Archive for the ‘Products’ Category

New Botulinum Toxin Could Drive Prices Down

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Last summer, the FDA granted approval for the botulinum toxin drug XEOMIN to treat abnormal neck pain (cervical dystonia) and spasms of the eye. XEOMIN is botulinum toxin type a, the same active ingredient used in Botox® Cosmetic.

When it receives approval for cosmetic use, it could create enough competition in the market to drive down prices on all botulinum toxin injections.

Current treatment prices for Botox® range from $9 to $15 per unit, with most patients requiring about 20 units per treatment area.  These prices could drop when XEOMIN receives cosmetic approval from the FDA. Although XEOMIN isn’t believed to be superior, doctors say it could create more options, more competition and thus, lower prices.

“Current off-label use hasn’t shown any particular clinical advantage for Xeomin over Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA, Allergan) or Dysport, but the new toxin will broaden clinicians’ aesthetic options and may spur price competition in the U.S. “

Quote Via Dermatology Times

With another contender in this already competitive market, consumers may see more rebates and more price breaks from the pharmaceutical companies.

XEOMIN is the 3rd botulinum toxin to receive FDA approval in the U.S. The fourth could be PurTox, a drug by Mentor (popular breast implant manufacturer) that is still being studied.

You can read all the facts on the new website XEOMIN.com, including “How XEOMIN works.”

“XEOMIN is injected into muscles to decrease their activity. XEOMIN blocks the release of a chemical messenger—acetylcholine—that conveys the signal from nerve terminals and causes muscle fibers to contract. Not all terminals are affected by botulinum toxin, so the muscles can still contract, just less forcefully. This allows the muscles to contract more normally.”

Couples Increasingly Choosing Non-Invasive Plastic Surgery

Monday, June 27th, 2011

non invasive plastic surgeryAs many couples age together, more of them are slowing down the visible effects of aging with non-invasive plastic surgery, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune.

Why Are Couples Choosing Non-Invasive Plastic Surgery?

The trend is likely because people are not only living longer than before, but also because they are working harder, which puts added stress on the skin, according to Dr. Leo R. McCafferty, vice president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The uptick in non-invasive plastic surgery may also be attributed to improvements in the economy, which has seen consumers with more spending money.

One plastic surgery practice near Pittsburgh saw about six couples for non-invasive plastic surgery five years ago and now sees almost 30 couples per year.

Not only are couples undergoing similar non-invasive plastic surgery treatments to maintain a youthful look for their spouses, but they may also be doing so to stay competitive in the workplace.

What Non-Invasive Plastic Surgery Options Are Couples Choosing?

Though surgical procedures are still popular among a range of patients, young and mature, non-invasive plastic surgery is only gaining traction. Most popular among women and men looking to shave a few years off is Botox, an injectable that smooths out many types of facial wrinkles.

Though one woman had undergone non-invasive plastic surgery treatments like chemical peels, she had not pressured her aging husband to do so. However, when he began to notice wrinkles creeping across his cheeks, he chose to have injectable fillers, like Juvederm or Restylane, to fill in the deep lines.

When you visit your plastic surgeon’s office for a consultation, make sure to inquire about non-invasive plastic surgery as well as traditional plastic surgeries to reduce the signs of aging and refresh your skin, at any age.

Dysport for Crow’s Feet Favored by Patients in Study

Monday, June 27th, 2011

dysport crows feetIn a new study, a majority of patients preferred the correction of Dysport for crow’s feet over that of a similar wrinkle-fighting injectable, according to HealthDay News.

Dysport for Crow’s Feet: How Does It Fare?

The study, which was conducted at the University of California and published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, used 90 adults, mostly women, to compare their preference for Dysport or similar injectable Botox. Each patient was injected with 10 units of Botox on one side of their face at their crow’s feet, while the other side was injected with 30 units of Dysport for crow’s feet. None of the participants had ever undergone facial surgery, nor had they used a botulinum-based injectable in the previous six months.

One month after they had been treated, the patients were asked to compare their appearance with their facial muscles contracted to photos taken before being treated. According to the study, two-thirds of the patients said they preferred the wrinkle protection provided by Dysport for crow’s feet. With their faces relaxed, the patients generally noted no difference between the treatments.

How Does Dysport for Crow’s Feet Compare to Botox?

While for treating crow’s feet, Dysport may have garnered more patient preference, the authors of the study are quick to note that other injection sites on the face were not tested. For example, botulinum injectables are often used to treat forehead wrinkles, lines around the mouth and sometimes those signs of aging on the neck. Additionally, Dysport and Botox are not interchangeable and contain different formulations of botulinum, which should be considered when contemplating treatment.

When you visit your plastic surgeon for non-surgical wrinkle treatments, be sure to share your aesthetic goals so your plastic surgeon can suggest the best treatment for your needs.

