NEEDLE therapy + GROWTH FACTOR therapy
Needle Therapy is a piercing method creating micro-channels on the skin by using arrays of needles to increase the absorption of Growth factor or PRP to produce collagen. (Detailed info @ http://drleng.blogspot.com/2011/10/growth-factor-therapy.html)
PRP Tissue Regeneration (using MyCells kit, For more info: http://www.my-cells.net/FAQ.htm) – for total face rejuvenation, to fill in deep lines & rebuild collagen using your own growth factors derived from your own blood.
UNIXEL FRACTIONAL CO2 LASER RESURFACING (For more info: www.drleng.blogspot.com/2009/09/unixel-fractional-co2-laser.html )
o Scars (acne, burns, surgical, traumatic)
o wrinkles & skin tightening
o melasma
o uneven skin pigmentation
o open pores
RADIOFREQUENCY skin tightening and face lifting
MESOTHERAPY facial – microdermbrasion followed by needle mesotherapy with infusion of multivitamin & hyaluronic acid & Botox cocktail
Anti-aging BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES (BIH) - more detailed info @ http://drleng.blogspot.com/2010/06/bioidentical-hormone-replacement.html
CYNOSURE ELITE LASER (detailed info @ http://drleng.blogspot.com/2009/11/cynosure-laser-hair-removal-laserfacial.html)
- Hair removal
- LaserFACIAL for wrinkle reduction & skin tightening
- leg & facial Vein removal
BOTOX injections ( more details @ http://drleng.blogspot.com/2009/07/liquid-facelift.html)
- irons out dynamic wrinkles (frown lines, crows’ feet, undereye lines, lines around lips, Marionette lines, etc)
- brow reshaping
- face reshaping - square to slimmer jaw, calf reshaping
- “dermolift”
FILLERS
NEW!! - Teosyal Puresense - local anaesthetic is incorporated into the filler to make it an almost painless procedure
– Teosyal/Varioderm – fills out deep wrinkles & face reshaping e.g. injection to give fuller lips, fill out depressed (e.g. acne, chickenpox) scars
– Subdermal/Ultradeep – nose augmentation, fill out deep wrinkles, augment cheeks
– Mesolift – rejuvenate thin delicate skin around eyes, neck, back of hands
MICRODERMABRASION (diamond ) – resurfaces the skin, removes whiteheads & blackheads
DERMOELECTROPORATION aka needle-free mesotherapy– a non-invasive transdermal delivery system that delivers nutrients to rejuvenate the skin without trauma or needles
ELECTROSURGERY – removal of warts, moles, lumps & bumps
CRYOTHERAPY – removal of viral warts
MEDLITE laser – removal of pigmentation, tattoos and birthmarks
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) - good for epidermal pigment removal & overall rejuvenation
Permanent HAIR REMOVAL by ELITE laser
ACNE and SCAR treatment – FCO2 laser (see above), needleabrasion, chemical reconstruction of scars, subcision
RADIANTMAX LED Blue phototherapy for acne
RADIANTMAX Red Low Level Laser therapy for skin & & hair rejuvenation (more info @ http://drleng.blogspot.com/2010/06/lasers-useful-for-promoting-hair-growth.html)
KELOID injections
HAIR REGROWTH PROGRAMME
· home use Radiantlife HRx laser (www.radiantlasercomb.com) +/- in-clinic RadiantMax laser
· Needling cum scalp infusion
· Home-use hair care formulas - Regaine, Tricoaid shampoo & solution
· Oral prescription medications
· Oral nutritional supplements – Crowning Glory
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES
– oral prescription meds (Aslene, Duromine) & supplements, food replacement
- lipolytic fat injections
VELASMOOTH "3-in-1” radiofrequency, infrared & negative pressure & tissue massage to
- Reduce cellulite
- Smoothen & firm the skin
- Reshape & contour the body
- Relieves muscle aches & pains
SKINCARE brands – various
MINERAL MAKEUP
Friday, November 18, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Growth factor therapy
Growth Factors are natural proteins found in our body especially in young skin - they play a key role in regulating growth of a wide variety of cells and tissues including production of new collagen and elastin. They help slow down the skin aging process, stimulate new collagen, elastin & hyaluronic acid growth, improve wound healing, decrease skin pigmentation & improve moisture content & elasticity.
They can address skin problems like wrinkles, sagginess, age/sun spots, enlarged pores, acne scars & stretch marks.
Growth factors can be delivered into the skin straight after fractional laser resurfacing or after needle therapy.
Please visit this link to look at before & after pictures of what growth factors can do for your skin. It's in Korean so just visit for pics: http://www.enskin.com/shop/m_mall_detail.php?ps_ctid=01000000&ps_goid=232
An alternative to growth factor therapy is PRP (platelet rich plasma aka PRP (For more info: http://www.my-cells.net/FAQ.htm)
Details of current promos @
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lengs-Clinic-Medical-Cosmetic-Services/286085575374
They can address skin problems like wrinkles, sagginess, age/sun spots, enlarged pores, acne scars & stretch marks.
Growth factors can be delivered into the skin straight after fractional laser resurfacing or after needle therapy.
Please visit this link to look at before & after pictures of what growth factors can do for your skin. It's in Korean so just visit for pics: http://www.enskin.com/shop/m_mall_detail.php?ps_ctid=01000000&ps_goid=232
An alternative to growth factor therapy is PRP (platelet rich plasma aka PRP (For more info: http://www.my-cells.net/FAQ.htm)
Details of current promos @
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lengs-Clinic-Medical-Cosmetic-Services/286085575374
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Treatment updates
Explore new treatments now available for:
1. Hair loss - DIY treatment @ home instead of spending thousands in clinics or salons
2. Acne scars - harnessing stem cell growth factors
3. Hyperpigmentation - paradigm shift in treatment approach - making it manageable for long-term maintenance & certainly more affordable
Check out new product "Reactiver" now available:
http://www.radiant2life.com/reactiver
30-50% discount on various products including:
- Lashbooster
- Skin whitening range
- Hair loss prevention
1. Hair loss - DIY treatment @ home instead of spending thousands in clinics or salons
2. Acne scars - harnessing stem cell growth factors
3. Hyperpigmentation - paradigm shift in treatment approach - making it manageable for long-term maintenance & certainly more affordable
Check out new product "Reactiver" now available:
http://www.radiant2life.com/reactiver
30-50% discount on various products including:
- Lashbooster
- Skin whitening range
- Hair loss prevention
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Dysport - wise words
Wise words about Dysport (botulinum toxin) from Dr Sergio Escobar M.D.,Argentina, International Fellow American Academy of Dermatology.
"Each patient should be evaluated individually in order to customize treatment according to his/her personal characteristics & preferences.
Notwithstanding this, irrational use of this cosmetic tool has generated fear in many individuals, thus making them reluctant to treatment. There are numerous cases in which excessive use of aesthetic procedures has led to terrible outcomes, but it is also true that doing nothing does not seem to be a good alternative either.
Long term use of botulinum toxin has a beneficial effect fro the aesthetic point of view, and it is estimated that if the treatment approach is adequate, with the right dosage, treatment administered twice to three times a year & in combination with other treatments, the passing of time may work in the patient's favor & not against."
"Each patient should be evaluated individually in order to customize treatment according to his/her personal characteristics & preferences.
