A Prospective Evaluation of Female External Genitalia Sensitivity to Pressure following Labia Minora Reduction and Clitoral Hood Reduction.

Background: Little research has been conducted into the effects of labiaplasty on sensitivity of external genitalia. This study aimed to determine the effect of labia minora and clitoral hood reduction using the edge resection technique on external genitalia sensitivity.

Methods: Female subjects electing to undergo labia minora and clitoral hood reduction were enrolled.

Plastic surgery trends parallel Playboy magazine: the pudenda preoccupation.

Background: Aesthetic vulvovaginal procedures are being performed with increased frequency. Many experts have suggested that the growing demand for these procedures relates to the availability and revealing nature of nude images on the Internet and in other media.

Objectives: The authors examined chronologically organized nude photographs from a popular magazine and objectively measured the position of the vulva relative to the center of focus to observe trends for the past 6 decades.

Minimally invasive neck lifts: have they replaced neck lift surgery?

The aging neck is accompanied by an increase in submental fat, platysmal banding, and redundant dyspigmented skin. Creating a more acute cervicomental angle, distinct mandibular border, homogeneous skin tone, and smoother texture helps to achieve a more youthful appearance. The aesthetic provider's armamentarium has long had surgical techniques in the highest regard, but a new wave of minimally invasive procedures looks to offer a nonsurgical approach to cervicomental rejuvenation.

A new treatment regimen for rosacea: onabotulinumtoxinA.

Rosacea is a cutaneous condition with several clinical subtypes that are commonly seen in daily medical practice. There are many different treatment modalities for each of the physical findings associated with this disease, and all have varying results. As the use of onabotulinumtoxinA rises, its benefit in the treatment of a growing number of medical diseases increases.

Restylane persisting in lower eyelids for 5 years.

The authors report the case of a 58-year-old woman presenting with "puffiness" in her lower eyelids persisting for approximately 5 years. While dark, puffy eyelid circles following hyaluronic acid placement periorbitally are not uncommon, what is so unusual in our case is that it was noted 5 years after treatment with Restylane. It has been our experience that hyaluronic acid within periorbital tissues can result in a negative cosmetic outcome that can persist for years after the treatment.

Management of impending necrosis associated with soft tissue filler injections.

Background: As the number of soft tissue filler injections increases, the number of adverse events associated with injection may rise. Impending necrosis represents a serious complication that, if not treated correctly and timely, may have grave consequences.

Objective: We describe a protocol utilizing hyaluronidase, nitroglycerin paste, aspirin, antacid and a topical oxygen therapy that may be used to treat impending necrosis subsequent to injection with soft tissue fillers.

A phase 2, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of a novel nutritional supplement product to promote healthy skin.

Background: Despite an abundance of nutritional supplements, very few well-controlled trials have assessed their beneficial effect on the skin, such as hydration, antioxidant levels, texture or appearance. The objective of the following placebo-controlled, double-blind study was to determine the effects of the Skin Health Experimental Product (SHEP) on skin health.

Methods: The study enrolled healthy men and women aged 30 years or older.

Soft tissue fillers and biofilms.

The purpose of this study was to review the clinical course of reported hypersensitivity reactions associated with use of soft tissue fillers and the response of these reactions to treatment. In this comprehensive literature review, we identified ~40 published reports that together reported numerous adverse reactions associated with use of nonpermanent soft tissue fillers; however, very few of these reactions were consistent with type I immediate or type IV delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Based on their clinical course and response to treatment, most reported hypersensitivity reactions are likely due to an infectious process.

The endonasal lateral crural underlay and sandwich grafts.

Background: Previously, the problem created by overly convex, wide, and robust lower lateral cartilages (LLC) required an external or endonasal approach with delivery. Although this method has proven invaluable, it may not be indicated in all patients with large tips, specifically those with overly convex LLC or with thin skin and robust LLC.

Objective: The authors present the results of their straightforward technique for narrowing the bulbous tip through an endonasal nondelivery approach that reinforces the nasal airway while at the same time preventing alar notching, lateral crus recurvature, and bossa formation.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled health-outcomes survey of the effect of botulinum toxin type a injections on quality of life and self-esteem.

