 explains how to find a hidradenitis suppurativa-informed physician, 

 discusses the merging of clinical and clean skin care, 

 highlights a gentleman’s guide to good skin care, 

 talks why millennials are opting for surgical brow lifts over noninvasive treatments, and 

5 Signs Your Doctor Is a Hidradenitis Suppurativa Expert

Clinical Skin Care Is Merging with Clean Beauty to Create Products That Actually Work

More Millennials Are Opting for Surgical Brow Lifts Over Noninvasive Treatments

Dermatologists Break Down How to Heal Scars, Including Old Ones

Articles

This week, consumer magazines highlight why millennials are opting for surgical brow lifts over noninvasive treatments, the merger of clinical and clean skin care, and more.

Opting for Surgery over Minimally Invasive Options

This week in aesthetics, AAD announced it will soon begin accepting applications for its 2021 hair disorders grant program, Neil Sadick, MD, discusses updates in hair transplant devices, Nazanin Saedi, MD, explains how to determine whether a laser device is a good investment for your practice, and Nicole Hayre, MD, FAAD, discusses the link between oxytocin and younger-looking skin.

AAD Accepting Applications for Hair Disorders Grant Program

The AAD recently announced it will soon begin accepting applications for its 2021 Hair Loss and Alopecia Initiative in Research (HAIR) Grant Program, which focuses on funding research for hair disorders, especially in diverse populations.

Neil Sadick, MD, discusses updates in hair transplant devices, the evolution of achieving natural-looking restoration results, along with robotic and non-robotic techniques.

How do you determine whether a laser device is a good investment for your practice? And if it is, choosing the right piece of equipment can be a daunting task.

Nicole Hayre, MD, FAAD, discusses her research on the link between oxytocin and younger-looking skin.

This week in aesthetics, we highlight hair transplantation devices, laser technology purchases, and more. 

This Week in Aesthetics: April 5-9

 most recent Cutaneous Connection podcast, Nicole Hayre, MD, FAAD, discusses her research on the link between the "love hormone" oxytocin and younger-looking skin.

For the full catalog of past Cutaneous Connection Episodes, click 

Oxytocin and Skin Aging

Buying laser equipment can be a good way to diversify a practice’s income streams, but like any major investment for a practice, detailed research is key. In a presentation at the virtual ODAC Dermatology, Aesthetic & Surgical Conference,

 Nazanin Saedi, MD, assistant professor at Thomas Jefferson University and director of the Jefferson Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, detailed best practices for understanding the local market, weighing the financial impact of such a purchase, and gauging patient interest in laser procedures.

According to a 2019 study by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

 on laser/light device procedures that year, the most common laser, light, and energy-based procedures were for sun damage and wrinkles. The remainder of the 4.1 million total procedures were, in descending order of popularity, for facial redness, laser hair removal, melasma/brown patches, acne, scars, tattoo removal, and birthmarks. Approximately 90% of aesthetic patients aim to improve texture abnormalities, pigmentation problems, or vascular conditions.

These are the macro trends affecting dermatology across the specialty. A given practice’s patient population will likely vary to some degree from that overarching data. A look at the demographics of that population, including age and gender, may provide some guidance. Obtain more detailed information by adding questions or creating a questionnaire to include in patients’ paperwork indicating possible interest in cosmetic procedures, which ones, and prior treatment history. This helps identify patients’ main areas of concern, such as wrinkles, pigmentation, vessels, or excessive hair.

Perform due diligence on competitors offering similar services, including MediSpas and aesthetic and cosmetic physicians. If there is an opening in the local market, the most important differentiator is expertise. Dermatologists need to perfect their skills with any new equipment. Staff should also be well-informed about the new services offered so that they can inform patients about what to expect and potential benefits/risks.

Take the time to analyze approximate patient demand, office space required, schedule availability, overhead costs, and time and money spent on staff training. This helps identify possible devices that are a good fit for the practice’s needs.

Gauge overhead and profit margin, and determine a break-even point. It is also crucial to compare devices and calculate the amount of profit per unit of time. Buy only one device at a time; don’t purchase another device until a profit is achieved on the first one.

Beware of hidden costs for devices—consumables, maintenance, follow-up visits (which count as lost revenue), and service contracts that can be up to $10,000 per year.

It is also important to understand financing options, including buying, renting, leasing, or purchasing a used device. When renting devices, the lasers are usually not the latest ones on the market; however, renting can help you determine if you have enough demand to actually purchase the item. Leasing is typically more expensive, but it may make more financial sense as the technology continues to change. Used devices may be tricky because there are many counterfeit items. Reliability and quality also may be an issue with used devices, and service contracts for used devices might be a challenge to negotiate or decipher.

Other considerations include treatment time (if it is, indeed, worth your time), possible need for additional staff, availability of extra space, need for multiple treatments, and potential ability to delegate treatments.

When deciding which device to buy, it is important to review the data, watch multiple demonstrations to get a feel for the device, and speak with colleagues about nuances, patient experiences, and real-life complications.

In addition, be sure to purchase a device that has a good track record and places safety first.

Saedi reported no relevant or financial disclosures.

1. Saedi N. Selecting the best devices when starting out. Presented at: ODAC Dermatology, Aesthetic & Surgical Conference; January 14-17, 2021; virtual. Accessed March 12, 2021. 

https://www.asds.net/Portals/0/Images/body-procedures-survey-results-infographic-2019.jpg

Guiding Laser Device Purchases

At the 2020 American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) virtual meeting, Neil Sadick, MD, Sadick Dermatology, New York, New York, discussed an update on hair transplant devices, including robotic and non-robotic techniques, procedure downtimes, protocols, and the evolution of natural-looking results.

Based on his presentation, “Devices for Hair Transplantation” Sadick shares the technology that has helped create hair transplant surgical procedures with minimum scaring that can be performed on those with various levels of loss, and in all genders.

Videos

Hair Transplantation Devices

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) announced that starting in May, applications will begin being accepted for its 2021 Hair Loss and Alopecia Initiative in Research (HAIR) Grant Program.

These grants will be awarded to dermatologists, researchers and trainees in the U.S. to help fund basic, translational, and/or clinical research projects that specifically address the gaps in hair disorders research, especially in diverse populations.

The grant program is offering one $200,000 grant, funded at $100,000 per year for two years (first installment to be paid in 2021) for research on central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA). Other available grants include one $100,000 grant, three $50,000 grants, one $25,000 grant, and one $10,000 grant.

According to the AAD, priority for the $10,000 – $100,000 grants will be given to research on CCCA, racial differences or disparities in care, hair disorders in skin of color, androgenetic alopecia in women, lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, environmental/genetic factors in hair loss, and the role of nutrition in hair loss, all of which have been traditionally underfunded in medical research.

Those interested are can apply for the grants starting May 14, 2021. More information about the HAIR Grant Program including eligibility criteria, selective process, and application information can be found at 