New Use of Latisse Ingredient to Be Evaluated in Clinical Trials

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

Latisse logoThe eyelash enhancer Latisse has proven that it makes lashes grow longer and fuller. Now Allergan, the maker of Latisse, is going to see if its active ingredient, bimatoprost, is effective at treating baldness. The company is setting up clinical trials to test new bimatoprost solutions.

The first phase will have about 28 patients between the ages of 18 and 64 and will include men with moderate male-pattern baldness and women with moderate female-pattern hair loss.

Some doctors have already been prescribing Latisse as an off-label treatment for hair loss. Hair-restoration expert Dr. Alan Bauman, who reports modest hair growth for his patients that have used it, believes that “Allergan will likely test a stronger concentration for the use on the scalp than the 0.03% bimatoprost found in Latisse.”

Latisse is currently the only FDA-approved prescription product that stimulates the growth of eyelashes, and clinical studies demonstrated that 78 percent of patients reported significant eyelash enhancement. On average, participants had lashes that were 25 percent longer, 18 percent darker and over 100 percent fuller.

Results from using Latisse generally begin to appear after about four weeks, but they are not permanent, so once a patient stops using Latisse, lashes return to their normal state.

Latisse is offered at Dr. Tim Heffernan’s Seattle office. Visit the government’s Clinical Trials website, for more information on the study for treating baldness.

Survey Examines What Women are Looking for in Skin Care Products

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Woman with flawless skinA new online survey found that women “expect their cosmetics to deliver flawless skin and sun protection.” Conducted by Neutrogena Cosmetics and Harris Interactive, the survey was done online and had 1,018 women participate.

Survey highlights:

  • 58% said they want a product that delivers flawless skin tone, if they could only own one cosmetic product
  • 68% would be willing to give up something for a year to have flawless skin
  • 46% said that wearing or using cosmetic products and makeup is an extension of their overall skincare routine
  • 56% use cosmetics with SPF to provide protection from UV rays
  • 51% of women over 55 said the key benefit they want from a product is to minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles

Some of the more traditional cosmetic benefits of makeup came in lower in results: longer lashes (8%), fuller looking lips (3%) and cheekbone definition (2%).

The survey also revealed that while the trend is to have a more natural look, putting on makeup is still an essential part of many women’s morning routines. Forty-two percent said if they had to choose between makeup and breakfast when pressed for time, they would choose to put on makeup.

Many women surveyed recognize the damage sun can cause to their skin, as over half (56%) say they wear cosmetic products and makeup with SPF protection. Older women are more likely to wear SPF cosmetic products and makeup year round, 72% vs. 50%. Learn more about the survey at the Johnson & Johnson website.

Dr. Heffernan carries medical grade skin care products from SkinMedica, Clinique Medical and isClinical.

Before & After Photos of Latisse Spokesperson Claire Danes Revealed

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Claire Danes Latisse before and after photosLatisse has revealed the before and after photos of its latest celebrity spokesperson, actress Claire Danes. Her before and after photo gallery is now posted on latisse.com.

Following in Brooke Shields’s footsteps, she is the latest celebrity to promote Allergan’s eyelash product, which is the first and only prescription treatment approved by the FDA to grow lashes longer, fuller and darker. Approved by the FDA in December 2008, Latisse has already sold approximately 1.5 million kits.

The gallery shows Dane’s lashes transformed over 16 weeks. Photos at week 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 illustrate how effective at growing lashes the product can be. Several angles are photographed and  none of the photos were retouched, according to the website.

Danes said she tried Latisse because she was curious about the product. “The more I learned about Latisse, the more impressed I was. I’ve never used a product that actually affected real physical change,” she said.

When applied to the base of the upper eyelids, the active ingredient (bimatoprost) in Latisse maintains the growth phase of the eyelashes, producing thicker, longer, darker lashes. Available by prescription, patients usually start to see results in a few weeks. Once a patient stops using Latisse, eyelashes will return to their normal state

During research of Latisse, doctors reported on average:

  • 25 percent increase in eyelash length
  • 106 percent increase in eyelash fullness
  • 18 percent darkening of the eyelashes

If you are in the Seattle area and are interested in Latisse, contact Dr. Heffernan’s office today to schedule an appointment. (Before and after photo via latisse.com)

Take the Dysport Challenge in Seattle March 1 – April 30

Monday, March 1st, 2010

From March 1 until April 30, 2010, you can save $150 on 2 treatments with Dysport, the latest injectable wrinkle treatment containing botulinum toxin type a.

To take the “Dysport Challenge” you need to register at Dysportusa.com. According to the website, you can download a coupon rebate form within 14 days after your first Dysport treatment to receive a 75 dollar rebate check. If you love Dysport, you can repeat the process and get another rebate after 3 months.

Read more about Dysport with Dr. Heffernan in Seattle

Do I really need to wear sunscreen in the winter?

