The Brava External Tissue Expander: Is Breast Enlargement Without Surgery a Reality?
from PCI Journal
In 1999 an external breast expander for breast enlargement was introduced as a non surgical alternative to augmentation of the breast with an implant. The Brava device consisted of 2 silicone domes which were placed around the breast and built up a constant negative pressure by a small electric pump. A 1 cup increase was achieved by the device. More

Learn About the U.S. Cosmetic Surgery Products Market
from Market Watch
Demand for cosmetic surgery products in the US is forecast to increase 8.1 percent per year to $2.5 billion in 2012, based on increases in cosmetic surgery procedures, which are forecast to reach 16 million over the same time period. America's obsession with a youthful appearance is longstanding, and is unlikely to subside anytime soon. This coupled with an aging population, a greater societal acceptance of cosmetic surgery, and an increasingly competitive work force will bode well for the cosmetic surgery industry. Due to much more busy lifestyles, less invasive cosmetic surgery procedures and products (such as injections, laser dermal resurfacing and microdermabrasion) that result in little or no recovery time will experience the best opportunities. More

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Illegal Botox Scammers a Public Threat
from San Antonio Business Journal
Cheaper, unbranded, unapproved and counterfeit cosmetic injectables are a threat to your looks and your health warns the Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety. "The growing acceptance of cosmetic injections for their good outcomes and convenience in treatment comes with consumer cautions," says Coalition leader, plastic surgeon Jeffrey Kenkel, MD of Dallas, Texas. In the period between 2004 and July 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) entered in 210 investigations that led to 68 arrests and 29 convictions of health care professionals who purposely injected an unapproved, cheaper substitute toxin for FDA-approved Botox Cosmetic into nearly 1,000 unknowing patients. Specifically what is injected and by whom are important details no consumer should take casually. More

The Sum of Your Facial Parts
from The New York Times
A new computer program that uses a mathematical formula to alter the original form of an image into a theoretically more attractive version, while maintaining what programmers call an “unmistakable similarity” to the original has been produced. The software program, developed by computer scientists in Israel, is based on the responses of 68 men and women, age 25 to 40, from Israel and Germany, who viewed photographs of white male and female faces and picked the most attractive ones. More

Sagging Economy Doesn't Prevent Patients from Getting Plastic Surgery
from WREX
Money is tight, but that's not stopping patients from visiting cosmetic surgeons to get some tightening of their own. Most cosmetic surgeries run in the thousands of dollars. A face lift is about $8,000 these days, but cosmetic surgery has always been based on psychological wishes. It's not something people need, so those who get surgeries are people who have that extra money to spend. More

Oral Vitamin D May Help Prevent Some Skin Infections
from Infection Control Today
A study led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine suggests that use of oral vitamin D supplements bolsters production of a protective chemical normally found in the skin, and may help prevent skin infections that are a common result of atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema. More

Beyond Botox
from Washington Post
Beauty writing is not known for its critical appraisals of current products and procedures. It's always possible to find a glowing review of the latest, greatest trend; it's far harder to find balanced discussions of their pros and cons. Even tried and true procedures have drawbacks and need improvement. Case in point: Botox. More

Common Skin Diseases: A Handbook for the Aesthetician by Pamela Hill This book is designed to offer the aesthetician with the tools needed to work with clients who present with unfamiliar or unusual skin lesions. It addresses the common and not-so-common diseases and disorders that are seen on the skin, what they look like, and what to do about them. Order today!