Take 5: Innovations in Aesthetic Treatments

1. Wrinkle-Reducing Pill? British scientists tested a pill on 480 women and found it reduced periocular lines by up to 30 percent (10 percent on average) within 14 weeks. The pills, which sell in the UK for about $54 for a month's supply, contain a blend of food extracts that researchers say address the genetic causes of aging. The ingredients are vitamins C and E, soy isoflavones, lycopene from tomatoes, and omega-3 from fish oils. In tests in the UK, France, and Germany, skin biopsies from 110 women showed that those taking the tablet produced significantly more collagen than those on placebo. The findings, published in New Scientist, were reported at the Society for Investigative Dermatology conference in Atlanta.

2. Hyaluronic Acid Shown to Increase Hydration and Elasticity. Topical application of hyaluronic acid-based formulations led to significant improvement in skin hydration and elasticity in the periocular area, according to a new study (JDD 10(9): 990-1000). A total of 76 female subjects between 30 and 60 years of age with clinical signs of periocular wrinkles applied one of various HA formulations twice daily to the area of interest in a randomized fashion for 60 days. They applied vehicle control cream around the other eye. Results showed that all HA-based creams demonstrated a significant improvement in skin hydration and overall elasticity values versus placebo.

3. Transepidermal Delivery System Unveiled. A new system claims to be the first minimally invasive solution for treating stretch marks, deep acne scars, skin whitening, melasma, and skin rejuvenation. TED with Impact Technology (Alma Lasers) is a trans-epidermal delivery solution that, according to the company, breaks through the skin barrier and overcomes the buildup of intercellular fluid to deliver specially formulated active ingredients directly to the sub-epidermal layers of the skin.

4. Laser Ablation For Varicose Veins. A laser ablation treatment for varicose veins may be just as effective as conventional therapy (Archives of Dermatology). Over two years of follow-up, recurrence rates were similar for endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) and high ligation and stripping (HLS). Recurrences occurred most frequently at the lower limb and thigh, the researchers reported, and new varicose veins independent from the operation site were more frequently found in the HLS group. However, duplexdetected saphenofemoral refluxes occurred significantly more frequently after EVLT than HLS.

5. Botulinum Toxin Gel Shows Early Promise. A preliminary report indicates that an investigational botulinum toxin gel may reduce crows feet. In the Phase II study, 90 patients with moderate to severe wrinkles around the eye were randomly assigned to apply either placebo gel or botulinum toxin gel. Almost 90 percent of those treated with the gel had a reduction in wrinkles, compared to 28 percent of those who got the placebo. The data were presented at the American Society for Plastic Surgeons annual conference.