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Even in the winter, or on a cloudy, rainy Seattle day, you can be exposed to UVA/UVB rays.

You should get in the habit of protecting your skin with sunscreen on a daily basis. Choosing the right sunscreen for your face – one that addresses your skin type and skin conditions – is not always easy, but  the right sunscreen can prevent sun damage, skin problems, and skin cancer.  Harmful UV rays can damage skin cells deep within the skin’s surface, making your cells vulnerable to toxins (free-radicals) in the environment.

Our Favorite Sunscreen

My favorite sunscreen is IS Clinical SPF 25 treatment sunscreen. Because most IS Clinical sunscreensunscreens can be tacky when applied, many of my clients have been resistant to applying them every day. IS Clinical Treatment Sunscreen goes on so smooth you don’t even know it is there, even under your foundation.

IS Clinical treatment sunscreen will provide you with UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection, reduce the appearance of erythema (redness), provide an antioxidant-rich protective seal, and may even soothe inflammation.

IS Clinical treatment sunscreen comes in clear and tinted formulas for darker skin (or if you just want a little extra color). The cost for one 8 oz. tube ranges from $33-36 and will last for several months.

Road to Sexy Lashes: Paved With Bimatoprost?

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

Drugs sometimes make their way to the market inadvertently, and some even become ultra popular for uses that were never intended; such is the case with Allergan’s new offering, Latisse. The hot new eyelash enhancer was born out of a group of medications called topical prostaglandins, drugs frequently used to decrease intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

Doctors identified a particular ‘complication’ or side effect of using prostaglandins called “hypertrichosis,” a condition characterized by darkening, thickening, and lengthening of the eyelashes.

Allergan offered the topical prostaglandin Lumigan in 2001, a drug that contained the active ingredient bimatoprost. Two important precursors to Latisse occurred after the FDA gave clearance for Lumigan.

Jan Marini Skin Research Inc had over $2 million worth of product seized by the Food and Drug Administration.  The product, Age Intervention Eyelash, evidently contained bimatoprost, which was unapproved for cosmetic use at the time. Allergan later filed a patent infringement suit against Jan Marini and several other companies that had tried to market bimatoprost in their eyelash enhancing drugs.

Some doctors started prescribing Lumigan off-label to enhance eyelashes.  Knowing the desirable side effects it could produce. But Lumigan wasn’t formulated for cosmetic use and many believed more research was needed to confirm the safety of topical prostaglandins for cosmetic use.  

Clinical trials and further research is exactly what Alllergan Inc did.  In one early study, 278 healthy adults with minimal to moderate eyelash prominence applied bimatoprost or a placebo to their lash line.  The results were favorable; researchers observed “statistically significant differences in eyelash growth and resulting patient satisfaction” while only 3.6 percent experienced itchy eyes and redness, and only 2.9 percent experienced skin hyperpigmentation.  

Latisse received FDA approval late last year for the treatment of ‘inadequate’ eyelashes.  Allergan now owns the patent on all use of bimatoprost for eyelash enhancement.

For more information on Latisse in Seattle, Washington, contact us.

NIA24 Prevents and Reverses Premature Aging

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

The three major concerns women usually  share about their skin include, wrinkles, skin laxity, and age spots.

Such conditions may be indicators of premature aging due to sun damage, and if you don’t address them quickly, they can lead to undesirable skin conditions later in life – issues like uneven skin tone and severe wrinkles.

Fortunately, we now have decades of research available on cell rejuvenation, skin health, and the ways in which certain ingredients aid this process. It is a proven fact that products containing the three key antioxidant vitamins – A (Retin, Retinyl, Retinoic Acid or Retinol); C (Ascorbic Acid); and E (Tocopherol), as well as the nutrient Niacin, accelerate cell turnover.

Vitamin A is beneficial in multiple ways; the most important benefit is probably the stimulation of collagen growth. Vitamin C and E are super-charged rejuvenators, and the nutrient Niacin acts as a sort of damage control. Together these components naturally rejuvenate by ‘turning on’ the cells that make collagen and elastin. When combined in a product, they can effectively treat signs of premature aging.

The TODAY SHOW recently featured the NIA24™ product line, which contains several of these potent ingredients.

One of the most important factors in skin health is retaining moisture and replenishing the water in our skin. NIA24™ deeply hydrates skin while also protecting against the environment. It also reverses pre-existing skin damage by aiding body’s natural repair mechanisms. The ‘power ingredient’ in NIA24™ is NIACIN.

Niacin prevents melanin production from reaching the skin to reduce unwanted pigmentation. Once you start using NIA24™ new sun spots will stop appearing the next important step in the process will being - gentle exfoliation. You will shed off those brown spots and sun damaged areas revealing healthy, clear skin underneath.

For more info on skin care with NIA24, contact our Seattle surgery office.