Notwithstanding this, irrational use of this cosmetic tool has generated fear in many individuals, thus making them reluctant to treatment. There are numerous cases in which excessive use of aesthetic procedures has led to terrible outcomes, but it is also true that doing nothing does not seem to be a good alternative either.
Long term use of botulinum toxin has a beneficial effect fro the aesthetic point of view, and it is estimated that if the treatment approach is adequate, with the right dosage, treatment administered twice to three times a year & in combination with other treatments, the passing of time may work in the patient's favor & not against."
Friday, June 17, 2011
IV skin whitener could be deadly
Publish date: May 19, 2011
By: Bill Gillette
Source: Cosmetic Surgery Times
Manila, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines has issued an advisory that warns of the potentially serious risks of using the popular intravenous skin whitener glutathione (Glutathione IV), GMA News Online reports.
Citing reports received by the agency, Director Suzette Lazo, M.D., is quoted in the advisory as saying, “The alarming increase in the unapproved use of glutathione administered intravenously as a skin-whitening agent at very high doses is unsafe and may result in serious consequences to the health of users.”
According to Dr. Lazo’s statement, adverse reactions include the deadly Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis; thyroid function derangement; suspected kidney dysfunction, potentially resulting in kidney failure; and severe abdominal pain in a patient receiving twice-weekly glutathione administered intravenously.
Glutathione is a liver-generated compound that plays a role in antioxidant defense, metabolism and regulation. It may induce a skin-whitening effect by inactivating the enzyme tyrosinase, which is needed in melanin production and converts the pigment to the lighter pheomelanin. Dr. Lazo noted that this claim has been disputed.
“When administered orally, (glutathione) is hydrolyzed by the gastric juices and further undergoes degradation by the liver enzyme, and the resultant bioavailability is low,” she said. “Intravenous administration delivers very high doses directly into the systemic circulation and may overload the renal circulation.”
By: Bill Gillette
Source: Cosmetic Surgery Times
Manila, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines has issued an advisory that warns of the potentially serious risks of using the popular intravenous skin whitener glutathione (Glutathione IV), GMA News Online reports.
Citing reports received by the agency, Director Suzette Lazo, M.D., is quoted in the advisory as saying, “The alarming increase in the unapproved use of glutathione administered intravenously as a skin-whitening agent at very high doses is unsafe and may result in serious consequences to the health of users.”
According to Dr. Lazo’s statement, adverse reactions include the deadly Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis; thyroid function derangement; suspected kidney dysfunction, potentially resulting in kidney failure; and severe abdominal pain in a patient receiving twice-weekly glutathione administered intravenously.
Glutathione is a liver-generated compound that plays a role in antioxidant defense, metabolism and regulation. It may induce a skin-whitening effect by inactivating the enzyme tyrosinase, which is needed in melanin production and converts the pigment to the lighter pheomelanin. Dr. Lazo noted that this claim has been disputed.
“When administered orally, (glutathione) is hydrolyzed by the gastric juices and further undergoes degradation by the liver enzyme, and the resultant bioavailability is low,” she said. “Intravenous administration delivers very high doses directly into the systemic circulation and may overload the renal circulation.”
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Confessions of a Grouponaholic
I got this fantastic article from CNN written by LZ Granderson.
It just about says it all - everything from the customer's point of view & the merchant's point of view.
Enjoy the read!
Grand Rapids, Michigan (CNN) -- There's a deliciously seductive power to Groupon, isn't there?
It creates an illusion of urgency by using flashy fonts and touting retailers who limit the number of people able to take advantage of the tantalizing discounts. So instead of stopping to ask, "Do I need this?" there is an overwhelming sensation to grab it before it's too late. It's like Black Friday, except instead of standing outside in a long line at 4 a.m. for a 6-inch waffle maker, I'm getting my shopping thrill online.
My partner and I bought six coupons -- worth a total of $360 -- for $150 at a fancy steakhouse here in town. The problem is we don't really like fancy steakhouses -- never have -- so we've only been once. The remaining $300 worth of discounts will soon expire, but hey, at least we didn't miss our chance to "save."
It's a brilliant concept really and builds on one retailers have been using for years, such as offering rebates knowing a good percentage of the customers won't bother to mail them in. It's easy money -- which explains in part why Google tried to buy Groupon for $6 billion. That may be a bit generous of an offer until you factor in that Groupon charges the merchant a hefty 50% of the sales made through its website. It's a lucrative business and one frugal customers like me love.
What I can't figure out is what does the company offering the discount get?
Besides screwed.
If you take a service that normally costs $100, the company may end up with as little as $25 once everyone else gets his or her share, assuming all the coupons get used. And that's before staff or utility bills are paid.
"There is an initial hit, but over the course of the year, there is a return," said Julie Mossler, a Groupon spokeswoman. "You can blindly spend a lot of money advertising on the radio or something like that, but Groupon does the best job exposing your business to thousands of people who may not be aware you even exist. That's the service we provide -- amazing exposure. And we work with our clients to help them retain those new customers.
"But our clients have to take responsibility, too. We can get the people in, but if the service isn't good or the quality isn't good, you're not going to benefit. ... If you suck, there's nothing Groupon can do."
Ouch.
But she's so right.
Joining Groupon's increasing mainstream popularity will likely bring in a rush of new customers, making it easier for small business owners to overlook the fact that they're getting squeezed between Groupon's fat cut of the take and the huge discount offered to consumers. And while initially Groupon may seem like a smart investment for small, struggling companies looking for a jolt, it shouldn't take long for mom and pop shops to see they may be cannibalizing what little business they have.
That's because the loyal customers who used to sustain the business at full price are now coming in with 50 percent-off coupons. But if it does take them long to figure that out, well, Groupon is probably the least of their worries. They're probably not a very good business to begin with, and they're paying Groupon and opportunistic customers to highlight that fact.
Now as I said, I'm a Grouponaholic so whatever problems I have with the company's practices is not enough to get me off the sauce. I love waking up each morning to see what new deals Groupon, Living Social and the other similar sites have are out there.
But truth be told, if I were starting a small business, I wouldn't do it.
Why?
Because the problem with attracting customers like me is that we're not loyal.
We're cheap. That's why 40 million of us signed up for discounts in the first place.
So even though Groupon works with merchants to help retain new customers, if we're offered a similar service or good from another company at a cheaper price, chances are we're gone.
Groupon's great at getting a customer's attention, but loyalty can only be earned.
It can't be purchased.
There's a boutique men's clothing store I frequent that doesn't do Groupon and only occasionally has sales. But I'm a regular, full-price paying customer because it does an amazing job.
It's like that line from the Oscar Wilde essay, "The Decay of Lying": If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.
For a new business owner the goal should be making the few customers believe whatever is being offered is worth the price, as opposed to selling the goods and services short to a lot of customers who may not even come back.
It's one thing for a company to see Groupon as a marketing investment. But if management believes it has to shell out upward of 75 percent of the receipts to get people to dine at their restaurant, then something may either be wrong with what's on the menu or with the people serving. And as Mossler said, if you suck, there's really nothing Groupon can do about it.
Besides something feels odd about a business model in which a restaurant owner stands to make more money if people don't show up to eat. At least not with the coupons sent out to attract people to show up to eat. That fancy steakhouse I mentioned earlier may make a profit off of my unused coupons. But it didn't earn repeat business, which in the end should be the most important thing.
Face it, if you're a businessperson struggling to make ends meet, Groupon's less of a solution and more like a magnifying glass.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of LZ Granderson.
