 5-week period. Full correction occurs at 4-7 weeks and can last as long as 18 months.

Medscape: What are the risks or complications?

 

Dr. Matarasso and Ms. Zeifman: Because this filler is made from the patient's own blood, there is no risk for rejection, infection, or an allergic reaction.

Medscape: For what types of patients is this procedure most and least suitable?

 

Dr. Matarasso and Ms. Zeifman: Any patient who wishes to reduce volume loss, fine lines, and textural changes of the skin is suitable for this procedure. It also appeals to the patient who is looking for a natural approach to volumizing the face and treating or reducing fine lines.

Medscape: How long are the improvements maintained? If necessary, can the procedure be repeated, and if so, with what anticipated outcome?

 

Dr. Matarasso and Ms. Zeifman: Selphyl can be repeated, and better results are seen with a total of 2-3 treatments given 3-4 months apart. Patients can expect to see better results as they receive more treatments. With time, the results of Selphyl get better and better.

Medscape: How does PRP therapy compare with injections of filler, Botox(Botox® Cosmetic; Allergan, Inc; Irvine, California), or surgical facelifts?

 

Dr. Matarasso and Ms. Zeifman: This procedure can be combined with dermal fillers, Botox injections, and laser surgery, as well as facial surgery. PRP builds tissue over time, whereas traditional filler breaks down over time.

Medscape: In what situations might PRP therapy plus filler injections be helpful?

 

Dr. Matarasso and Ms. Zeifman: It is nice to layer Selphyl with traditional fillers. If a patient has volume loss with a lot of fine lines and textural changes, I like to inject Selphyl to create a new foundation of collagen and use dermal fillers for the fine lines.

Medscape: What is your overall opinion of the role that PRP therapy should play in facial restoration?

 

Dr. Matarasso and Ms. Zeifman: PRP therapy is very promising in facial restoration. Results are optimal when patients receive a combination of PRP, dermal fillers, and laser therapy.

By:  Laurie Barclay, MD; Alan Matarasso, MD; Lauren Zeifman, rPA-C

New Silicone Breast Implant Approved by FDA!

Dr. Z is sharing this article from:

March 9, 2012 — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved a new silicone gel–filled breast implant, bringing the number of such products in the United States to 3, but continued to warn that women who receive any of these implants require lifelong monitoring.

The new silicone breast implant, made by Sientra, is indicated to increase breast size in women aged 22 years and older, and to reconstruct breast tissue in women of any age.

Sientra's product joins 2 other silicone-filled implants made by Allergan and Mentor that are currently on the market.

The safety of silicone breast implants has come into sharp focus after the French version of the FDA recalled implants made by Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) in 2010. PIP had used a nonapproved, industrial-grade silicone that is more prone to ruptures and leakage. As many as 300,000 women worldwide received the implants, and roughly 2000 have lodged complaints about adverse events, which include 8 cases of cancer.

In December 2011, the French government offered to pay to have the PIP implants removed from 30,000 French women.

PIP folded in 2010, but the company's founder, Jean-Claude Mas, continues to make headlines. Now facing charges of causing bodily harm, as well as committing fraud, Mas was jailed earlier this week by French authorities for not paying his bail.

Silicone Breast Implants Are Not "Lifetime Devices"

 

Here in the United States, the FDA has sounded cautionary notes about silicone breast implants. Last year, it reported that 20% of women who receive implants for breast augmentation will need them removed within 10 years. That percentage goes up to almost 50% for women who receive implants for breast reconstruction. The agency advised women with silicone implants, but not saline-filled implants, to undergo magnetic resonance imaging for silent ruptures 3 years after implantation, and every 2 years afterward.

Nevertheless, the FDA deems the new Sientra implant and those from Allergan and Mentor as safe. "Data on these and other approved silicone gel–filled breast implants continue to demonstrate a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness," said William Maisel, MD, deputy director for science in the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in a press release.

Dr. Maisel also reiterated the need for watchfulness.

"It's important to remember that breast implants are not lifetime devices," said Dr. Maisel. "Women should fully understand risks associated with breast implants before considering augmentation or reconstruction surgery and recognize that long-term monitoring is essential."

The FDA's approval of the Sientra implant was based on 3 years of clinical trial data on 1788 women. Adverse events and outcomes, which resembled those for other silicone breast implants, included capsular contracture, reoperation, implant removal, asymmetry, and infection.

The agency attached a number of conditions to its approval of the new implant. Sientra must:

• follow the 1788 women who participated in the clinical trials for 7 more years;
• study 4782 women who receive the implant for 10 years for signs of long-term local complications such as capsular contracture, rheumatoid arthritis, and breast and lung cancer; and
• conduct 5 case–control studies to evaluate the link between the silicone implants and rare connective tissue disease, neurological disease, brain cancer, cervical/vulvar cancer, and lymphoma.

By: Robert Lowes

Brazil Makes Plastic Surgery Tax-Deductible!

Wow!! Wouldn't this be neat in the USA??

This article from Allure is brought to you by Dr. Zimmerman... 

Tall and tan and young and lovely—with tax-deductible boobs!

American women have a new reason to envy the girls from Ipanema. Earlier this year, Brazil made cosmetic surgery—including breast implants, liposuction, and tummy tucks—deductible from income taxes. And the deductions are retroactive to procedures performed as far back as 2004.

Brazilian officials apparently did the math and now believe the increase in income for medical personnel will more than compensate for the projected loss of revenue. “We concluded that cosmetic surgeries are also about health, physical and mental, and should be included in the list of deductible expenses,” Brazil’s tax boss, Joaquim Adir, told Bloomberg.

The U.S. government recently considered the idea of a 5 percent levy on cosmetic procedures—the “Bo-tax,” as it was nicknamed—but dropped the notion in favor of a tanning-bed tax. Nevertheless, Connecticut charges a 6.35 percent premium on plastic surgery, and Washington state and California are considering getting in on the tax act, too.

Those states should think twice, says Gary Smotrich, a past president of the New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons. His state, which currently levies a tax, will begin gradually phasing it out this year, after watching patients go to tax-free New York and Pennsylvania instead. The losers, says Smotrich, are not the much-talked about 1 percent, but “the middle-class women who are the majority of patients for these procedures."

Tell us, do you think cosmetic surgery should be tax-deductible?

 By: Joan Kron, Contributing Editor at Large