Researchers discovered women feel most confident and happy with their love life and body shape shortly before they reach 30.
It is also the period in their life when they enjoy the best sex – but the happiness is relatively shortlived, because by the time they have turned 30 they start worrying about growing old and developing grey hair and wrinkles.
A spokesman for home hair colour brand Clairol Perfect 10, which carried out the study of 4,000 women, said: "Everything in life hits its peak at some point, and nearly reaching your thirties isn't so bad now.
"The age of 28 has been pinpointed as the time in a woman's life their hair looks the best, body shape is at its peak and confidence is at an all-time high.
"The security of your job, having a steady income, being in a relationship and having strong friendships all help create the perfect point in our lives when everything comes together.
"Reaching and surpassing your twenties no longer triggers the downward spiral of your looks and self-confidence.
"And a little time put aside in hectic schedules for self-pampering and the odd beauty product can help keep you feeling young and looking your best."
The survey of 25-65 year olds recorded the age at which women were most content in 12 key areas of their life.
According to the results, women are happiest in their career at 29 and most content with their relationships one year later at 30, despite having the best sex at 28.
But all is not lost for the over 30s, as women feel most content with their financial situation at 33 and at ease with their home and family life at 32.
The research found two thirds of women feel they age more quickly than men, and the women polled rated their appearance a measly five out of 10.
It also emerged that 56 per cent of women worry about losing their looks as they get older. But drinking from the fountain of youth doesn't come cheap as the average woman will spend £600 every year, or more than £49 a month, on beauty products in a bid to stay looking young.
The research also found women spend over five days a year on their beauty routine – an average of 22 minutes every day.
Psychologist Corinne Sweet added: "Having a good hair day is essential to success both at work and in love, as many women still feel their hair is their crowning glory
"Considering it was found that women have six bad hair days a month, anything women can rely on to improve their hair at home, in the minimum of time with guaranteed results can mean a huge lift in well-being, confidence and self-esteem.
"This can help women feel they are in the driving seat in their lives, despite the challenging times of modern life and always being on the go."
Friday, July 31, 2009
New Survey Reveals High Expectations for Aesthetic Injections
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans aren't willing to give up aesthetic injections and interest is growing, whether as a means to stay competitive in today's job market or simply to maintain a youthful image, the demand and want is strong. At the time of a recent Kelton Research* survey more than 40 percent of respondents were interested in receiving aesthetic botulinum toxin injections within the next six months.(1)
Despite clear interest, many expressed reluctance to having a botulinum toxin injection. In fact, one-third of those who had not yet received the treatment were worried that it would prevent them from being able to make natural facial expressions.(1)
Sixty-three percent of survey respondents who would ever consider receiving botulinum toxin injections cited that a guarantee of natural-looking results would influence their decision, demonstrating a desire for retaining a natural-looking face, and more natural-looking expressions following injection.(1)
Other top factors included more affordable costs, longer-lasting and faster-acting results.(2)
The poll found that of the respondents who had never undergone botulinum toxin injections, 36% said that their concern about no longer having a natural look had prevented them from receiving the treatment in the past.(1) Almost 60 percent of those surveyed who had not ever received an injection stated that they'd be likely to if the cost of treatment was more affordable.(1) And, of the respondents who had botulinum toxin injections, three in ten reported not seeing noticeable results for at least a week(1) and thirty percent of polled respondents said that having immediate results, such as within 24-48 hours, would positively influence their decision to undergo treatment.(2)
According to Florida dermatologist Dr. Susan Weinkle, patients want value and rapid results at a fair price. "My patients are looking for a treatment that will not make them look obvious or overdone and they want these natural looking results fast."
They are in luck: after extensive testing and clinical results, a new Botulinum Toxin A is now on the market. Dysport(TM) has been approved by the FDA for use in the United States for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines - the vertical lines between the eyebrows - in adult men and women 65 or younger.
The benefits of Dysport(TM) include:
• Duration - results lasting up to four months
• Demonstrated efficacy with four repeat treatments (proving results following each treatment)
• Demonstrated safety with 12 repeat treatments
• No evidence of neutralizing antibodies
• Clinical trials included both subjects who have and have not previously been treated with a Botulinum Toxin. There was no difference in results among the two groups
•Large patient population - 4,800 treatments in 2,900 patients (with an ethnically diverse population)
*About the 2009 Botulinum Toxin survey:
Sample: 600 U.S. adults ages 25-60 with a household income of $50,000 or more, including 570 females and 300 botulinum toxin users and 300 aware of at least one nonsurgical aesthetic procedure or treatment.(2)
References:
1. Kelton Research. Botulinum Toxin Survey NewsWorthy Analysis. February--March 2009. Data on file, Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation.
2. Kelton Research. Botulinum Toxin Survey Topline Report. February--March 2009. Data on file, Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation.
Important Safety Information
Dysport(TM) is an acetylcholine release inhibitor and a neuromuscular blocking agent indicated for the temporary improvement in appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines associated with procerus and corrugator muscle activity in adult patients.
Botulinum toxin effects may spread beyond the site of local injection to produce systemic symptoms of botulism such as swallowing and breathing difficulties that can occur within hours to weeks of injection. The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in children treated for spasticity, but symptoms can also occur in adults, particularly in those patents who have underlying conditions that would predispose them to these symptoms. In clinical trials, the most frequently reported adverse effects (>2%) are headache, nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infection.
Dysport(TM) is not recommended for children or pregnant women. Re-treatment with Dysport(TM) should be administered no more than every three months.
SOURCE Medicis Aesthetics Inc
Despite clear interest, many expressed reluctance to having a botulinum toxin injection. In fact, one-third of those who had not yet received the treatment were worried that it would prevent them from being able to make natural facial expressions.(1)
Sixty-three percent of survey respondents who would ever consider receiving botulinum toxin injections cited that a guarantee of natural-looking results would influence their decision, demonstrating a desire for retaining a natural-looking face, and more natural-looking expressions following injection.(1)
Other top factors included more affordable costs, longer-lasting and faster-acting results.(2)
The poll found that of the respondents who had never undergone botulinum toxin injections, 36% said that their concern about no longer having a natural look had prevented them from receiving the treatment in the past.(1) Almost 60 percent of those surveyed who had not ever received an injection stated that they'd be likely to if the cost of treatment was more affordable.(1) And, of the respondents who had botulinum toxin injections, three in ten reported not seeing noticeable results for at least a week(1) and thirty percent of polled respondents said that having immediate results, such as within 24-48 hours, would positively influence their decision to undergo treatment.(2)
According to Florida dermatologist Dr. Susan Weinkle, patients want value and rapid results at a fair price. "My patients are looking for a treatment that will not make them look obvious or overdone and they want these natural looking results fast."
They are in luck: after extensive testing and clinical results, a new Botulinum Toxin A is now on the market. Dysport(TM) has been approved by the FDA for use in the United States for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines - the vertical lines between the eyebrows - in adult men and women 65 or younger.
The benefits of Dysport(TM) include:
• Duration - results lasting up to four months
• Demonstrated efficacy with four repeat treatments (proving results following each treatment)
• Demonstrated safety with 12 repeat treatments
• No evidence of neutralizing antibodies
• Clinical trials included both subjects who have and have not previously been treated with a Botulinum Toxin. There was no difference in results among the two groups
•Large patient population - 4,800 treatments in 2,900 patients (with an ethnically diverse population)
*About the 2009 Botulinum Toxin survey:
Sample: 600 U.S. adults ages 25-60 with a household income of $50,000 or more, including 570 females and 300 botulinum toxin users and 300 aware of at least one nonsurgical aesthetic procedure or treatment.(2)
References:
1. Kelton Research. Botulinum Toxin Survey NewsWorthy Analysis. February--March 2009. Data on file, Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation.
2. Kelton Research. Botulinum Toxin Survey Topline Report. February--March 2009. Data on file, Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation.
Important Safety Information
Dysport(TM) is an acetylcholine release inhibitor and a neuromuscular blocking agent indicated for the temporary improvement in appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines associated with procerus and corrugator muscle activity in adult patients.
Botulinum toxin effects may spread beyond the site of local injection to produce systemic symptoms of botulism such as swallowing and breathing difficulties that can occur within hours to weeks of injection. The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in children treated for spasticity, but symptoms can also occur in adults, particularly in those patents who have underlying conditions that would predispose them to these symptoms. In clinical trials, the most frequently reported adverse effects (>2%) are headache, nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infection.
Dysport(TM) is not recommended for children or pregnant women. Re-treatment with Dysport(TM) should be administered no more than every three months.
SOURCE Medicis Aesthetics Inc
Mayo Clinic Tips to Prevent (or Soothe) Summer Skin Problems
ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Summer isn't always fun in the sun. Intense sunlight, hot and humid temperatures, poisonous plants and biting insects can cause a host of skin problems. The June issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers ways to prevent and treat common summer skin problems.
Heat rash (miliaria rubra): Heat rash occurs when sweat ducts become plugged and trap perspiration beneath the skin. The rash appears as clusters of red spots or small, blisterlike bumps that are extremely itchy or prickly. Heat rash typically develops in skin folds or wherever clothing causes friction.
Prevention methods -- Dressing in soft, lightweight, loose-fitting cotton clothing can help prevent heat rash. Avoiding powders and heavy creams can help, too; these products can block skin pores.
Treatment -- Sweat reduction and keeping the skin cool help clear up the rash. (Think air conditioning.) Cool-water compresses, calamine lotion or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help reduce itching.
Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE): This rash typically appears within hours after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or commercial tanning beds. It appears as itchy red spots on the front of the neck, on the chest, arms and thighs.
People with fair skin and limited sun exposure in the winter are most susceptible. With increasing sun exposure, this type of light sensitivity usually decreases over time. But the same rash may recur next spring after a winter without sun exposure.
Prevention -- Using sunblock and limiting sun exposure can reduce the risk of PMLE.
Treatment -- Cool compresses, hydrocortisone cream and anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Motrin, others) can help relieve symptoms. PMLE usually clears up on its own in seven to 10 days. When symptoms don't improve, patients should check with a doctor to consider other conditions or possible allergies.
Poison ivy and poison oak: Contact with these plants causes red, swollen skin, blisters and severe itching within days or weeks of exposure. These plants produce an oily substance called urushiol, which causes an allergic reaction in most people. Urushiol can stick to almost anything, including clothes, pet fur, and even gardening tools.
Prevention -- Avoidance is the best prevention. Since leaves from both plants grow in groups of three, a helpful catch phrase to remember is "leaves of three, let them be." For high-risk activities -- hiking or camping -- some dermatologists recommend an over-the-counter skin product that contains bentoquatam, which prevents urushiol from penetrating the skin.
Treatment -- Immediately washing with soap and water after exposure can help. For a mild rash, cool showers, calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can relieve symptoms. For severe rashes, or rashes that involve the face, eyes or genitals, a doctor's care is advised. Prescription medications, such as an oral corticosteroid, may be needed to reduce itching and swelling.
Chigger and tick bites: Chiggers -- tiny red mites found in grass and weeds -- attach to the skin and feed on fluids in the skin cells. They fall off in a few days, leaving behind itchy red welts where they were attached. Redness and intense itching can last for weeks.
Ticks, most often found in grassy or wooded areas, are dark in color. They range from the size of a poppy seed to a pencil eraser. They leave behind red bumps or other skin reactions. And they can transmit Lyme disease, characterized by a distinctive bull's-eye rash, flulike symptoms and aching joints.
Prevention -- Protective clothing, long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks or shoes can keep bugs at bay. Insect repellants containing DEET offer protection. After a person is outdoors, a shower can wash away chiggers or unattached ticks. When ticks have burrowed into the skin, they need to be pulled off carefully with tweezers.
Treatment -- Over-the-counter hydrocortisone can relieve itching from chigger bites. For rashes that spread or seem to be infected, a doctor's care is needed. For tick bites, or when symptoms of Lyme disease are present, consultation with a physician is advised. Antibiotics are necessary to treat Lyme disease.
Heat rash (miliaria rubra): Heat rash occurs when sweat ducts become plugged and trap perspiration beneath the skin. The rash appears as clusters of red spots or small, blisterlike bumps that are extremely itchy or prickly. Heat rash typically develops in skin folds or wherever clothing causes friction.
Prevention methods -- Dressing in soft, lightweight, loose-fitting cotton clothing can help prevent heat rash. Avoiding powders and heavy creams can help, too; these products can block skin pores.
Treatment -- Sweat reduction and keeping the skin cool help clear up the rash. (Think air conditioning.) Cool-water compresses, calamine lotion or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help reduce itching.
Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE): This rash typically appears within hours after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or commercial tanning beds. It appears as itchy red spots on the front of the neck, on the chest, arms and thighs.
People with fair skin and limited sun exposure in the winter are most susceptible. With increasing sun exposure, this type of light sensitivity usually decreases over time. But the same rash may recur next spring after a winter without sun exposure.
Prevention -- Using sunblock and limiting sun exposure can reduce the risk of PMLE.
Treatment -- Cool compresses, hydrocortisone cream and anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Motrin, others) can help relieve symptoms. PMLE usually clears up on its own in seven to 10 days. When symptoms don't improve, patients should check with a doctor to consider other conditions or possible allergies.
Poison ivy and poison oak: Contact with these plants causes red, swollen skin, blisters and severe itching within days or weeks of exposure. These plants produce an oily substance called urushiol, which causes an allergic reaction in most people. Urushiol can stick to almost anything, including clothes, pet fur, and even gardening tools.
Prevention -- Avoidance is the best prevention. Since leaves from both plants grow in groups of three, a helpful catch phrase to remember is "leaves of three, let them be." For high-risk activities -- hiking or camping -- some dermatologists recommend an over-the-counter skin product that contains bentoquatam, which prevents urushiol from penetrating the skin.
