NEWS & TRENDS

ASAPS DATA: PROCEDURES FOR MEN INCREASE 273% IN 17 YEARS

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) released its complete 18th annual multi-specialty statistical data today showing an aesthetic plastic surgery spend consistent with the figures for 2013, with Americans spending more than 12 billion dollars on surgical and nonsurgical procedures for the second year in a row. With more than 10 million cosmetic procedures performed in 2014, those that showed the largest growth in volume on a year-over-year basis included buttock augmentation (up 86 percent), labiaplasty (up 49 percent), and nonsurgical fat reduction (up 42 percent). Additionally, more men are turning to aesthetic cosmetic procedures, with dramatic increases seen in surgical and nonsurgical options over the past five years and a 43 percent increase overall.

The top five surgical procedures for both men and women combined in 2014 were:

• Liposuction (342,494 procedures)
• Breast Augmentation (286,694 procedures)
• Eyelid Surgery (165,714 procedures)
• Tummy Tuck (164,021 procedures)
• Nose Surgery (145,909 procedures)

The top five nonsurgical procedures for both men and women combined in 2014 were:

• Botulinum Toxin (3,588,218 procedures)
• Hyaluronic Acid (1,696,621 procedures)
• Hair Removal (828,480 procedures)
• Chemical Peel (484,053 procedures)
• Microdermabrasion (417,034 procedures)

Some of the more popular procedures, including a few in the top five lists above, did see decreases in 2014 including breast augmentation (down 8.5 percent), ear surgery (down 12.3 percent), injectables (down 6.5 percent) and photorejuvenation (down 18.9 percent).

“Despite the decreases in specific procedural areas however, one thing is abundantly clear: The number of men flocking to plastic surgeons for both surgical and nonsurgical procedures continues to increase dramatically and are up 43% this year alone,” states Michael Edwards, MD, President of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Over the past five years (since 2010), there have been significant increases in the following procedures for men:

Surgical:

• Blepharoplasty (up 34 percent)
• Male Breast Reduction (up 33 percent)
• Facelift (up 44 percent)

Nonsurgical:

• Botulinum Toxin (up 84 percent)
• Hyaluronic Acid (up 94 percent)
• Nonsurgical skin tightening (up 37 percent)
• Intense Pulsed Light (up 44 percent)

Since ASAPS began collecting statistical data in 1997, there has been a 273 percent increase in the number of procedures performed on men.

“This is not a trend we expect to see wane anytime soon. Facing a challenging and sometimes ageist job market, men, like women, are starting to consider their options to maintain a youthful appearance that exudes exuberance and energy and the full spectrum of care offered by board-certified plastic surgeons that caters to their individual needs,” explains James Grotting, MD, President-Elect of ASAPS.

Merz Announces Availability of Radiesse^® (+) with Integral 0.3% Lidocaine

Radiesse^® (+) with integral 0.3% Lidocaine (Radiesse^® Plus) from Merz North America, US affiliate of the global Merz Pharma Group, has received FDA approval and is now available to US physicians. Radiesse^® (+) provides the immediate lift of wrinkles and folds, stimulation of natural collagen production, and the lasting results that patients and physicians expect from Radiesse^®, as well as providing patients significant reduction in pain due to the addition of lidocaine.

Radiesse^® (+) injectable implant is an opaque, dermal filler that contains a small quantity of local anesthetic (lidocaine). Radiesse^® (+) is indicated for subdermal implantation for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.

“With the introduction of Radiesse^® (+), Merz addresses the need of restoring lost facial volume while reliably enhancing patient comfort and eliminating the need for in-office lidocaine mixing. We are excited to provide our physician customers with yet another Merz technology to help deliver positive patient outcomes and treatment experiences,” stated Jim Hartman, Vice President and Head of US Aesthetics/OTC for Merz North America.

“In my practice, comfort during treatment is a concern for the majority of the patients that walk through the door,” stated Dr. Z. Paul Lorenc, MD, FACS. “Radiesse (+) allows physicians to treat/correct wrinkles and folds with the same effective product we've used for the past decade, while providing patients with the enhanced comfort they are looking for.” In addition to his work as a board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeon in private practice in New York City, Dr. Lorenc is actively involved in research, development and advancement of new aesthetic surgical and non-surgical techniques and procedures.

Radiesse^® (+) is a robust filler providing high elasticity (G') and viscosity, according to Merz. In a clinical study, 101 patients received Radiesse^® on one side of the face and Radiesse^® (+) on the other side of the face. Patients rated their pain on a scale of 0 to 10. On the scale, 0 was no pain and 10 was very severe pain. Immediately after injection, patients rated their pain about 6.7 on a scale of 0 to 10 for the side of the face injected with Radiesse^® compared to about 2.3 on the same scale for the side of the face treated with Radiesse^® (+). Sixty minutes after treatment, patients rated their pain about 1.1 on a scale of 0 to 10 for the side of the face injected with Radiesse^® compared to about 0.3 on the same scale for the side of the face treated with Radiesse^® (+).

