Board-certified American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS) physicians across the country have volunteered to remove branding tattoos free of charge for survivors of trafficking! This pro bono service, known as the New Beginnings Tattoo Removal Program, has been created in partnership with the National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance (NTSA), a community of service providers working to enhance resources and increase access to care for survivors of trafficking, and is open to all survivors with branding tattoos. By partnering with NTSA’s network of 100+ affiliate members that collectively identify and serve the needs of survivors across America, deserving individuals are now able to connect with highly skilled ASLMS physicians who are interested in delivering this vital service free of charge.

Many survivors are branded by their traffickers with tattoos conveying ownership, including names, symbols, and barcodes. This dehumanizing practice can often be a reminder of the trauma a survivor has endured and therefore act as a barrier in the healing process. This makes the removal of the brand an important step in allowing survivors to reclaim agency over their bodies. A recent study published in the Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Journal, Liberating More Than Light: Laser Removal of Branding Tattoos is Impactful in the Recovery of Sex Trafficking Survivors, presented a needs and impact survey of 40 programs serving survivors. Of the estimated 3,200 survivors supported by these programs, over 1,000 were at an appropriate recovery stage to undergo laser tattoo removal. On a scale of 1–10, with 10 being the most impactful on recovery, the removal of branding tattoos received an average impact score of 9.2.

Paul M. Friedman, MD, who serves as President of ASLMS, proposed a philanthropic campaign establishing a national directory to connect sex trafficking survivors seeking the removal of branding tattoos with interested ASLMS board-certified physicians. “ASLMS is the ideal professional society to establish a philanthropic national registry of physicians for survivor tattoo removal,” said Friedman. “Our board-certified physicians have the expertise and devices to help human trafficking survivors in their recovery process. In just a few months, 75 members have volunteered, and we plan to expand the network even further across the country.”

“We are so grateful for ASLMS and look forward to collaborating with them to empower survivors across the country to experience another level of freedom and agency,” stated Melissa Yao, Executive Director of NTSA. This national directory is now live and accessible to survivors and programs across the U.S. Those interested in this initiative can learn more at: New Beginnings Branding Tattoo Removal Program (aslms.org) and by viewing the New Beginnings video, produced with the support of Candela Medical.

About NTSA: The National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance (NTSA) is a national network of service providers committed to enhancing services and increasing access to care for survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation across the U.S. They work to foster collaboration and community throughout the field in order to support service providers and ensure that every survivor across the country has access to quality trauma-informed care. For more information, visit shelteredalliance.org.

About ASLMS: The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc. (ASLMS) is the largest multidisciplinary professional organization dedicated to the development and application of lasers and related technology for health care applications. ASLMS promotes excellence in patient care by advancing biomedical application of lasers and other related technologies worldwide. ASLMS membership includes physicians, surgeons, nurses, and allied health professionals representing multiple specialties, physicists involved in product development, biomedical engineers, biologists, industry representatives and manufacturers. For more information, visit aslms.org.

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ASLMS

Sponsored by Aesthetics Biomedical Inc.

Vivace Ultra™, the latest generation radiofrequency (RF) microneedling platform from Aesthetics Biomedical® Inc., (Phoenix, Ariz.), adds linear array ultrasound imaging and photo mapping to elevate what is already considered a best-in-class device. This ability to visualize the dermis, epidermis and total skin thickness at various depths will allow aesthetic practitioners to better determine where to deliver RF energy, providing unmatched precision and improving both safety and quality of outcomes. As with its predecessor, the legacy Vivace® Microneedle RF, treatment is safe for light to dark skin types and virtually pain-free, with minimal downtime.

According to Marie V. Hayag, MD, a dermatologist in New York City, N.Y., the ultrasound visualization in Vivace Ultra is easy to use and provides a visual map allowing the practitioner to provide precision tailored treatments.  “We use RF microneedling to induce collagen and elastin production to improve facial lines and skin texture. By knowing the specific depth measurement, we can deposit energy precisely where it will yield the greatest effect with the lowest chance of adverse events,” she noted. “Everyone’s skin is different. Skin quality and thickness differ based on a variety of factors such as age or anatomical location. By visualizing the skin, we can determine what needle depth will penetrate into the dermis, so we can individualize treatment.”