Treatment -- Immediately washing with soap and water after exposure can help. For a mild rash, cool showers, calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can relieve symptoms. For severe rashes, or rashes that involve the face, eyes or genitals, a doctor's care is advised. Prescription medications, such as an oral corticosteroid, may be needed to reduce itching and swelling.
Chigger and tick bites: Chiggers -- tiny red mites found in grass and weeds -- attach to the skin and feed on fluids in the skin cells. They fall off in a few days, leaving behind itchy red welts where they were attached. Redness and intense itching can last for weeks.
Ticks, most often found in grassy or wooded areas, are dark in color. They range from the size of a poppy seed to a pencil eraser. They leave behind red bumps or other skin reactions. And they can transmit Lyme disease, characterized by a distinctive bull's-eye rash, flulike symptoms and aching joints.
Prevention -- Protective clothing, long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks or shoes can keep bugs at bay. Insect repellants containing DEET offer protection. After a person is outdoors, a shower can wash away chiggers or unattached ticks. When ticks have burrowed into the skin, they need to be pulled off carefully with tweezers.
Treatment -- Over-the-counter hydrocortisone can relieve itching from chigger bites. For rashes that spread or seem to be infected, a doctor's care is needed. For tick bites, or when symptoms of Lyme disease are present, consultation with a physician is advised. Antibiotics are necessary to treat Lyme disease.
Arizona Ranks 33 in List of Most Obese States
Washington, D.C. - Adult obesity rates increased in 23 states and did not decrease in a single state in the past year, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity. Policies Are Failing in America 2009, a report released today by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Inaddition, the percentage of obese or overweight children is at or above 30 percent in 30 states.
"Our health care costs have grown along with our waist lines," said Jeff Levi, Ph.D., executive director of TFAH. "The obesity epidemic is a big contributor to the skyrocketing health care costs in the United States. How are we going to compete with the rest of the world if our economy and workforce are weighed down by bad health?"
Mississippi had the highest rate of adult obesity at 32.5 percent, making it the fifth year in a row that the state topped the list. Four states now have rates above 30 percent, including Mississippi, West Virginia (31.2 percent), Alabama (31.1 percent) and Tennessee (30.2 percent). Eight of the 10 states withthe highest percentage of obese adults are in the South. Colorado continued to have the lowest percentage of obese adults at 18.9 percent. Arizona ranked as the 33rd most obese state.
Adult obesity rates now exceed 25 percent in 31 states and exceed 20 percent in 49 states and Washington, D.C. Two-thirds of American adults are either obese or overweight. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. In 1980, the national average for adult obesity was 15 percent. Sixteen statesexperienced an increase for the second year in a row, and 11 states experienced an increase for the third straight year.
Mississippi also had the highest rate of obese and overweight children (ages 10 to 17) at 44.4 percent. Minnesota and Utah had the lowest rate at 23.1 percent. Eight of the 10 states with the highest rates of obese and overweight children are in the South. Childhood obesity rates have more than tripled since 1980.
"Reversing the childhood obesity epidemic is a critical ingredient for delivering a healthier population and making health reform work," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., RWJF president and CEO. "If we can prevent the current generation of young people from developing the serious and costly chronic conditions related to obesity, we can not only improve health and quality of life, but we can also save billions of dollars and make our health care systems more efficient and sustainable."
The F as in Fat report contains rankings of state obesity rates and a review of federal and state government policies aimed at reducing or preventing obesity. Some additional key findings from F as in Fat 2009 include:
The current economic crisis could exacerbate the obesity epidemic. Food prices, particularly for more nutritious foods, are expected to rise, making it more difficult for families to eat healthy foods. At the same time, safety-net programs and services are becoming increasingly overextended as the numbers of unemployed, uninsured and underinsured continue to grow. In addition, due to the strain of the recession, rates of depression, anxiety and stress, which are linked to obesity for many individuals, also are increasing.
Nineteen states now have nutritional standards for school lunches, breakfasts and snacks that are stricter than current USDA requirements. Five years ago, only four states had legislation requiring stricter standards.
Twenty-seven states have nutritional standards for competitive foods sold a la carte, in vending machines, in school stores or in school bake sales. Five years ago, only six states had nutritional standards for competitive foods.
Twenty states have passed requirements for body mass index (BMI) screenings of children and adolescents or have passed legislation requiring other forms of weight-related assessments in schools. Five years ago, only four states had passed screening requirements.
A recent analysis commissioned by TFAH found that the Baby Boomer generation has a higher rate of obesity compared with previous generations. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, obesity-related costs to Medicare and Medicaid are likely to grow significantly because of the large number of people in this population and its high rate of obesity. And, as Baby Boomers become Medicare-eligible, the percentage of obese adults age 65 and older could increase significantly. Estimates of the increase in percentage of obese adults range from 5.2 percent in New York to 16.3 percent in Alabama.
Key report recommendations for addressing obesity within health reform include:
Ensuring every adult and child has access to coverage for preventive medical services, including nutrition and obesity counseling and screening for obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes;
Increasing the number of programs available in communities, schools, and childcare settings that help make nutritious foods more affordable and accessible and provide safe and healthy places for people to engage in physical activity
Reducing Medicare expenditures by promoting proven programs that improve nutrition and increase physical activity among adults ages 55 to 64. The report also calls for a National Strategy to Combat Obesity that would define roles and responsibilities for federal, state and local governments and promote collaboration among businesses, communities, schools and families. It would seek to advance policies that:
Provide healthy foods and beverages to students at schools;
Increase the availability of affordable healthy foods in all communities;
Increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of physical activity at school;
Improve access to safe and healthy places to live, work, learn, and play;
Limit screen time; and
Encourage employers to provide workplace wellness programs.
The report was supported by a grant from RWJF. Trust for America's Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. www.healthyamericans.org
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. Helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care theyneed--the Foundation expects to make a difference in our lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.
"Our health care costs have grown along with our waist lines," said Jeff Levi, Ph.D., executive director of TFAH. "The obesity epidemic is a big contributor to the skyrocketing health care costs in the United States. How are we going to compete with the rest of the world if our economy and workforce are weighed down by bad health?"
Mississippi had the highest rate of adult obesity at 32.5 percent, making it the fifth year in a row that the state topped the list. Four states now have rates above 30 percent, including Mississippi, West Virginia (31.2 percent), Alabama (31.1 percent) and Tennessee (30.2 percent). Eight of the 10 states withthe highest percentage of obese adults are in the South. Colorado continued to have the lowest percentage of obese adults at 18.9 percent. Arizona ranked as the 33rd most obese state.
Adult obesity rates now exceed 25 percent in 31 states and exceed 20 percent in 49 states and Washington, D.C. Two-thirds of American adults are either obese or overweight. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. In 1980, the national average for adult obesity was 15 percent. Sixteen statesexperienced an increase for the second year in a row, and 11 states experienced an increase for the third straight year.
Mississippi also had the highest rate of obese and overweight children (ages 10 to 17) at 44.4 percent. Minnesota and Utah had the lowest rate at 23.1 percent. Eight of the 10 states with the highest rates of obese and overweight children are in the South. Childhood obesity rates have more than tripled since 1980.
"Reversing the childhood obesity epidemic is a critical ingredient for delivering a healthier population and making health reform work," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., RWJF president and CEO. "If we can prevent the current generation of young people from developing the serious and costly chronic conditions related to obesity, we can not only improve health and quality of life, but we can also save billions of dollars and make our health care systems more efficient and sustainable."
The F as in Fat report contains rankings of state obesity rates and a review of federal and state government policies aimed at reducing or preventing obesity. Some additional key findings from F as in Fat 2009 include:
The current economic crisis could exacerbate the obesity epidemic. Food prices, particularly for more nutritious foods, are expected to rise, making it more difficult for families to eat healthy foods. At the same time, safety-net programs and services are becoming increasingly overextended as the numbers of unemployed, uninsured and underinsured continue to grow. In addition, due to the strain of the recession, rates of depression, anxiety and stress, which are linked to obesity for many individuals, also are increasing.
Nineteen states now have nutritional standards for school lunches, breakfasts and snacks that are stricter than current USDA requirements. Five years ago, only four states had legislation requiring stricter standards.
Twenty-seven states have nutritional standards for competitive foods sold a la carte, in vending machines, in school stores or in school bake sales. Five years ago, only six states had nutritional standards for competitive foods.
Twenty states have passed requirements for body mass index (BMI) screenings of children and adolescents or have passed legislation requiring other forms of weight-related assessments in schools. Five years ago, only four states had passed screening requirements.
A recent analysis commissioned by TFAH found that the Baby Boomer generation has a higher rate of obesity compared with previous generations. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, obesity-related costs to Medicare and Medicaid are likely to grow significantly because of the large number of people in this population and its high rate of obesity. And, as Baby Boomers become Medicare-eligible, the percentage of obese adults age 65 and older could increase significantly. Estimates of the increase in percentage of obese adults range from 5.2 percent in New York to 16.3 percent in Alabama.
Key report recommendations for addressing obesity within health reform include:
Ensuring every adult and child has access to coverage for preventive medical services, including nutrition and obesity counseling and screening for obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes;
Increasing the number of programs available in communities, schools, and childcare settings that help make nutritious foods more affordable and accessible and provide safe and healthy places for people to engage in physical activity
Reducing Medicare expenditures by promoting proven programs that improve nutrition and increase physical activity among adults ages 55 to 64. The report also calls for a National Strategy to Combat Obesity that would define roles and responsibilities for federal, state and local governments and promote collaboration among businesses, communities, schools and families. It would seek to advance policies that:
Provide healthy foods and beverages to students at schools;
Increase the availability of affordable healthy foods in all communities;
Increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of physical activity at school;
Improve access to safe and healthy places to live, work, learn, and play;
Limit screen time; and
Encourage employers to provide workplace wellness programs.
The report was supported by a grant from RWJF. Trust for America's Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. www.healthyamericans.org
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. Helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care theyneed--the Foundation expects to make a difference in our lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.
Dosage Unit Size/Price Differences Between Botox and Dysport
Confused about the dosage differences between Botox and Dysport?
It is important to know that the unit size of Dysport is smaller than the unit size of Botox. According to the FDA, it takes a minimum of two times more units of Dysport to get the same effect as Botox. So, if you've gotten Botox and received 20 units, you'll need 40 units of Dysport for an equivalent treatment.
See the chart below for a comparison of Botox and Dysport units needed and price:
Botox @ $9.99 = unit Dysport @ $3.99 = unit
20 Units = $199.80 40 Units = $159.60
25 Units = $249.75 50 Units = $199.50
30 Units = $299.70 60 Units = $239.40
35 Units = $349.65 70 Units = $279.30
40 Units = $399.60 80 Units = $319.20
45 Units = $449.55 90 Units = $359.10
50 Units = $499.50 100 Units = $399.00
55 Units = $549.45 110 Units = $348.90
60 Units = $599.40 120 Units = $478.80
This article was published on Tuesday 23 June, 2009.
It is important to know that the unit size of Dysport is smaller than the unit size of Botox. According to the FDA, it takes a minimum of two times more units of Dysport to get the same effect as Botox. So, if you've gotten Botox and received 20 units, you'll need 40 units of Dysport for an equivalent treatment.
See the chart below for a comparison of Botox and Dysport units needed and price:
Botox @ $9.99 = unit Dysport @ $3.99 = unit
20 Units = $199.80 40 Units = $159.60
25 Units = $249.75 50 Units = $199.50
30 Units = $299.70 60 Units = $239.40
35 Units = $349.65 70 Units = $279.30
40 Units = $399.60 80 Units = $319.20
45 Units = $449.55 90 Units = $359.10
50 Units = $499.50 100 Units = $399.00
55 Units = $549.45 110 Units = $348.90
60 Units = $599.40 120 Units = $478.80
This article was published on Tuesday 23 June, 2009.
Most People Who've Gotten Botox Cosmetic Don't Keep It a Secret
NEW YORK, NY (June 1, 2009) — Despite what some may think, people aren’t hiding their use of BOTOX® Cosmetic and hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. In fact, according to survey statistics released today by The Aesthetic Surgery Education & Research Foundation (ASERF), the research arm of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), nearly nine out of 10 respondents (87 percent) openly discuss their BOTOX® Cosmetic and hyaluronic acid dermal filler treatments with others, with seven out of ten (70 percent) receiving support from the people they told.
For more information about Botox at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=175
“In a similar survey issued four years ago, we dispelled the myth that Hollywood and corporate wives were the typical BOTOX® Cosmetic patient,” says ASERF President Laurie Casas, MD, a plastic surgeon practicing in suburban Chicago. “Now, demographic and perception data trends show us that aesthetic injectable treatments have continued to evolve into mainstream and accepted options for the everyday woman.”
Survey results found that the typical aesthetic injectable patient is a married, working mother between 41-55 years of age with a household income of under $100,000. The survey also found that women receiving aesthetic injectable treatments are health-conscious and philanthropy minded, with the majority incorporating exercise (95 percent) and healthy eating habits (78 percent) into their lives, and many volunteering with charitable organizations that matter to them (32 percent). In addition, nearly seven out of 10 respondents believe that BOTOX® Cosmetic (72 percent) and hyaluronic acid dermal fillers (65 percent) are important parts of their aesthetic routine.
“Interestingly, among BOTOX® Cosmetic patients, nearly seven out of 10 respondents also received treatment with hyaluronic acid fillers,” says Dr. Casas. “Most people have great success with BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers; however, we need to make patients aware that even though injectables are not ‘surgery,’ their administration is a medical procedure with risks that depend on the training and experience of the clinician, the clinical setting and the technique used.”
