Katie Hobbins

This week in aesthetics, a study examines tofacitinib for the treatment of alopecia areata, Dr. Michael Kluska compares Renuvion (J-Plasma) versus Bodytite by InMode, MJH Life Sciences holds a webinar on COVID-19 variants, and the ASDS annual survey shows continued popularity of noninvasive procedures.

Tofacitinib for Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata

A 2017 study examines the long-term efficacy of JAK 1/3 inhibitor, tofacitinib, for treatment of alopecia areata and its variants.

Device Review: Renuvion (J-Plasma) vs. Bodytite

In this monthly technology review, Dr. Michael Kluska compares Renuvion (J-Plasma) versus Bodytite by InMode, and how to choose which one suits your practice best.

MJH Life Sciences COVID-19 Coalition webinar on Jan. 26 will focus on COVID-19 variants emerging around the globe.

ASDS Survey Reports Nearly 14 Million Treatments in 2019

The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery releases its annual survey showing the continued popularity of minimally invasive and nonsurgical treatments.

Articles

This week in aesthetics, a study examines tofacitinib to treat alopecia areata, Dr. Michael Kluska compares Renuvion (J-Plasma) versus Bodytite, and more. 

This Week in Aesthetics: January 18-22

The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) recently released its annual 2019 

, revealing that injectables and laser, light and energy-based devices continued to grow in 2019, each totaling more than four million treatments. 

These treatments surpassed skin cancer as the most performed procedure categories for ASDS members.

Skin cancer treatments led in the survey for the last seven consecutive years.

“Our annual survey, now in its eighth year, reflects our membership’s expertise, expansive and innovative treatment options and quality of care that comes from seeing a board certified ASDS member dermatologist,” says ASDS president Mathew M. Avram, MD, JD, in the press release announcing the survey results. “This also highlights the longstanding impact that dermatologists have on aesthetic surgery, being the pioneers of many cosmetic and reconstructive procedures from tumescent liposuction, laser surgery, botulinum toxin, Mohs micrographic surgery and so much more.”

Society members performed more than 10.3 million cosmetic treatments in 2019, a 14% increase from 2018, according to the survey.

The body sculpting category saw an increase of 62% from the previous year, injectable soft-tissue fillers were up 76% and laser, light and energy-based treatments grew 106% over the last eight years.

Cryolipolysis, also known as fat-freezing, and radiofrequency treatments were the most performed procedures in the category by 214% and 133%, respectively, in the last eight years.

In 2019, laser lipolysis rose 641%, microfocused ultrasound increased 202% and tumescent liposuction grew 109%.

New to the survey for 2019, muscle toning devices were used in more than 157,000 procedures and with over 160,000 procedures, hair rejuvenation treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) grew by 94%, while thread lifts increased 106% with nearly 68,000 procedures performed.

Facial rejuvenation continued to be a prominent concern for patients in 2019, as wrinkles, sun damage, and facial redness led the types of conditions treated by laser, light and energy-based devices with over 2.4 million treatments performed.

“The pioneering spirit of ASDS members and science-based research are driving the innovation of new treatment options, giving patients more choices and better outcomes,” says Dr. Avram, in the release. “This data continues to reinforce that ASDS board certified dermatologists are trusted by the public as the true experts for the health and beauty of the skin.”

The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery releases its annual survey showing the continued popularity of minimally invasive and nonsurgical treatments. 

Alopecia areata (AA) and its variants have an estimated lifetime risk of 1.7% in children and adults. However, current medical therapies are not reliably effective, particularly for severe disease.

In a murine model of AA, natural killer gene 2D-expressing CD8+ T cells were shown to be central, causing up-regulation of interleukin-15 in hair follicles and production of interferon-y, targeting the follicle for attack.

Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors have shown, as downstream regulators of interferon-y and interleukin-15, to eliminate the interferon signature and reverse disease.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 

(JAAD) sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the JAK 1/3 inhibitor, tofacitinib, in AA, alopecia totalis (AT), or alopecia universalis (AU) patients over an extended period.

“Several recent case reports have demonstrated efficacy of JAK inhibitors for the treatment of AA, including ruxolitnib (JAK 1/2) in both oral and topical formulations, tofacitinib (JAK 1/3), and baricitnib (JAK 1/2),” write the study authors, but the long-term benefits of tofacitinib have not been evaluated.

In the study, 90 patients, 18-years and older, received 5 mg of tofacitinib twice daily for the first two to three months of treatment. After that time, and based on the presence or absence of regrowth, standard monotherapy continued, or adjuvant therapy began.

“Adjuvant therapy included either tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily plus prednisone or higher-dose tofacitinib up to 10 mg twice daily with or without prednisone; when used, the dose of prednisone was 300 mg once monthly for 3 doses (pulsed prednisone) except in a single patient taking prednisone 10 mg daily for arthropathy (started prior to tofacitinib),” write the study authors.

Three of the 90 patients did not receive the standard monotherapy for the first three months and were instead treated with 5 mg of tofacitinib twice daily, along with pulsed prednisone.

Treatment efficacy was evaluated using a tool that quantifies the percent of scalp hair loss, called the SALT score. A SALT score of zero indicated no hair loss while a score of 100 indicated a complete absence of hair.

Patient treatment responses were assessed based on complete response (>90% change in latest SALT Score), intermediate response (51%-90% change), moderate response (6%-50% change), and nonresponse (≤5% change).

Of the patients included, 77% achieved a clinical response, with 58% achieving greater than 50% change in SALT score over four to 18 months of treatment.

AA patients experienced a higher percent change in SALT scores compared to AT and AU (81.9% vs 59.0%) and no serious adverse events were observed over a median duration of 12 months.

Study authors conclude that long-term use of tofacitinib is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for severe AA, AT and AU, but more studies are needed to further examine the treatment.

Liu LY, Craiglow BG, Dai F, King BA. Tofacitinib for the treatment of severe alopecia areata and variants: A study of 90 patients. 

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

 talks Regina King’s fight to end racial inequities in skincare, 

 details the science behind the longevity movement to reverse aging, 

 highlights the “skinimalism” beauty trend, and 

 explains how to manage skin irritation from retinoids.

Regina King Is Fighting to End Racial Inequities in Skin Care

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

Can Dermarolling Your Scalp Help With Hair Loss?

2021's Biggest Beauty Trend Is All About "Skinimalism"

How to Manage Retinization When Using Retinoids

This week, consumer magazines highlight the science behind the longevity movement for aging, dermarolling for hair loss, and more. 