It just about says it all - everything from the customer's point of view & the merchant's point of view.
Enjoy the read!
Grand Rapids, Michigan (CNN) -- There's a deliciously seductive power to Groupon, isn't there?
It creates an illusion of urgency by using flashy fonts and touting retailers who limit the number of people able to take advantage of the tantalizing discounts. So instead of stopping to ask, "Do I need this?" there is an overwhelming sensation to grab it before it's too late. It's like Black Friday, except instead of standing outside in a long line at 4 a.m. for a 6-inch waffle maker, I'm getting my shopping thrill online.
My partner and I bought six coupons -- worth a total of $360 -- for $150 at a fancy steakhouse here in town. The problem is we don't really like fancy steakhouses -- never have -- so we've only been once. The remaining $300 worth of discounts will soon expire, but hey, at least we didn't miss our chance to "save."
It's a brilliant concept really and builds on one retailers have been using for years, such as offering rebates knowing a good percentage of the customers won't bother to mail them in. It's easy money -- which explains in part why Google tried to buy Groupon for $6 billion. That may be a bit generous of an offer until you factor in that Groupon charges the merchant a hefty 50% of the sales made through its website. It's a lucrative business and one frugal customers like me love.
What I can't figure out is what does the company offering the discount get?
Besides screwed.
If you take a service that normally costs $100, the company may end up with as little as $25 once everyone else gets his or her share, assuming all the coupons get used. And that's before staff or utility bills are paid.
"There is an initial hit, but over the course of the year, there is a return," said Julie Mossler, a Groupon spokeswoman. "You can blindly spend a lot of money advertising on the radio or something like that, but Groupon does the best job exposing your business to thousands of people who may not be aware you even exist. That's the service we provide -- amazing exposure. And we work with our clients to help them retain those new customers.
"But our clients have to take responsibility, too. We can get the people in, but if the service isn't good or the quality isn't good, you're not going to benefit. ... If you suck, there's nothing Groupon can do."
Ouch.
But she's so right.
Joining Groupon's increasing mainstream popularity will likely bring in a rush of new customers, making it easier for small business owners to overlook the fact that they're getting squeezed between Groupon's fat cut of the take and the huge discount offered to consumers. And while initially Groupon may seem like a smart investment for small, struggling companies looking for a jolt, it shouldn't take long for mom and pop shops to see they may be cannibalizing what little business they have.
That's because the loyal customers who used to sustain the business at full price are now coming in with 50 percent-off coupons. But if it does take them long to figure that out, well, Groupon is probably the least of their worries. They're probably not a very good business to begin with, and they're paying Groupon and opportunistic customers to highlight that fact.
Now as I said, I'm a Grouponaholic so whatever problems I have with the company's practices is not enough to get me off the sauce. I love waking up each morning to see what new deals Groupon, Living Social and the other similar sites have are out there.
But truth be told, if I were starting a small business, I wouldn't do it.
Why?
Because the problem with attracting customers like me is that we're not loyal.
We're cheap. That's why 40 million of us signed up for discounts in the first place.
So even though Groupon works with merchants to help retain new customers, if we're offered a similar service or good from another company at a cheaper price, chances are we're gone.
Groupon's great at getting a customer's attention, but loyalty can only be earned.
It can't be purchased.
There's a boutique men's clothing store I frequent that doesn't do Groupon and only occasionally has sales. But I'm a regular, full-price paying customer because it does an amazing job.
It's like that line from the Oscar Wilde essay, "The Decay of Lying": If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.
For a new business owner the goal should be making the few customers believe whatever is being offered is worth the price, as opposed to selling the goods and services short to a lot of customers who may not even come back.
It's one thing for a company to see Groupon as a marketing investment. But if management believes it has to shell out upward of 75 percent of the receipts to get people to dine at their restaurant, then something may either be wrong with what's on the menu or with the people serving. And as Mossler said, if you suck, there's really nothing Groupon can do about it.
Besides something feels odd about a business model in which a restaurant owner stands to make more money if people don't show up to eat. At least not with the coupons sent out to attract people to show up to eat. That fancy steakhouse I mentioned earlier may make a profit off of my unused coupons. But it didn't earn repeat business, which in the end should be the most important thing.
Face it, if you're a businessperson struggling to make ends meet, Groupon's less of a solution and more like a magnifying glass.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of LZ Granderson.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
RM3000 hCG Weight Loss Programs
hCG Weight Loss Programs: What Is the Evidence?
Andrew Kaunitz, MD
Hello, I'm Andrew Kaunitz, Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville, Florida. Today I'd like to discuss hCG Weight Loss Programs: What Is the Evidence?
On a regular basis, patients are asking me about human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) weight loss programs. Not being familiar with this, I looked into hCG as used in weight loss programs.
It turns out that the use of hCG for the treatment of obese and overweight patients has a long and controversial history. In the 1950s, a Dr. A. Simeons introduced the use of hCG injections combined with a strict 500-calorie-a-day, high-protein diet.[1]
By the 1970s, Simeons' method had become popular among those seeking weight loss, with advocates claiming that this approach indeed induced rapid weight loss with minimal hunger. While the program appeared to work, this approach to dieting fell out of favor after clinical trials noted that weight loss occurred because of the strict diet, not because of the hCG injections. A 1995 meta-analysis concluded that "...there is no scientific evidence that hCG is effective in the treatment of obesity..."[2]
Notwithstanding the lack of evidence supporting hCG's efficacy,[3] for profit weight loss programs are once again promoting hCG injections. A Google search turned up a number of programs advertising hCG-based weight loss right here in Jacksonville, as well as more than 7 million hits overall.
In a 2010 press release, the American Society of Bariatric Physicians indicates that it is "...officially not recommending..." hCG injections for weight loss, once again pointing to numerous studies that fail to demonstrate efficacy.[4,5]
This press release goes on to point out that the pillars of an effective approach to weight loss include:
* Diet modification based on safe caloric and nutrient guidelines;
* Exercise programs tailored to the capabilities and limitations of the patient; and
* Behavioral counseling, including development of proper eating habits, how to deal with stress-related eating, and how to address the diet and lifestyle of the whole family.
Seems like sound advice to me. Thank you.
My comment: A lot of my clients have paid no less than RM3000 for a month of hCG jabs to various clinics around Kuala Lumpur. Sure, they've lost weight, one even lost 10 kg in that month. It just goes to show that when you have someone nagging you to eat no more than 500 calories a day, you'll lose enough weight to model in Oprah's show.
Wow, if I implement this programme in my clinic, I could make a name as a weight loss guru & get me that BMW I always wanted. Ka-Ching!!
Andrew Kaunitz, MD
Hello, I'm Andrew Kaunitz, Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville, Florida. Today I'd like to discuss hCG Weight Loss Programs: What Is the Evidence?
On a regular basis, patients are asking me about human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) weight loss programs. Not being familiar with this, I looked into hCG as used in weight loss programs.
