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Background: DaxibotulinumtoxinA for Injection (DAXI) is a novel botulinum toxin type A formulation approved for the treatment of glabellar lines. The efficacy, safety, and extended duration of response of DAXI 40 U for glabellar lines were demonstrated in 2 Phase 3, randomized, double-blind studies (SAKURA 1 and 2) and a Phase 3 open-label trial (SAKURA 3)., Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the first DAXI 40 U treatment received in SAKURA 1, 2, or 3 across age and race subgroups., Methods: Adults with moderate-to-severe glabellar lines (Investigator Global Assessment-Frown Wrinkle Severity [IGA-FWS] and Patient FWS [PFWS] scales) were evaluated for glabellar line severity for ≤36 weeks after the first DAXI treatment. Efficacy and safety were analyzed by age (18-45, >45-55, and >55 years) and race (Asian, Black and African American, and White)., Results: Overall, 2785 patients were included in the efficacy analysis. The proportion of patients achieving none or mild glabellar line severity at maximum frown (IGA-FWS) after DAXI treatment was high in all age and race subgroups (>96% at Week 4). Glabellar line severity of none or mild by composite IGA-FWS and PFWS rating was maintained for a median of 24.0 weeks in all age subgroups, and for 27.0, 25.3, and 24.0 weeks in the Asian, Black and African American, and White subgroups, respectively. Treatment-emergent adverse events were similar across all subgroups., Conclusions: Consistent with the overall study population, DAXI 40 U demonstrated a high response rate and duration of effect of ≥24 weeks across all age and race subgroups., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Aesthetic Society.)

Volume loss of the face occurs over time; thus, volume enhancement of the midface can counteract the effects of aging. Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are often used for facial revolumization for a more youthful appearance due to their favorable outcomes and safety profiles. A patient-centric approach, in which dynamic facial expressions are considered, is needed for optimal aesthetic results. In addition, injectors must be familiar with midface anatomy, how it is affected by the aging process, and must also consider the rheological and physical properties of fillers, including their stretch and dynamic strength. In this article, optimal injection techniques are described for a new range of HA-based fillers for midface revolumization using a needle, cannula, or both. The layering technique involves product placement in both the deep and superficial fat compartments to achieve natural-looking outcomes at rest and during motion. The Resilient Hyaluronic Acid (RHA ® ) line of fillers was designed to maintain their durability and integrity while adapting to the dynamic movements of the face. RHA 2 is applicable for superficial placement, whereas the balanced stretch and dynamic strength of RHA 3 render it more versatile. The novel rheological properties of RHA 4, with the highest dynamic strength and sufficient stretch, allow it to be injected superficially and into deep facial compartments. Depending on patient characteristics, the appropriate RHA filler can be chosen to reach the goal of a natural, younger appearance and avoid overfilling., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: A global approach to facial rejuvenation involves multiple treatment modalities., Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of multimodal facial aesthetic treatment on self-reported psychological and social outcomes., Methods: HARMONY, a prospective, multicenter, 4-month study, enrolled patients aged 35 to 65 years to receive on-label treatment with a combination of hyaluronic fillers (VYC-20L, HYC-24L, and/or HYC-24L+), onabotulinumtoxinA, and bimatoprost. Fillers were injected on Day 1, with touch-ups performed on Day 14. OnabotulinumtoxinA was injected at Month 3 into glabellar lines and/or crow's feet lines. Patients applied bimatoprost to eyelashes once daily for 17 weeks. Mean change from baseline on FACE-Q Psychological Well-being and Social Confidence Scales, FACE-Q Aging Appearance Appraisal Scale, and FACE-Q Age Appraisal Visual Analog Scale were assessed., Results: Of 100 patients treated, 93 were evaluated at 4 months posttreatment. Significant improvement vs baseline was observed on the FACE-Q Scales for Psychological Well-being (mean change, -19.9; P < 0.00001), Social Confidence (mean change, -18.2; P < 0.00001), and Aging Appearance (mean change, -28.5; P < 0.0001). On average, patients' self-assessed age was 0.1 years older than actual age at baseline and 4.5 years younger at Month 4 (P < 0.001 vs baseline). Forty-two patients experienced adverse events, all mild to moderate., Conclusions: Multimodal, full facial aesthetic treatment improves patients' self-reported psychological well-being, social confidence, aging appearance, and perceptions of chronologic age., (© 2021 The Aesthetic Society.)