Additional findings of the survey found that 72 percent of respondents received BOTOX® Cosmetic injections to treat their glabellar lines – also referred to the “11” – the frown lines in between the brows, while 63 percent of those surveyed received hyaluronic acid dermal filler injections to treat their nasolabial folds – also known as the “parentheses” – the lines around the nose and mouth. A few of the most frequently cited reasons to receive treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic was “to look more relaxed, less stressed” while patients reported choosing treatment with hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to “look more rejuvenated.”
Based on its annual survey of U.S. physicians performing cosmetic procedures, ASAPS recently reported that BOTOX® Cosmetic injections have remained the most frequently performed procedure since FDA approval of the product in 2002. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers ranked as the third most popular procedure performed last year. ASERF conducted this follow-up survey to quantify the characteristics and opinions of the patients who receive the treatment to help its members and the public obtain a better understanding of these important modalities.
For more information about Botox at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=175
Survey Methodology
To conduct this survey, ASERF, the charitable, not-for-profit research arm of American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), retained the services of Industry Insights, Inc. an independent research and consulting firm headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.
In March 2009, a two-page questionnaire, designed by ASERF in conjunction with Industry Insights, was distributed to 1,818 ASAPS members to distribute to their BOTOX® Cosmetic and/or hyaluronic acid dermal filler patients. A total of 687 completed and useable forms were received in time for processing and analysis. Based on 687 presumably random responses, this study has a +/- 3.7% margin of error at a 95% level of confidence. A margin of error of +/- 5% is typically accepted as the “standard” in association research, so this study’s +/-3.7% figure indicates a stronger than typical level of statistical integrity.
The survey was sponsored, in part, by a market research grant from Allergan, Inc.
To find additional survey data results, please access the survey results fact sheet and Executive Report.
ABOUT ASERF
The Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation whose mission is to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of plastic surgery procedures, devices and techniques through directed research, physician-initiated research and as an independent third party resource for corporations interested in having their products tested through the newly formed ASERF Research Alliance. ASERF is supported exclusively by private donations and research revenues, 100% of which go to its research activities: all non-research administrative expenses are donated by The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery as an expression of its mission of physician and patient education. For more information, visit www.aserf.org or contact Tom Purcell at 800-362-2147 or tom@surgery.org
For more information about Botox at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=175
“In a similar survey issued four years ago, we dispelled the myth that Hollywood and corporate wives were the typical BOTOX® Cosmetic patient,” says ASERF President Laurie Casas, MD, a plastic surgeon practicing in suburban Chicago. “Now, demographic and perception data trends show us that aesthetic injectable treatments have continued to evolve into mainstream and accepted options for the everyday woman.”
Survey results found that the typical aesthetic injectable patient is a married, working mother between 41-55 years of age with a household income of under $100,000. The survey also found that women receiving aesthetic injectable treatments are health-conscious and philanthropy minded, with the majority incorporating exercise (95 percent) and healthy eating habits (78 percent) into their lives, and many volunteering with charitable organizations that matter to them (32 percent). In addition, nearly seven out of 10 respondents believe that BOTOX® Cosmetic (72 percent) and hyaluronic acid dermal fillers (65 percent) are important parts of their aesthetic routine.
“Interestingly, among BOTOX® Cosmetic patients, nearly seven out of 10 respondents also received treatment with hyaluronic acid fillers,” says Dr. Casas. “Most people have great success with BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers; however, we need to make patients aware that even though injectables are not ‘surgery,’ their administration is a medical procedure with risks that depend on the training and experience of the clinician, the clinical setting and the technique used.”
Additional findings of the survey found that 72 percent of respondents received BOTOX® Cosmetic injections to treat their glabellar lines – also referred to the “11” – the frown lines in between the brows, while 63 percent of those surveyed received hyaluronic acid dermal filler injections to treat their nasolabial folds – also known as the “parentheses” – the lines around the nose and mouth. A few of the most frequently cited reasons to receive treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic was “to look more relaxed, less stressed” while patients reported choosing treatment with hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to “look more rejuvenated.”
Based on its annual survey of U.S. physicians performing cosmetic procedures, ASAPS recently reported that BOTOX® Cosmetic injections have remained the most frequently performed procedure since FDA approval of the product in 2002. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers ranked as the third most popular procedure performed last year. ASERF conducted this follow-up survey to quantify the characteristics and opinions of the patients who receive the treatment to help its members and the public obtain a better understanding of these important modalities.
For more information about Botox at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=175
Survey Methodology
To conduct this survey, ASERF, the charitable, not-for-profit research arm of American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), retained the services of Industry Insights, Inc. an independent research and consulting firm headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.
In March 2009, a two-page questionnaire, designed by ASERF in conjunction with Industry Insights, was distributed to 1,818 ASAPS members to distribute to their BOTOX® Cosmetic and/or hyaluronic acid dermal filler patients. A total of 687 completed and useable forms were received in time for processing and analysis. Based on 687 presumably random responses, this study has a +/- 3.7% margin of error at a 95% level of confidence. A margin of error of +/- 5% is typically accepted as the “standard” in association research, so this study’s +/-3.7% figure indicates a stronger than typical level of statistical integrity.
The survey was sponsored, in part, by a market research grant from Allergan, Inc.
To find additional survey data results, please access the survey results fact sheet and Executive Report.
ABOUT ASERF
The Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation whose mission is to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of plastic surgery procedures, devices and techniques through directed research, physician-initiated research and as an independent third party resource for corporations interested in having their products tested through the newly formed ASERF Research Alliance. ASERF is supported exclusively by private donations and research revenues, 100% of which go to its research activities: all non-research administrative expenses are donated by The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery as an expression of its mission of physician and patient education. For more information, visit www.aserf.org or contact Tom Purcell at 800-362-2147 or tom@surgery.org
Shipping Begins for Botox Rival Dysport for Wrinkles Reduction
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 15, 2009 -- Medicis (NYSE:MRX) today announced that the Company has begun shipment to physicians of DYSPORT(TM) (abobotulinumtoxinA) for the treatment of glabellar lines. DYSPORT is an acetylcholine release inhibitor and a neuromuscular blocking agent, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in late April 2009. The approval included two separate indications, the treatment of cervical dystonia in adults to reduce the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain, and the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines in adults younger than 65 years of age. Medicis has rights to market DYSPORT in the United States for the aesthetic indication (glabellar lines).
Contact Derma Health Institute if you're interested in trying Dysport in the Phoenix metro area, including Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, and Paradise Valley, Arizona. http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
"We are pleased to be introducing into the U.S. what we believe may be the most important launch in the aesthetic marketplace since RESTYLANE(R)," said Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis. "We have been very encouraged by the initial response from physicians' preorders, and are eager to provide them with a worthy competitor in this multi-million dollar market. Additionally, we are grateful to our partners at Ipsen for their collaborative efforts in making this launch possible."
McKesson is the U.S. distributor of DYSPORT for glabellar lines. Physicians in the U.S. may place orders by calling McKesson directly at 1-877-520-0500.
About the U.S. Aesthetic Market
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, over 10 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2008, 83% of which represented nonsurgical procedures. Injections of botulinum toxin type A have been the number one nonsurgical cosmetic procedure for the past five years, with over 2.4 million total procedures in 2008 alone.(1) The U.S. aesthetic market for botulinum toxin type A is estimated to be approximately $300 million to $400 million.(2)
DYSPORT Important Safety Information
The effects of DYSPORT and all botulinum toxin products may spread from the area of injection to produce symptoms consistent with botulinum toxin effects. These symptoms have been reported hours to weeks after injection. Swallowing and breathing difficulties can be life threatening, and there have been reports of death. The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in children treated for spasticity, but symptoms can also occur in adults, particularly in those patients who have underlying conditions that would predispose them to these symptoms.
The dosing Units of DYSPORT are not the same as and are not interchangeable with those of other botulinum toxin products.
Recommended dose and frequency of administration should not be exceeded.
Caution should be exercised when administering DYSPORT to patients with surgical alterations to the facial anatomy, marked facial asymmetry, inflammation at the injection site(s), ptosis, excessive dermatochalasis, deep dermal scarring or thick sebaceous skin.
The clinical effects of treatment may be exacerbated in patients with neuromuscular disorders.
DYSPORT is contraindicated in patients with infection at the proposed injection site, an allergy to cow's-milk protein or a known hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin product or its components.
DYSPORT is not recommended for use in children or pregnant women.
In clinical studies, the most frequently reported adverse events (> or = 2%) were nasopharyngitis, headache, injection site pain, injection site reaction, upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid edema, eyelid ptosis, sinusitis and nausea.
To view the Full Prescribing Information and Patient Medication Guide, visit www.DysportUSA.com.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, call 1-877-397-7671 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch.
About DYSPORT (abobotulinumtoxinA)
The active substance in DYSPORT is a botulinum neurotoxin type A complex, which acts at the level of the neuromuscular junction in the targeted muscle. DYSPORT is a neuromuscular blocking toxin which acts to block acetylcholine release at motor nerve ends and reduces muscular spasm.
Used in patient care in the United Kingdom since 1991, DYSPORT has marketing authorizations in 76 countries for therapeutic use and in 27 countries for aesthetic use.
DYSPORT was initially developed and subsequently approved in many markets around the world, outside the U.S., for the treatment of movement disorders such as cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis), blepharospasm (involuntary eye closure), hemifacial spasm and various forms of muscle spasticity, including post-stroke arm spasticity, spasticity of the lower limbs (calf) in adults and children with cerebral palsy. It was later developed for the treatment of a wide variety of neuromuscular disorders and aesthetic medicine.
Contact Derma Health Institute if you're interested in trying Dysport in the Phoenix metro area, including Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, and Paradise Valley, Arizona.
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.comd
About Medicis
Medicis is the leading independent specialty pharmaceutical company in the United States focusing primarily on the treatment of dermatological and aesthetic conditions. Medicis is dedicated to helping patients attain a healthy and youthful appearance and self-image. Medicis has leading branded prescription products in a number of therapeutic and aesthetic categories. Medicis' products have earned wide acceptance by both physicians and patients due to their clinical effectiveness, high quality and aesthetic elegance.
Medicis' products include the brands DYSPORT(TM) (abobotulinumtoxinA), RESTYLANE(R) (hyaluronic acid), PERLANE(R) (hyaluronic acid), DYNACIN(R) (minocycline HCl), LOPROX(R) (ciclopirox), PLEXION(R) (sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5%), SOLODYN(R) (minocycline HCl, USP) Extended Release Tablets, TRIAZ(R) (benzoyl peroxide), LIDEX(R) (fluocinonide) Cream 0.05%, VANOS(R) (fluocinonide) Cream 0.1%, ZIANA(R) (clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025%) Gel, BUPHENYL(R) (sodium phenylbutyrate) Tablets and Powder, AMMONUL(R) (sodium phenylacetate and sodium benzoate) Injection 10%/10%, the LIPOSONIX(R)(3) system and the over-the-counter brand ESOTERICA(R).
For more information about Medicis, please visit the Company's website at www.Medicis.com. Printed copies of Medicis' complete audited financial statements are available free of charge upon request.
Medicis Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Medicis expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the expected importance of the product launch and the anticipated ability of DYSPORT to compete in the aesthetic marketplace. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by Medicis based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. No assurances can be given, however, that these activities, events or developments will occur or that such results will be achieved. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Medicis. Several of these risks are outlined in Medicis' most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and other documents Medicis files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements represent the judgment of Medicis' management as of the date of this release, and Medicis disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak as of the date hereof.
NOTE: Full prescribing information for any Medicis prescription product is available by contacting the Company. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
(1) American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank Statistics, 2008
(2) Competitor company reports
(3) The LIPOSONIX(R) system is not cleared for sale in the U.S.
CONTACT: Medicis
Kara Stancell
(480) 291-5854
Contact Derma Health Institute if you're interested in trying Dysport in the Phoenix metro area, including Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, and Paradise Valley, Arizona. http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
"We are pleased to be introducing into the U.S. what we believe may be the most important launch in the aesthetic marketplace since RESTYLANE(R)," said Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis. "We have been very encouraged by the initial response from physicians' preorders, and are eager to provide them with a worthy competitor in this multi-million dollar market. Additionally, we are grateful to our partners at Ipsen for their collaborative efforts in making this launch possible."
McKesson is the U.S. distributor of DYSPORT for glabellar lines. Physicians in the U.S. may place orders by calling McKesson directly at 1-877-520-0500.
About the U.S. Aesthetic Market
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, over 10 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2008, 83% of which represented nonsurgical procedures. Injections of botulinum toxin type A have been the number one nonsurgical cosmetic procedure for the past five years, with over 2.4 million total procedures in 2008 alone.(1) The U.S. aesthetic market for botulinum toxin type A is estimated to be approximately $300 million to $400 million.(2)
DYSPORT Important Safety Information
The effects of DYSPORT and all botulinum toxin products may spread from the area of injection to produce symptoms consistent with botulinum toxin effects. These symptoms have been reported hours to weeks after injection. Swallowing and breathing difficulties can be life threatening, and there have been reports of death. The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in children treated for spasticity, but symptoms can also occur in adults, particularly in those patients who have underlying conditions that would predispose them to these symptoms.
The dosing Units of DYSPORT are not the same as and are not interchangeable with those of other botulinum toxin products.
Recommended dose and frequency of administration should not be exceeded.
Caution should be exercised when administering DYSPORT to patients with surgical alterations to the facial anatomy, marked facial asymmetry, inflammation at the injection site(s), ptosis, excessive dermatochalasis, deep dermal scarring or thick sebaceous skin.
The clinical effects of treatment may be exacerbated in patients with neuromuscular disorders.
DYSPORT is contraindicated in patients with infection at the proposed injection site, an allergy to cow's-milk protein or a known hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin product or its components.
