PracticalDermatology

Attendees at the ninth Cosmetic Surgery Forum in Las Vegas certainly have lots to write home about. Quips, pearls, and uncensored comments from the podium and audience offered all comers a no-holds-barred look at everything and anything cosmetic dermatology, including intel on which A-list celebrity’s all-new color-blind makeup line is a boom for doctors who treat acne.

We won’t name names, but some top derms pulled no punches when it comes to the pros and cons of this pop star’s line. “It’s breaking out people left and right,” said a leading New Jersey dermatologist who is treating some of the fallout.

Watch it Now

Joel Schlessinger, MD reviews the new technologies and approaches to shaping up, as well as new developments in cosmeceuticals and nutriceuticals.

There were lots of new faces on the CSF faculty this year, all handpicked by founder and director Joel Schlessinger, MD. CSF newbies included New York City dermatologist Neil Sadick, a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College; Miami based Dermatologist Jill S. Waibel, MD (the very one who helped the “Napalm girl” in the famous Vietnam War photo finally heal from her burns); and Harley Street dermatologist Nick Lowe, MD, who trekked across the pond for the three-day event, to name just a few.

Speaking of Dr. Sadick, lots of attendees and residents were frantically taking notes during a talk on his new go-to for melasma and more—the NeoStrata ProSystem Retinol Peel, which contains 3% Retinol plus Retinol Boosting Complex. “It shows excellent efficacy for treatment of melasma at 12 week intervals, and we have seen a decrease in acne lesions and improvement in the global signs of aging,” he said.

A top Chicago dermatologist is dipping her feet in the entrepreneurial arena with KeraFactor spray for hair loss. KeraFactor spray contains the proprietary KeraFactor Peptide Complex, which comprises seven polypeptides that include specifically selected growth factors and proteins to help with hair and scalp health. And this doctor is putting her money where her scalp is—and so far, so good, Amy Taub, MD told the interested crowd. Bexley, OH derm Matt Zirwas, MD kicked things up a notch or two with some insights on whether sunscreen hurts coral.

Strataphama, a Swiss company relatively new to the US scene, got a lot of podium buzz, including some impressive callouts from New Jersey and New York dermatologist David J Goldberg MD, JD, in his lecture on preventing laser complications. So just what’s so cool about this family of wound healers? Lots, including the fact that one product—Stratamed—can be used on open wounds and compromised skin immediately after ablative laser treatment. Strataderm is a once-a-day scar prevention silicone gel. “The actual mechanism of action is still unknown with silicone, but we believe it reduces transepidermal water loss and has an anti-inflammatory effect,” says James Kone, Jr., Executive VP of Sales & Business Development at Stratpharma. The marketing savvy company also had packages named after the talks for sale in exhibit halls.

An oculoplastic surgeon who was recently named a full professor at Duke University channeled Crystal Gayle with a discussion of a new technology that turns brown eyes blue—safely and effectively. Yes, she was skeptical at first. “I thought these people have to be nuts,” Julie Woodward, MD said, but the science makes sense. Stay tuned.

And which faculty member was obviously familiar with the adage “always leave them laughing when you say goodbye?” We won’t tell, as the quip was not quite fit for print but left an entire panel laughing and blushing.

Check back each month for exclusive coverage of CSF 2017!