A recent investigation* by board-certified dermatologist Zoe Diana Draelos, MD (High Point, N.C.), verified the calibration accuracy of the device’s ultrasound component, showing imaging to be highly accurate, reproducible and reliable. Subjects (n=30) included five of each of the six Fitzpatrick skin types (I-VI), with three measurements taken on 31 different anatomical locations at baseline and at six weeks.

Joie Tavernise, LE, the owner of JTAV Clinical Skincare (New York City, N.Y.), says Vivace is a mainstay in her practice. “The new Vivace Ultra will surpass anything else we have ever offered. The consistent, fast treatment with virtually no pain or downtime appeals to our busy clientele almost as much as the results,” she emphasized. “This device is so safe and easy to use that with the added visualization, we expect even greater outcomes and may double our ROI from this device.”

Among other new features, Vivace Ultra offers three sets of insulated and non-insulated treatment needles in small, medium and large sizes, with its proprietary uniform energy delivery system. “This will allow us to better personalize treatment to the individual’s specific needs,” Ms. Tavernise added.

Vivace Ultra’s RF microneedling still promotes the absorption of topicals which can often enhance results and improve recovery with the proprietary Vivace Experience treatment serum and cooling peptide mask. Customized SoME® Skincare using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can be used at home daily to further promote results. “We love using PRP to improve treatment and results,” Dr. Hayag shared. “It is a great synergistic effect that one can continue for months after their RF microneedling treatment.”

Another feature of this powerful new device is its modern HIPAA-compliant cloud connectivity for improved data collection. “This is a fabulous feature that will become the standard for new devices,” said Dr. Hayag. “It combines convenience with security, which are both important to modern electronic medical recordkeeping.”

Ultimately, the addition of ultrasound visualization to Vivace’s already renowned RF microneedling represents advancement within this space. “This technology is unique to Vivace Ultra and redefines what is possible with personalization and RF microneedling,” Dr. Hayag concluded.

*Publication pending.

Sponsored by Emage Medical

The IMAGE Pro® SUNlite and Hybrid aesthetic visualization systems from Emage Medical (Charlotte, N.C.) allow practitioners and their patients a variety of windows into the skin and face to create a next-generation consultation that leaves patients feeling informed and empowered. Its light sources and powerful software capture clinically useful imagery, analyzed and displayed in an easy-to-understand format that accurately highlights issues, and after treatment, reveal results that promote patient satisfaction – and repeat business. As patient conversion rates go up, return on investment becomes rapid.

The high resolution (32.5 megapixel) and 3D imaging technology allows intense magnification of pictures taken in normal, parallel polarized, cross polarized and Ultraviolet (UV) light. Once the retractable hood is in place to prevent contamination from unwanted light sources, these devices capture images from different commonly sought angles. Software analyzes the data to deliver detailed insight into the condition of the patient’s skin, which provides benchmarks that reveal problems and serve as a baseline for later comparison. Changes in the numbers, as well as the ‘after’ photos, provide evidence to confirm and convince in ways that cannot be seen with simple digital photography alone.

David Goldberg, MD, JD (New York City, N.Y.), a dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology and clinical research for Schweiger Dermatology Group, relies on his SUNlite system to maximize patient satisfaction. “The wide variety of tools in this system has taken our research and clinical endeavors to the next level with its ability to quantify 3D evidence of changes in volume and topography, perform automatic white balancing, and just give us great pictures. The 3D component really comes in when I am doing anything that changes volume or we are dealing with shadows, such as with scarring, to provide a revealing and more objective view of the result,” he explained.