DYSPORT is not recommended for use in children or pregnant women.
In clinical studies, the most frequently reported adverse events (> or = 2%) were nasopharyngitis, headache, injection site pain, injection site reaction, upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid edema, eyelid ptosis, sinusitis and nausea.
To view the Full Prescribing Information and Patient Medication Guide, visit www.DysportUSA.com.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, call 1-877-397-7671 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch.
About DYSPORT (abobotulinumtoxinA)
The active substance in DYSPORT is a botulinum neurotoxin type A complex, which acts at the level of the neuromuscular junction in the targeted muscle. DYSPORT is a neuromuscular blocking toxin which acts to block acetylcholine release at motor nerve ends and reduces muscular spasm.
Used in patient care in the United Kingdom since 1991, DYSPORT has marketing authorizations in 76 countries for therapeutic use and in 27 countries for aesthetic use.
DYSPORT was initially developed and subsequently approved in many markets around the world, outside the U.S., for the treatment of movement disorders such as cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis), blepharospasm (involuntary eye closure), hemifacial spasm and various forms of muscle spasticity, including post-stroke arm spasticity, spasticity of the lower limbs (calf) in adults and children with cerebral palsy. It was later developed for the treatment of a wide variety of neuromuscular disorders and aesthetic medicine.
Contact Derma Health Institute if you're interested in trying Dysport in the Phoenix metro area, including Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, and Paradise Valley, Arizona.
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.comd
About Medicis
Medicis is the leading independent specialty pharmaceutical company in the United States focusing primarily on the treatment of dermatological and aesthetic conditions. Medicis is dedicated to helping patients attain a healthy and youthful appearance and self-image. Medicis has leading branded prescription products in a number of therapeutic and aesthetic categories. Medicis' products have earned wide acceptance by both physicians and patients due to their clinical effectiveness, high quality and aesthetic elegance.
Medicis' products include the brands DYSPORT(TM) (abobotulinumtoxinA), RESTYLANE(R) (hyaluronic acid), PERLANE(R) (hyaluronic acid), DYNACIN(R) (minocycline HCl), LOPROX(R) (ciclopirox), PLEXION(R) (sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5%), SOLODYN(R) (minocycline HCl, USP) Extended Release Tablets, TRIAZ(R) (benzoyl peroxide), LIDEX(R) (fluocinonide) Cream 0.05%, VANOS(R) (fluocinonide) Cream 0.1%, ZIANA(R) (clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025%) Gel, BUPHENYL(R) (sodium phenylbutyrate) Tablets and Powder, AMMONUL(R) (sodium phenylacetate and sodium benzoate) Injection 10%/10%, the LIPOSONIX(R)(3) system and the over-the-counter brand ESOTERICA(R).
For more information about Medicis, please visit the Company's website at www.Medicis.com. Printed copies of Medicis' complete audited financial statements are available free of charge upon request.
Medicis Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Medicis expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the expected importance of the product launch and the anticipated ability of DYSPORT to compete in the aesthetic marketplace. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by Medicis based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. No assurances can be given, however, that these activities, events or developments will occur or that such results will be achieved. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Medicis. Several of these risks are outlined in Medicis' most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and other documents Medicis files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements represent the judgment of Medicis' management as of the date of this release, and Medicis disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak as of the date hereof.
NOTE: Full prescribing information for any Medicis prescription product is available by contacting the Company. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
(1) American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank Statistics, 2008
(2) Competitor company reports
(3) The LIPOSONIX(R) system is not cleared for sale in the U.S.
CONTACT: Medicis
Kara Stancell
(480) 291-5854
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Teens Would Take Parents to Prom to Get Rid of Acne
PALM COAST, Fla., June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's image-obsessed society where millions of photos are uploaded daily through digital networks such as Facebook and Flickr, how much of an impact can a common skin condition like acne have on the life of teens? Based on first impressions, teens with acne are perceived to have different personality and social traits than if they had clear skin, according to results of a new online perception survey sponsored by the American Acne & Rosacea Society (AARS), and co-authored by Dr. Eva Ritvo, psychiatrist and co-author of The Beauty Prescription.(1) The survey asked thousands of teens and adults to offer their impressions of a group of teens based solely on photos of their faces - with clear skin or digitally enhanced to simulate acne. The results, which are being released to mark the first-ever National Acne Awareness Month, also expose the significant lengths that teens with acne would go to if it meant they could get rid of their acne forever.(1a)
For more information about Levulan Photodynamic Blue Light Acne Solution at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=177
Seeing is Believing
According to the survey, teens with acne are more likely than teens without acne to be perceived by their peers as shy (39% vs. 27%), nerdy (31% vs. 17%) and lonely (23% vs. 13%).(1b) Teens with acne are also less likely than their clear-skinned counterparts to be seen as leaders (29% vs. 49%) rather than followers.(1c) In contrast, teens with clear skin are more commonly perceived as self-confident (42% vs. 25%), happy (50% vs. 35%), fun (40% vs. 28%) and intelligent (44% vs. 38%), compared to teens with acne.(1d)
The survey also found that teens aren't the only ones that form a first impression based on acne. According to the survey, American adults believe that more than half (56%) of teens with acne are likely to be bullied, compared to 29 percent of teens without acne.(1e) When it comes to dating, adults assumed that on an average weekend, teens with acne are more likely to stay at home with their parents than go out on a date, compared to teens with clear skin (58% vs. 36%).(1f)
What Teens Would Do for Clear Skin
When asked about their own acne, American teens admit the lengths they would go to if they could get rid of the condition forever, such as staying off of Facebook for one year (59%), not going on a date for one year (30%), taking their mom or dad as their date to prom (13%) and having their grade-point average drop (11%).(1g)
"The eye-opening results of this survey demonstrate that acne plays a key role in how society forms a first impression of teens based on appearance alone. The stigma of acne should not be overlooked -- parents can help diminish its emotional and social impact on teens by talking to the doctor about treatment," said Dr. James Del Rosso, President, American Acne & Rosacea Society. "The goal of National Acne Awareness Month is to educate parents and teens that acne is a medical condition. By treating the root cause with prescription medication, teens can achieve clearer skin and take more control of those important first impressions."
"Now more than ever, it's important that parents take the time to monitor and help improve their teen's self-esteem, as confidence plays a major role in their ability to successfully navigate these turbulent adolescent years. For teens, how others view them on the outside hugely impacts how they feel about themselves on the inside," said author Dr. Eva Ritvo, who also serves as Vice Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. "While there are multiple factors that can affect a teen's confidence, thankfully acne is one thing that mom and dad can easily do something about."
Acne Awareness Month Educational Resources
The AARS has declared June the inaugural National Acne Awareness Month to help teenagers and their parents understand that acne is a medical condition that can be treated with help from a physician. Teens and adults alike are encouraged to visit www.acnesociety.org for more information on the causes of acne and how it can be treated.
About Acne
Acne vulgaris is one of the most widely experienced chronic skin diseases. In recent years, research has lead to a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease.(2) The disorder begins with the onset of puberty and is thought to result from hormonal action on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands) leading to plugged pores and outbreaks.(3) It can be challenging to manage due to the variability in response to treatment and the need for long-term therapy.(4)
For more information about Levulan Photodynamic Blue Light Acne Solution at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=177
About American Acne & Rosacea Society
The American Acne & Rosacea Society (AARS), founded in 2005, provides a forum for the exchange of information about acne and rosacea, as well as the promotion of research into these two skin diseases. Its mission is to address the need to bring clarity to the millions of Americans who are suffering from acne and/or rosacea and who are not receiving adequate treatment.
For more information visit, www.acnesociety.org. This educational initiative was supported by Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
About the Survey
Kelton Research conducted two separate national online surveys, one with a sample of 1,002 nationally representative adults age 18+ and one with a sample of N=1,006 teens age 13-17. Both groups took the survey which was fielded between April 10th and April 24th, 2009. Quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of each audience.
As part of the survey, each respondent answered questions about several pictures of people with or without acne. The total amount of visual stimuli used in the survey consisted of 12 pictures - based on a 2 x 3 x 2 exposure model (gender x race x acne/clear). Each respondent reacted to 3 randomly selected pictures, with the only condition being that it was a combination of either (a) 1 clear and 2 acne pictures or (b) 2 clear and one acne picture.
This design allowed the respondents to focus in-depth on specific stimuli and kept the survey at a reasonable length. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. The overall margin of error for each group in this study (teens and adults) is +/-3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Margins for subgroups are slightly higher.
(1) American Acne & Rosacea Society/Dr. Eva Ritvo Teen Perception Study, Conducted by Kelton Research, 2009.
(2) Gollnick H, Cunliffe WJ, Berson D et al. Management of Acne: A Report From a Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003; 49(1):S1-S37.
(3) Why Do I Get Acne? Nemours Foundation. http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/acne.html.
(4) Thiboutot D, Pariser DM, Egan N et al. Adapalene gel 0.3% for the treatment of acne vulgaris: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006; 54:242-50.
SOURCE American Acne & Rosacea Society
For more information about Levulan Photodynamic Blue Light Acne Solution at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=177
Seeing is Believing
According to the survey, teens with acne are more likely than teens without acne to be perceived by their peers as shy (39% vs. 27%), nerdy (31% vs. 17%) and lonely (23% vs. 13%).(1b) Teens with acne are also less likely than their clear-skinned counterparts to be seen as leaders (29% vs. 49%) rather than followers.(1c) In contrast, teens with clear skin are more commonly perceived as self-confident (42% vs. 25%), happy (50% vs. 35%), fun (40% vs. 28%) and intelligent (44% vs. 38%), compared to teens with acne.(1d)
The survey also found that teens aren't the only ones that form a first impression based on acne. According to the survey, American adults believe that more than half (56%) of teens with acne are likely to be bullied, compared to 29 percent of teens without acne.(1e) When it comes to dating, adults assumed that on an average weekend, teens with acne are more likely to stay at home with their parents than go out on a date, compared to teens with clear skin (58% vs. 36%).(1f)
What Teens Would Do for Clear Skin
When asked about their own acne, American teens admit the lengths they would go to if they could get rid of the condition forever, such as staying off of Facebook for one year (59%), not going on a date for one year (30%), taking their mom or dad as their date to prom (13%) and having their grade-point average drop (11%).(1g)
"The eye-opening results of this survey demonstrate that acne plays a key role in how society forms a first impression of teens based on appearance alone. The stigma of acne should not be overlooked -- parents can help diminish its emotional and social impact on teens by talking to the doctor about treatment," said Dr. James Del Rosso, President, American Acne & Rosacea Society. "The goal of National Acne Awareness Month is to educate parents and teens that acne is a medical condition. By treating the root cause with prescription medication, teens can achieve clearer skin and take more control of those important first impressions."
"Now more than ever, it's important that parents take the time to monitor and help improve their teen's self-esteem, as confidence plays a major role in their ability to successfully navigate these turbulent adolescent years. For teens, how others view them on the outside hugely impacts how they feel about themselves on the inside," said author Dr. Eva Ritvo, who also serves as Vice Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. "While there are multiple factors that can affect a teen's confidence, thankfully acne is one thing that mom and dad can easily do something about."
Acne Awareness Month Educational Resources
The AARS has declared June the inaugural National Acne Awareness Month to help teenagers and their parents understand that acne is a medical condition that can be treated with help from a physician. Teens and adults alike are encouraged to visit www.acnesociety.org for more information on the causes of acne and how it can be treated.
About Acne
Acne vulgaris is one of the most widely experienced chronic skin diseases. In recent years, research has lead to a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease.(2) The disorder begins with the onset of puberty and is thought to result from hormonal action on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands) leading to plugged pores and outbreaks.(3) It can be challenging to manage due to the variability in response to treatment and the need for long-term therapy.(4)
For more information about Levulan Photodynamic Blue Light Acne Solution at Derma Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=177
About American Acne & Rosacea Society
The American Acne & Rosacea Society (AARS), founded in 2005, provides a forum for the exchange of information about acne and rosacea, as well as the promotion of research into these two skin diseases. Its mission is to address the need to bring clarity to the millions of Americans who are suffering from acne and/or rosacea and who are not receiving adequate treatment.
For more information visit, www.acnesociety.org. This educational initiative was supported by Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
About the Survey
Kelton Research conducted two separate national online surveys, one with a sample of 1,002 nationally representative adults age 18+ and one with a sample of N=1,006 teens age 13-17. Both groups took the survey which was fielded between April 10th and April 24th, 2009. Quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of each audience.
As part of the survey, each respondent answered questions about several pictures of people with or without acne. The total amount of visual stimuli used in the survey consisted of 12 pictures - based on a 2 x 3 x 2 exposure model (gender x race x acne/clear). Each respondent reacted to 3 randomly selected pictures, with the only condition being that it was a combination of either (a) 1 clear and 2 acne pictures or (b) 2 clear and one acne picture.
This design allowed the respondents to focus in-depth on specific stimuli and kept the survey at a reasonable length. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. The overall margin of error for each group in this study (teens and adults) is +/-3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Margins for subgroups are slightly higher.
(1) American Acne & Rosacea Society/Dr. Eva Ritvo Teen Perception Study, Conducted by Kelton Research, 2009.
(2) Gollnick H, Cunliffe WJ, Berson D et al. Management of Acne: A Report From a Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003; 49(1):S1-S37.
(3) Why Do I Get Acne? Nemours Foundation. http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/acne.html.
(4) Thiboutot D, Pariser DM, Egan N et al. Adapalene gel 0.3% for the treatment of acne vulgaris: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006; 54:242-50.
SOURCE American Acne & Rosacea Society
CHICAGO, June 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- So many classic childhood movies (Dumbo) and sing-a-longs (Do your ears hang low? Do they wobble to and fro?) emphasize large and protruding ears. But it turns out that having protruding ears is often-times a humiliating feature for a teenager.