It turns out that the use of hCG for the treatment of obese and overweight patients has a long and controversial history. In the 1950s, a Dr. A. Simeons introduced the use of hCG injections combined with a strict 500-calorie-a-day, high-protein diet.[1]
By the 1970s, Simeons' method had become popular among those seeking weight loss, with advocates claiming that this approach indeed induced rapid weight loss with minimal hunger. While the program appeared to work, this approach to dieting fell out of favor after clinical trials noted that weight loss occurred because of the strict diet, not because of the hCG injections. A 1995 meta-analysis concluded that "...there is no scientific evidence that hCG is effective in the treatment of obesity..."[2]
Notwithstanding the lack of evidence supporting hCG's efficacy,[3] for profit weight loss programs are once again promoting hCG injections. A Google search turned up a number of programs advertising hCG-based weight loss right here in Jacksonville, as well as more than 7 million hits overall.
In a 2010 press release, the American Society of Bariatric Physicians indicates that it is "...officially not recommending..." hCG injections for weight loss, once again pointing to numerous studies that fail to demonstrate efficacy.[4,5]
This press release goes on to point out that the pillars of an effective approach to weight loss include:
* Diet modification based on safe caloric and nutrient guidelines;
* Exercise programs tailored to the capabilities and limitations of the patient; and
* Behavioral counseling, including development of proper eating habits, how to deal with stress-related eating, and how to address the diet and lifestyle of the whole family.
Seems like sound advice to me. Thank you.
My comment: A lot of my clients have paid no less than RM3000 for a month of hCG jabs to various clinics around Kuala Lumpur. Sure, they've lost weight, one even lost 10 kg in that month. It just goes to show that when you have someone nagging you to eat no more than 500 calories a day, you'll lose enough weight to model in Oprah's show.
Wow, if I implement this programme in my clinic, I could make a name as a weight loss guru & get me that BMW I always wanted. Ka-Ching!!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Medical advice v. sales talk
I have copied & pasted something I wrote on this blog in September 2009 below as a reminder to new visitors to my clinic. My sentiments haven't changed. It still saddens me to see a lot of people who would rather get "free" consultation from a "consultant" who gets a 30-50% commission on successful referrals (to more often than not, dubious unregistered surgeons) than pay RM30 for decent medical advice from a registered doctor. Sales talk is free. Medical advice from a registered medical practitioner does cost a little bit of money - it might save you thousands in the long run. Do go to September 2009 of this blog for related stories.
Cosmetic medicine trade - story of friends & unscrupulous middlemen
NB: names have been changed to protect the privacy of the people involved.
Alice had just turned 50 & developed pigmentation she was desperate to get rid of. In her vulnerable state of feeling old & ugly (not uncommon with hormonal fluxes during the peri-menopausal period), she fell victim to a "friend" who pretended to do her a favour by introducing her to another friend (let's call her Meegan) who could introduce a doctor "highly skilled in removing pigmentation".
Alice was so happy to find a friend who would unselfishly introduce a good doctor to solve her problem, she immediately signed up for a RM800 "PRP/Fxl" treatment. However, after the RM800 treatment, her pigmentation was still there, as stubborn as ever.
She called the doctor to ask further but the good doctor was too busy. Instead, she got a call from Meegan. Meegan told Alice that the RM800 treatment was to "prepare her skin" for the superior SuperR (name changed) laser treatment that would remove all types of pigmentation & the cost would be RM3000 for a course of 6 sessions. Alice balked at the thought of spending so much beyond her initial budget but she was persuaded by Meegan & the good doctor that SuperR was the magic laser that removes all pigmentation & that there were only 3 such lasers in the whole of Malaysia. Alice was already uncomfortable with the idea of spending more but since SuperR was the latest & best laser, she argued that she wanted to pay half 1st i.e. RM1500 since she did not see any results so far.
After the 1st session of SuperR laser, she went back to the doctor complaining that she still did not see any improvement in her pigmentation. During this 2nd consultation, there appeared to be 3 consultants, namely 1) Dr. Mickey himself 2) Karlos, the laser salesman & 3) Meegan, the friend who introduced. All 3 of them insisted that the pigmentation had lightened so Alice was outnumbered in her opinion. However, Dr. Mickey's naive clinic nurse walked in & commented that there was no improvement in Alice's pigmentation at all. The nurse got some "if looks could kill" stares but Alice had no choice but to proceed with the 2nd laser treatment. During the laser treatment, Dr. Mickey was receiving instructions from Karlos about what laser settings to use. At the time she said she felt uncomfortable with the whole situation but with 3 consultants hovering around in the treatment room, it was 3 against 1.
A week after the 2nd laser session, she found that to her horror, the pigmentation had actually got worse & she frantically tried to contact Dr. Mickey but the clinic nurse told her to call Meegan instead. She did not want to talk to Meegan but Dr. Mickey was uncontactable as well. Anyway, she received a call from Meegan who lashed out at her telling her she was an unreasonable client who complained too much & therefore Alice was no longer wanted as a client. As for the 3rd prepaid laser session, Meegan told her that the doctor had gone 2 rounds on her face during her 2nd laser visit so she was not entitled to any refund or further laser sessions.
At that point in time, Alice was referred to me by another client of mine.
This story ends here. Why am I telling this story & risking backlash from my own kind in my industry? I'm doing it to remind the consumer of the bad apples in this industry. And it's also an appeal to those in my industry & a reminder to myself that we're practising cosmetic medicine here - ultimately, it is still medicine & as doctors we're duty bound to look out for our patients, not rob clients of their wallets. We don't need laser salesmen & middlemen to interfere in our medical practice. If patients are losing trust in doctors, I don't blame them.
Cosmetic medicine is in huge demand & many non-medical entrepreneurs have jumped on the bandwagon to profit from this industry. I'm not saying free enterprise is bad, in fact, I encourage it BUT one should not profit through lies & deceit. For example, there is no such thing as "preparing skin for SuperR laser with a Frxel laser". If one wants to make money from another laser procedure then please just tell the client directly the benefits of that particular laser. Consumers want to look beautiful & are willing to pay top dollar for it - there is no need to pull the wool over their eyes.
As for friends who want to profit from their friends by making referrals, please tell the truth. There is nothing wrong with making a living but don't pretend to be doing it as a good Samaritan. If you are doing it as a business & receiving a commission - just please tell the truth.
As for marketing middlemen in the industry - do it ethically - don't go around recruiting people to lie to their friends & relatives.
As for consumers who don't want to pay doctors' consultation fees - Think for yourself if it's worthwhile saving $30 & falling into the traps of "friends" who will ultimately make you part with thousands you can't afford. Just as an example, Alice probably only needed to spend a few hundred on her pigmentation, instead she is already out-of-pocket $2300 & to make matters worse, her pigmentation is actually darker than when she first started with.
I'm just fed-up with the direction this industry is heading. As I've said before, much financial reward can be reaped in this industry but I know that it can be done in an ethical manner. Don't let bad apples tarnish the image of those who practise it ethically.
Cosmetic medicine trade - story of friends & unscrupulous middlemen
NB: names have been changed to protect the privacy of the people involved.
Alice had just turned 50 & developed pigmentation she was desperate to get rid of. In her vulnerable state of feeling old & ugly (not uncommon with hormonal fluxes during the peri-menopausal period), she fell victim to a "friend" who pretended to do her a favour by introducing her to another friend (let's call her Meegan) who could introduce a doctor "highly skilled in removing pigmentation".
Alice was so happy to find a friend who would unselfishly introduce a good doctor to solve her problem, she immediately signed up for a RM800 "PRP/Fxl" treatment. However, after the RM800 treatment, her pigmentation was still there, as stubborn as ever.