Background: PrabotulinumtoxinA is a 900-kDa botulinum toxin type A produced by Clostridium botulinum., Objectives: The authors sought to investigate the safety of prabotulinumtoxinA for treatment of glabellar lines., Methods: This was a multicenter, open-label, repeat-dose, 1-year phase II safety study. Adults with moderate to severe glabellar lines at maximum frown, as assessed by the investigator on the validated 4-point photonumeric Glabellar Line Scale (0 = no lines, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe), were enrolled. On day 0, patients received an initial treatment of 20 U prabotulinumtoxinA (4 U/0.1 mL freeze-dried formulation injected into 5 target glabellar sites). On and after day 90, patients received a repeat treatment (RT) if their Glabellar Line Scale score was ≥2 at maximum frown by investigator assessment. Safety was evaluated throughout the study., Results: The 352 study patients received a median total dose of 60 U, that is, 3 treatments per year. Fifty-one patients (14.5%) experienced adverse events (AEs) assessed as possibly study drug related; 11.1% experienced study drug-related AEs after the initial treatment. With each RT, progressively lower percentages of patients experienced study drug-related AEs. Six patients (1.7%) experienced study drug-related AEs of special interest: 3 eyelid ptosis (0.9%), 2 speech disorder (0.6%), and 1 blepharospasm (0.3%). Seven patients (2.0%) experienced serious AEs; none were study drug related. Of the 2393 samples tested, 2 patients (0.6%) tested positive for antibotulinum toxin antibodies at a single postbaseline visit., Conclusions: The safety of RTs of 20 U of prabotulinumtoxinA for moderate to severe glabellar lines was first established in this early phase II study based on a broad range of outcomes., (© 2021 The Aesthetic Society.)

Background: Absorbable suspension sutures are an effective nonsurgical modality for correction of ptosis and tissue repositioning in the face and neck. The PLLA/PLGA suture is entirely absorbable and has a dual effect in that it both lifts tissues and induces collagenesis, thereby restoring contour. In clinical practice, nonsurgical modalities are rarely used in isolation, and combination treatments with fillers, neuromodulators, lipolysis, and energy-based devices are common., Objectives: The aim of this study was to share the authors&rsquo; extensive experience in safely combing absorbable suspension sutures with other modalities in order to achieve optimal aesthetic outcomes for patients. The current work provides guidance to physicians who wish to incorporate absorbable suspension sutures into their aesthetics practice., Methods: The authors discuss patient selection and expectation setting, rationale for selection and ordering of treatments, and optimal treatment spacing. Technologies discussed include fillers, neuromodulators, microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V), radiofrequency, lasers and intense pulsed-light (IPL), microneedling, and lipolysis., Results: The authors share their approaches for combining nonsurgical techniques and present case studies illustrative of outcomes achievable through combination treatment with absorbable suspension sutures. The technical considerations for safely combining treatments such that optimal additive or synergistic benefit is reached for a particular patient are discussed., Conclusions: By combining nonsurgical modalities that address each of the four Rs (Repositioning tissue, Relaxation of hyperkinetic musculature, Resurfacing, and Revolumization),1 nonsurgical patient outcomes can be further improved. Absorbable suspension sutures represent a unique technology in that they are able to provide significant support to ptotic tissue in the face and neck. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(1):23-29. doi:10.36849/JDD.5684.