For more information about Derman Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery's 2008 Procedural Survey, 27.7% of otoplasties -- a reshaping of the ear by placing small incisions behind the ear then reshaping or trimming the cartilage to define how and where the ear bends -- are performed on those ages 13-19. Additionally, the survey found that otoplasty has the youngest mean age of both invasive and less invasive cosmetic procedures at 29.
"While cosmetic surgery is not for all adolescents, there appears to be a trend in otoplasty for younger patients," states Dr. Patrick McMenamin, MD, President of the AACS. "The bottom line is that if the teen is of appropriate psychological and physical maturity, then the teen can reap the benefits of an early age otoplasty. In my experience, it is the youngster who comes in adamantly requesting the procedure."
Generally, ears reach their full growth potential by age 6 which is drastically earlier than other parts of an adolescent body. In fact, it is preferred to have an otoplasty at a younger age because the cartilage is extremely flexible, thereby permitting greater ease of shaping and a better result.
The survey results and doctor interviews are available by contacting the Academy. Information on choosing a cosmetic surgeon and questions to ask before having cosmetic surgery can be found on the AACS website, at www.cosmeticsurgery.org.
For more information about Derman Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is a professional medical society whose members are dedicated to patient safety and physician education in cosmetic surgery. Most members of the AACS are dermatologic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, head and neck surgeons, general surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, or ocular plastic surgeons -- all of whom specialize in cosmetic surgery. AACS is an organization that represents all cosmetic surgeons in the American Medical Association through its seat in the AMA House of Delegates.
SOURCE American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
For more information about Derman Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery's 2008 Procedural Survey, 27.7% of otoplasties -- a reshaping of the ear by placing small incisions behind the ear then reshaping or trimming the cartilage to define how and where the ear bends -- are performed on those ages 13-19. Additionally, the survey found that otoplasty has the youngest mean age of both invasive and less invasive cosmetic procedures at 29.
"While cosmetic surgery is not for all adolescents, there appears to be a trend in otoplasty for younger patients," states Dr. Patrick McMenamin, MD, President of the AACS. "The bottom line is that if the teen is of appropriate psychological and physical maturity, then the teen can reap the benefits of an early age otoplasty. In my experience, it is the youngster who comes in adamantly requesting the procedure."
Generally, ears reach their full growth potential by age 6 which is drastically earlier than other parts of an adolescent body. In fact, it is preferred to have an otoplasty at a younger age because the cartilage is extremely flexible, thereby permitting greater ease of shaping and a better result.
The survey results and doctor interviews are available by contacting the Academy. Information on choosing a cosmetic surgeon and questions to ask before having cosmetic surgery can be found on the AACS website, at www.cosmeticsurgery.org.
For more information about Derman Health Institute, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is a professional medical society whose members are dedicated to patient safety and physician education in cosmetic surgery. Most members of the AACS are dermatologic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, head and neck surgeons, general surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, or ocular plastic surgeons -- all of whom specialize in cosmetic surgery. AACS is an organization that represents all cosmetic surgeons in the American Medical Association through its seat in the AMA House of Delegates.
SOURCE American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
Varicose Veins Can Be a Health Risk
CHICAGO, June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Many Latinas who suffer from varicose veins often dismiss the enlarged leg veins as a cosmetic issue without recognizing they can lead to pain and discomfort. As many women often postpone visiting their doctors for other health symptoms, Vein Clinics of America is encouraging women to listen to their legs to keep varicose veins from affecting their everyday routine.
For more information about the Laser Vein Removal at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=178
"As a Latina, my family is my priority and I tend to leave my own needs for last. My work as a nurse has taught me to look for signs from my body, and in the bodies of patients, and to keep special track of the hereditary diseases such as varicose veins," said Iliana Portela, Registered Nurse with Vein Clinics of America. "To be the strong support our family needs, women need to pay special attention to their bodies and speak with a doctor if they experience any pain, swelling, and fatigue in the legs as these can be symptoms of varicose veins."
Varicose veins occur when blood vessels have trouble carrying blood from the legs back to the heart. This is the result of faulty valves and weakened vein walls and can lead to pain swelling and fatigue in the legs.
While surgical treatments have traditionally been used to treat varicose veins, newer non-invasive treatments are now available that have largely replaced surgery. New treatments include:
•Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy: An advanced form of sclerotherapy where a foam solution is injected directly into the varicose vein, causing it to close off. A physician visually monitors the vein and injection on an ultrasound screen, allowing considerable control over the vein area being treated.
•Endovenous Laser Treatment (ELT): A minimally-invasive procedure that uses heat from a guided laser to close varicose veins. A small optic fiber is inserted through a needle into the varicose vein under ultrasound guidance. The laser is then activated and as the optic fiber is removed from the vein, it heats and closes the vein. This procedure does not require hospitalization or complicated surgery and typically takes less than an hour.
Most health-insurance policies cover varicose vein treatment. To learn more about varicose veins or available treatment options, please visit www.veinclinics.com or call 866-617-VEIN.
Put Beauty Tips in Your Hands
About Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that are purple, blue or dark green in color and may appear twisted and bulging. Common related symptoms include: pain, fatigue, itching, burning, swelling, cramping, restlessness and throbbing. Varicose veins may enlarge and worsen over time and, if untreated, could lead to serious complications, such as leg ulcers or blood clots.
There are many factors that can increase a person's chances of developing varicose veins, including heredity, age, gender, and sitting or standing for long periods of time.
For more information about the Laser Vein Removal at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=178
About Vein Clinics of America, Inc.
Established in 1981, Vein Clinics of America, Inc. (VCA) is the largest medical group in the country dedicated to the non-surgical treatment of vein disorders. The physicians of VCA specialize in treating the entire spectrum of vein abnormalities, including varicose veins, spider veins, venous leg ulcers, facial veins, hand veins, Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome and Restless Legs Syndrome resulting from venous reflux. VCA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IntegraMed America, Inc, the leading operator of fertility centers and vein care practices in the United States. VCA is based in Downers Grove, IL with operations in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin and operates www.veinclinics.com, a leading vein care portal.
About IntegraMed America, Inc.
IntegraMed America, Inc. is a leading provider of specialty health care services in emerging, technology-driven, niche segments of the health care market. The Company currently operates in the fertility and varicose vein care segments. IntegraMed supports its provider networks with clinical and business information systems, marketing and sales, facilities and operations management, finance and accounting, human resources, legal services, risk management and quality assurance. IntegraMed also offers treatment-financing programs for self-pay patients.
The IntegraMed Fertility network consists of 33 contracted centers with 109 locations in 13 states across the United States. Nearly one of every four IVF procedures in the U.S. is performed in an IntegraMed fertility practice. The IntegraMed Vein Clinic network is the leading provider of varicose vein care services in the US and operates 34 centers in 13 states, principally in the Midwest and Southeast.
Please visit www.integramed.com for investor background, www.integramedfertility.com, a leading fertility portal or www.veinclinics.com, a leading vein care portal, for more information.
For more information about the Laser Vein Removal at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=178
"As a Latina, my family is my priority and I tend to leave my own needs for last. My work as a nurse has taught me to look for signs from my body, and in the bodies of patients, and to keep special track of the hereditary diseases such as varicose veins," said Iliana Portela, Registered Nurse with Vein Clinics of America. "To be the strong support our family needs, women need to pay special attention to their bodies and speak with a doctor if they experience any pain, swelling, and fatigue in the legs as these can be symptoms of varicose veins."
Varicose veins occur when blood vessels have trouble carrying blood from the legs back to the heart. This is the result of faulty valves and weakened vein walls and can lead to pain swelling and fatigue in the legs.
While surgical treatments have traditionally been used to treat varicose veins, newer non-invasive treatments are now available that have largely replaced surgery. New treatments include:
•Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy: An advanced form of sclerotherapy where a foam solution is injected directly into the varicose vein, causing it to close off. A physician visually monitors the vein and injection on an ultrasound screen, allowing considerable control over the vein area being treated.
•Endovenous Laser Treatment (ELT): A minimally-invasive procedure that uses heat from a guided laser to close varicose veins. A small optic fiber is inserted through a needle into the varicose vein under ultrasound guidance. The laser is then activated and as the optic fiber is removed from the vein, it heats and closes the vein. This procedure does not require hospitalization or complicated surgery and typically takes less than an hour.
Most health-insurance policies cover varicose vein treatment. To learn more about varicose veins or available treatment options, please visit www.veinclinics.com or call 866-617-VEIN.
Put Beauty Tips in Your Hands
About Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that are purple, blue or dark green in color and may appear twisted and bulging. Common related symptoms include: pain, fatigue, itching, burning, swelling, cramping, restlessness and throbbing. Varicose veins may enlarge and worsen over time and, if untreated, could lead to serious complications, such as leg ulcers or blood clots.
There are many factors that can increase a person's chances of developing varicose veins, including heredity, age, gender, and sitting or standing for long periods of time.
For more information about the Laser Vein Removal at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=178
About Vein Clinics of America, Inc.
Established in 1981, Vein Clinics of America, Inc. (VCA) is the largest medical group in the country dedicated to the non-surgical treatment of vein disorders. The physicians of VCA specialize in treating the entire spectrum of vein abnormalities, including varicose veins, spider veins, venous leg ulcers, facial veins, hand veins, Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome and Restless Legs Syndrome resulting from venous reflux. VCA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IntegraMed America, Inc, the leading operator of fertility centers and vein care practices in the United States. VCA is based in Downers Grove, IL with operations in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin and operates www.veinclinics.com, a leading vein care portal.
About IntegraMed America, Inc.
IntegraMed America, Inc. is a leading provider of specialty health care services in emerging, technology-driven, niche segments of the health care market. The Company currently operates in the fertility and varicose vein care segments. IntegraMed supports its provider networks with clinical and business information systems, marketing and sales, facilities and operations management, finance and accounting, human resources, legal services, risk management and quality assurance. IntegraMed also offers treatment-financing programs for self-pay patients.
The IntegraMed Fertility network consists of 33 contracted centers with 109 locations in 13 states across the United States. Nearly one of every four IVF procedures in the U.S. is performed in an IntegraMed fertility practice. The IntegraMed Vein Clinic network is the leading provider of varicose vein care services in the US and operates 34 centers in 13 states, principally in the Midwest and Southeast.
Please visit www.integramed.com for investor background, www.integramedfertility.com, a leading fertility portal or www.veinclinics.com, a leading vein care portal, for more information.
Innovation in Burn Scar Laser Treatments on Today Show
NEW YORK, May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The UltraPulse CO2 fractional laser was featured today on NBC's Today Show as an exciting and revolutionary new treatment for scars. During the broadcast, triplets who were severely burned in a fire as infants told their personal story and discussed recent treatments with the Lumenis UltraPulse laser. After only two treatments with the groundbreaking ActiveFX and DeepFX technologies, the triplets Jordan, Trae and Chandra Berns have achieved noticeable improvement in the appearance of their scars. The triplets' incredible story was also featured in the May issue of Glamour.
For more information about the Lumenis ActiveFX Fractionalized Laser Skin Resurfacing at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=170
Dr. Kenneth Beer and Dr. Jill Waibel, the West Palm Beach physicians treating the triplets, are pioneers in the application of fractional lasers for the treatment of scars. They chose the Lumenis' UltraPulse system due to its dual-treatment modality.
"My objective when treating scars is two-fold: first, I ablate away portions of the scar by drilling micro-channels deep into the affected area, thereby eliminating part of the scar and enabling increased mobility and improved appearance. This treatment is known as DeepFX, and it serves to create new healthy tissue replacing the bulky scar tissue. Then, I use the ActiveFX treatment on the surface of the skin to smooth and even out the texture as well as remove any discoloration and unwanted pigmentation," explained Dr. Waibel. "This dual-treatment regimen is known as TotalFX, and it offers a unique inside out approach that can be applied to treating all scars including burn scars, acne scars, and traumatic injury scars."
"Dr. Beer and Dr. Waibel contacted Lumenis after the Berns sisters came to their Palm Beach office for a consultation. The doctors felt that the UltraPulse laser would be the ideal treatment choice for the triplets. Lumenis was very happy to support the extensive treatments that the Berns sisters required. We will continue to support innovative work treating traumatic scars with the UltraPulse system," added Robert Mann, General Manager Global Aesthetics and Dermatology at Lumenis.
Lumenis pioneered skin resurfacing over 18 years ago with its C02 lasers. The Lumenis UltraPulse laser system has FDA clearance for more than 34 indications and is referenced in excess of 90 peer-reviewed publications. Although frequently used for aesthetic applications, the UltraPulse offers 240 watts of power and microsecond pulses which combined provide a broad canvas from which other treatments in cutaneous surgical and aesthetic applications can be provided.
"With its Aesthetic, Surgical and Ophthalmic divisions, Lumenis has the unique advantage to offer physicians novel applications to bridge the gap between surgical and aesthetic treatments," commented Dov Ofer, CEO of Lumenis. "Dealing with burn scars is an excellent example of how a premium laser such as our UltraPulse system, when used extensively in surgical and aesthetic applications in the hands of leading physicians, can drive new treatments and offer hope to people around the world."
The entire story of the Berns triplets and their treatments using the UltraPulse Fractional CO2 laser can be found at www.bernstriplets.com.
For more information about the Lumenis ActiveFX Fractionalized Laser Skin Resurfacing at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=170
About Lumenis
Lumenis is Israel's largest medical device company with more than 800 employees worldwide. The Company invests heavily in R&D and holds a leading position in the markets in which it serves. Lumenis has over 250 patents worldwide, over 75 FDA clearances, presence in over 100 countries worldwide, and an installed base of over 70,000 systems. For more information about Lumenis and its products, log onto www.lumenis.com.
