This week in aesthetics, studies examine collagen supplements for anti-aging, exosomes and fractional CO2 combination therapy for acne scars, and plastic surgery safety during COVID-19. Endo Aesthetics announces its new “Really Cellulite” campaign, and we highlight 5 regenerative medicine articles for physicians interested in incorporating related treatments into the practice.

Is Collagen Supplementation Efficacious for Anti-Aging?

Researchers examine the results of collagen supplements for both short- and long-term anti-aging use.

Endo Aesthetics Announces New “Really Cellulite” Campaign

Endo Aesthetics announces the launch of its new “Really Cellulite” campaign to eliminate the shame associated with cellulite.

Study Examines Exosomes, Fractional CO2 for Acne Scars

BENEV recently announced positive results in its study examining the combination therapy of human adipose tissue stem cell-derived exosomes and fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of acne scars.

5 Regenerative Medicine Articles for the Aesthetic Practice

For aesthetic physicians interested in incorporating regenerative medicine into the practice, we’ve compiled a list of 5 articles to inform and inspire, including novel applications and how to get started.

Patient, Practice Safety During the Pandemic

A recent study examines plastic surgery safety data to verify COVID-19 protocols.

Articles

This week in aesthetics, we highlight collagen supplements for anti-aging, plastic surgery safety during COVID-19, and more. 

This Week in Aesthetics: January 11-15

Merz Aesthetics, world leader in medical aesthetics, and Candela Corporation, an aesthetic device company, recently announced the launch of a commercial collaboration to provide a broad medical aesthetics portfolio to consumers across the globe.

“Through this novel collaboration, we will offer access to an even more comprehensive portfolio of high-quality aesthetic products,” says Bob Rhatigan, global CEO, Merz Aesthetics, in the 

 announcing the collaboration. “With new options to streamline purchasing, it is another way we can deliver value for customers.”

The collaboration, which will begin in North America, will expand the device, injectable, and skincare portfolios to customers across the world and provide access to comprehensive product offerings and support services.

The companies write that the new collaboration is a solution designed to meet the demand for full spectrum selfcare and optimal skin. It will also provide customers access to innovations and education from both Merz and Candela and offer a full line of premium products, customized treatment opportunities, customer service, and training.

“As consumer demand continues to expand for aesthetic solutions to support health and well-being, we are excited to promote our leading aesthetic device portfolio to Merz Aesthetics customers and offer injectables and topicals to our large and growing customer base,” says Geoffrey Crouse, CEO of Candela, in the release. “We look forward to providing customers with unique packaged offerings that deliver clinical value to aesthetic practices.”

Merz and Candela announce the launch of a commercial collaboration to provide one of the broadest medical aesthetics portfolios in the world.

Merz Aesthetics, Candela Launch Commercial Collaboration

March 2020 marked the start of the United States’ COVID-19 response with state-wide stay-at-home orders, a moratorium on nonurgent and elective surgery throughout most of the country, and shortages on personal protective equipment (PPE) as the first wave of infected people crowded hospitals.

Several weeks later, depending on the state, private practices began the reopening process, with multiple new safety protocols in place to protect patients and medical staff.

 reports on a survey used to assess the safety of plastic surgery during the pandemic, by examining the preoperative prevalence of the virus, the risk of post-operative infection, outcomes and resource utilization for these cases, and the risk to office staff.

The Los Angeles Society of Plastic Surgeons (LASPS) sent a 17-question survey to approximately 409 plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) in late July 2020, inquiring about their cases since reopening in late May.

The survey was distributed during a local Los Angeles COVID-19 surge and asked about procedures performed in the eight- to-10-week period since reopening, including the number performed, testing policies, surgical complications, and cases among staff.

Reminders were sent every other day during the one-week period the survey was open, and recipients were assured that results shared would be anonymous.

As the survey did not collect patient-specific information and respondents were untraceable, study researchers were not required to submit approval through the institutional review board nor acquire patient consent.

Researchers followed the Declaration of Helsinki Guidelines and used best ethical guidelines. Information gathered about the prevalence of COVID-19 during the study period was retrieved from the 

 of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

In total, 112 surgeons reported 5633 surgeries since resuming elective surgery. A total of 103 (91.96%) surgeons obtained a preoperative SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for every patient. Of these PCR tests, 41/5881 (0.69%) were positive. Positive tests within two weeks post-op occurred in 7/5380 (0.13%) surgical patients, 3/8506 (0.04%) injectable patients, and 6/2519 (0.24%) energy therapy patients.

Of the surveyed practices, nine reported at least one staff member with COVID-19. All cases were reported as mild, with no hospitalizations or deaths.

Study researchers conclude that according to collected data, plastic surgery can be performed safely during a COVID-19 surge by those certified through ABPS.

“The results of our study represent a relief for plastic surgeons and their patients,” the authors write. “With no serious cases of postoperative COVID-19, no hospitalizations, and no deaths, this shows that plastic surgery can safely be done during the pandemic. Undoubtedly, this is a reflection of safety protocols such as those developed by The Aesthetic Society’s COVID-19 Task Force being followed, the fact that plastic surgery patients tend to be younger and healthier than patients requiring emergency or urgent surgery, and that many elective plastic surgery procedures are not classified as major surgery.”

Teitelbaum S, Diaz J, Singer R. Can outpatient plastic surgery be done safely during a covid-19 surge? Results of a July 2020 Los Angeles survey and literature review. 