Background: SAKURA 3 was a Phase 3, open-label, repeat-dose safety study of DaxibotulinumtoxinA for Injection (DAXI); a component of the largest Phase 3 clinical development program of an aesthetic neuromodulator in glabellar lines., Objective: To evaluate the use of DAXI (40U) up to 3 treatments for moderate or severe glabellar lines., Methods: Eligible subjects rolled over from the placebo-controlled trials (n = 477) or were de novo (n = 2,214) and received 1 to 3 treatments over a maximum of 84 weeks. Safety and efficacy were evaluated at least every 4 weeks up to Week 36 (Treatments 1 and 2) and Week 12 (Treatment 3). Select subjects could be retreated after Week 12 if glabellar lines returned to baseline., Results: Safety results are reported for 2,691 subjects, of which 882 received a second treatment and 568 a third. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 17.8% of subjects, which were generally mild and resolved. No serious AEs were treatment-related. Eyelid ptosis occurred in 0.9% of treatments. Adverse events were consistent across treatments and no new safety signals were observed., Conclusion: The safety of DAXI in this large open-label safety study confirms the findings from the pivotal Phase 3 trials, providing reassurance in its overall safety profile., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.)

Background: The impact of facial aesthetic treatments not only enhances physical appearance but also psychological well-being. Accordingly, patient-reported outcomes are increasingly utilized as an important measure of treatment success. Observer-reported outcomes are a relevant yet often overlooked measure of treatment benefit., Objectives: The authors aimed to evaluate the impact of panfacial aesthetic treatment on the perception of an individual in a variety of social contexts., Methods: A total 2000 men and women (aged 18-65 years) participated in an online study designed to capture the blinded observer's social perception of pretreatment and posttreatment patients who received panfacial aesthetic treatment in the HARMONY study. Perceptions relevant to character traits, age, attractiveness, and social status were evaluated. Observers were divided into 2 groups. Single image respondents (n = 1500) viewed 6 single, randomized patient images (3 pretreatment, 3 posttreatment), and paired image respondents (n = 500) viewed 6 pretreatment and posttreatment image pairs., Results: Single image respondents reported significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels of agreement that posttreatment subjects appeared to possess more positive character traits (eg, healthy and approachable), were more socially adept, younger, more attractive, more successful at attracting others, and possessed a higher social status. Paired image respondents also reported a higher level of agreement for posttreatment images being aligned with positive character traits, representative of a younger and more attractive individual, and one with a higher social status., Conclusions: The results suggest that the positive impact of minimally invasive panfacial treatment extends beyond enhancing physical appearance and highlights the importance of social perception and observer-reported outcomes in aesthetic medicine., (© 2018 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc. Reprints and permission: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Injectables that behave similarly to native tissue and preserve facial expressiveness represent a new frontier in aesthetic medicine. A range of fillers made of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) chains with low crosslinking have been specifically developed to complement facial dynamics., Aims: The efficacy and safety of one of these resilient HA fillers, and its noninferiority to an effective comparator available in the US, were tested in the treatment of dynamic wrinkles., Methods: A 15-month, prospective, multicenter, controlled, randomized, double-blind, within-subject (split-face) clinical trial was conducted on 140 subjects with moderate-to-severe nasolabial folds (NLF). Study endpoints included improvement on a proprietary Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, according to Blind Live Evaluators (BLE), subjects, and treating investigators (TI). Subject perception was evaluated with FACE-Q and satisfaction scales., Results: The per-protocol population included 88 subjects (92% women) of all Fitzpatrick phototypes, with a mean age of 57 years. WSRS improvement was significantly greater with the resilient HA than its comparator over 15 months, including at week 24 (primary endpoint), as rated by BLE and TI. Results demonstrated the noninferiority of the resilient HA filler to its comparator. Aesthetic improvement and subject satisfaction were durably high, with an overall trend toward higher scores for the resilient HA filler. Both treatments were safe and well tolerated., Conclusion: The resilient HA filler made of long chains lightly crosslinked is at least equivalent to a well-established comparator for the correction of NLF in subjects of diverse skin phototypes., (© 2019 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