Background: Although studies show that botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) can positively influence one's first impression, little research has been conducted to measure the effect that BoNTA has on mental well-being.

Objective: To determine the effects that BoNTA injections for the treatment of facial wrinkles had on quality of life (QOL) and self-esteem.

Methods And Materials: One hundred participants received treatment with BoNTA or placebo saline in this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled survey.

Blinded evaluation of the effects of hyaluronic acid filler injections on first impressions.

Background: Facial appearance has profound influence on the first impression that is projected to others.

Objective: To determine the effects that complete correction of the nasolabial folds (NLFs) with hyaluronic acid (HA) filler has on the first impression one makes.

Methods: Twenty-two subjects received injections of HA filler into the NLFs.

Retailicine, somewhere between retail and medicine.

In the increasingly competitive market of aesthetic surgery and the unstable predicament of the current economy, managing a successful aesthetic practice becomes ever more difficult. This article introduces the concept of Retailicine, combining essential elements of retail with the core principles of medicine. This new concept stresses the importance of the customer (patient) and provides tips to help manage the aesthetic practice.

Strategies to grow your practice in a struggling economy.

Creating a successful aesthetic medicine practice in times of economic uncertainty is a daunting challenge. This article introduces the concept of Retailicine, combining inherent edicts of medicine with the best practices in business, so today's aesthetic physician can develop strategies for success in any economy. Through the efficient use of marketing strategies catered to aesthetic medicine, aesthetic practices can thrive.

Soft tissue fillers in the nose.

Using soft tissue fillers to correct postrhinoplasty deformities in the nose is appealing. Fillers are minimally invasive and can potentially help patients who are concerned with the financial expense, anesthetic risk, or downtime generally associated with a surgical intervention. A variety of filler materials are currently available and have been used for facial soft tissue augmentation.

Allergic sino-orbital mycosis. A clinical and immunologic study.

We present a case of pansinusitis with orbital involvement associated with an allergic response to the fungus Curvularia (Cochliobolus) lunata. Key elements to the diagnosis included a predominant eosinophilic response of the sinus mucosa, the presence of a characteristic mucoid exudate containing fungal hyphae, peripheral blood eosinophilia, serum precipitins against C lunata, elevated serum total and Curvularia-specific IgE and IgG concentrations, and immediate cutaneous reactivity to C lunata antigen. This report suggests that an exaggerated allergic response should be considered in the pathogenesis of pansinusitis.

Late sequelae of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Seven patients with late sequelae of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) are described. All seven had significant chronic symptoms from asthma. At the time of diagnosis of ABPA all patients had marked irreversible pulmonary function abnormalities; symptoms of chronic bronchitis were present in all.

Skin test reactivity to dog-derived antigens.

Skin test reactivity to canine antigens was studied by testing atopic patients and veterinarians using a commercially prepared mixed-dog epithelial antigen and breed-specific antigens including dander extracts, serum and urine, obtained from thirty-one different pure-bred dogs. Increased skin test reactivity was noted using breed-specific antigens as compared to the mixed-dog commercial screening extract. Variation in skin test responsivity related to specific breed antigens was also noted.

Acquired angioedema associated with rectal carcinoma and its response to danazol therapy. Acquired angioedema treated with danazol.

Cases of the acquired form of angioedema have been recognized as a separate entity since 1972. Previously reported cases have been related to various hematologic malignancies. We have recently studied a patient with rectal carcinoma who manifests a complement pattern compatible with the acquired form of angioedema.

Cytotoxic testing for food allergy: evaluation of reproducibility and correlation.

Cytotoxic food tests still present conflicting opinions concerning their validity. Nine atopic patients with or without a history of food allergy were studied along with 5 nonatopic patients. All tests were conducted in a double-blind fashion with 6 determinations for each of 10 food antigens.

Correlation between date of birth and pollen sensitivity.

Attempts by previous investigators have failed to show significant correlation between seasonal pollens and the birth dates of individuals as evidence for the development of tolerance in immunologically immature neonates. Using a large clinic population with adequate controls, significant correlation between ragweed, grass or tree pollen sensitivity and the dates of birth was not obtained.