She called the doctor to ask further but the good doctor was too busy. Instead, she got a call from Meegan. Meegan told Alice that the RM800 treatment was to "prepare her skin" for the superior SuperR (name changed) laser treatment that would remove all types of pigmentation & the cost would be RM3000 for a course of 6 sessions. Alice balked at the thought of spending so much beyond her initial budget but she was persuaded by Meegan & the good doctor that SuperR was the magic laser that removes all pigmentation & that there were only 3 such lasers in the whole of Malaysia. Alice was already uncomfortable with the idea of spending more but since SuperR was the latest & best laser, she argued that she wanted to pay half 1st i.e. RM1500 since she did not see any results so far.
After the 1st session of SuperR laser, she went back to the doctor complaining that she still did not see any improvement in her pigmentation. During this 2nd consultation, there appeared to be 3 consultants, namely 1) Dr. Mickey himself 2) Karlos, the laser salesman & 3) Meegan, the friend who introduced. All 3 of them insisted that the pigmentation had lightened so Alice was outnumbered in her opinion. However, Dr. Mickey's naive clinic nurse walked in & commented that there was no improvement in Alice's pigmentation at all. The nurse got some "if looks could kill" stares but Alice had no choice but to proceed with the 2nd laser treatment. During the laser treatment, Dr. Mickey was receiving instructions from Karlos about what laser settings to use. At the time she said she felt uncomfortable with the whole situation but with 3 consultants hovering around in the treatment room, it was 3 against 1.
A week after the 2nd laser session, she found that to her horror, the pigmentation had actually got worse & she frantically tried to contact Dr. Mickey but the clinic nurse told her to call Meegan instead. She did not want to talk to Meegan but Dr. Mickey was uncontactable as well. Anyway, she received a call from Meegan who lashed out at her telling her she was an unreasonable client who complained too much & therefore Alice was no longer wanted as a client. As for the 3rd prepaid laser session, Meegan told her that the doctor had gone 2 rounds on her face during her 2nd laser visit so she was not entitled to any refund or further laser sessions.
At that point in time, Alice was referred to me by another client of mine.
This story ends here. Why am I telling this story & risking backlash from my own kind in my industry? I'm doing it to remind the consumer of the bad apples in this industry. And it's also an appeal to those in my industry & a reminder to myself that we're practising cosmetic medicine here - ultimately, it is still medicine & as doctors we're duty bound to look out for our patients, not rob clients of their wallets. We don't need laser salesmen & middlemen to interfere in our medical practice. If patients are losing trust in doctors, I don't blame them.
Cosmetic medicine is in huge demand & many non-medical entrepreneurs have jumped on the bandwagon to profit from this industry. I'm not saying free enterprise is bad, in fact, I encourage it BUT one should not profit through lies & deceit. For example, there is no such thing as "preparing skin for SuperR laser with a Frxel laser". If one wants to make money from another laser procedure then please just tell the client directly the benefits of that particular laser. Consumers want to look beautiful & are willing to pay top dollar for it - there is no need to pull the wool over their eyes.
As for friends who want to profit from their friends by making referrals, please tell the truth. There is nothing wrong with making a living but don't pretend to be doing it as a good Samaritan. If you are doing it as a business & receiving a commission - just please tell the truth.
As for marketing middlemen in the industry - do it ethically - don't go around recruiting people to lie to their friends & relatives.
As for consumers who don't want to pay doctors' consultation fees - Think for yourself if it's worthwhile saving $30 & falling into the traps of "friends" who will ultimately make you part with thousands you can't afford. Just as an example, Alice probably only needed to spend a few hundred on her pigmentation, instead she is already out-of-pocket $2300 & to make matters worse, her pigmentation is actually darker than when she first started with.
I'm just fed-up with the direction this industry is heading. As I've said before, much financial reward can be reaped in this industry but I know that it can be done in an ethical manner. Don't let bad apples tarnish the image of those who practise it ethically.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Liposuctioned hip fat returns to belly
Publish date: May 12, 2011
By: Bill Gillette
Source: Cosmetic Surgery Times E-News
Denver — Women who undergo liposuction on their hips are likely to see the fat return — this time to the belly — within a year, Medical News Today reports.
Researchers at the University of Colorado, Denver, conducted a randomized, controlled trial of liposuction in 32 non-obese healthy women with disproportionate distribution of body fat, mostly in the lower abdomen, hips or thighs. After various measurements were taken, the women were randomly assigned to one of two groups — one of 14 women who underwent small-volume liposuction within two to four weeks; the other of those who were offered liposuction after the study was completed.
Measurements were taken again at six weeks, six months and 12 months afterward. Investigators found, among other things, that after a year, the thigh region of the liposuction participants remained reduced, but fat accumulated in the abdominal region, compared with those in the control group.
Researchers concluded that after liposuction, body fat “was restored and redistributed from the thigh to the abdomen.”
The authors noted that despite being informed of the study’s results, more than half of the women in the control group chose to have liposuction after the study was completed.
The study appeared online in the journal Obesity.
By: Bill Gillette
Source: Cosmetic Surgery Times E-News
Denver — Women who undergo liposuction on their hips are likely to see the fat return — this time to the belly — within a year, Medical News Today reports.
Researchers at the University of Colorado, Denver, conducted a randomized, controlled trial of liposuction in 32 non-obese healthy women with disproportionate distribution of body fat, mostly in the lower abdomen, hips or thighs. After various measurements were taken, the women were randomly assigned to one of two groups — one of 14 women who underwent small-volume liposuction within two to four weeks; the other of those who were offered liposuction after the study was completed.
Measurements were taken again at six weeks, six months and 12 months afterward. Investigators found, among other things, that after a year, the thigh region of the liposuction participants remained reduced, but fat accumulated in the abdominal region, compared with those in the control group.
Researchers concluded that after liposuction, body fat “was restored and redistributed from the thigh to the abdomen.”
The authors noted that despite being informed of the study’s results, more than half of the women in the control group chose to have liposuction after the study was completed.
The study appeared online in the journal Obesity.
Evidence for stem cells still 'limited'
Publish date: May 12, 2011
By: Bill Gillette
Source: Cosmetic Surgery Times E-News
Boston — Scientific evidence for the safety or efficacy of stem cell therapies in aesthetic medicine is very limited, and marketing is pushing too far ahead, according to a joint statement issued this week by two leading plastic surgery associations.
A joint task force of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) released the position statement during the ASAPS Aesthetic Meeting 2011.
The task force said the conclusion was based on a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature.
Led by plastic surgeon and stem cell expert J. Peter Rubin, M.D., of the University of Pittsburgh, the task force was convened to address concerns in the plastic surgery community about advertising claims and clinical practices that have not been substantiated by scientific evidence.
“There are encouraging data from laboratory and clinical studies to suggest that the use of adult stem cells is a very promising field,” Dr. Rubin said in the statement, “but as our comprehensive review of the current scientific literature shows, the data available today do not substantiate the marketing claims being made to patients seeking aesthetic surgery and aesthetic medical treatments.”
Recommendations and statements of the task force to ASAPS and ASPS members and patients include:
• Terms such as “stem cell therapy” and “stem cell procedure” should only be used to describe treatments or techniques where the collection, concentration, manipulation or therapeutic action of stem cells is the primary goal, rather than a passive result, of the treatment.
• The marketing and promotion of stem cell procedures in aesthetic surgery is not adequately supported by clinical evidence at this time.