BACKGROUND: ATX-101 (deoxycholic acid) causes adipocytolysis when injected into subcutaneous fat. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of ATX-101 for submental fat (SMF) reduction. METHODS: Adults (N=165) with moderate-to-extreme SMF received ≤6 treatments of open-label ATX-101 (2 mg/cm2) and were evaluated up to 12 months after last treatment. Efficacy end points included improvements in SMF based on clinician or subject assessment, patient-reported outcomes, downtime (via subject questionnaire), and skin laxity. Safety was evaluated throughout the study. RESULTS: Twelve weeks after last treatment, most subjects achieved a ≥1-grade improvement in SMF based on clinician (86.8%) or subject (83.8%) evaluation; at 12 months, 90.4% and 80.7% of these responders, respectively, maintained the response. Overall, 84.9% of subjects were satisfied with the appearance of their face/chin. At 12 months, 82.9% of subjects had unchanged, and 10.1% had improved, skin laxity relative to 12 weeks after last treatment. Adverse events were mild to moderate and mainly involved the treatment area. During the 7 days after the first treatment, 13.3% of subjects missed work and 33.9% missed social/leisure activities. Following subsequent treatments, 2.4%–6.0% of subjects missed work and 10.0%–15.7% missed social/leisure activities. CONCLUSION: The safety and efficacy of ATX-101 were sustained over 12 months. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01426373 J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(9):870-877.

Background: VYC-15L (Juvéderm Volbella XC) is a nonanimal crosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA) gel with lidocaine., Objectives: To evaluate safety and effectiveness of repeat treatment with VYC-15L administered 1 year after treatment for lip and perioral enhancement., Methods: In this prospective multicenter study, 124 subjects with minimal, mild, or moderate lip fullness on the validated 5-point Allergan Lip Fullness Scale (LFS) who received initial/touch-up treatment with VYC-15L received repeat treatment with VYC-15L 1 year after initial treatment. Effectiveness endpoints included LFS responder rates (≥1-point improvement from baseline) and scores on the FACE-Q Satisfaction With Lips and Appraisal of Lip Lines scales at 1 month after repeat treatment. Subjects completed safety diaries for 30 days after repeat treatment., Results: LFS responder rates were 86.2%, 80.3%, and 65.3% at months 1 and 3 and 1 year, respectively, after initial/touch-up treatment. The responder rate improved to 94.3% 1 month after repeat treatment with VYC-15L and required less median volume vs initial/touch-up treatment (1.5 vs 2.6 mL). FACE-Q scores doubled from baseline at 3 months, remained high through 1 year, and doubled from baseline after repeat treatment. At 1 month after repeat treatment, 96.7% and 89.3% of subjects showed improvement over baseline in FACE-Q Satisfaction With Lips and Appraisal of Lip Lines, respectively. Severe injection site responses were less frequent after repeat treatment than initial/touch-up treatment., Conclusions: Repeat treatment with VYC-15L at 1 year was safe and effective for lip and perioral enhancement, and required less product volume to achieve similar effectiveness to initial/touch-up treatment., (© 2018 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.)