Lumenis(R) is a registered trademark of Lumenis Ltd. UltraPulse(R) is a trademark of Lumenis Ltd.
SOURCE Lumenis
For more information about the Lumenis ActiveFX Fractionalized Laser Skin Resurfacing at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=170
Dr. Kenneth Beer and Dr. Jill Waibel, the West Palm Beach physicians treating the triplets, are pioneers in the application of fractional lasers for the treatment of scars. They chose the Lumenis' UltraPulse system due to its dual-treatment modality.
"My objective when treating scars is two-fold: first, I ablate away portions of the scar by drilling micro-channels deep into the affected area, thereby eliminating part of the scar and enabling increased mobility and improved appearance. This treatment is known as DeepFX, and it serves to create new healthy tissue replacing the bulky scar tissue. Then, I use the ActiveFX treatment on the surface of the skin to smooth and even out the texture as well as remove any discoloration and unwanted pigmentation," explained Dr. Waibel. "This dual-treatment regimen is known as TotalFX, and it offers a unique inside out approach that can be applied to treating all scars including burn scars, acne scars, and traumatic injury scars."
"Dr. Beer and Dr. Waibel contacted Lumenis after the Berns sisters came to their Palm Beach office for a consultation. The doctors felt that the UltraPulse laser would be the ideal treatment choice for the triplets. Lumenis was very happy to support the extensive treatments that the Berns sisters required. We will continue to support innovative work treating traumatic scars with the UltraPulse system," added Robert Mann, General Manager Global Aesthetics and Dermatology at Lumenis.
Lumenis pioneered skin resurfacing over 18 years ago with its C02 lasers. The Lumenis UltraPulse laser system has FDA clearance for more than 34 indications and is referenced in excess of 90 peer-reviewed publications. Although frequently used for aesthetic applications, the UltraPulse offers 240 watts of power and microsecond pulses which combined provide a broad canvas from which other treatments in cutaneous surgical and aesthetic applications can be provided.
"With its Aesthetic, Surgical and Ophthalmic divisions, Lumenis has the unique advantage to offer physicians novel applications to bridge the gap between surgical and aesthetic treatments," commented Dov Ofer, CEO of Lumenis. "Dealing with burn scars is an excellent example of how a premium laser such as our UltraPulse system, when used extensively in surgical and aesthetic applications in the hands of leading physicians, can drive new treatments and offer hope to people around the world."
The entire story of the Berns triplets and their treatments using the UltraPulse Fractional CO2 laser can be found at www.bernstriplets.com.
For more information about the Lumenis ActiveFX Fractionalized Laser Skin Resurfacing at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=170
About Lumenis
Lumenis is Israel's largest medical device company with more than 800 employees worldwide. The Company invests heavily in R&D and holds a leading position in the markets in which it serves. Lumenis has over 250 patents worldwide, over 75 FDA clearances, presence in over 100 countries worldwide, and an installed base of over 70,000 systems. For more information about Lumenis and its products, log onto www.lumenis.com.
Lumenis(R) is a registered trademark of Lumenis Ltd. UltraPulse(R) is a trademark of Lumenis Ltd.
SOURCE Lumenis
There's No Such Thing as a Good Tan
STANFORD, Calif., May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Alfred Lane, MD, knows that kids love summer and kids love sun. However, Dr. Lane cautions, parents must remember that "there's no such thing as a good tan."
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
View video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6acZo-UPcx
In this new video, Lane provides guidance to help ensure your children are well-protected when they're outdoors. "Remember that if you form a tan, you will have ultraviolet radiation damage," warns Lane. "Unfortunately, the body really doesn't forget this damage. It accumulates from childhood through adolescence and adulthood, and this can lead to skin cancer." To protect your family, Lane offers tips to help kids stay safe outdoors while enjoying summer '09.
Sunscreen for infants and children
Though your sunscreen may say "not for use for those under six months of age," Lane says it's OK, but perhaps unnecessary. "You can use sunscreen on their hands, face, and exposed areas, but an alternative is to dress them in a hat, long sleeves, and long pants." Dr. Lane also suggests placing them in shade, especially since children less than six months usually stay put and don't move around that much. "But once a child is older and becomes mobile, they have more exposure to the sun's ultraviolet light, and that's when you should definitely use a sunscreen."
SPF (sun protection factor) clothing
Does SPF clothing really work? "High SPF clothing is absolutely helpful," adds Lane, who recommends combining this type of cover-up with an application of sunscreen on any exposed areas. "SPF clothing along with sunscreen definitely works."
Sticks, lotions, or sprays?
"Whether it's a stick, lotion, or spray, all are fine," says Lane, "but it's important not to use the sprays and lotions around the eyes. Instead, use a sunscreen stick around the eyes and maybe even around the lips."
Older children and young adults
"Younger children will keep high SPF sunscreen on, but older children and young adults often say it's too greasy," says Lane. "They seek a sunscreen that's more comfortable, but regardless, they need to be certain to use lotion with at least a 30 SPF. The higher the SPF, the better the protection from ultraviolet damage and skin cancer. Be certain the sunscreen is also waterproof."
For more information about removing sun spots and damage on your skin, see:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=187
View these and other tips at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6acZo-UPcx8. Alfred Lane, MD, is a pediatrician and researcher at Packard Children's Hospital and professor of dermatology and of pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
About Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
Ranked as one of the nation's best pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford is a 272-bed hospitaldevoted to the care of children and expectant mothers. Providing pediatric and obstetric medical and surgical services and associated with the StanfordUniversity School of Medicine, Packard Children's offers patients locally, regionally and nationally the full range of health care programs and services,from preventive and routine care to the diagnosis and treatment of serious illness and injury. For more information, visit www.lpch.org.
SOURCE Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
View video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6acZo-UPcx
In this new video, Lane provides guidance to help ensure your children are well-protected when they're outdoors. "Remember that if you form a tan, you will have ultraviolet radiation damage," warns Lane. "Unfortunately, the body really doesn't forget this damage. It accumulates from childhood through adolescence and adulthood, and this can lead to skin cancer." To protect your family, Lane offers tips to help kids stay safe outdoors while enjoying summer '09.
Sunscreen for infants and children
Though your sunscreen may say "not for use for those under six months of age," Lane says it's OK, but perhaps unnecessary. "You can use sunscreen on their hands, face, and exposed areas, but an alternative is to dress them in a hat, long sleeves, and long pants." Dr. Lane also suggests placing them in shade, especially since children less than six months usually stay put and don't move around that much. "But once a child is older and becomes mobile, they have more exposure to the sun's ultraviolet light, and that's when you should definitely use a sunscreen."
SPF (sun protection factor) clothing
Does SPF clothing really work? "High SPF clothing is absolutely helpful," adds Lane, who recommends combining this type of cover-up with an application of sunscreen on any exposed areas. "SPF clothing along with sunscreen definitely works."
Sticks, lotions, or sprays?
"Whether it's a stick, lotion, or spray, all are fine," says Lane, "but it's important not to use the sprays and lotions around the eyes. Instead, use a sunscreen stick around the eyes and maybe even around the lips."
Older children and young adults
"Younger children will keep high SPF sunscreen on, but older children and young adults often say it's too greasy," says Lane. "They seek a sunscreen that's more comfortable, but regardless, they need to be certain to use lotion with at least a 30 SPF. The higher the SPF, the better the protection from ultraviolet damage and skin cancer. Be certain the sunscreen is also waterproof."
For more information about removing sun spots and damage on your skin, see:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=187
View these and other tips at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6acZo-UPcx8. Alfred Lane, MD, is a pediatrician and researcher at Packard Children's Hospital and professor of dermatology and of pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
About Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
Ranked as one of the nation's best pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford is a 272-bed hospitaldevoted to the care of children and expectant mothers. Providing pediatric and obstetric medical and surgical services and associated with the StanfordUniversity School of Medicine, Packard Children's offers patients locally, regionally and nationally the full range of health care programs and services,from preventive and routine care to the diagnosis and treatment of serious illness and injury. For more information, visit www.lpch.org.
SOURCE Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
Vogue Beauty Editor Was VelaShaped! (June 2009 issue)
Vogue Editor Feels "Newly Taut" In Her Jeans
In an article on achieving body perfection, beauty editor Catherine Piercy explores the latest surgical and non-surgical fixes for body flaws: liposuction,injections, skin tighteners, and cellulite treatments.
"The treatment that really gets my attention, though, is VelaShape," says Piercy. She went to Dr. Anne Chapas (New York, NY, 10012) to receive VelaShapetreatments "...with zero downtime and little risk...I decided this is the one I must try."
The result? There was some bruising which faded after a few days, but overall, she says "I feel tighter if not thinner, and those painstakingly precisemeasurements show a 2.5 cm reduction of my waist, thighs and lower back. Just enough to have me feeling newly taut in my jeans."
For more information about Velashape cellulite removal at Derma Health Institute, see:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=173
In an article on achieving body perfection, beauty editor Catherine Piercy explores the latest surgical and non-surgical fixes for body flaws: liposuction,injections, skin tighteners, and cellulite treatments.
"The treatment that really gets my attention, though, is VelaShape," says Piercy. She went to Dr. Anne Chapas (New York, NY, 10012) to receive VelaShapetreatments "...with zero downtime and little risk...I decided this is the one I must try."
The result? There was some bruising which faded after a few days, but overall, she says "I feel tighter if not thinner, and those painstakingly precisemeasurements show a 2.5 cm reduction of my waist, thighs and lower back. Just enough to have me feeling newly taut in my jeans."
For more information about Velashape cellulite removal at Derma Health Institute, see:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=173
Why Does Hair Turn Gray?
No longer a gray area: Our hair bleaches itself as we grow older
New research report in the FASEB Journal gets to the roots of gray hair
Wash away your gray? Maybe. A team of European scientists have finally solved a mystery that has perplexed humans throughout the ages: why we turn gray. Despite the notion that gray hair is a sign of wisdom, these researchers show in a research report published online in The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) that wisdom has nothing to do with it. Going gray is caused by a massive build up of hydrogen peroxide due to wear and tear of our hair follicles. The peroxide winds up blocking the normal synthesis of melanin, our hair's natural pigment.
"Not only blondes change their hair color with hydrogen peroxide," said Gerald Weissmann, MD, Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "All of our hair cells make a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide, but as we get older, this little bit becomes a lot. We bleach our hair pigment from within, and our hair turns gray and then white. This research, however, is an important first step to get at the root of the problem, so to speak."
The researchers made this discovery by examining cell cultures of human hair follicles. They found that the build up of hydrogen peroxide was caused by a reduction of an enzyme that breaks up hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen (catalase). They also discovered that hair follicles could not repair the damage caused by the hydrogen peroxide because of low levels of enzymes that normally serve this function (MSR A and B). Further complicating matters, the high levels of hydrogen peroxide and low levels of MSR A and B, disrupt the formation of an enzyme (tyrosinase) that leads to the production of melanin in hair follicles. Melanin is the pigment responsible for hair color, skin color, and eye color. The researchers speculate that a similar breakdown in the skin could be the root cause of vitiligo.
"As any blue-haired lady will attest, sometimes hair dyes don't quite work as anticipated," Weissmann added. "This study is a prime example of how basic research in biology can benefit us in ways never imagined."
Research study details: J. M. Wood, H. Decker, H. Hartmann, B. Chavan, H. Rokos, J. D. Spencer, S. Hasse, M. J. Thornton, M. Shalbaf, R. Paus, and K. U. Schallreuter. Senile hair graying: H2O2-mediated oxidative stress affects human hair color by blunting methionine sulfoxide repair. FASEB J. doi:10.1096/fj.08-125435. http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/fj.08-125435v1
The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) is published by the Federation of the American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) and is the most cited journal worldwide according to the Institute for Scientific Information. FASEB comprises 22 nonprofit societies with more than 80,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States. FASEB advances biological science through collaborative advocacy for research policies that promote scientific progress and education and lead to improvements in human health.
New research report in the FASEB Journal gets to the roots of gray hair
Wash away your gray? Maybe. A team of European scientists have finally solved a mystery that has perplexed humans throughout the ages: why we turn gray. Despite the notion that gray hair is a sign of wisdom, these researchers show in a research report published online in The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) that wisdom has nothing to do with it. Going gray is caused by a massive build up of hydrogen peroxide due to wear and tear of our hair follicles. The peroxide winds up blocking the normal synthesis of melanin, our hair's natural pigment.
"Not only blondes change their hair color with hydrogen peroxide," said Gerald Weissmann, MD, Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "All of our hair cells make a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide, but as we get older, this little bit becomes a lot. We bleach our hair pigment from within, and our hair turns gray and then white. This research, however, is an important first step to get at the root of the problem, so to speak."
The researchers made this discovery by examining cell cultures of human hair follicles. They found that the build up of hydrogen peroxide was caused by a reduction of an enzyme that breaks up hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen (catalase). They also discovered that hair follicles could not repair the damage caused by the hydrogen peroxide because of low levels of enzymes that normally serve this function (MSR A and B). Further complicating matters, the high levels of hydrogen peroxide and low levels of MSR A and B, disrupt the formation of an enzyme (tyrosinase) that leads to the production of melanin in hair follicles. Melanin is the pigment responsible for hair color, skin color, and eye color. The researchers speculate that a similar breakdown in the skin could be the root cause of vitiligo.
"As any blue-haired lady will attest, sometimes hair dyes don't quite work as anticipated," Weissmann added. "This study is a prime example of how basic research in biology can benefit us in ways never imagined."