• While stem cell therapies have the potential to be beneficial for a variety of medical applications, a substantial body of clinical data to assess plastic surgery applications still needs to be collected. Until further evidence is available, stem cell therapies in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery should be conducted within clinical studies under Institutional Review Board approval, including compliance with all guidelines for human medical studies.
By: Bill Gillette
Source: Cosmetic Surgery Times E-News
Boston — Scientific evidence for the safety or efficacy of stem cell therapies in aesthetic medicine is very limited, and marketing is pushing too far ahead, according to a joint statement issued this week by two leading plastic surgery associations.
A joint task force of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) released the position statement during the ASAPS Aesthetic Meeting 2011.
The task force said the conclusion was based on a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature.
Led by plastic surgeon and stem cell expert J. Peter Rubin, M.D., of the University of Pittsburgh, the task force was convened to address concerns in the plastic surgery community about advertising claims and clinical practices that have not been substantiated by scientific evidence.
“There are encouraging data from laboratory and clinical studies to suggest that the use of adult stem cells is a very promising field,” Dr. Rubin said in the statement, “but as our comprehensive review of the current scientific literature shows, the data available today do not substantiate the marketing claims being made to patients seeking aesthetic surgery and aesthetic medical treatments.”
Recommendations and statements of the task force to ASAPS and ASPS members and patients include:
• Terms such as “stem cell therapy” and “stem cell procedure” should only be used to describe treatments or techniques where the collection, concentration, manipulation or therapeutic action of stem cells is the primary goal, rather than a passive result, of the treatment.
• The marketing and promotion of stem cell procedures in aesthetic surgery is not adequately supported by clinical evidence at this time.
• While stem cell therapies have the potential to be beneficial for a variety of medical applications, a substantial body of clinical data to assess plastic surgery applications still needs to be collected. Until further evidence is available, stem cell therapies in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery should be conducted within clinical studies under Institutional Review Board approval, including compliance with all guidelines for human medical studies.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Scientists turn "bad fat" into "good fat"
3 May 2011 Last updated at 16:24 GMT
Scientists turn 'bad fat' into 'good fat'
By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News
Scientists say they have found a way to turn body fat into a better type of fat that burns off calories and weight.
The US Johns Hopkins team made the breakthrough in rats but believe the same could be done in humans, offering the hope of a new way to treat obesity.
Modifying the expression of a protein linked to appetite not only reduced the animals' calorie intake and weight, but also transformed their fat composition.
"Bad" white fat became "good" brown fat, Cell Metabolism journal reports.
Brown fat is abundant in babies, which they use as a power source to generate body heat, expending calories at the same time.
But as we age our brown fat largely disappears and gets replaced by "bad" white fat, which typically sits as a spare tyre around the waist.
Experts have reasoned that stimulating the body to make more brown fat rather than white fat could be a helpful way to control weight and prevent obesity and its related health problems like type 2 diabetes.
Various teams have been searching for a way to do this, and Dr Sheng Bi and colleagues at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine believe they may have cracked it.
They designed an experiment to see if suppressing an appetite-stimulating protein called NPY would decrease body weight in rats.
When they silenced NPY in the brains of the rodents they found their appetite and food intake decreased.
Even when the rats were fed a very rich, high-fat diet they still managed to keep more weight off than rats who had fully functioning NPY.
The scientists then checked the fat composition of the rats and found an interesting change had occurred.
In the rats with silenced NPY expression, some of the bad white fat had been replaced with good brown fat.
The researchers are hopeful that it may be possible to achieve the same effect in people by injecting brown fat stem cells under the skin to burn white fat and stimulate weight loss.
Dr Bi said: "If we could get the human body to turn bad fat into good fat that burns calories instead of storing them, we could add a serious new tool to tackle the obesity epidemic.
"Only future research will tell us if that is possible."
Dr Jeremy Tomlinson, an expert at the University of Birmingham's Centre for Obesity Research, said: "This is exciting, novel and interesting.
"We will need a lot more work to tease this out, but it could offer a feasible way to develop new treatments for obesity."
Scientists turn 'bad fat' into 'good fat'
By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News
Scientists say they have found a way to turn body fat into a better type of fat that burns off calories and weight.
The US Johns Hopkins team made the breakthrough in rats but believe the same could be done in humans, offering the hope of a new way to treat obesity.
Modifying the expression of a protein linked to appetite not only reduced the animals' calorie intake and weight, but also transformed their fat composition.
"Bad" white fat became "good" brown fat, Cell Metabolism journal reports.
Brown fat is abundant in babies, which they use as a power source to generate body heat, expending calories at the same time.
But as we age our brown fat largely disappears and gets replaced by "bad" white fat, which typically sits as a spare tyre around the waist.
Experts have reasoned that stimulating the body to make more brown fat rather than white fat could be a helpful way to control weight and prevent obesity and its related health problems like type 2 diabetes.
Various teams have been searching for a way to do this, and Dr Sheng Bi and colleagues at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine believe they may have cracked it.
They designed an experiment to see if suppressing an appetite-stimulating protein called NPY would decrease body weight in rats.
When they silenced NPY in the brains of the rodents they found their appetite and food intake decreased.
Even when the rats were fed a very rich, high-fat diet they still managed to keep more weight off than rats who had fully functioning NPY.
The scientists then checked the fat composition of the rats and found an interesting change had occurred.
In the rats with silenced NPY expression, some of the bad white fat had been replaced with good brown fat.
The researchers are hopeful that it may be possible to achieve the same effect in people by injecting brown fat stem cells under the skin to burn white fat and stimulate weight loss.
Dr Bi said: "If we could get the human body to turn bad fat into good fat that burns calories instead of storing them, we could add a serious new tool to tackle the obesity epidemic.
"Only future research will tell us if that is possible."
Dr Jeremy Tomlinson, an expert at the University of Birmingham's Centre for Obesity Research, said: "This is exciting, novel and interesting.
"We will need a lot more work to tease this out, but it could offer a feasible way to develop new treatments for obesity."
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Aesthetic products claiming to contain stem cells scant on clinical studies
Publish date: Mar 1, 2011
By: Louise Gagnon
Source: Dermatology Times
* Most aesthetic product lines tout enzymes or peptides that serve to protect or improve stem cell function
* Products containing telomerase have raised concerns that they may promote tumor growth and invasion of skin cancer cells
Metairie, La. — Stem cell products hold the promise of skin rejuvenation and skin repair, and the science that supports the claims of their benefits makes sense, but there are scant clinical studies in human subjects that demonstrate their efficacy and safety.
"We know that as you age, stem cells reduce in function and number," says Patricia Farris, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in Metairie, La. "Stem cells are important in maintaining skin homeostasis and function and for repairing skin after injury."
It appears that stem cell dysfunction or loss of function is the result of several key factors including oxidative stress, ultraviolet light, inflammation and telomere attrition, Dr. Farris says.
"The logic is that if we can boost stem cell function, we can rejuvenate the skin, making it function more like it did when it was young. And this makes total sense as an anti-aging strategy," Dr. Farris says.
Stem cells' role
Stem cells are found in the epidermis, dermis, bulge region of the hair follicle and sebaceous glands.
"Stem cells help regenerate the epidermis, maintain epidermal barrier function, and also support the dermal matrix," Dr. Farris says. This, she says, is why in intrinsic aging, poor wound healing, skin dehydration, wrinkling and loss of elasticity are seen.
