Aesthetically Speaking; Industry News: March 2013

Brand New Lip Enhancement without the Swelling!

What does every woman want from their lip treatment? A natural look without the swelling that mars the instant results. You can now achieve this with the latest product added to the Juvéderm range of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. Juvéderm’s Volbella^® with Lidocaine is a new treatment for the lips and peri-oral area.

Developed using Allergan’s proprietary VycrossTM technology, Juvéderm’s Volbella^® with Lidocaine is formulated with an innovative combination of low and high molecular weight technology, which improves the cross-linking efficiency of HA chains.

This more effective cross-linking allows for a lower concentration of HA to be used, results in less swelling.  The results last longer too, anything up to a year!

Strain of Acne-Causing Bacteria Found To Maintain Healthy Skin

Everyone has acne-causing bacteria living on their skin, but researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine have identified that there are ‘good’ and ‘bad’ strains of the bacteria, which determine the frequency and severity of developing pimples.

The findings, which were published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, reveal that not all acne bacteria trigger pimples, they even identified one strain that can actually help maintain healthy skin.

Little is known about the scientific causes of acne, a disease which affects close to 80% of Americans – at least once in their lives. The treatment options have remained the same over the past few decades, with much need for improvement.

A report in The Lancet said that further research is urgently needed for effective non-antibiotic treatments for acne, given the concerns of long-term antibiotic use and bacterial resistance.

The Dark Side of Tanning Injections

Young Australians in search of the body beautiful are turning to a new, and potentially lethal technique to enhance their appearance – illegally imported tanning injections. Thousands of Australians are understood to be ordering the drug Melanotan over the internet, which is used to darken the skin, but doctors warn it can also accelerate the development of skin cancers.

The drug also has the side effect of causing prolonged erections in some men.  Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Council Australia Professor Ian Olver said using the drug could actually increase the risk of skin cancer on existing moles as they became more pronounced and injecting any illegal substance increased the risk of blood born viruses.

Botox Parties Replace Tupperwear Parties

The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) has advised that ‘Botox parties’ should be banned and that only doctors, dentists or nurses who have undergone the appropriate training should be allowed to perform these treatments.  Currently they can be delivered by people with no medical qualifications or healthcare training.

In the old days women would hold ‘tupperware parties’ and eat cheese and pineapple on sticks whilst cooing at plastic boxes you could bung a quiche in and keep airtight for 15 years.  Now we have ‘Botox parties’, where a person, who may have no medical qualifications whatsoever, comes over to your home to inject toxins into your face, while your friends gather round cooing at how tight your forehead is.

However the RCS is urges women (and men) to find a qualified medical practitioner who can give you professional expertise instead of crossed fingers, honesty instead of false expectations. Because your health and wellbeing is worth it, as Cheryl would say (kind of).

For further information on all the articles featured above, please call us here at rtwskin on 01892 22 22 22.