In Focus

ASDS: Laser, Light, and Energy Devices in Demand

Members of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) performed more than 2.7 million procedures using lasers, lights and energy-based devices in 2014, according to the ASDS Survey on Dermatologic Procedures.

Patients continue to recognize that these procedures are effective and convenient, said ASDS President George J. Hruza, MD, MBA. “Lasers and other energy sources have become very good for many indications with minimal downtime and minimal pain associated with the procedures,” Dr. Hruza said. “Hair removal, tattoo removal, sun-damage repair, wrinkle and scar improvement, brown spot and broken blood vessel fading, fat reductions and skin tightening are all indications that can be effectively treated with laser and energy sources.”

The top treatment areas of the more than a dozen cosmetic uses in 2014 were:

• Hair removal: 633,000
• Facial redness: 428,000
• Photo rejuvenation: 329,000
• Photodynamic therapy: 311,000
• Age spots: 224,000

XIO Group to Acquire Lumenis

Lumenis Ltd. signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by XIO Group for $14.00 per share in cash, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $510 million.

The prospective transaction is subject to approval by Lumenis' shareholders and receipt of certain regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in September 2015. The Board of Directors of each of Lumenis and XIO Group has approved the transaction. The two largest shareholders of Lumenis, Viola Group and XT Hi-Tech Investments (1992) Ltd., which collectively own approximately 59 percent of the shares of Lumenis, have entered into a customary voting agreement with XIO Group.

Patient before (top) and after Vanquish ME.

BTL Vanquish Approved for Circumferential Reduction of Abdomen Area

BTL Industries received FDA clearance of its BTL Vanquish device for circumferential reduction of the abdomen area. BTL Vanquish uses a panel array that emits selective RF energy with the largest spot size in the industry to treat the entire core in one application. Providing a clinically proven and safe treatment option without touching the patient's skin, the breakthrough technology of BTL Vanquish surpasses earlier treatment options that require uncomfortable suction or labor-intensive application. The system's patented technology creates a high-frequency energy field that targets the thermal effects into the fat layer while protecting surrounding skin tissue. BTL Vanquish provides optimal aesthetic results across the entire abdominal area with maximum safety and comfort without surgery or downtime.

Cynosure's SculpSure Cleared for Non-invasive Lipolysis of the Abdomen

Cynosure, Inc. has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market SculpSure™ for non-invasive lipolysis of the abdomen. In May, the FDA cleared SculpSure for non-invasive lipolysis of the flanks. SculpSure is a safe, clinically proven treatment designed to reduce fat non-invasively by disrupting subcutaneous fat cells. The hands-free device features a flexible applicator system to treat multiple anatomical areas of the body.

SculpSure, which uses a 1060nm laser, can treat an anatomical area in approximately 25 minutes. Patients are able to achieve desired results without downtime or surgery. The technology is expected to be launched in the US in the second half of 2015.

Study Demonstrates Significant Improvement In Face And Neck Treatment Results from Profound Procedure

Syneron Medical Ltd. released the results of a new clinical trial for Profound, a radiofrequency device clinically proven to improve facial and neck wrinkles without surgery. Profound delivers energy directly into the deep dermis to stimulate elastin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. The treatment adds volume and resiliency to the jawline, neck, jowls, nasolabial folds, and cheeks.

In a randomized, blinded, three-arm clinical trial, published in the May 2015 issue of Dermatologic Surgery, Macrene Alexiades, MD, PhD, Associate Clinical Professor at Yale University School of Medicine, set a new standard in treatment protocols by determining the optimal temperature and duration of temperature for maximum histologic and clinical results in wrinkle and laxity reduction.

According to Syneron, the results are the culmination of a decade of research that used Syneron's Profound micro-needle-based radiofrequency energy delivery system with precise, real time, temperature control within the skin.

The study arm that used optimal treatment parameters settings resulted in a 100 percent response rate among all subjects treated as assessed by blinded evaluation. The current results suggest that with optimal settings, a Profound treatment can produce up to 89 percent of the laxity improvement results of a surgical facelift.

Profound patients typically experience only minor redness that resolves within two to 12 hours and minimal swelling for up to five days. Most patients can resume normal activities within 24-48 hours, according to the company.