Each year, the nation’s leading board-certified dermatologists gather at American Society of Dermatologic Surgery meeting to explore cutting-edge innovations. The advancements made at ASDS 2023 set the standard for what we will ultimately incorporate into our routines in the years to come. We got a glimpse of the latest treatments set to revolutionize the way we anti-aging and enhancing.
New anti-wrinkle relaxers
The show was abuzz with news about new neurotoxins, including a faster-acting injectable wrinkle reducer and a topical version. “I would say one of the hottest topics is new toxins coming onto the market,” said a dermatologist in Santa Monica, California. Ava Shamban, MD. “A liquid formula of Derma and a fast-acting toxin called Bonti, from Allergan, are coming soon.”
An injectable moisturizer
Almost everyone we spoke to was excited about the introduction of SkinVive on the market, but don’t call it a skin booster – it was said at the meeting that it was more of an “injectable moisturizer”. “I recently started using SkinVive and like the concept because it fits with my focus on skin care,” says Bloomfield Hills, a dermatologist in Michigan. Linda Honet, MD. “Without proper skin care, patients can compromise the benefits of procedures such as fillers, Botox and lasers.”
“By presenting data on generational priorities, particularly among younger millennials and Generation Z, it is evident that concerns about skin quality are important,” adds Noëlle S. Sherber, MD, a dermatologist at Washington, DC. “Patients are increasingly drawn to options like SkinVive for enhanced hydration, natural radiance and positive effects on their appearance, providing a distinct alternative to traditional treatments like fillers. »
Deeper skin tightening with laser
Lasers capable of going deeper, for tightening like no other, were also presented. “We embrace innovative treatments using advanced light and laser devices, such as the Fotona system,” say dermatologists in Southlake, Texas and Monroe, Los Angeles. Janine Hopkins, MD. “It features a new ‘endo tight’ setting with a microscopic 600 nanometer fiber, which allows us to treat both epidermal and skin changes, providing a holistic approach to skin aging by heating and tightening the fascia and the ligaments.
Cultural conversations
Cultural competency and diversity of offerings in dermatology were discussed, emphasizing the importance of understanding and meeting the unique needs of patients from diverse backgrounds, including Islamic, Jewish, African American, and transgender patients. ASDS meeting co-chair, dermatologist Rebecca A. Kazin, MD of North Bethesda, MD, says cultural competency was a key part of planning the meeting. “We are really working on diversity in dermatology, not just by skin color. Also in sexuality, from a political and social perspective. This is something that we really emphasize on the ground.
“The presentation on diversity and equity by dermatologist Jeanine B. Downie, MD of Montclair, New Jersey, highlighted the importance of these considerations, although it was noted that the audience was largely part made up of people who were already knowledgeable about the subject,” Towsend said. , MD dermatologists Eva Simmons-O’Brien, MD and Diane Orlinsky, MD. “Additionally, discussions about understanding patients’ history of complications highlighted the distinctive role of dermatologists in managing procedure-related complications. If you need to have a procedure, you need to know how to manage the complication. Whereas there are certainly a lot of places that don’t know what to do when the patient arrives.
West Palm Beach, Florida Kenneth Beer, MD recognized that discussions about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) were a standout for both seasoned and new dermatologists. One of the highlights of the meeting was a DREAM panel focused on aesthetic diversity, which included her son, Jacob Beer, MD, a dermatology resident in Miami. The DREAM initiative, created by Allergan Aesthetics and SkinBetter Science, aims to combat the impact of systemic racism in medicine.
Breakthroughs in Vitiligo
Vitiligo, characterized by a reduction in pigment production due to immune cell attacks on melanocytes, has also been discussed. Chevy Chase dermatologist Maral Skelsky, MD, says a revolutionary treatment called melanocyte keratinocyte transplantation helps restore pigment. “The treatment involves using a full-thickness and minimum-thickness skin graft, processing it into liquid form, and transplanting the cells responsible for melanin production onto the affected area,” she explains. “These cells then actively generate new pigment. It’s really fascinating.
Maintenance after micro-coring
Micro-coring with Ellacor gives patients the ability to tighten the lower face without surgery. The minimally invasive method firms the skin and reduces wrinkles by extracting 4 to 8 percent of the treated area through tiny micronuclei. “One thing patients should know about Ellacore is that it is still an invasive procedure,” says Purvisha Patel, MD, a dermatologist in Germantown, Tennessee, who performs the treatment on patients. in his office. “There is an element of wound healing. Patients may experience hyperpigmentation, which is why I also use lasers on them afterwards to facilitate a smoother recovery after the procedure.
Laser coring
While microcoring has been a topic of conversation for some time, a new skin tightening contender has entered the chat. Wellesley Hills, MA, dermatologist Madeline Krauss, MD, says a new modality can create micronuclei without needles. “The UltraClear laser actively lifts and rejuvenates the lower areas of the face with its unique laser coring capability,” says Dr. Krauss. “Laser coring uses laser energy instead of hollow needles to create micronuclei that contract during healing.”
Solutions for scars
Scar care has caused a stir, with experts sharing the latest ways to minimize them from the start. New York dermatologist Diane Madfes, MD, says the sooner the better. “Early intervention for scarring involves the use of vascular lasers and neurotoxins, targeting the redness of early scarring,” she explains. “Scars become thicker, approximately six to 12 weeks after the injury.”
Dermatologist in Denver, Colorado Joel Cohen, MD says a combined approach of advanced techniques gave him incredible results, which he presented at the show. “Using a fractionated ablative erbium laser, we target deep scars, reaching depths of 750 to 1,000 microns. Traditional surface dermabrasion ensures a complete treatment in a single session. We can achieve notable improvements with a single treatment, compared to a prolonged series of several treatments.
Safer Acne Options
Glenn Dale, MD Dermatologist Valerie D. Callender, MD says acne-specific lasers have become crucial in dermatology, with a shift toward FDA-approved options that address past concerns about adverse events. “Unlike previous lasers, these penetrate deeper and directly target the oil glands, proving safer on different skin tones,” she notes. “This allows the simultaneous use of acne medications. They also help minimize the risks of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially on darker skin tones.
Visible collagen boost
The innovative use of imaging in aesthetic dermatology is a topic New York dermatologist Orit Markowitz, MD explores in his office. “I actively focus on collagen stimulation through biostimulation and genetics in my imaging work. This includes injectable products, including stem cells and epigenetics. Advances in imaging can reveal signs of skin changes at the cellular level. Imaging can contribute to advances in skin rejuvenation and the impact of topical products by showing how they work on skin structure.