AI Smart Image automatic face recognition matches new images to previous ones for improved accuracy, Dr. Goldberg added. UVA and UVC light then sanitize the camera between patients, killing more than 99% of microorganisms including the COVID-19 virus.

Analysis of dyschromia, elasticity, wrinkles, pore size and depth, pigmentation, vascularity, inflammation, facial symmetry and much more are available. During the consultation both patients and practitioners can view the data; a sliding comparison image allows the user to create an adjustable side-by-side overlay that, aside from a ‘wow’ factor, highlights differences clearly. The devices also produce a QR code that, when the consult is completed, give patients access to their analysis via their mobile devices.

For Dr. Goldberg, this is the area where he has seen the most difference. “My system helps patients understand their results,” he advised. “They can look at their own information and erase all doubt as to how much has changed. I remember one disgruntled patient who threatened to call us out on social media but apologized once we enlightened his perspective with the capabilities of SUNlite imaging. That potentially challenging part of this job was a lot harder to do before this technology came around.”

Emage offers unlimited training during the warranty period for IMAGE Pro users to get them up and running and begin raising conversion rates rapidly. Notably, the software is upgraded for the lifetime of the device. “The system is also very robust and reliable,” Dr. Goldberg added.

Sponsored by Sylton

The OBSERV520x from Sylton (Ann Arbor, Mich.) offers powerful and diverse skin imaging and analysis capabilities to practitioners looking to bring a new dimension of visualization technology into their practice. Its features allow users to catapult their consult to the next level to provide clinically relevant information to help guide treatment choices. As a tool to capture not just before-and-afters for that ‘wow’ factor, but to educate and inform, it highlights issues and results that transcend what is noticeable to the naked eye.

Gabriel Buendía Bordera, a medical imaging specialist and scientific director of the Instituto de Fotomedicina (Barcelona, Spain), has worked alongside physicians performing clinical trials and testing medical devices for 15 years. “Essentially, OBSERV allows you to isolate the face and capture high quality images using different lighting schemes to highlight surface texture, pigmentation, and/or vascularity, which is extremely valuable in a clinical setting. The goal is to highlight what is happening with the facial skin in a manner that can be easily translated to the patient. The physician will use the visual aid of the photography to inform and educate so that the best possible treatment choices are made.”

OBSERV520x is designed to maximize efficiency and reproducibility by ensuring consistent face positioning, aided by both mechanical means and software, capturing images within ten seconds using an iPad connected to the device via Bluetooth 4.1. “The camera on an iPad is of remarkably high quality itself,” Mr. Buendía Bordera emphasized, “and these can be networked to allow authorized staff access to patient data and images.” The interface is intuitive and easy to use. Software is used to analyze, reposition and show comparisons, including a ghosting overlay and side-by-side partial image comparison with full front as well as left and right 45° and 90° angles.”

According to Mr. Buendía Bordera, the solid state LED, 360 light and filter technologies of OBERV520x provide illumination modes of true daylight, true ultraviolet (UV) light, Wood’s light (a long wave UV light that detects fluorescence in skin and also reveals thin and white hair), cross polarization and parallel polarization. “Different skin structures absorb light differently, so by working with light absorbance and fluorescence these will be more visible.”

When using OBSERV520x, the patient rests their chin on a dedicated pad and their hair is secured comfortably with a Velcro strap to help position the face correctly and minimize movement, while software correction is also employed. A lightshade is placed over the patient to isolate the face. “This gives us consistent pictures even between sessions, and the closed environment prevents contamination by outside light sources so that the light is as pure as possible,” Mr. Buendía Bordera explained.

With dimensions of 12.6 x 16.9 x 24.8 and weighing less than 25 pounds, OBSERV520x is easy to transport from room to room if needed.

“Many devices exist which use various means to quantify – to provide measurements and numbers – but perception of beauty is visual and instinctual,” said Walter Arkesteijn, the inventor of the OBSERV skin analysis system. “Our device bridges the gap, allowing physicians to digitally dissect the components that contribute to the appearance and present them to patients in the clinical setting.”

