Puzzle Facelift: A non-surgical, whole treatment for facial modelling and rejuvenation

The assessment of correct anatomy of face and the evaluation of the dynamic interplay between anatomy and function, in order to get an overall improvement, is a leading topic in aesthetic surgery and has increased its impact in the recent years. A non-surgical impact technique reduces both post-treatment discomfort and the overall cost. Obtaining the simultaneous correction in forehead, nose, lips and chin means obtaining an overall improvement in face view. Likewise, the high predictability of the procedure and the absence of alloplastic implant, bone re-absorption and scars have to be considered in non-surgical aesthetic medicine. In conclusion, a single-session of profile correction using HA filler should be proposed to patient, every time the aesthetic practitioner sees a coexistence of forehead, nose lips and chin defects.

Safety of Aesthetic Medicine Procedures in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: A Literature Review

Autoimmune thyroid diseases are the most common organ-specific autoimmune diseases, affecting 2–5% of the world’s population. Due to the autoimmune background of thyroid diseases, we analyzed a wide range of cosmetic procedures, from minimally invasive cosmetic injections (mesotherapy) to highly invasive procedures, such as lifting threads. Out of the seven categories of treatments in aesthetic medicine analyzed by us—hyaluronic acid, botulinum toxin, autologous platelet-rich plasma, autologous fat grafting, lifting threads, IPL and laser treatment and mesotherapy—only two, mesotherapy and lifting threads, are not recommended. This is due to the lack of safety studies and the potential possibility of a higher frequency of side effects in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Botulinum toxin in cancer therapy—current perspectives and limitations

Different serotypes of botulinum toxins (BoNTs) act upon different types of SNARE proteins. This property is used in aesthetic medicine to treat certain eye disorders such as crossed eyes (strabismus) and uncontrolled blinking (blepharospasm), to treat muscle spasms or movement disorders, and, for the two last decades, more and more often, to provide support in cancer therapy, especially so as to obtain analgesic effects upon spastic conditions. The limited literature data also suggests that the addition of BoNTs to the culture of cancer cell lines reduces cell growth, and mitotic activity, and promotes their apoptosis. BoNTs have several advantages that can be emphasized: BoNTs act on both perfusion and oxygenation; moreover, BoNTs are considered to be safe and free of systemic side effects upon administration. Recently, advances in molecular biology techniques have allowed a wide variety of novel BoNT constructs with alternative functions. These constructs could be assessed as potential new classes of anti-cancer drugs. This creates new potential perspectives in the wider use of non-toxic modified BoNT constructs in cancer therapy. In the light of the mentioned premises and existing literature reports, the aim of this review is to summarize current data and reports considering BoNT use in cancer therapy. Key points •Botulinum toxin (BoNTs) may be useful in cancer treatment. •Botulinum toxin can serve as an analgesic after cancer radiotherapy. •Botulinum toxin has the ability to inhibit tumor growth and promote apoptosis of neoplastic cells.

The mechanism of action of platelet-rich plasma – composition analysis and safety assessment

Aesthetic medicine is an intensively developing field, more and more focused on stimulating and regenerating the skin, rather than on emergency treatment. There are many methods used by doctors for biostimulating therapies, but the most popular procedure in recent years is the implantation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) used to date successfully in ophthalmology, dermatology, surgery, dentistry and even in orthopedics. The procedure uses autologous material, and its essence is a repair action on damaged cells of the patient as well as the activation of healthy cells and their stimulation for more effective work. The aim of the paper is to present current knowledge about platelet-rich plasma therapy in anti-aging treatment, the effectiveness of therapy with its use, and the mechanism and safety of PRP. The composition of the autologous preparation and its use in aesthetic medicine were also analyzed. PRP is a procedure that uses the patient’s own cells, and growth factors are of key importance in the process of skin regeneration and biostimulation. The correctly performed procedure, including the appropriate collection and administration of a buffy coat to the patient and compliance with all the rules of sterility, results in positive effects of the therapy. Numerous studies prove the effectiveness and safety of the platelet-rich plasma treatment. Highly concentrated platelets in the deposited preparation stimulate the surrounding cells to angiogenesis, differentiation, proliferation and synthesis of components essential for remodeling of the treated area. The therapy is highly effective and safe to use.

Engineering of Ti:Sapphire Lasers for Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine

This review describes new engineering solutions for Ti:Sapphire lasers obtained at Laseroptek during the development of laser devices for dermatology and aesthetic medicine. The first device, PALLAS, produces 311 nm radiation by the third harmonic generation of a Ti:Sapphire laser, which possesses similar characteristics to excimer laser-based medical devices for skin treatments. In comparison to excimer lasers, Ti:Sapphire laser services are less expensive, which can save ~10% per year for customers compared to initial excimer laser costs. Here, the required characteristics were obtained due to the application of a new type of diffraction grating for spectral selection. The second device, HELIOS-4, based on the Ti:Sapphire laser, produces 300 mJ, 0.5 ns pulses at 785 nm for tattoo removal. The characteristics of HELIOS-4 exceed those of other tattoo removal laser devices represented in the medical market, despite a simple and inexpensive technical solution. The development of the last laser required the detailed study of a generation process and the investigation of the factors responsible for the synchronization of the generation in Ti: Sapphire lasers with short (several millimeters) cavities. The mechanism that can explain the synchronization in such lasers is suggested. Experiments for the confirmation of this concept are conducted and analyzed.

Assessment of Mechanical Stress Induced by Radiofrequency Currents on Skin Interfaces

The epidermal-dermal (ED) and dermal-subcutaneous (DS) junctions are the most prominent skin interfaces, which are known to be of primary importance in different dermatological and aesthetic conditions. These interfaces are strongly modified in aging skin, and their effective targeting can lead to improvement of skin appearance in aging and by cellulite. Application of radiofrequency (RF) currents to the skin can selectively produce mechanical stress on these interfaces. Here, we assess the stresses induced by RF currents of different frequencies on EDJ and DSJ and discuss possible applications of the interfacial therapy in aesthetic medicine.