"Stem cells are important for keeping skin healthy and looking young," Dr. Farris says. "We know that as we get older, aging fibroblasts don't work as well. They produce excessive amounts of MMPs and less collagen."
Stem cell cosmeceuticals do not actually contain stem cells. Most product lines tout enzymes or peptides that serve to protect or improve stem cell function. Some of the first stem cell cosmeceuticals to market contained the enzyme telomerase. Telomerase protects telomeres from shortening, thus preserving stem cells.
Lack of evidence
Dr. Farris says the products that are available on a retail basis are costly, and she hesitates to recommend them to patients in the absence of good clinical studies.
"As stem cells get older, there is telomere attrition," she says. "It makes sense that if you repair the telomeres, you can restore the activity of the stem cells.
"We don't have proof in human skin yet that when these skincare products are applied to the skin that they can really boost stem cell activity, and, more importantly, make the skin look younger," Dr. Farris says. Most of the research on stem cell products has been done in vitro and needs to be translated to the clinical setting with human subjects, she adds.
There have been concerns regarding cosmeceuticals containing telomerase, in that it has been shown that telomerase may promote tumor growth and invasion of skin cancer cells.
"We have no evidence to suggest that any of these topical skincare products containing telomerase pose a danger to patients, but it remains a theoretical concern," Dr. Farris says. "We have to demand that good studies are performed to ensure patient safety."
Cosmeceutical advances
Natural or botanical telomerase-activating compounds are also finding their way into nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Geron Corporation holds patents on the compound telomerase activation-65 (TA-65) found in the Chinese herb astragalus. Pivotal studies demonstrated that oral supplementation with this natural telomerase activator resulted in an improvement in skin condition in male patients age 60 to 85.
"Consumers always favor products that are natural, making this supplement an attractive option for some anti-aging enthusiasts," she says.
Yet Dr. Farris says she believes more studies are warranted. "We have a lot more to learn about TA-65 before we can give it a thumbs-up," she says.
Amatokin, marketed by Voss Laboratories, launched in 2007 and remains a popular stem cell cosmeceutical. According to manufacturers, the active ingredient in Amatokin is polypeptide 153, Dr. Farris says.
"It is a peptide that was discovered in burn patients," she says. Much of what is known about the natural repair process of the skin is found by observing what happens in the natural wound-healing process, she notes. How this peptide affects stem cells remains unclear, but manufacturers claim it activates dormant stem cells. Although Amatokin is sold widely, Dr. Farris says she has been unable to find clinical studies supporting its efficacy.
"At the end of the day, what our patients want to know is, 'Will this product make my skin look better?' Only with good clinical studies can we assure them that it's really worth the money," she says.
Mibelle Biochemistry takes a different approach to stem cell activation with its patented ingredient Swiss apple stem cell extract.
"We know that plants have stem cells," Dr. Farris says. "If you wound a plant, the callus tissue that forms is rich in plant stem cells."
Mibelle Biochemistry has patented a technology to culture and process a rare Swiss apple known for its long shelf life. This stem cell extract, called PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica, has been shown to slow cellular senescence in vitro.
"The extract can make old cells regenerate much like they did when they were young," she says.
Stem cell extract study
A small study of 20 patients age 37 to 64 demonstrated the impact of a Swiss apple stem cell extract on skin wrinkling. The test cream contained 2 percent Swiss apple stem cell extract, and subjects applied the cream twice daily to their crow's feet for 28 days. The test cream reduced wrinkle depth by 8 percent in two weeks and 15 percent in four weeks over baseline.
"It's important to note that this was a small user study with no control group," Dr. Farris says. "There are some products on the market that contain this ingredient."
Swiss apple stem cell extract has created a buzz since it was reported that first lady Michelle Obama is a fan of it, according to Dr. Farris.
"There is more to come on stem cells," she says. "It is an interesting area of research for skin biologists to look at to see if we can turn on stem cells in a positive way to rejuvenate skin."
By: Louise Gagnon
Source: Dermatology Times
* Most aesthetic product lines tout enzymes or peptides that serve to protect or improve stem cell function
* Products containing telomerase have raised concerns that they may promote tumor growth and invasion of skin cancer cells
Metairie, La. — Stem cell products hold the promise of skin rejuvenation and skin repair, and the science that supports the claims of their benefits makes sense, but there are scant clinical studies in human subjects that demonstrate their efficacy and safety.
"We know that as you age, stem cells reduce in function and number," says Patricia Farris, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in Metairie, La. "Stem cells are important in maintaining skin homeostasis and function and for repairing skin after injury."
It appears that stem cell dysfunction or loss of function is the result of several key factors including oxidative stress, ultraviolet light, inflammation and telomere attrition, Dr. Farris says.
"The logic is that if we can boost stem cell function, we can rejuvenate the skin, making it function more like it did when it was young. And this makes total sense as an anti-aging strategy," Dr. Farris says.
Stem cells' role
Stem cells are found in the epidermis, dermis, bulge region of the hair follicle and sebaceous glands.
"Stem cells help regenerate the epidermis, maintain epidermal barrier function, and also support the dermal matrix," Dr. Farris says. This, she says, is why in intrinsic aging, poor wound healing, skin dehydration, wrinkling and loss of elasticity are seen.
"Stem cells are important for keeping skin healthy and looking young," Dr. Farris says. "We know that as we get older, aging fibroblasts don't work as well. They produce excessive amounts of MMPs and less collagen."
Stem cell cosmeceuticals do not actually contain stem cells. Most product lines tout enzymes or peptides that serve to protect or improve stem cell function. Some of the first stem cell cosmeceuticals to market contained the enzyme telomerase. Telomerase protects telomeres from shortening, thus preserving stem cells.
Lack of evidence
Dr. Farris says the products that are available on a retail basis are costly, and she hesitates to recommend them to patients in the absence of good clinical studies.
"As stem cells get older, there is telomere attrition," she says. "It makes sense that if you repair the telomeres, you can restore the activity of the stem cells.
"We don't have proof in human skin yet that when these skincare products are applied to the skin that they can really boost stem cell activity, and, more importantly, make the skin look younger," Dr. Farris says. Most of the research on stem cell products has been done in vitro and needs to be translated to the clinical setting with human subjects, she adds.
There have been concerns regarding cosmeceuticals containing telomerase, in that it has been shown that telomerase may promote tumor growth and invasion of skin cancer cells.
"We have no evidence to suggest that any of these topical skincare products containing telomerase pose a danger to patients, but it remains a theoretical concern," Dr. Farris says. "We have to demand that good studies are performed to ensure patient safety."
Cosmeceutical advances
Natural or botanical telomerase-activating compounds are also finding their way into nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Geron Corporation holds patents on the compound telomerase activation-65 (TA-65) found in the Chinese herb astragalus. Pivotal studies demonstrated that oral supplementation with this natural telomerase activator resulted in an improvement in skin condition in male patients age 60 to 85.
"Consumers always favor products that are natural, making this supplement an attractive option for some anti-aging enthusiasts," she says.
Yet Dr. Farris says she believes more studies are warranted. "We have a lot more to learn about TA-65 before we can give it a thumbs-up," she says.
Amatokin, marketed by Voss Laboratories, launched in 2007 and remains a popular stem cell cosmeceutical. According to manufacturers, the active ingredient in Amatokin is polypeptide 153, Dr. Farris says.