Research study details: J. M. Wood, H. Decker, H. Hartmann, B. Chavan, H. Rokos, J. D. Spencer, S. Hasse, M. J. Thornton, M. Shalbaf, R. Paus, and K. U. Schallreuter. Senile hair graying: H2O2-mediated oxidative stress affects human hair color by blunting methionine sulfoxide repair. FASEB J. doi:10.1096/fj.08-125435. http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/fj.08-125435v1
The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) is published by the Federation of the American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) and is the most cited journal worldwide according to the Institute for Scientific Information. FASEB comprises 22 nonprofit societies with more than 80,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States. FASEB advances biological science through collaborative advocacy for research policies that promote scientific progress and education and lead to improvements in human health.
FDA On Wrinkle Relief: Injectable Cosmetic Fillers
In the quest for youth—or at least a more youthful appearance—women and men are seeking treatments to minimize laugh lines, crow's feet, and forehead furrows. A popular treatment involves injecting cosmetic wrinkle fillers into the face.
For more information about the Facial Fillers at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=176
Injectable cosmetic wrinkle fillers are soft tissue fillers approved as medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These devices are injected into the skin to help fill in facial wrinkles, restoring a smoother appearance. Most of these wrinkle fillers are temporary because they are eventually absorbed by the body.
Some people may need more than one injection to achieve the wrinkle-smoothing effect. The effect lasts for about six months or longer.
Successful results depend on
health of the skin
skill of the doctor
type of filler used
Uses
FDA has approved absorbable injectable cosmetic wrinkle fillers for correcting soft tissue contour defects, such as moderate and severe wrinkles and folds. Some absorbable fillers are approved for restoring or correcting the signs of facial fat loss in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The only non-absorbable FDA-approved injectable cosmetic wrinkle filler is for correcting facial tissue around the mouth.
FDA-approved cosmetic wrinkle fillers should not be used for
plumping the lips (lip augmentation)
increasing breast size (breast augmentation)
implanting into bone, tendon, ligament, or muscle
implanting into blood vessels
Filler Materials
Wrinkle fillers are made of various types of materials, and some include a combination of products. Some products also contain lidocaine, which numbs the skin at the injection site.
The materials used in injectable cosmetic wrinkle fillers include
Temporary (absorbable) fillers
Collagen injections are made of highly purified cow or human collagen. Collagen is a natural protein that is a major component of skin and other tissues in the body.
Hyaluronic acid gel is a protective lubricating gel, produced naturally by the body, that binds with water to plump the skin.
Calcium hydroxylapatite is a mineral that is a major component of bone. Calcium hydroxylapatite is a well-matched (biocompatible) material that dissolves in the body (biodegradable) and is implanted in the form of a gel.
Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a biodegradable, biocompatible, synthetic material from the alpha-hydroxy-acid family that has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches and bone screws.
Permanent (non-absorbable) filler
Polymethylmethacrylate beads (PMMA microspheres) are tiny round, smooth plastic particles that have been tested to be biocompatible. They are not absorbed by the body.
Risks
Getting injected with cosmetic wrinkle fillers is an elective procedure. As with any medical procedure, it poses risks.
Possible side effects include
infection
Bruising
redness
swelling
pain
tenderness
itching and rash
raised bumps of skin (nodules or granulomas) that may need to be surgically removed
death of skin, which may cause disfiguration, if the cosmetic wrinkle filler is injected and blocks a blood vessel
sore (abscess) at the injection site
wrinkle filler that breaks through the skin
open or draining wounds
blurred vision and flu-like symptoms
increased allergic reaction that may lead to a severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock) that requires emergency medical help. (Your doctor may request a pre-treatment allergy test to determine if you are allergic to the filler.)
Most side effects occur shortly after injection and go away within seven days. In some cases, side effects may emerge weeks, months, or years later. A non-absorbable filler may cause long-term side effects.
You should not use cosmetic wrinkle fillers if any of the following applies to you:
severe allergies marked by a history of anaphylactic shock
allergy to cow collagen or eggs
allergy to lidocaine
inflamed or infected skin
prone to form excessive scarring (keloid) or thick scarring (hypertrophic scars)
bleeding disorder
active inflammatory condition (cysts, pimples, rashes or hives) or infection; you should postpone treatment until the condition is controlled.
Tips for Consumers
Before deciding to get injected with a cosmetic wrinkle filler:
Be aware that the safety of these products is unknown for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women or in patients under 18 years of age.
Be aware that the safety is unknown when these products are used with Botox or other wrinkle therapies.
Be aware that the safety of these fillers has only been studied when used in the face.
Know the type of product that will be injected and all of its possible side effects.
Discuss fillers with a doctor who can refer you to a specialist in the fields of dermatology and aesthetic plastic surgery.
Select a doctor who is trained to do the procedure. (You may want to contact the American Academy of Dermatology at www.aad.org or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at www.surgery.org.)
Have realistic expectations about the benefits you want to achieve and discuss them with your doctor.
For more information about the Facial Fillers at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=176
This article appears on FDA's Consumer Health Information Web page (www.fda.gov/consumer), which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products. Sign up for free e-mail subscriptions at www.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html
.
What About Botox?
Botox Cosmetic is an injectable drug, but it is not a wrinkle filler. Instead of filling the wrinkle, it keeps muscles from tightening so the wrinkles don’t show as much. FDA has approved Botox Cosmetic only to treat wrinkles between the eyebrows.
For more information about the Facial Fillers at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=176
Injectable cosmetic wrinkle fillers are soft tissue fillers approved as medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These devices are injected into the skin to help fill in facial wrinkles, restoring a smoother appearance. Most of these wrinkle fillers are temporary because they are eventually absorbed by the body.
Some people may need more than one injection to achieve the wrinkle-smoothing effect. The effect lasts for about six months or longer.
Successful results depend on
health of the skin
skill of the doctor
type of filler used
Uses
FDA has approved absorbable injectable cosmetic wrinkle fillers for correcting soft tissue contour defects, such as moderate and severe wrinkles and folds. Some absorbable fillers are approved for restoring or correcting the signs of facial fat loss in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The only non-absorbable FDA-approved injectable cosmetic wrinkle filler is for correcting facial tissue around the mouth.
FDA-approved cosmetic wrinkle fillers should not be used for
plumping the lips (lip augmentation)
increasing breast size (breast augmentation)
implanting into bone, tendon, ligament, or muscle
implanting into blood vessels
Filler Materials
Wrinkle fillers are made of various types of materials, and some include a combination of products. Some products also contain lidocaine, which numbs the skin at the injection site.
The materials used in injectable cosmetic wrinkle fillers include
Temporary (absorbable) fillers
Collagen injections are made of highly purified cow or human collagen. Collagen is a natural protein that is a major component of skin and other tissues in the body.
Hyaluronic acid gel is a protective lubricating gel, produced naturally by the body, that binds with water to plump the skin.
Calcium hydroxylapatite is a mineral that is a major component of bone. Calcium hydroxylapatite is a well-matched (biocompatible) material that dissolves in the body (biodegradable) and is implanted in the form of a gel.
Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a biodegradable, biocompatible, synthetic material from the alpha-hydroxy-acid family that has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches and bone screws.
Permanent (non-absorbable) filler
Polymethylmethacrylate beads (PMMA microspheres) are tiny round, smooth plastic particles that have been tested to be biocompatible. They are not absorbed by the body.
Risks
Getting injected with cosmetic wrinkle fillers is an elective procedure. As with any medical procedure, it poses risks.
Possible side effects include
infection
Bruising
redness
swelling
pain
tenderness
itching and rash
raised bumps of skin (nodules or granulomas) that may need to be surgically removed
death of skin, which may cause disfiguration, if the cosmetic wrinkle filler is injected and blocks a blood vessel
sore (abscess) at the injection site
wrinkle filler that breaks through the skin
open or draining wounds
blurred vision and flu-like symptoms
increased allergic reaction that may lead to a severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock) that requires emergency medical help. (Your doctor may request a pre-treatment allergy test to determine if you are allergic to the filler.)
Most side effects occur shortly after injection and go away within seven days. In some cases, side effects may emerge weeks, months, or years later. A non-absorbable filler may cause long-term side effects.
You should not use cosmetic wrinkle fillers if any of the following applies to you:
severe allergies marked by a history of anaphylactic shock
allergy to cow collagen or eggs
allergy to lidocaine
inflamed or infected skin
prone to form excessive scarring (keloid) or thick scarring (hypertrophic scars)
bleeding disorder
active inflammatory condition (cysts, pimples, rashes or hives) or infection; you should postpone treatment until the condition is controlled.
Tips for Consumers
Before deciding to get injected with a cosmetic wrinkle filler:
Be aware that the safety of these products is unknown for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women or in patients under 18 years of age.
Be aware that the safety is unknown when these products are used with Botox or other wrinkle therapies.
Be aware that the safety of these fillers has only been studied when used in the face.
Know the type of product that will be injected and all of its possible side effects.
Discuss fillers with a doctor who can refer you to a specialist in the fields of dermatology and aesthetic plastic surgery.
Select a doctor who is trained to do the procedure. (You may want to contact the American Academy of Dermatology at www.aad.org or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at www.surgery.org.)
Have realistic expectations about the benefits you want to achieve and discuss them with your doctor.
For more information about the Facial Fillers at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=176
This article appears on FDA's Consumer Health Information Web page (www.fda.gov/consumer), which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products. Sign up for free e-mail subscriptions at www.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html
.
What About Botox?
Botox Cosmetic is an injectable drug, but it is not a wrinkle filler. Instead of filling the wrinkle, it keeps muscles from tightening so the wrinkles don’t show as much. FDA has approved Botox Cosmetic only to treat wrinkles between the eyebrows.
Think Before You Ink: Are Tattoos Safe?
As the popularity of tattoos continues to grow, so does the concern about potential risks. Some risks, such as the spread of infections through the use of unsterilized needles, have long been known. But what isn't clear is the safety of tattoo inks.
For more information about the Laser Tattoo Removal at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=179
Permanent tattoos are made by using needles to inject colored ink below the skin's surface. Permanent make-up is considered a permanent tattoo that mimics the results of cosmetic products such as an eyebrow pencil, lip liner, eyeliner, or blush.
While state and local authorities oversee the practice of tattooing, ink and ink colorings (pigments) used in tattoos are subject to FDA regulation as cosmetics and color additives. However, because of other public health priorities and a previous lack of evidence of safety concerns, FDA has not traditionally regulated tattoo inks or the pigments used in them.
FDA has received reports of bad reactions to tattoo inks right after tattooing or even years later. Some people report itchy or inflamed skin around their tattoos in the summer when they've been out in the sun. Recent reports associated with permanent make-up inks have prompted FDA to study tattoo ink safety.
"Our hope is to get a better understanding of the body's response to tattoos and their impact on human health, and to identify products at greatest risk," says Linda Katz, M.D., M.P.H., Director of FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
What are the Risks?
Infection – Dirty needles can pass infections, like hepatitis and HIV, from one person to another.
Allergies – Allergies to various ink pigments in both permanent and temporary tattoos have been reported and can cause problems.
Scarring – Unwanted scar tissue may form when getting or removing a tattoo.
Granulomas – These small knots or bumps may form around material that the body perceives as foreign, such as particles of tattoo pigment.
MRI complications – People may have swelling or burning in the tattoo when they have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This happens rarely and does not last long.
Tattoo Ink Research
In a laboratory within FDA's Arkansas-based National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), research chemist Paul Howard, Ph.D., and his team are investigating tattoo inks to find out
the chemical composition of the inks and how they break down (metabolize) in the body;
the short-term and long-term safety of pigments used in tattoo inks;
how the body responds to the interaction of light with the inks.
"There have been no systematic studies of the safety of tattoo inks," says Howard, "so we are trying to ask—and answer—some fundamental questions." For example, some tattoos fade over time or fade when they are exposed to sunlight. And laser light is used to remove tattoos. "We want to know what happens to the ink," says Howard. "Where does the pigment go?"
NCTR researchers are exploring several possibilities:
The body cells may digest and destroy the ink, just as they rid the body of bacteria and other foreign matter as a defense against infection. NCTR studies show that a common pigment used in yellow tattoo inks, Pigment Yellow 74, may be broken down by enzymes, or metabolized. "Just like the body metabolizes and excretes other substances, the body may metabolize small amounts of the tattoo pigment to make it more water soluble, and out it goes," says Howard.
Sunlight may cause the ink to break down so it is less visible. NCTR researchers have found that Pigment Yellow 74 decomposes in sunlight, breaking down into components that are colorless. The pigment components may still be there, says Howard, and we don't know if these are potentially toxic.
The skin cells containing the ink may be killed by sunlight or laser light and ink breakdown products may disperse through the body.
Research has also shown that some pigment migrates from the tattoo site to the body's lymph nodes, says Howard. Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, a collection of fluid-carrying vessels in the body that filter out disease-causing organisms. Whether the migration of tattoo ink has health consequences or not is still unknown. NCTR is doing further research to answer this and other questions about the safety of tattoo inks.
Tattoo Tips for Consumers
Ink:
FDA has not approved any tattoo pigments for injection into the skin. This applies to all tattoo pigments, including those used for ultravioloet (UV) and glow-in-the dark tattoos. Many pigments used in tattoo inks are industrial-grade colors suitable for printers' ink or automobile paint.
The use of henna in temporary tattoos has not been approved by FDA. Henna is approved only for use as a hair dye.
Permanence:
Consider tattoos permanent. Removal is time-consuming, costly, and doesn't always work. The most common method of tattoo removal is by laser treatment, which delivers short flashes of light at very high intensities to the skin to break down the tattoo ink. FDA allows several types of lasers to be marketed for tattoo removal. Some color inks are harder to remove than others. Many repeat visits every several weeks may be required to remove a tattoo, and it may never be entirely gone.
Do not buy or order online do-it-yourself tattoo removal products. These acid-based products are not FDA-approved and can cause bad skin reactions.
