FDA Clears miraDry For Permanent Reduction of Underarm Hair

The FDA cleared Miramar Labs' miraDry® System for the treatment of unwanted underarm hair, and permanent reduction of underarm hair of all colors.

Miramar Lab's miraWave® precisely controlled microwave energy tehnology is the foundation of the miraDry System. Microwave energy doesn't require a chromophore to be effective and therefore can be used on hair of all colors, including light colored hair, and is also not limited by an individual's skin color.

“Using this technology we've seen stable axillary hair reduction of approximately 70 percent regardless of color, and these results were based on a non-optimized treatment protocol,” said Dr. Jeremy Brauer, Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. “It will be exciting to see the increase in results given the protocol improvements we've made since then.”

With this clearance, the company has announced the introduction of the miraSmooth treatment.

FDA Approves Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine to Correct Volume Loss in the Cheek

Galderma received FDA approval to market Restylane® Lyft for cheek augmentation and for the correction of age-related midface contour deficiencies in patients over the age of 21. Restylane® Lyft, formerly marketed as Perlane-L®, is the first and only FDA approved filler indicated to provide fullness to the midface area and to correct and smooth the nasolabial folds.In a clinical trial involving 200 patients, investigators observed that 88.7 percent of patients treated with Restylane® Lyft showed an improvement in fullness in the right and left midface areas (combined) at two months, and more than half maintained improvement for 12 months. Additionally, 95 percent of patients reported improvement with the appearance of their midface at two months and 73 percent of patients reported improvement at 12 months.

The brand name is changing from Perlane-L® to Restylane® Lyft to help healthcare providers and consumers understand where the brand fits among the other Galderma products that are based on the core Restylane® technology, the company says.

My New Favorite Thing: Zwivel

Zwivel allows me and the patient to exchange some information, along with photos to see what they are interested in and if they are indeed a candidate for the procedures. Zwivel is completely private and secure, HIPAA/HITECH compliant and one-to-one between doctor and patient; so patients do not have to worry about the security of what they're sharing or downloading cumbersome apps or forms via the platform. Prospective patients can now communicate directly with me from wherever they are: school drop-off, the gym or the privacy of their own home – and using my smartphone or computer, I can respond just as easily. The other reason Zwivel is my new favorite tool is because it is a huge time saver.

—Robert J. Brueck, MD, FACS

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Unilever to Acquire Murad

Unilever has signed an agreement to acquire Murad. This follows the recent acquisitions of Dermalogica, Kate Somerville, and REN. Murad, founded in 1989 in Los Angeles by Howard Murad MD, a dermatologist, pharmacist, and UCLA professor, developed a unique recipe of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and hydrators to address skin care concerns from acne to anti-aging. Murad has a regional hub for Europe located in the UK, and the brand can be found in over 42 countries, in department stores, pharmacies, spas, and salons. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

New Findings: Age Affects Facial Treatment Preferences

A research-based analysis published in DermatologicSurgery found that facial treatment preferences among women often are tied to age. Younger women are more likely to seek cosmetic medical treatments for the upper face while women 50 and older prioritize treatments of the lower face, according to the study.

A total of 603 women between the ages of 30 and 65 years old considering aesthetic treatments participated in an online research survey using Maximum Difference scaling. This analysis revealed that crow's feet are most likely to be treated first (82 percent of the first preferences), followed by the junction of the upper and lower lips (74 percent) and tear troughs (72 percent).

A strong correlation was observed between facial areas creating the most concern and the likelihood that they received a high treatment preference. One exception was the tear trough, which was identified as a similar degree of concern to crow's feet lines but was less likely to be selected for aesthetic treatment.

FDA Clears Cellfina for Long-term Improvement of Cellulite

The Cellfina System (Ulthera, Inc./Merz) received FDA clearance for the long-term improvement in the appearance of cellulite on the buttocks and thighs with no loss of benefit for up to two years. It will be available to physicians across the U.S. in Fall 2015. Cellfina is now the only FDA-cleared minimally invasive procedure clinically proven to improve the appearance of cellulite for results that last at least two years, the longest duration cleared by the FDA. The Cellfina System combines proprietary technology with subcision, to treat the primary structural cause of cellulite. n

Watch it Now

Dr. Paul Nassif, Star of E! Television's “Botched,” Discusses Celebrity and Medicine on Aesthetics Insider with Dr. Steve Dayan. To watch the full episodes as well as other episodes of Aesthetics Insider, visit modernaesthetics.tv