Background: Acne vulgaris (acne) is the most common dermatologic disease seen in a racially, geographically, politically, culturally, and socioeconomically diverse Hispanic population. Despite their growing demographics in the US, there are few studies evaluating acne treatment in this population. Potential for skin irritation and dryness, as well as pigmentary changes are key concerns. The first lotion formulation of tretinoin was developed using novel polymerized emulsion technology to provide an important alternative option to treat these acne patients who may be sensitive to the irritant effects of other tretinoin formulations. Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of tretinoin 0.05% lotion in treating moderate-to-severe acne in a Hispanic population. Methods: Post hoc analysis of two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled Phase 3 studies in moderate or severe acne. Hispanic subjects (aged 11 to 50 years, N=766) were randomized (1:1) to receive tretinoin 0.05% lotion or vehicle, once-daily for 12 weeks. Efficacy assessments included changes in baseline inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions and treatment success (at least 2-grade reduction in Evaluator’s Global Severity Score [EGSS] and clear/almost clear). Safety, adverse events (AEs), and cutaneous tolerability were evaluated throughout using a 4-point scale where 0=none and 3=severe. Results: At week 12, mean percent reduction in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion counts were 60.1% and 53.0%, respectively, compared with 51.1% and 38.7% with vehicle (P≤0.001) in the Hispanic population. Treatment success was achieved by 19.6% of subjects by week 12, compared with 12.7% on vehicle (P=0.015). The majority of AEs were mild and transient. There were four serious AEs (SAEs) reported (two each group) unrelated to treatment. Incidence of treatment-related AEs with tretinoin 0.05% lotion was lower than in the overall study population; the most frequently were application site pain (2.0%), dryness (1.4%), and erythema (1.2%). Local cutaneous safety and tolerability assessments were generally mild-to-moderate at baseline and improved by week 12. There were slight transient increases in scaling and burning over the first four weeks. Hyperpigmentation severity reduced progressively with treatment. Conclusions: Tretinoin 0.05% lotion was significantly more effective than its vehicle in achieving treatment success and reducing inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions in a Hispanic population. The new lotion formulation was well-tolerated, and all treatment-related AEs were both mild and transient in nature. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(1):32-38.

A complete approach to facial rejuvenation includes restoration of the skin's surface, relaxation of muscles that contribute to hyperkinetic movement, revolumization, and repositioning/recontouring of descended tissues and fat pads. After receiving 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015, the Silhouette InstaLift™ absorbable suspension suture became the only available non-surgical technique for repositioning of facial tissue. In January 2017, a consensus paper presented a review of the literature on the efficacy and safety of absorbable suspension sutures and provided information on treatment procedures. Since that time, the clinical experience of the authors has further shaped their treatment practices, highlighting the need for additional guidelines to support an optimal treatment approach. This update will expand upon the 2017 consensus paper on the safety and efficacy of absorbable suspension sutures and provide guidance for obtaining consistently high patient satisfaction with the procedure. Recommendations are based on the extensive clinical experience of expert physicians with absorbable suspension sutures over the past 2.5 years. Here, the authors provide guidance on full face assessment and treatment to support maximum benefit and provide patient selection and procedural recommendations. In addition, the authors stress the benefits of the dual mechanisms of action within the absorbable suspension suture: the immediate lift and volumizing over time that together lead to the outcome of recontouring. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(6):647-655.

Background: Individuals seeking aesthetic treatment have concerns regarding multiple facial areas., Objectives: Assess the aesthetic impact and satisfaction achieved with a multimodal approach to aesthetic treatment using a combination of minimally invasive treatments., Methods: Prospective, multicenter, rater-blinded, 4-month HARMONY study evaluated patient satisfaction and aesthetic impact of a combination of fillers (VYC-20L, HYC-24L, and HYC-24L+), onabotulinumtoxinA, and bimatoprost. Males and females aged 35 to 65 years received on-label, staged treatment with fillers, as needed per investigator assessment, on day 1, with touch ups allowed on day 14. Bimatoprost was self-administered once daily for 17 weeks. OnabotulinumtoxinA was injected into glabellar lines, crow's feet lines, or both at month 3. Primary effectiveness measure was mean change from baseline on the FACE-Q 10-item Satisfaction with Facial Appearance Overall Scale., Results: Of 100 patients treated, 93 underwent at least the 4-month posttreatment assessment and were assessed for efficacy. The FACE-Q Satisfaction with Facial Appearance Overall Scale total score increased from baseline (41.2) to month 4 (72.9; P < 0.00001; effect size, 2.7). Improvement following multimodal treatment was observed on FACE-Q individual items. Self-perceived age decreased from 0.2 years older than actual age at baseline to 4.6 years younger at month 4. Nearly all patients (99%) rated themselves as improved or much improved on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale. Investigator assessments also demonstrated improvement. Mild to moderate adverse events occurred in 42 patients., Conclusions: Minimally invasive, multimodal treatment resulted in improvements in FACE-Q scores and perceived age, indicating a high degree of patient satisfaction and a younger facial appearance.