"It is a peptide that was discovered in burn patients," she says. Much of what is known about the natural repair process of the skin is found by observing what happens in the natural wound-healing process, she notes. How this peptide affects stem cells remains unclear, but manufacturers claim it activates dormant stem cells. Although Amatokin is sold widely, Dr. Farris says she has been unable to find clinical studies supporting its efficacy.
"At the end of the day, what our patients want to know is, 'Will this product make my skin look better?' Only with good clinical studies can we assure them that it's really worth the money," she says.
Mibelle Biochemistry takes a different approach to stem cell activation with its patented ingredient Swiss apple stem cell extract.
"We know that plants have stem cells," Dr. Farris says. "If you wound a plant, the callus tissue that forms is rich in plant stem cells."
Mibelle Biochemistry has patented a technology to culture and process a rare Swiss apple known for its long shelf life. This stem cell extract, called PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica, has been shown to slow cellular senescence in vitro.
"The extract can make old cells regenerate much like they did when they were young," she says.
Stem cell extract study
A small study of 20 patients age 37 to 64 demonstrated the impact of a Swiss apple stem cell extract on skin wrinkling. The test cream contained 2 percent Swiss apple stem cell extract, and subjects applied the cream twice daily to their crow's feet for 28 days. The test cream reduced wrinkle depth by 8 percent in two weeks and 15 percent in four weeks over baseline.
"It's important to note that this was a small user study with no control group," Dr. Farris says. "There are some products on the market that contain this ingredient."
Swiss apple stem cell extract has created a buzz since it was reported that first lady Michelle Obama is a fan of it, according to Dr. Farris.
"There is more to come on stem cells," she says. "It is an interesting area of research for skin biologists to look at to see if we can turn on stem cells in a positive way to rejuvenate skin."
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Does one need a facial after a microdermabrasion?
I was asked this question recently & it struck me that some people really have no idea what microdermabrasion is, nor do they know what is good (or bad) for their skin.
I wish people would do some of their own research so
1) they don't get conned (don't just believe people you think are professionals e.g. beauticians. Even doctors - if something doesn't sound quite right, GET A 2nd OPINION!)
2) they don't have unreasonable expectations of what they are paying for.
"Facial" can mean lots of things & can include the following:
1) "deep cleansing" - beautician cleaning your face & massaging it at the same time sending you to sleep
2) steaming your face to "open your pores" - which is a myth.
3) then they press & squeeze like mad to extract out blackheads which will leave the face red & inflamed for a couple of days..after which you may have a bad acne breakout from all that irritation. They tell you they have cleaned out all the "dirty things" & "poisonous blood". Fact is, the "dirt" is just oxidized sebum (=your own natural oils which have reacted with oxygen in the air). The "poisonous blood" is because you're bleeding from all that trauma to your face.
4) Then they may charge you an arm & a leg for massaging an "ampoule" (an ampoule of don't know what) into your face - that's an extra RM50 - RM100. You can pay that kind of money to buy a good serum & massage it into your face for a whole month.
5) Maybe topped off with a mask & leave to you to sleep for half an hour to give "value for money" because you paid RM380 for 2 hours of treatment.
To be fair, there are many well-trained competent beauticians out there who don't do the horrible things described above. Unfortunately, there are too many of such people who call themselves beauticians (after a 3 day training course)tarnishing the industry with such service. Let's not get started with the ones who inject all sorts of rubbish from industrial silicone to animal extracts.....
Does one "need" a facial? - Answer your own question.
A microdermabrasion removes dead skin & removes sebum from blackheads & whiteheads in a non-traumatic manner leaving the skin feeling smooth, clean & clear. You can walk out straightaway looking good, not with red marks on the whole face.
I think that answers the question!
I wish people would do some of their own research so
1) they don't get conned (don't just believe people you think are professionals e.g. beauticians. Even doctors - if something doesn't sound quite right, GET A 2nd OPINION!)
2) they don't have unreasonable expectations of what they are paying for.
"Facial" can mean lots of things & can include the following:
1) "deep cleansing" - beautician cleaning your face & massaging it at the same time sending you to sleep
2) steaming your face to "open your pores" - which is a myth.
3) then they press & squeeze like mad to extract out blackheads which will leave the face red & inflamed for a couple of days..after which you may have a bad acne breakout from all that irritation. They tell you they have cleaned out all the "dirty things" & "poisonous blood". Fact is, the "dirt" is just oxidized sebum (=your own natural oils which have reacted with oxygen in the air). The "poisonous blood" is because you're bleeding from all that trauma to your face.
4) Then they may charge you an arm & a leg for massaging an "ampoule" (an ampoule of don't know what) into your face - that's an extra RM50 - RM100. You can pay that kind of money to buy a good serum & massage it into your face for a whole month.
5) Maybe topped off with a mask & leave to you to sleep for half an hour to give "value for money" because you paid RM380 for 2 hours of treatment.
To be fair, there are many well-trained competent beauticians out there who don't do the horrible things described above. Unfortunately, there are too many of such people who call themselves beauticians (after a 3 day training course)tarnishing the industry with such service. Let's not get started with the ones who inject all sorts of rubbish from industrial silicone to animal extracts.....
Does one "need" a facial? - Answer your own question.
A microdermabrasion removes dead skin & removes sebum from blackheads & whiteheads in a non-traumatic manner leaving the skin feeling smooth, clean & clear. You can walk out straightaway looking good, not with red marks on the whole face.
I think that answers the question!
Monday, January 10, 2011
German firm tests 'double chin' drug
Jan 11, 2011
BERLIN - GERMAN drugs giant Bayer said on Monday it had launched tests into an injectable drug to combat the fat deposits that lead to the dreaded 'double chin.'
Bayer said in a statement it was conducting clinical trials into ATX-101, an injectable drug 'for the reduction of localised fat under the chin (submental fat)'.
The firm is testing some 720 people in 64 centres in Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Italy with a view to launching a product in Europe, Asia and South America in 2014.
Dr Jean-Paul Ortonne, a French dermatologist involved in the trials, said: 'There is a huge demand for a safe, effective and approved injectable treatment for localised fat reduction.'
The tests are a step towards 'a well-studied, clinically-proven treatment to reduce localised submental fat without surgery,' he added.
Ms Yvonne Moeller, a Bayer spokesman, described the procedure as 'something like a tattoo'. Between 40 and 70 tiny injections are administered into the fat cells over several sessions, with the amount depending on the size of the double chin and the person, she told AFP. -- AFP
BERLIN - GERMAN drugs giant Bayer said on Monday it had launched tests into an injectable drug to combat the fat deposits that lead to the dreaded 'double chin.'
Bayer said in a statement it was conducting clinical trials into ATX-101, an injectable drug 'for the reduction of localised fat under the chin (submental fat)'.
The firm is testing some 720 people in 64 centres in Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Italy with a view to launching a product in Europe, Asia and South America in 2014.
Dr Jean-Paul Ortonne, a French dermatologist involved in the trials, said: 'There is a huge demand for a safe, effective and approved injectable treatment for localised fat reduction.'
The tests are a step towards 'a well-studied, clinically-proven treatment to reduce localised submental fat without surgery,' he added.
Ms Yvonne Moeller, a Bayer spokesman, described the procedure as 'something like a tattoo'. Between 40 and 70 tiny injections are administered into the fat cells over several sessions, with the amount depending on the size of the double chin and the person, she told AFP. -- AFP
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