Sponsored by PDO Max

First of its kind in the U.S., PDO AfterGlo® from PDO Max (Liverpool, N.Y.) is a polydioxanone (PDO) topical composed of the same biodegradable polymer that has been used in surgical sutures for over three decades. Adding another layer of hydration with the inclusion of hyaluronic acid (HA), this serum helps improve elasticity, as well as smooth and refine skin texture.

PDO Max is a trusted and leading provider of FDA-cleared PDO threads-in-cannula and PDO thread training. According to Giovanna McCarthy, owner and founder of PDO Max, this serum can benefit any patient and skin concern. “The cross range of demographics for the product is amazing. It acts as a rehydrating product for mature, dehydrated skin and works well in younger skin to smooth out and give a ‘filtered’ affect,” she expressed. Ms. McCarthy added that this serum can aid in the production of collagen and increase skin elasticity, a well-known result of the biodegradable polymer in PDO threads.

Dina BenDavid, DNP, MS, FNP-C (Edgartown, Mass.), PDO Max’s director of training and clinical development, found the most impressive results in patients 40 years or older. “The resulting plumping, smoothing and brightening is unlike anything I have seen from a no-downtime treatment,” she reported.

Dr. BenDavid was involved in the development of PDO AfterGlo and worked with the lab to ensure the optimal particle size and product viscosity were obtained. She explained that each 10 mL vial contains well over 1,000 smooth PDO threads, which are processed down to microparticles and placed into a non-cross linked HA suspension.

While not a replacement for thread lifting, the serum can be an alternative for patients who are not yet ready to try this minimally invasive procedure. PDO AfterGlo can be used independently as a part of a facial, or as an adjunct to a thread lift with PDO Max threads, in-cannula. The serum also works well in combination with microneedling or non-ablative laser treatments.

“While AfterGlo can be used on its own, the best way to use it is in conjunction with other treatments,” Dr. BenDavid noted. “Our favorite protocol right now is to pair it with a non-ablative laser or IPL. Another protocol is to microneedle with AfterGlo and a few weeks later apply a light-based treatment. It also works well to enhance results when applied post-treatment to microneedling RF or non-ablative laser.”

PDO AfterGlo is versatile and can also be used to enhance platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) treatments. Dr. BenDavid reported she has noticed more impressive results for skin rejuvenation with AfterGlo than she has in the past with PRP alone.

Providers can easily use PDO AfterGlo to introduce patients to the power of absorbable polydioxanone because it is a non-invasive serum that requires no downtime. And, as PDO Max signature thread lifts address laxity, PDO AfterGlo can step in with more focus on skin rejuvenation for a complete treatment that affects both deeper and superficial concerns.

Sponsored by ELEVAI Skincare

There is a paradigm shift taking place in aesthetic medicine as forward-thinking physicians leverage topical exosomes, like the Post-Treatment E-Series^TM from ELEVAI Skincare (Newport Beach, Calif.), to take advantage of their effects on cell-matrix reconstruction and skin rejuvenation.

Not all exosomes are created equal, and the cell source as well as the processing conditions of the cells determine the breadth of the exosome message, according to Jordan R. Plews, PhD, co-founder and chief executive officer of ELEVAI Skincare. To ensure quality, ELEVAI® stem cells are ethically selected and sourced from human umbilical-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the youngest and purest stem cells available. “These pure stem cells are our chosen ‘authors’ to deliver the highest quality exosome message,” he explained. “Our proprietary exosome triggering and formulation process results in a potent exosome profile that no one else has.”

Topical stem cell products have been employed in dermatology for the treatment of skin conditions that are traditionally difficult to treat. Most cell types do not express as many beneficial growth factors and proteins associated with healing as stem cells, and have a limited repertoire of exosomes they can produce.

