American Spa Expo
the premier East Coast event
for the spa and skincare industy
is approaching Fast!
Come see the top skin, cosmetic and wellness companies by visiting the dynamic trade show floor and learn from the prominent educators from around the world at our industry leading education conference program.
Sunday, April 30th - Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
655 West 34th Street (at 11th Avenue)
New York City
Show Hours:
Sunday, April 30: 9am - 6pm
Monday, May 1: 9am - 6pm
Cheryl Whitman's
Overview of Critical Development Issues
Date: Sunday April 30, 2006
Start Time: 11:00 AM
End Time: 12:50 PM
The Do's & Don'ts Of Setting Up a Medical Spa
Cheryl Whitman, beautiful forever
When setting up a medical spa, the trial and error approach may seem like the easiest way to begin, but will in fact demand much more attention later. Why not leave the pioneering to others and set out on the path to success from the get go! If you're a busy practitioner, you already know you don't have time to waste on bad decisions and learning curves. This constructive session will put you face-to-face with well-respected consultants who can shed light on the unique aspects of creating a medical spa and successfully maintaining it
- How it differs from running a regular practice or clinic
- What kind of team it takes to run a spa
- How to avoid legal pitfalls that apply specifically to the spa environment
- How to design a spa that not only ensures a smooth functioning, seamless operation, but also captivates the luxurious spa mystique
New 'Wrinkle' In Botox Treatment Could Lead To Lower Doses, Better Safety
By MSP Staff Published 04/8/2006
By allowing lower doses, the new approach could also make the treatment safer by reducing the risk of complications associated with immune system recognition that can sometimes occur with frequent injections, according to scientists at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif. Smaller, more potent doses may even lead to lower prices for the popular wrinkle-remover, the researchers say. Their study is published in the March 29 issue of the weekly Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Although popular for removing wrinkles, Botox is also used to treat a growing number of other conditions, including migraine headaches, lazy eyes and excessive sweating. It is developed from the botulinum neurotoxin, the most lethal poison known and a potential bioterrorist weapon. In a medical setting, small doses of a purified version of the toxin block the release of a chemical (acetylcholine) that signals muscle contraction, resulting in a localized, temporary paralysis that erases wrinkles and unwanted muscle spasms.
Kim Janda, Ph.D., a chemistry professor at Scripps and head of the research study, and his associates developed a synthetic molecule that can ‘superactivateâ€TM the neurotoxin used in Botox by binding to specific sites on the neurotoxin protein. The synthetic molecule works by increasing the activity of an enzyme that cleaves proteins that are critical for neurotransmitter release, thereby increasing the blockage of acetylcholine and enhancing the toxinâ€TMs paralyzing effect. In laboratory studies, the researchers found that this ‘superactivatorâ€TM could boost the activity of the toxin by as much as 14 times that of the untreated toxin.
The new treatment has not yet been tested in humans or animals, the researchers say. If further studies prove successful, the technique could be available to consumers in four to six years, the researchers estimate.
One possible complication of Botox injections is that their repeated use can lead to recognition by the immune system, especially when patients are given frequent, high doses of the toxin. Higher doses can also increase the risk of adverse complications, which can include pain in the face, redness at the injection site and muscle weakness. The new superactivator formula could allow lower doses to be administered "roughly one-tenth the normal dose" while reducing the possibility of unwanted immune complications, Janda and his associates say.
Prevention
American Academy of Dermatology, 3/28/06
Most skin cancer can be prevented by practicing sun protection, according to numerous research studies. Research also shows that not only does sun protection reduce one's risk of developing skin cancer; sun protection also may decrease the likelihood of recurrence. Even if you have spent a lot of time in the sun or developed skin cancer, it's never too late to begin protecting your skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone protect their skin by following these sun protection practices:
Sun Protection Practices
Avoid deliberate tanning Lying in the sun may feel good, but the end result is premature aging (wrinkles, blotchiness, and sagging skin) as well as a 1 in 5 chance of developing skin cancer. Tanning beds and sunlamps are just as dangerous because they, too, emit enough UV radiation to cause premature aging and skin cancer. If you like the look of a tan, consider using a sunless self-tanning product. These products do not protect skin from the sun, so a sunscreen should be used.
Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that includes vitamin supplements. Don't seek the sun.
Generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin every day. The sunscreen should have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 and be broad-spectrum (provides protection from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays).
Dermatologists worldwide agree that the Australians' use of the word "slop!" accurately describes how sunscreen should be used. Most people do not apply enough sunscreen to help protect against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. One ounce, enough to fill a shot glass, is considered by the Academy to be the amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body properly. So when applying sunscreen, remember to "slop!" it on.
Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, where possible. This is what Australians call the "slip!" and "slap!" of sun protection. When you will be out in the sun, be sure to slip on protective clothing, such as a shirt, and slap on a wide-brimmed hat. Here's why:
- Clothing protects your skin from the sun's harmful rays. The tighter the weave, the more sun protection provided. In fact, clothing plays such an important role in sun protection that clothing designed specifically to protect against the sun as well as laundry additives created to boost clothing's protective function are available. Your dermatologist may be able to provide you with more information about these products.
- wide-brimmed hat shades your face and neck from the sun's rays. Wide-brimmed means the brim circles the entire hat and shades both the face and neck.
Seek shade when appropriate. The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun.This can increase your risk chance of sunburn.
Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.
More Good Reasons to Practice Sun Protection
Aside from skin cancer, the sun's UV rays also cause:
- Premature aging: Signs of premature aging include wrinkles, mottled skin, and loss of skin's firmness.
- Immunosuppression (weakening of the body's ability to protect itself from cancer and other diseases)
- Cataracts and macular degeneration: Macular degeneration, for which there is no cure, is the leading cause of blindness in people aged 65 and older.
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