Alma Lasers Introduces Two New Platforms

Alma Lasers added the Soprano ICE ™ platform to its product portfolio. The Soprano ICE Multi-Platform combines the high absorption benefits of the Alexandrite (755nm) wavelength with the advantages of a diode laser providing more comfort for the patient during hair removal and lower maintenance for the practitioner. This new multi-laser, multi-technology treatment approach allows practitioners to treat the widest range of hair types and colors—specifically light-colored and thin hair, quickly and virtually pain free, all year round.

The Soprano ICE Multi-Platform offers several modules including Speed™ technology, allowing practitioners to perform more sessions in half the standard treatment time, the Compact™ applicator allowing for versatile treatment methods, the Facial TIP for treating small or hard to reach areas including the ears, nostrils and glabella, and ICE™ proprietary advanced contact cooling technology.

The Alma Soprano ICE also offers a 1064nm diode laser YAG technology handpiece for darker skin types. This absorption level combined with the contact cooling, treatment coverage, comfort and low maintenance of the diode laser, provides a focused solution for darker skin types.

Alma Lasers also introduced the Harmony XL Pro™ platform, which consists of multiple modules offering powerful solutions for six indications: skin remodeling, vascular lesions, pigmented lesions, tone and texture, hair removal, and acne. Each may be treated using a single technology or a combination of technologies and treatment approaches to achieve clinical results. The modules are designed to work independently or together as a single cohesive, harmonious system.

FDA Clears 532nm Laser System for PicoSure from Cynosure

Cynosure, Inc. received FDA 510(k) clearance of its new 532nm Laser Delivery System for PicoSure^®, creating a powerful, dual-wavelength laser system for removing tattoos of all colors in fewer treatments. PicoSure is widely recognized for its technology leadership, unmatched clinical versatility and proven performance.

“The new 532nm Laser Delivery System further builds on the clinical and commercial success of the 755nm PicoSure for the removal of tattoos and benign pigmented lesions as well as the treatment of acne scars and wrinkles,” said Cynosure Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Davin. “We are pleased to offer this system as an upgrade to our current PicoSure customer base.”

“The integration of the 532nm wavelength into the PicoSure platform allows for more effective removal of red, orange and yellow tattoo ink, which can now be cleared in fewer treatments,” said Roy G. Geronemus, MD, Director of the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. “Based on my picosecond wavelength clinical experience, I believe that the combination of PicoSure's 755nm and 532nm wavelengths provides unmatched tattoo clearance across the full color spectrum.”

Envy Medical Names Shauna Lahiri Chief Marketing Officer

Shauna Lahiri will be joining Envy Medical Products, Inc. in the newly created role of Chief Marketing Officer. Ms. Lahiri brings a 17-year record of building successful global marketing strategies, building and launching new brands achieving leadership in mass, consumer and niche categories. She will be responsible for marketing, e-commerce, and digital media development. “Shauna is joining Envy at an exciting stage in our growth and company development,” said Curtis A. Cluff, Envy's CEO. “She has a uniquely powerful combination of strategic thinking and deep industry experience, particularly for bringing new products and technologies to market. We have what we believe is the most exciting portfolio in professional skincare today and Shauna brings exactly the skillset and high-level passion required for driving the success these technologies inherently deserve.”

Suneva Medical Introduces Regenica Recovery Gel

Suneva Medical, Inc. introduced Regenica^® Recovery Gel, a new addition to the Regenica^® skin care system. Regenica® Recovery Gel is a soothing balm that is specially formulated to help quickly heal damaged skin. It infuses Multipotent Resignaling Complex (MRCx™) next generation growth factor technology with well-recognized and trusted natural antiinflammatory and calming agents—arnica, vitamin K, aloe vera, beta-glucan and SymCalmin^®—to help in the overall appearance of compromised skin.

“The growing popularity of aesthetic treatments calls for advanced skin care products that support a rapid and healthy healing process,” said Nicholas L. Teti, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Suneva Medical. “Regenica^® Recovery Gel is uniquely developed for use after common injectable treatments to help patients return more quickly to daily activities and minimize signs of bruising or swelling.

Addressing injection-based cosmetic treatment growth, Regenica^® Recovery Gel was developed to support rapid healing of injection sites. In a recent clinical study, according to data on file with Suneva, 100 percent of patients who used Regenica^® Recovery Gel daily for one week after having cosmetic injections showed no signs of bruising as early as day three (the first follow-up visit).