 talks with Gwyneth Paltrow about her experience with injectables, 

 explains how to treat wildfire smoke-exposed skin and product rebranding for skin whitening, and 

 details whether maskne will still be an issue in the fall season.

Gwyneth Paltrow Is Ready to Talk About Injectables

Is Aging a Disease You Can Reverse? A Look at the Science Behind the Longevity Movement

What to Do If Your Skin's Been Exposed to Wildfire Smoke

Skin Whitening Products Get a Rebrand, But It Doesn't Erase Centuries of Colorism

Articles

This week, consumer media highlights how to treat wildfire smoke-affected skin, the science behind aging, and more. 

Is Aging a Disease that Can be Reversed?

This week in aesthetics includes a laser treatment for melasma, maskne prevention and treatments, a needle-punching technique for safer filler injections, our weekly business tip, and the role of caffeine in skincare.

A recent study examines the safety and efficacy of a single treatment of microfocused ultrasound with visualization.

Study Examines Laser Treatment for Melasma

A recent study examines the picosecond laser for treatment of mixed-type melasma in darker skin types.

These three tips will help patients prevent maskne.

Safer Injections with Needle Punching Technique

A recent study examines the use of a needle punching technique for safer filler injections in the glabellar region.

Business Tip of the Week: Know Your Numbers

This week, Cheryl Whitman explains how to keep your business healthy while understanding key financial metrics.

Acne mechanica from mask wearing, or maskne, may warrant combination treatment with supplements, lasers, and topicals.

Dr. Anna Chacon examines the role caffeine may play in skincare and health.

This week in aesthetics, we highlight a needle punching technique for safer injections, maskne prevention and treatments, and more.

This week in Aesthetics: September 21-25

 examines the safety and efficacy of a single treatment of microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V).

Study author Antonio Araco, MD, describes three endpoints by which results were evaluated:

Improvement of facial skin laxity and ptosis (primary)

Improvement of wrinkles, texture, and amount of hemoglobin (secondary)

A total of 50 patients (47 women, 3 men) with mild to moderate facial skin laxity and ptosis underwent MFU-V between November 2017 and November 2018. All patients received 1200 spot lines of MFU-V. There were no major adverse events reported during duration of the study. All 50 patients completed 6-month follow up.

Compared with baseline, the study showed significant improvement in wrinkles and skin texture after a single session of MFU-V. Likewise, both Surgeon Assessment Scoring System scores and patient satisfaction questionnaire scores significantly improved. Notably, there were no significant differences in safety or efficacy found between smokers and nonsmokers enrolled in the study.

According to Araco, “The study proves that microfocused ultrasound with visualization in a single session of treatment in monotherapy is safe and effective for the treatment of face laxity and ptosis when a proper number of energy spot-lines is delivered in the correct tissue layer.”

Araco A. Prospective Study on Clinical Efficacy and Safety of a Single Session of Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization for Collagen Regeneration. 

Is a Single Session of MFU-V Effective?

The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery recently published a 

 observing the efficacy of a 755-nm picosecond laser with and without diffractive lens array (DLA) for the treatment of melasma in Asian patients.

Melasma, which primarily affects women, especially those with darker skin types, is traditionally treated with topical medications and chemical peels. However, because of the recurrent nature of melasma and side effects, many patients seek alternative laser and light treatment options.

Study authors examined the picosecond laser, with its inherent photoacoustic mechanisms, as a new treatment opportunity for patients with melasma.

The randomized, controlled, split-face, prospective study included 18 female Asian patients with Fitzpatrick skin types IV through V with mixed-type melasma, described as melanin presence in both the epidermis and dermis.

Patients were randomly treated with the PicoSure 755-nm picosecond laser (Cynosure) and received a fractionated beam on one side of the face and full beam on the other. Each patient received five treatments at one-month intervals.

Both objective and subjective evaluations of melasma pigment clearance and adverse effects were taken at baseline, one month after the third treatment, and one, three and six months after the final treatment.

When comparing baseline photographs with those taken post-treatment, blinded observers subjectively assessed pigment clearance and patient satisfaction using a 0- to 4-point quartile grading scale, where 0 is no improvement and 4 is ≥76% improvement.

Researchers found that pigment clearance improved significantly on each treatment side at 6-month follow up. However, physician-rating scores did not return statistically significant differences at any of patient follow-up. Notably, there was a lower incidence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation with full-beam treatment.

“A 755‐nm picosecond laser is safe and effective for the treatment of melasma in dark‐skinned individuals. The use of DLA does not provide additional benefit over the flat optics in clearing pigmentation,” authors conclude.

is available for additional study details.

Manuskiatti W, Yan C, Tantrapornpong P, Cembrano KAG, Techapichetvanich T, Wanitphakdeedecha R. A Prospective, Split-Face, Randomized Study Comparing a 755-nm Picosecond Laser With and Without Diffractive Lens Array in the Treatment of Melasma in Asians. 

If a patient comes into the practice complaining of maskne, Suneel Chilukuri, MD, has a 

he uses to target the issue inside and out.

But part of any effective treatment protocol is preventive measures. In this case, here are three to share with patients for preventing maskne:

 Masks made out of synthetic fabric, like nylon, polyester, and rayon are more likely to cause skin irritation and breakouts. In comparison, 100% cotton or silk masks are more breathable and gentle on the skin.

Masks should be snug on the face and not gap excessively. This helps to prevent the mask from moving, which in turn, helps to avoid chaffing. In addition, when a mask isn’t fitted correctly, people are more likely to use their hands to adjust the fabric, which can transfer germs to the face and cause breakouts.

 Oil, nasal mucus, saliva, and sweat collect on masks during use, which can lead to skin problems. Recommend to your patients that they wash cloth masks after each use to remove this build up. When washing, have them avoid fragranced detergents and instead use one that is gentle, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic.

Chien, A. Coronavirus: Tips to Avoid “Maskne” Skin Irritation. 

. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-tips-to-avoid-maskne-skin-irritation.

9 ways to prevent face-mask skin problems. (2020). 

. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/prevent-face-mask-skin-problems.

Patient Maskne Prevention Tips

Filler injections into the glabella come with risk of necrosis from vascular compression, obstruction, or direct injury.

 examines the use of a needle punching technique for to make filler injections safer in the glabellar region by avoiding the supratrochlear artery and its branches.

In the retrospective study, which included 50 patients, researchers used a 23-gauge punching needle at three equidistantly spaced sites inserted perpendicularly through the skin. The needle was inserted until it met the periosteum of the frontal bone and was then withdrawn.

“Once the bleeding is controlled through pressure application, an alternate site located 1-2mm above or below is tested for safety using the puncture techniques,” says Dr. Özdemir Çetinkaya, study author, department of dermatology and venereology, Nazillili State Hospital, Aydin, Turkey.

Resulting bleeding from each site was assessed and categized based on whether it originates from the dermal papillae or the lumen of the supratrochlear artery or one of its branches.

Although further studies are needed, study authors say that they, “encountered no cases of skin necrosis or visual impairment among our patients, and we achieved a very high rate of patient satisfaction.”

More details on the study’s findings and needle punching technique can be found at “Pretreatment punch technique guides safe injection” in our sister publication, 

A recent study examines the use of a needle punching technique for safer filler injections in the glabellar region. 