“Our exosomes are designed to give your skin factors typically found in young, healthy skin that is in the process of repairing damage,” Dr. Plews continued. “ELEVAI Exosomes^TM work through their unique ability to penetrate the skin due to their extremely small size. They deliver a distinct cargo of lipids and proteins, including growth factors, which are dynamic drivers of skin rejuvenation. We are seeing quite incredible results with a reduction of the appearance of redness and stubborn pigmentation as early as four weeks.”

Dr. Plews clarified that true stem cells require expert knowledge to grow and expand while keeping them in their undifferentiated stem cell state, especially without the use of animal or animal-derived products, which also makes ELEVAI unique. “By manipulating the conditions our stem cells are subjected to in vitro, we can induce different mixtures or profiles of exosomes where each profile can serve a different purpose or address a different issue,” he emphasized.

ELEVAI exosomes are supercharged with additional skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, ceramides, niacinamide, glutathione and a proprietary blend of peptides to make the formulation a true multitasking serum, which can be used to support recovery following microneedling, peels, lasers and other energy-based procedures. In addition, patients are using the ELEVAI enfinity^TM serum for two to four weeks prior to a treatment to nourish, support and prepare the skin. It can also be used as a standalone daily serum to elevate a patient’s personal skincare routine.

As the manufacturer of the first shelf-stable, topical exosome product on the market, ELEVAI Labs consistently works to improve exosome quality while creating new innovative products.

Sponsored by Revision Skincare

D-E-J® Daily Boosting Serum^TM from Revision Skincare® (Irving, Texas) is formulated to not only improve skin so that it looks younger – it improves function, so skin acts younger, too.

“When we say that skin ‘acts’ younger, those are not just buzzwords,” said dermatologist Nazanin Saedi, MD, who practices at Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting in Philadelphia, Penn. “Elevated stress, like what we have all endured over these last few years, affects how our skin looks and functions. Research has found that the action of the product’s constituents on skin at a cellular level promotes better function of individual cells and healthier skin turnover overall. This translates to visible signs of skin quality refreshment – a youthful glow – taking place at a cellular level. That is what I love about this product.”

This serum features Sunflower Sprout Extract Technology, a blend of secondary metabolites – adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which acts as a direct energy source; antioxidant acetyl L-carnitine, which maintains the skin’s resilience and firmness; and omega-3 fatty acids, which strengthen skin barrier function. Together, this technology impacts the visible effects of glycation on skin due to intrinsic as well as extrinsic factors such as UV exposure. “We have seen short-term effects moments after application, improvements after seven days, and more after 12 weeks of consistent use,” Dr. Saedi reported. “Results like this promote compliance, which is essential for any home-use skincare product.”

“I perform a lot of laser- and light-based treatments, and some of the results we see with D-E-J Daily Boosting Serum mimic those of light resurfacing or IPL,” she added. “It is remarkable to see that kind of outcome with consistent use of a topical.”

To support the skin’s microbiome, the product employs postbiotics including, saccharomyces ferment filtrate, saccharide isomerate and bacillus ferment. Other actives include jojoba esters, iris florentina root extract, resveratrol and red seaweed.

Use of the serum supports natural collagen and elastin to promote firmness and elasticity for long-term skin health. Basic skin-deep signs of photodamage are improved too, including uneven tone and texture and visible wrinkles.

This fragrance-free, skin-neutral pH serum is also free of alcohol, artificial dyes, parabens and phthalates, and is formulated for all skin types. “People do not often think of darker-skinned patients as needing the same attention, but they also manifest skin fatigue and sun damage,” noted Dr. Saedi.

D-E-J Daily Boosting Serum is the foundational component of Revision Skincare’s D-E-J Age- Defying Power Regimen, laying groundwork to maximize the effects of three adjunctive products: D-E-J Face Cream®, which moisturizes and smooths skin; D-E-J Eye Cream®, which lifts and firms skin around the eye; and D-E-J Night Face Cream®, which contains retinol and bakuchiol that work together to rejuvenate skin.

To further maximize skin health, D-E-J Daily Boosting Serum can be used before procedures to properly prepare patient skin for treatment.