A recent study examines plastic surgery safety data to verify COVID-19 protocols. 

The field of regenerative medicine continues to evolve and offer knowledge and opportunities for the aesthetic practice, including stem cells, exosomes, and more. Our latest regenerative content includes a comparison of stem cells and exosomes, Dr. Cameron Chesnut’s account of how he uses regenerative medicine in his practice, how to introduce regenerative medicine into your practice, activating LGR6+ stem cells with defensins, and the stem cell recruitment facial.

Stem cells largely remain an unproven therapy. Could stem cell-derived exosomes be the key to successful anti-aging treatments?

Regenerative Medicine in the Aesthetic Practice

Facial plastic surgeon Dr. Cameron Chesnut shares how he uses regenerative medicine in daily practice and explains how to begin incorporating it into your own.

Introducing Regenerative Medicine to the Aesthetic Practice

Research shows activating LGR6+ stem cells with defensins repopulates the epidermis with fresh keratinocytes for visible improvement.

Stem cells in a facial? That was our question too.

For aesthetic physicians interested in incorporating regenerative medicine into the practice, we’ve compiled a list of 5 articles to inform and inspire, including novel applications and how to get started. 

BENEV Company, Inc., an FDA registered cosmeceutical manufacturer, recently announced the release of its 12-week prospective, double-blind, randomized, split-face investigational report using combination therapy with human adipose tissue stem cell-derived exosomes and fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of acne scars.

“Patients suffering from acne scarring range in all ages, and the pain that they feel is very real,” says Richard Jin, M.D., Ph.D., in the 

 included a total of 25 patients, 18 men and seven women between ages 19 and 54, who received three consecutive treatments of fractional CO2 laser to the whole face, along with a follow-up evaluation.

Study patients included 12 with Fitzpatrick skin type III and 13 with Fitzpatrick IV and atrophic acne scars.

Post-laser treatment, patients were treated with an adipose tissue stem cell-derived exosome gel on one side of the face and a control gel was applied to the other side.

The exosomes used in the study were acquired from human adipose-derived stem cell conditioned medium by ExoSCRT technology developed by ExoCoBio, Inc.

Study researchers found that the exosome-treated side of the face had a significantly greater improvement compared with the control side at the final follow up visit (32.5 vs 19.9%, p < 0.01).

Downtime was shorter on exosome-treated side and experienced milder treatment-related erythema as well.

"While ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing has demonstrated clinical efficacy in acne scar treatments, patients have sustained side-effects during post-procedural wound healing and had demanded improvement,” says Diane Duncan, M.D., F.A.C.S., in the release. “The adjuvant application of adipose-derived stem cell conditioned medium with synergistic effects in augmenting treatment responses and reducing adverse effects through its potential to accelerate tissue rejuvenation is a victory for those suffering."

These findings suggest, according to study authors, that human adipose tissue stem cell-derived exosomes can be an efficacious cell-free regenerative and aesthetic strategy and adequate adjuvant treatment modality when used in combination with fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of acne and atrophic scars.

"The science is clearly demonstrating that exosomes are the wave of the future not just for aesthetics but for many other areas of medicine, and the richest source of this material, by far, is adipose tissue," says Randy Miller, M.D., F.A.C.S., in the release.

Kwon H, Yang S, Lee J, et al. Combination treatment with human adipose tissue stem cell-derived exosomes and fractional co2 laser for acne scars: a 12-week prospective, double-blind, randomized, split-face study. 

, LLC, an aesthetic device company, recently announced the launch of its new 

 targeted to eliminate the shame associated with cellulite.

In a Harris Poll survey of 2,006 women that Endo released in 2020, the company found that 60% of women felt to blame for their cellulite and 49% were bothered “a great deal” or “a lot” by it.

 campaign will highlight the continued misinformation related to why women experience cellulite and help alleviate feeling responsible for it.

"Aesthetic physicians understand that cellulite is more than skin deep," says Mona Gohara, M.D., a Connecticut-based dermatologist and the vice president of the Women's Dermatologic Society, in the press release announcing the campaign. "This is not only because cellulite is caused by fibrous bands below the surface of the skin—but it also is a reference to how the appearance of cellulite can get under some women's skin and have a negative impact on how they perceive themselves. I hope this campaign will help women understand that cellulite is a very common issue that can stem from a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, hormones, genetics, skin structure, skin texture and body type."

Inspired by the inner monologue many women have with their cellulite, the campaign will include videos and visuals meant to challenge preconceived notions and educate on the “why” and “what” of cellulite.

Each part of the campaign will focus on identifying and explaining the scientific and structural causes of the dimples and be packaged in an amusing and accessible way through social media, influencer content, paid digital ads, customer relationship management (CRM), and website content.

"This campaign was created to remove the stigma associated with cellulite by helping people understand what does and does not cause this very common skin condition," says Robert Catlin, vice president and general manager, Medical Aesthetics at Endo, in the release. "The fun and playful nature of this creative content is designed to provide women with an opportunity to have open and honest conversations with their friends, their online communities and hopefully their aesthetic physicians about what cellulite is and how it makes them feel about their bodies. With this campaign, we aim to challenge women's inner frustrated, 'really, cellulite' monologues, and offer them scientific information that educates on what is Really Cellulite."

Endo Aesthetics announces the launch of its new, “Really Cellulite” campaign to eliminate the shame associated with cellulite. 