PracticalDermatology

It’s back! After a year’s hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cosmetic Surgery Forum (CSF) is returning to Nashville with an action-packed program and an eye on safety.

“We are ready to educate, inform, and have great discussions about topics that are of interest to all dermatologists and cosmetic doctors,” says CSF Founder Joel Schlessinger MD, FAAD, a dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon in Omaha, NE.

New twists on old favorites

There’s lots for attendees to look forward to, including new faculty and the return of fan favorites such as injection sessions and controversy panels where experts aren’t afraid to speak their minds and name names. There will also be live demonstrations of laser and energy treatments including body contouring devices, chemical peels, microneedling, and Qwo (Endo Aesthetics) for cellulite.

The always popular practice management sessions will include a workshop on creating a succession plan for your practice.

“We will have more panels from the resident’s section this year to further educate attendees on the latest and greatest treatment and research concepts,” Dr. Schlessinger says.

In the past, just 10 dermatology residents were invited to present at the meeting, but this year 30 will be giving talks, and 10 of these papers will be published after the meeting, he says.

First, do no harm

Safety comes first, second, and third at CSF, and this has played a big role in the planning process, Dr. Schlessinger says. “We are absolutely working our hardest to make sure everyone is safe, and everyone feels safe in the meeting rooms,” he says. Safety precautions include proof of vaccination status for all attendees and exhibitors, social distancing requirements in sessions, readily available sanitization stations, and heightened cleaning protocols. CSF attendees will also get to choose visual indicators for their badge to let others know how comfortable they are with interactions.

Excited faculty

“I’m looking forward to one of my favorite meetings of the year,” says CSF faculty member Joe Niamtu, III, DMD, a board-certified cosmetic facial surgeon practicing in Richmond, VA. “This meeting brings together the best names in many specialties, and it has something for everybody,” says Dr. Niamtu who is slated to share pearls for chin augmentation with fillers and educate attendees about his favorite devices.

“Now that most of us are eligible for a third vaccine, we are looking forward to being able to present in person in Nashville at the Cosmetic Surgery Forum, of course, while continuing to maintain safety precautions,” says CSF faculty member Julie Woodward, MD, a professor of ophthalmology, associate professor of dermatology, and chief of oculofacial surgery at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC.

Dr. Woodward has been injecting infraorbital hollows since 2003 and has published various papers related to the topic. “I’m excited to share my personal experience about considerations for periorbital injections with hyaluronic acid fillers.”

CSF faculty member Jeanine B. Downie, MD, FAAD, director of image Dermatology PC in Montclair, NJ, will lecture on cutting-edge cosmeceuticals and non-invasive fat melting technologies. “I am excited about an in-person meeting and seeing my friends, colleagues, and people from industry.”

A Welcome Opportunity

As the meeting date draws near, Dr, Schlessinger is grateful. “The fact that we have the opportunity to be together in person is so special.”

Coming Soon

Original content virtual sessions will be available beginning in 2022. At press time, CSF had not opened up registration for virtual access but will communicate availability, registration information, and content details via email and social media.