Take Notice: 10 Meeting Takeaways

1. News to just about all of us, lidocaine is safe to put in the eye. Just drop it in, says Dr. Julie Ann Woodward. If injecting it, however, use preservative-free lidocaine – and it's safe to use when combined with epinephrine too. A real eye opener (yes, pun intended)!
2. Turn that frown upside down! Beyond glabellar lines and periorbital wrinkles, the toxins in your toolbox can be used to correct that downward droop of the mouth that leaves many patients looking unhappy or sad. And a little dab’ll do ya to correct bunny lines too!
3. Fillers are today’s Fountain of Youth, and can be used to correct even the tiniest details that give away a woman’s true age, including the earlobes. Take the little bit you have leftover and inject your next patient’s withering earlobes to restore lost volume. (She’ll be thrilled that her ear holds up those heavy earrings again!). Or use the earlobes as a point of entry for those patients who have been wary of stepping into the filler realm.
4. Can your pregnant patient use hydroquinones without risk? Yes, say the experts. Even if you’re an idealist who knows that this and other treatments (lasers, peels, fillers) are probably okay, but who prefer to take no risk, some important advice: Consider the whole person, her needs, and do what you can live with. Bottom line: Don’t make value judgments if a treatment is safe.
5. It’s time to dust off those old lasers you thought you’d never have a use for again. Turns out, you can put them to new and better use and optimize protocols by combining, say, a PDL (to stimulate collagen and reduce redness) with a fractionated laser to treat white striae.
6. When it comes to image, favor “value added” promotions over discounted prices to maintain the level of quality your patients have come to expect. You don’t want to become known as the practice where patients can “shop for less.”
7. Evolence: RIP. If you’re still in mourning over the discontinuation of this J&J product, you don’t have to create your own knock-off by thinning the more viscous brands in the cabinet to treat fine lines. Although it doesn’t last as long, Prevelle Silk is an appropriate alternative.
8. Watch out for up-and-coming player in the filler market Hydrell (Coapt), advises Dr. Cory Maas, who is a recognized leader and researcher in the injectables arena. The biggest reason we haven’t heard too much about it yet? As a smaller company, Coapt doesn’t have marketing power equal to that of the bigger competitors.
9. Name game in 2 parts: Part 1 – Don’t talk about “diluting” your toxin. This term can be misunderstood by patients who end up believing that your cheating them out of product. Instead, “reconstitute.”
   Part 2 – Botox vs. Dysport. Don’t let dosing get you down. Check out Dr. Maas’ unit dosing recommendations at http://www.drmaas.com/
10. Hands down, the biggest mistake we make is giving into patient demands and stepping outside our comfort zone. In situations where you feel uncomfortable with patient requests or expectations, show them the door and save yourself the turmoil.

CSF

Risk Rules the Day

Paperwork, staff management, patient relations? Experts imparted their first-hand experience today with ways to minimize practice risk related to these issues (and others!).

Forget marketing gimmicks and deceptive advertising advises Dr. Haines Ely who calls these “the new lift styles that are not.” Turns out the facelift today is the same it was in the early 20th century. And no matter how compelled you might be to agree with a patient that their former doctor did them wrong, DON’T. To quote Dr. Joe Niamtu, “It’ll come back and bite you in the ass.”

And on a sweeter note, as we found out today, dark chocolate for sun protection just might be in our future (p.o., not as a topical! Let us know when the trials open in the US, Dr. Downie…)

Speaking of chocolate, what really does work for fat removal? Regular ol’ mechanical liposuction, says Dr. Mike Kluska. But hey – if you’re willing to tradeoff a great marketing angle for lesser results, there’s always laser liposuction…

But technologies and potions aside, and coming full circle, we’ll leave you today with Dr. Kluska’s Top 10 Countdown of ways to reduce risk:

10. Don’t be held hostage by your staff.
9. Control the accessibility your staff has to you.
8. Don’t get too close to your staff.
7. Don’t skip or change your routine
6. Don’t be afraid to fire your staff.
5. Don’t be the status quo.
4. Don’t compete with competitors. Stay on the cutting edge.
3. Don’t see patients without a second person in the room.
2. Don’t ignore the disgruntled patient
1. Don’t consume yourself with the practice and ignore your family.

CSF

The Day 1 Deluge

So who's the winner?
After this morning’s session comparing Botox and Dysport, it seems that it’s not necessarily about “winning,”but how you play the game.
Because Dysport provides a different effect than its more established counterpart, Dr. Heidi Waldorf says that slight undertreatment might not be a bad idea. But it was Dr. Julie Ann Woodward’s slide that compared injection site patterns for the two products that fueled conversation in this, the first session of the morning. Fewer injection sites bode well for patients, but, on the flip, perhaps, complicate them for doctors.

For now, anyway.

What the speakers and audience participants made obvious this morning is that we’re seeing is an evolving trend where injection patterns are changing slowly to compensate for the newest toxin on the block.

Almost all of us voted today that we believe hydroquinones are both safe and effective. But, as demonstrated in presentations and conversation, it’s also clear that alternative skin lightening products have a place, whether for maintenance or as an alternative for patients who may have negative reactions to hydroquinones. The Obagi System is one option, which addresses hyperpigmentation and wrinkles, but says Dr. Jeanine Downie, keep an eye on up-and-coming peptide skin brightener Lumixyl.

Worry-free cyberspace profile on your holiday wish list? Great advice from Dr. Cheryl Burgess: Counter the odd negative review by encouraging your patients to give you a good review online.

Print or digital? In the debate about the best ways to communicate with your patients, the consensus seems to be go digital: it’s fast, easy to distribute, and you don’t have to pay for paper or postage. But don’t underestimate the power of print, says meeting attendee and communications expert Eliza Drewa, who reminds us that consumers/patients are inundated with electronic information daily. Perhaps there may be value in giving your (potential) patients a reason to step away from the screen and leisurely read a well-written, nicely designed piece at the end of the day.

Check back for those Top 10 product picks that had your pencils scribbling during the cosmeceutical presentations. We’ll get all the details for your reference.… See you tomorrow!

CSF

Cosmetic Surgery Forum. Be Seen. Be Heard

We're shaking things up with an innovative program and format at Cosmetic Surgery Forum 2009 -- the first aesthetic medical education meeting that takes faculty off of the podium and gives registered attendees the opportunity to take the floor!

This active learning form is bringing together subject matter experts, physicians, and publication editors who have a vested interest in access to non-invasive cosmetic and skin care solutions.

Cosmetic Surgery Forum is the place to be seen AND heard. We invite you to help us find solutions to the most relevant issues in the aesthetic field today.

It's not too late. Meeting begins bright and early Friday morning. Get on board, and meet me in Vegas!

www.cosmeticsurgeryforum.com