BACKGROUND: Signs of facial aging include wrinkles, loss of subcutaneous volume, decreased tone, texture, and sagging of the skin. The objective of this review is to determine whether facial suspension absorbable sutures are a safe and effective modality for facial rejuvenation.

METHOD: A group of US plastic surgeons and dermatologists who practice medical aesthetics convened to review evidence obtained from literature searches and to reach a consensus on clinical practice guidelines for the use of facial absorbable suspension sutures.

RESULTS: Currently, there are different types of lifting sutures available. Absorbable, facial suspension sutures allow for superior repositioning of tissue along a vector line together with the added benefit of volumization of the area. These benefits are for patients who have moderate facial aging and require treatment beyond the use of injectable products only.

CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with absorbable facial suspension sutures, when performed properly, is associated with minor and infrequent complications and offers a beneficial clinical alternative to traditional facial rejuvenation techniques.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(7):661-666.

Dermatologists treat actinic keratosis (AK) primarily because these lesions have the potential to progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Patients, on the other hand, generally seek treatment to remove the lesions and achieve an improved appearance of their skin following treatment. In selecting a treatment option for AK, dermatologists should consider post-treatment cosmesis, because cosmetic outcomes differ across AK treatments. To obtain expert opinion on the cosmetic sequelae related to chronically photodamaged skin and the treatment of AK, an expert panel meeting among dermatologists was conducted in February 2016. These experts reviewed current treatment options for photodamage, including AK, and discussed the relative merits of the various cosmetic assessments commonly used by investigators and patients in both clinical trial and dermatology practice settings. A main goal of the expert panel meeting was to propose assessment tools that could be specifically designed to characterize cosmesis results after treatment of AK. The panel agreed that existing tools for measurement of cosmetic outcomes following treatment of photodamage could also be used to evaluate cosmesis after treatment of AK. Digital photography is probably the best method used for this, with validation by other technologies. Better measurement tools specifically for assessing cosmesis after AK treatment are needed. Once they are developed and validated, regulatory agencies should be educated about the importance of including cosmetic outcomes as a component of product labeling.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(3):260-265.

Background: The American Council of Graduate Medical Education, which oversees much of postgraduate medical education in the United States, has championed the concept of "milestones," standard levels of achievement keyed to particular time points, to assess trainee performance during residency., Objective: To develop a milestones document for the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery (CDS) fellowship program., Methods: An ad hoc milestone drafting committee was convened that included members of the ASDS Accreditation Work Group and program directors of ASDS-approved Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery (CDC) fellowship training programs. Draft milestones were circulated through email in multiple rounds until consensus was achieved., Results: Thirteen milestones were developed in the 6 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competency areas, with 8 of these being patient-care milestones. Additional instructions for milestone administration more specific to the CDS fellowship than general ACGME instructions were also approved. Implementation of semiannual milestones was scheduled for the fellowship class entering in July 2018., Conclusion: Milestones are now available for CDS fellowship directors to implement in combination with other tools for fellow evaluation.

