PracticalDermatology

Going for the Gold: Sebacia Microparticles Help Direct Lasers to the Source of Acne

Sebacia microparticles may be acne’s latest and greatest nemesis. New research presented the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) 2019 Annual Meeting in Chicago shows that the technology helps to safely and effectively clear acne when used with or following pre-treatment with common first-line topical acne medications.

The microparticles feature a silica core covered in gold. When broken down into really small pieces, these microparticles can penetrate the skin and reach the sebaceous glands. Gold is a light-absorbing material, it draws in the laser’s energy delivers it directly to the sebaceous gland.

In the ongoing European Union real-world registry, patients were prescribed a two- to four-week course of topical retinoid followed by three weekly in-office treatments of Sebacia Microparticles at commercial centers. The study is being conducted at nine non-academic clinical practices in Europe and to date has enrolled 76 patients. Latest clinical results out to two years demonstrated:

• 92 percent average acne inflammatory lesion count (ILC) improvement at 24 months compared to baseline.
• 77 percent of patients were acne medication-free at 24 months.
• 9 percent of patients received a topical acne drug and only 14 percent received a systemic acne drug during the follow-up period.

There were no serious or unanticipated adverse events.

The ongoing US registry study was designed to evaluate acne outcomes in patients treated with Sebacia Microparticles in combination with the ongoing use of topical retinoids. Patients in the US study were able to continue topical therapy after their third Sebacia treatment at the discretion of the investigator. The study is being conducted at six non-academic clinical practices in the US and to date, 72 patients have completed the three-month follow-up.

The latest clinical results out to three months show 65 percent average acne ILC improvement from baseline. These findings are better than historically-reported ILC reduction at three months of about 40-50 percent without topical pre-treatment. Ninety percent of the subjects were responders, defined as a reduction of ILC of 40 percent or better. Transient erythema (redness of the skin typical with laser use) was reported and patients were able to return to school or work immediately after the procedure. There were no serious or unanticipated adverse events.

“I am pleased to see these three-month results from the US registry tracking similarly to the European registry study that was conducted previously,” says Ashish Bhatia, MD, a dermatologist practicing at Oak Dermatology in the greater Chicago area and Clinical Associate Professor at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. “The real-world results provide clinicians with additional data about treating acne patients with Sebacia Microparticles who are already using topical retinoids, a common first-line therapy.”

Cellfina Cleared for 5 Years of Benefit for Cellulite

The FDA has cleared a new indication statement for Cellfina that shows the benefits of treatment last for five years, an increase from the previous three-year indication. Cellfina from Merz demonstrated five-year improvement in the appearance of cellulite on the buttocks and thighs of adult females. Five-year durability makes Cellfina the longest-lasting FDA-cleared treatment for cellulite on the market.

The new indication is based on observations by an independent physician using before and after patient photographs at five years post-treatment. Results showed that after a single in-office treatment, 100 percent of follow-up patients still had noticeable improvements. Follow-up studies at one, three and five years after a single in-office treatment showed sustained improvements.

“Cellfina is the benchmark and continues raising the bar for any other cellulite treatments, with both longevity of results and effectiveness,” says Jeremy Green, MD. “Cellulite is an emotionally charged medical condition that affects 85 percent of women worldwide. While the data has clearly shown that Cellfina works, and does so for five years, the FDA clearance indicates to consumers that they can, and should, expect to see proven, long-lasting results after treatment with Cellfina.”

Scar Solutions: Vbeam Prima

During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Jill Waibel, MD shared findings from a recent study with Candela Medical’s Vbeam Prima pulsed dye laser to treat scars from mastectomy. Breast cancer is the most common type of non-skin cancer amongst women in the US with statistics showing one in eight women in the US will get breast cancer at some point in her life.

Click here to watch!

And, many women who develop breast cancer need to undergo a mastectomy, resulting in major scarring on the breasts.

In fact, Dr. Waibel says breast cancer survivor scars are one of the most common scars she sees on her patients and she is passionate about helping these women get the treatment they deserve post-surgery. Treating patients with the Vbeam Prima, Dr. Waibel says she found that with as little as three treatments, the scars appeared much lighter and camouflaged. The Vbeam Prima laser targets red blood vessels, drastically decreasing the appearance of the scar. Dr. Waibel explains that after treatment these women no longer have to see the physical scars or have the daily reminder of their cancer battle.

Read this article at PracticalDermatology.com to watch Dr. Waibel discuss her findings and show before and after photos.

Cynosure Enters the Muscle Toning Market in Europe, Middle East

Cynosure, a division of Hologic, is launching StimSure, a non-invasive electromagnetic technology to build and tone muscle in the abdomen, buttocks and thighs, in Europe and the Middle East.

CE marked for muscular atrophy, StimSure can be used to strengthen and tighten the abdominal, gluteal and thigh muscles by contracting/stimulating the muscles, delivering up to 24,000 muscle contractions in just 20 to 30 minutes, the company reports. StimSure joins SculpSure and TempSure. StimSure is not available in the USA.

“We are committed to offering our customers a range of innovative technologies that are not only effective, but also deliver on quality and durability,” says Jan Verstreken, Hologic’s Regional President, EMEA & Canada. “The addition of StimSure to our portfolio of body contouring products, which includes WarmSculpting by SculpSure for fat destruction and TempSure for skin tightening, will enable our customers to offer their patients a full body shaping package.”

The StimSure applicators generate an electromagnetic field that stimulates the motor neuron cells of the body’s muscles, causing the muscle to contract as it would during movement or exercise. A prolonged contraction, made by a series of individual twitch contractions back to back, creates a ‘maximal tetanic contraction’ that results in more efficient growth of muscle fibers. StimSure uses 1.0 Tesla per applicator, providing an electromagnetic field that can engage the entire target muscle group.

There are four pre-set programs and the ability to create personalized programs on StimSure. The device is suitable for a wide range of people, but is not intended for weight loss, nor is it suitable for obese patients.

StimSure is simple to operate, with a secure fixing belt, and can be used through light clothing. Either one or two applicators can be used, and an applicator arm is available. For optimum results, six to eight treatments (twice a week) are recommended.