Holon, Israel — Results of a recent study suggest that women would be well advised to take heart-protective measures before getting a deep chemical peel.

The study, reported recently in Dermatologic Surgery, examined the incidence of heart complications among 181 women, aged 30 to 77, who received deep facial peels between December 2004, and November 2005. During the chemical peel, researchers monitored each patient’s heart.

About six percent of the women experienced an irregular heartbeat during the treatment. Such incidences of cardiac arrhythmia were most prevalent among women with diabetes, hypertension and depression. Eight patients required lidocaine to control the arrhythmia.

The study notes that though deep chemical peels may be administered in a spa setting, most spas are not equipped to monitor the heart during a deep chemical peel. This absence of heart monitoring places the impetus on women to take measures to protect their hearts even before getting a chemical peel, the study concludes.

Washington — The Food and Drug Administration has issued clearance for Lexington International LLC to market its medical laser device, the HairMax LaserComb,^® for use in combating hair loss.

As part of the process for acquiring FDA clearance, Lexington conducted a clinical study in four locations in the United States. Results of the study showed that 93 percent of the participants (ages 30-60) experienced an increase in the number of terminal hairs over a six-month period. There were no reports of serious adverse events.

According to its Boca Raton, Fla.-based manufacturer, the HairMax LaserComb^® uses a patented technology to part the hair, which allows the laser energy to reach the scalp. A company-issued statement notes that the laser is most effective when it has an unobstructed path directly to the hair follicle.

Toronto — A team headed by researchers at the University of Toronto’s Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery has released results of a study suggesting that deep-plane face-lifts in the mid-face and neck result in outcomes that are clinically and statistically  superior to those of the SMAS-plication face-lift.

The researchers reviewed preoperative and postoperative photographs of 25 patients who had undergone a SMAS plication face-lift and 25 patients who had undergone a deep-plane face-lift. The postoperative photographs were taken at least six months after surgery. Three observers, all facial plastic surgeons, were blinded to the procedure that each patient underwent, and the photographs were randomized. Five aspects of the face and neck were rated for degree of improvement: the malar eminence, the melolabial fold, the jawline, neck banding and the cervicomental angle. A seven-point visual analog scale was used to rate the photographs.

According to the study results, the three independent observers rated the patients who underwent a deep-plane face-lift as having significantly better results in two of the measured locations, and the observed improvements in the deep-plane group were twice those in the SMAS-plication group. 

Most notably, says the study, there was a statistically significant difference seen at all points of comparison with the exception of neck banding. Not only was there a statistical difference at each of the other areas of the face and neck but the differences were clinically relevant. As an example, the study cites the area of the malar eminence, where the mean score for the degree of increase in soft tissue volume in the SMAS plication group was 2.69, while the mean score in that area in the deep-plane face-lift group was 4.64.

The highest overall improvement in the deep-plane face-lift group was in the area of the jowls, with a mean score of 5.29. In the SMAS plication group, the greatest improvement was seen in the cervicomental angle, with a mean score of 4.40.

St. Paul, Minn. — A Minnesota legislator is spearheading an effort to extend the state’s 6.5 percent sales tax to include cosmetic surgery and procedures such as chemical peels, laser hair removal, cosmetic injections and vascular treatments.

According to a recent Chicago Sun-Times story, Minnesota State Rep. Phyllis Kahn, a Minneapolis Democrat, wants her state to be the second to tax plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures. New Jersey is the only state that does so currently.

According to the Sun-Times, Rep. Kahn says her proposal, if passed, would generate about $7 million a year to the state’s coffers. New Jersey collects an estimated $11 million a year through its cosmetic surgery taxes.

New Jersey Gov. John Corzine recently vetoed a bill to repeal his state’s cosmetic surgery tax, which earlier had been passed nearly unanimously by the state legislature. The New Jersey law applies to procedures such as cosmetic surgery and dentistry, hair transplants and laser hair removal but exempts reconstructive procedures.

Chicago — The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) has released the results of its 2006 Procedural Data—and for the seventh year in a row, liposuction proved to be the most frequently performed cosmetic-surgery procedure.

Botox injections were the top non-invasive cosmetic surgery procedure.

The data was collected by polling the Academy’s U.S.-based members. Among the survey’s other findings:

• Academy members treat more than 1.2 million patients a year.
• From 2002 to 2006, there was a 3-point increase in the percentage of men who had cosmetic surgery.
• Overall, 79 percent of cosmetic-surgery patients are women.
• Of all cosmetic procedures performed, 34 percent were surgical and 66 percent non-surgical.

In number of procedures performed in 2005, the top four cosmetic surgical procedures were liposuction, blepharoplasty, facelift and forehead lift, while the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures were Botox injections, Restylane/Hylaform injections, chemical peels and laser resurfacing.

Q: Will I look "paralyzed" if I use it?a: No, but results also depend on the skill of the person who is injecting you. If done correctly, Botox makes you look refreshed and relaxed, by avoiding excess muscular activity in areas of overuse (between the eyes, forehead, crow's feet). One of the most common misconceptions is that it will either make the area look unnatural or won't allow expression. While that can happen if huge amounts of Botox are used, it is very uncommon, especially if you go to a reputable dermatologist for treatment.

Q: Can I use Botox if I am pregnant or nursing?a: Botox is not recommended while pregnant, as it has not been tested in pregnancy. As for nursing mothers, I always leave that decision up to the pediatrician. Anecdotally, most of my patients' pediatricians don't seem to have a problem with its use while nursing.