Background: The HARMONY study is the first clinical trial to assess the impact of a global approach to facial rejuvenation with several minimally invasive modalities, using patient-reported outcome measures., Objective: Provide details of this treatment approach and describe investigators' experiences and recommendations based on this study., Methods: This multicenter, 4-month study evaluated subject satisfaction with and psychological impact of combined treatment with VYC-20L (Juvéderm Voluma XC), HYC-24L (Juvéderm Ultra XC), HYC-24L+ (Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC), onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), and bimatoprost 0.3% ophthalmic solution (Latisse). Treatment-naive adults with moderate-to-severe facial lines and folds and eyelash hypotrichosis received on-label, staged treatment with fillers. Bimatoprost was self-administered once daily for 17 weeks from day 1. OnabotulinumtoxinA was administered for glabellar lines, crow's feet lines, or both at month 3., Results: Overall, 100 subjects received bimatoprost for eyelash hypotrichosis, 96 received onabotulinumtoxinA for glabellar lines and/or crow's feet lines, and 96 received VYC-20L for midface volume deficit. From 17 to 96 subjects received HYC-24L and/or HYC-24L+ for nasolabial folds, oral commissures, marionette lines, perioral lines, or radial cheek lines. Injections of filler generally progressed from cranial to caudal, with midface injected first. Investigator-reported factors that may have contributed to the potential benefits of this approach include the critical role of the midface in facial aesthetics, use of lower volumes of filler in individual facial areas, and anesthetic effects., Conclusion: The investigators' perspectives and experience with the injection pattern, sequencing, volumes, and techniques may provide valuable guidance for a multimodal approach to facial aesthetic treatment.

Importance: Common noninvasive to minimally invasive cosmetic dermatologic procedures are widely believed to be safe given the low incidence of reported adverse events, but reliable incidence data regarding adverse event rates are unavailable to date., Objective: To assess the incidence of adverse events associated with noninvasive to minimally invasive cosmetic dermatologic procedures, including those involving laser and energy devices, as well as injectable neurotoxins and fillers., Design, Setting, and Participants: A multicenter prospective cohort study (March 28, 2011, to December 30, 2011) of procedures performed using laser and energy devices, as well as injectable neurotoxins and soft-tissue augmentation materials, among 8 geographically dispersed US private and institutional dermatology outpatient clinical practices focused on cosmetic dermatology, with a total of 23 dermatologists. Participants represented a consecutive sample of 20 399 cosmetic procedures. Data acquisition was for 3 months (13 weeks) per center, with staggered start dates to account for seasonal variation., Exposures: Web-based data collection daily at each center to record relevant procedures, by category type and subtype. Adverse events were detected by (1) initial observation by participating physicians or staff; (2) active ascertainment from patients, who were encouraged to self-report after their procedure; and (3) follow-up postprocedural phone calls to patients by staff, if appropriate. When adverse events were not observed by physicians but were suspected, follow-up visits were scheduled within 24 hours to characterize these events. Detailed information regarding each adverse event was entered into an online form., Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was the total incidence of procedure-related adverse events (total adverse events divided by total procedures performed), as verified by clinical examination., Results: Forty-eight adverse events were reported, for a rate of 0.24% (95% CI, 0.18%-0.31%). Overall, 36 procedures resulted in at least 1 adverse event, for a rate of 0.18% (95% CI, 0.13%-0.25%). No serious adverse events were reported. Adverse events were infrequently associated with known risk factors., Conclusions and Relevance: Noninvasive to minimally invasive cosmetic dermatologic procedures, including energy, neurotoxin, and filler procedures, are safe when performed by experienced board-certified dermatologists. Adverse events occur in less than 1% of patients, and most of these are minor and transient.

Background: Tretinoin is considered the benchmark prescription topical therapy for improving fine facial wrinkles, but skin tolerance issues can affect patient compliance. In contrast, cosmetic antiwrinkle products are well tolerated but are generally presumed to be less efficacious than tretinoin., Objectives: To compare the efficacy of a cosmetic moisturizer regimen vs. a prescription regimen with 0.02% tretinoin for improving the appearance of facial wrinkles., Methods: An 8-week, randomized, parallel-group study was conducted in 196 women with moderate to moderately severe periorbital wrinkles. Following 2 weeks washout, subjects on the cosmetic regimen (n = 99) used a sun protection factor (SPF) 30 moisturizing lotion containing 5% niacinamide, peptides and antioxidants, a moisturizing cream containing niacinamide and peptides, and a targeted wrinkle product containing niacinamide, peptides and 0.3% retinyl propionate. Subjects on the prescription regimen (n = 97) used 0.02% tretinoin plus moisturizing SPF 30 sunscreen. Subject cohorts (n = 25) continued treatment for an additional 16 weeks. Changes in facial wrinkling were assessed by both expert grading and image analysis of digital images of subjects' faces and by self-assessment questionnaire. Product tolerance was assessed via clinical erythema and dryness grading, subject self-assessment, and determinations of skin barrier integrity (transepidermal water loss) and stratum corneum protein changes., Results: The cosmetic regimen significantly improved wrinkle appearance after 8 weeks relative to tretinoin, with comparable benefits after 24 weeks. The cosmetic regimen was significantly better tolerated than tretinoin through 8 weeks by all measures., Conclusions: An appropriately designed cosmetic regimen can improve facial wrinkle appearance comparably with the benchmark prescription treatment, with improved tolerability.

Introduction: Pain is a common patient complaint during dermal filler injections. The primary objective of this study was to compare a new formulation of Juvéderm((R)) injectable gel with lidocaine (denoted as JUV + L) to commercially-available Juvéderm((R)) injectable gel without lidocaine (denoted as JUV) with respect to procedural pain scores in subjects desiring nasolabial fold (NLF) correction., Methods: Subjects received randomized treatment with the lidocaine filler in one NLF and the filler without lidocaine in the other NLF. Investigators determined the appropriate formulation (Ultra or Ultra Plus) and volume of material to inject but were blinded as to which syringe contained lidocaine. Subjects rated procedural pain (pain during injection) using an 11-point scale within 30 min after receiving treatment in both NLFs and compared procedural pain between right and left NLFs using a 5-point scale. NLF severity was rated by both subjects and investigators before and 2 weeks after treatment., Results: The mean difference on the procedural pain scale was 3.4 (P < 0.0001), and 93% of subjects found JUV + L to be less or slightly less painful than JUV. Improvement in NLF severity was comparable for both products. Common treatment site reactions (CTRs) of pain and tenderness were considerably less frequent for JUV + L than JUV while all other CTRs showed no statistically significant differences., Conclusion: The dermal filler formulated with lidocaine is effective in reducing procedural pain during correction of facial wrinkles and folds while maintaining a similar safety and effectiveness profile to the filler without lidocaine.

Successful treatment of actinic keratosis (AK) requires an understanding of available treatments and matching those treatments with each patient's disease severity, lifestyle, insurance coverage, and primary reason for the physician visit. Cryotherapy and other destructive strategies are optimal for hypertrophic and clearly delineated lesions, but they may not address subclinical lesions and are associated with risk of scarring, infection, and pigmentary changes. Topical therapies such as the fluorouracil creams are appropriate for treating large regions of affected skin but are associated with application-site irritation. A combination of destructive and topical approaches may benefit patients with multiple lesion pathologies.

Several formulations and concentrations of topical fluorouracil have received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK). The most commonly used are the fluorouracil 5% and 0.5% creams. In clinical trials, these formulations have demonstrated a marked ability to partially and completely eradicate AK lesions. Application site irritation, erythema, and burning are common side effects of both formulations, but comparative data suggest that the fluorouracil 0.5% cream is more cost-effective and may be safer, more tolerable, and as efficacious as fluorouracil 5% cream.

Multiple options are available for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK). Each therapy has its own idiosyncrasies and risks, and not every modality is appropriate for every patient. Physician experience and clinical factors such as patient demographics, concerns, reason for the office visit, and lifestyle, as well as the pros and cons of each treatment modality, must be considered when developing customized rational treatment programs.