Consult your health care provider—not a tattoo parlor—if you want a tattoo removed. The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery can help you find a doctor experienced in tattoo removal.
For more information about the Laser Tattoo Removal at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=179
Don't Avoid an MRI:
If you need to have an MRI done, don't avoid it. Inform the radiologist or technician that you have a tattoo so appropriate precautions can be taken.
This article appears on FDA's Consumer Health Information Web page (www.fda.gov/consumer), which features the latest updates on FDA-regulated products. Sign up for free e-mail subscriptions at www.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html.
For More Information
Protect Your Health
Joint FDA/WebMD resource
www.webmd.com/fda
www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tattoos.html
For more information about the Laser Tattoo Removal at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=179
Permanent tattoos are made by using needles to inject colored ink below the skin's surface. Permanent make-up is considered a permanent tattoo that mimics the results of cosmetic products such as an eyebrow pencil, lip liner, eyeliner, or blush.
While state and local authorities oversee the practice of tattooing, ink and ink colorings (pigments) used in tattoos are subject to FDA regulation as cosmetics and color additives. However, because of other public health priorities and a previous lack of evidence of safety concerns, FDA has not traditionally regulated tattoo inks or the pigments used in them.
FDA has received reports of bad reactions to tattoo inks right after tattooing or even years later. Some people report itchy or inflamed skin around their tattoos in the summer when they've been out in the sun. Recent reports associated with permanent make-up inks have prompted FDA to study tattoo ink safety.
"Our hope is to get a better understanding of the body's response to tattoos and their impact on human health, and to identify products at greatest risk," says Linda Katz, M.D., M.P.H., Director of FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
What are the Risks?
Infection – Dirty needles can pass infections, like hepatitis and HIV, from one person to another.
Allergies – Allergies to various ink pigments in both permanent and temporary tattoos have been reported and can cause problems.
Scarring – Unwanted scar tissue may form when getting or removing a tattoo.
Granulomas – These small knots or bumps may form around material that the body perceives as foreign, such as particles of tattoo pigment.
MRI complications – People may have swelling or burning in the tattoo when they have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This happens rarely and does not last long.
Tattoo Ink Research
In a laboratory within FDA's Arkansas-based National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), research chemist Paul Howard, Ph.D., and his team are investigating tattoo inks to find out
the chemical composition of the inks and how they break down (metabolize) in the body;
the short-term and long-term safety of pigments used in tattoo inks;
how the body responds to the interaction of light with the inks.
"There have been no systematic studies of the safety of tattoo inks," says Howard, "so we are trying to ask—and answer—some fundamental questions." For example, some tattoos fade over time or fade when they are exposed to sunlight. And laser light is used to remove tattoos. "We want to know what happens to the ink," says Howard. "Where does the pigment go?"
NCTR researchers are exploring several possibilities:
The body cells may digest and destroy the ink, just as they rid the body of bacteria and other foreign matter as a defense against infection. NCTR studies show that a common pigment used in yellow tattoo inks, Pigment Yellow 74, may be broken down by enzymes, or metabolized. "Just like the body metabolizes and excretes other substances, the body may metabolize small amounts of the tattoo pigment to make it more water soluble, and out it goes," says Howard.
Sunlight may cause the ink to break down so it is less visible. NCTR researchers have found that Pigment Yellow 74 decomposes in sunlight, breaking down into components that are colorless. The pigment components may still be there, says Howard, and we don't know if these are potentially toxic.
The skin cells containing the ink may be killed by sunlight or laser light and ink breakdown products may disperse through the body.
Research has also shown that some pigment migrates from the tattoo site to the body's lymph nodes, says Howard. Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, a collection of fluid-carrying vessels in the body that filter out disease-causing organisms. Whether the migration of tattoo ink has health consequences or not is still unknown. NCTR is doing further research to answer this and other questions about the safety of tattoo inks.
Tattoo Tips for Consumers
Ink:
FDA has not approved any tattoo pigments for injection into the skin. This applies to all tattoo pigments, including those used for ultravioloet (UV) and glow-in-the dark tattoos. Many pigments used in tattoo inks are industrial-grade colors suitable for printers' ink or automobile paint.
The use of henna in temporary tattoos has not been approved by FDA. Henna is approved only for use as a hair dye.
Permanence:
Consider tattoos permanent. Removal is time-consuming, costly, and doesn't always work. The most common method of tattoo removal is by laser treatment, which delivers short flashes of light at very high intensities to the skin to break down the tattoo ink. FDA allows several types of lasers to be marketed for tattoo removal. Some color inks are harder to remove than others. Many repeat visits every several weeks may be required to remove a tattoo, and it may never be entirely gone.
Do not buy or order online do-it-yourself tattoo removal products. These acid-based products are not FDA-approved and can cause bad skin reactions.
Consult your health care provider—not a tattoo parlor—if you want a tattoo removed. The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery can help you find a doctor experienced in tattoo removal.
For more information about the Laser Tattoo Removal at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=179
Don't Avoid an MRI:
If you need to have an MRI done, don't avoid it. Inform the radiologist or technician that you have a tattoo so appropriate precautions can be taken.
This article appears on FDA's Consumer Health Information Web page (www.fda.gov/consumer), which features the latest updates on FDA-regulated products. Sign up for free e-mail subscriptions at www.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html.
For More Information
Protect Your Health
Joint FDA/WebMD resource
www.webmd.com/fda
www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tattoos.html
Most People Think They Look Younger Than They Actually Are
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Age may just be a number according to a recent survey conducted by American Laser Centers, the largest provider of non-invasive aesthetic services in the U.S. http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
The majority of people surveyed (55%) think they look younger than their actual age, while only 9 percent of respondents said they think they look older. More women (58%) than men (48%) think they look younger than their age.
In addition, women appear to be more interested in looking younger than men as 64 percent of women surveyed said they would like to look younger than their actual age compared to 51 percent of men who said they would like to look younger.
The survey also uncovered that the desire to look younger begins after age 25. While 70 percent of people surveyed in the 18-24 age range would like to look "about their age" the trend shifts as you enter the 25-29 age range with more than half of the respondents (51%) expressing they would like to look younger. This trend continued to strengthen as the age of the person surveyed increased. Interestingly, half of all people surveyed (50%) would choose to look like they were in their "20s" if they had a choice.
At 83 percent, Baby Boomers strongly expressed that they would like to look younger than their age, however, many appear to be doing just that as 62 percent said they think they look younger than their age. About one third (31%) of all Baby Boomers surveyed believe they look approximately 10 years younger than their actual age.
24% of 45-50 year olds think they look like they are in their late thirties
38% of 51-54 year olds think they look like they are in their mid forties
30% of 55-60 year olds think they look like they are in their mid forties
33% of 61-63 year olds think they look like they are in their early fifties
Surprisingly, the top reasons people surveyed think they've stayed or become better looking as they've aged have less to do with their physical body and more to do with maturity and mindset:
66% cited a healthier self image
50% cited they are more stylish
46% care less about what people think
28% cited weight loss
15% cited a cosmetic procedure
6% cited weight gain
6% cited plastic surgery
There were approximately 575 total respondents to the independent electronic survey. Complete results can be downloaded at www.americanlaser.com/survey/survey.pdf.
American Laser Centers is the largest and most successful provider of laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation and cellulite reduction therapy, with more than 220 locations in the United States. The company has performed more than two million aesthetic treatments since its founding in 2002. American Laser Centers offers clients laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation, body contouring and cellulite reduction therapy treatments using state-of-the-art-technology under a doctor-supervised regimen. American Laser Centers is proud to offer the industry's only written two-year guarantee for laser hair removal. For a complete list of offerings, visit www.americanlaser.com.
SOURCE American Laser Centers
The majority of people surveyed (55%) think they look younger than their actual age, while only 9 percent of respondents said they think they look older. More women (58%) than men (48%) think they look younger than their age.
In addition, women appear to be more interested in looking younger than men as 64 percent of women surveyed said they would like to look younger than their actual age compared to 51 percent of men who said they would like to look younger.
The survey also uncovered that the desire to look younger begins after age 25. While 70 percent of people surveyed in the 18-24 age range would like to look "about their age" the trend shifts as you enter the 25-29 age range with more than half of the respondents (51%) expressing they would like to look younger. This trend continued to strengthen as the age of the person surveyed increased. Interestingly, half of all people surveyed (50%) would choose to look like they were in their "20s" if they had a choice.
At 83 percent, Baby Boomers strongly expressed that they would like to look younger than their age, however, many appear to be doing just that as 62 percent said they think they look younger than their age. About one third (31%) of all Baby Boomers surveyed believe they look approximately 10 years younger than their actual age.
24% of 45-50 year olds think they look like they are in their late thirties
38% of 51-54 year olds think they look like they are in their mid forties
30% of 55-60 year olds think they look like they are in their mid forties
33% of 61-63 year olds think they look like they are in their early fifties
Surprisingly, the top reasons people surveyed think they've stayed or become better looking as they've aged have less to do with their physical body and more to do with maturity and mindset:
66% cited a healthier self image
50% cited they are more stylish
46% care less about what people think
28% cited weight loss
15% cited a cosmetic procedure
6% cited weight gain
6% cited plastic surgery
There were approximately 575 total respondents to the independent electronic survey. Complete results can be downloaded at www.americanlaser.com/survey/survey.pdf.
American Laser Centers is the largest and most successful provider of laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation and cellulite reduction therapy, with more than 220 locations in the United States. The company has performed more than two million aesthetic treatments since its founding in 2002. American Laser Centers offers clients laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation, body contouring and cellulite reduction therapy treatments using state-of-the-art-technology under a doctor-supervised regimen. American Laser Centers is proud to offer the industry's only written two-year guarantee for laser hair removal. For a complete list of offerings, visit www.americanlaser.com.
SOURCE American Laser Centers
Allergan Announces BOTOX Cosmetic Express Success Charity
IRVINE, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of working women who have helped make BOTOX(R) Cosmetic (Botulinum Toxin Type A) the most popular physician-administered aesthetic treatment for the last seven years, Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN) has announced the "BOTOX(R) Cosmetic: Express Success" charitable education campaign. Spearheaded by actress and singer Vanessa Williams, the campaign will benefit the not-for-profit Dress for Success, an organization that helps disadvantaged women succeed in the workforce, through a $250,000 donation from Allergan. The donation will support the organization in its efforts to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
"Dress for Success is about more than providing business attire to women in need. Our mission is to change women's lives by enabling them to express success and confidence in their professional endeavors," said Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success. "We're excited to partner with Allergan and Vanessa Williams to raise awareness of Dress for Success."
As part of the donation to Dress for Success, up to $50,000 of the total $250,000 donation will be generated through an online drive, with Allergan donating $2 to the organization on behalf of each of the first 25,000 people who visit and register on the campaign Web site, ExpressSuccessCampaign.com. When pledging support on the Web site, people also can enter to win a trip for two to New York City to have lunch with Vanessa Williams, read Vanessa's personal blog as well as get interview and workplace tips.
In addition to the donation, the "BOTOX(R) Cosmetic: Express Success" campaign includes a series of educational events featuring campaign ambassador, Vanessa Williams, Dress for Success CEO Joi Gordon and an aesthetic-specialty physician. The events will take place in select markets across the country where consumers will be able to support Dress for Success by donating nearly new professional attire as a cost of entry, while learning about fast and simple tips for working women, including treatment with BOTOX(R) Cosmetic.
"As a working woman and actress, I know how important it is to 'look the part' when interviewing for a new position or in any professional setting. It's no secret that I receive BOTOX(R) Cosmetic treatments, which is a quick procedure that reduces the two frown lines in between my brows that look like an '11' and give me a tired or stressed appearance," said Ms. Williams. "For me, putting my best face forward means finding ways to help other women express their own success, personally and professionally. That's why I'm so excited to be involved with the 'BOTOX(R) Cosmetic: Express Success' campaign benefiting Dress for Success, which has helped more than 500,000 women prepare for, find and keep the job that ultimately leads to financial independence. There is truly no better time to get involved than now, so I ask all women to join our efforts by pledging their support online, joining us at our local events and participating in our New York City launch event."
Vanessa Williams will host the "BOTOX(R) Cosmetic: Express Success" campaign launch event with Allergan and Dress for Success on June 30 in New York City's Union Square. The event includes a celebrity "Rack Relay Race" and clothing drive. The public is invited to join Vanessa in the race by donating nearly new professional clothing and registering to race on ExpressSuccessCampaign.com. The first 100 people to pre-register online and participate in the "Rack Relay Race" will receive a certificate for a physician consultation and, if appropriate, a complimentary BOTOX(R) Cosmetic treatment from a licensed and trained aesthetic-specialty physician. The winning "Rack Relay Race" team also will win an opportunity to have lunch with Vanessa Williams in New York City.
Additional information about the launch and local events is available on the campaign Web site which also features an inspiring animated video featuring Vanessa Williams and three Dress for Success graduates directed by Dex Deboree, a highly acclaimed Grammy(R)-award nominee.
"We are pleased to launch the 'BOTOX(R) Cosmetic: Express Success' campaign on behalf of the women who have helped make BOTOX(R) Cosmetic the most popular physician administered treatment over the past seven years," said Robert Grant, president of Allergan Medical, a division of Allergan, Inc. "During this time, Allergan has developed many programs to educate women about the product, especially the importance of seeing a licensed and trained physician. Through this campaign, Allergan also will be realizing the important philanthropic goal of helping disadvantaged women around the country fulfill their professional potential and express their success. It's a first of its kind campaign for BOTOX(R) Cosmetic and we are proud to be partnering with both Dress for Success and Vanessa Williams on this important mission."
For more information about BOTOX(R) Cosmetic and the "BOTOX(R) Cosmetic: Express Success" campaign, please visit www.ExpressSuccessCampaign.com.
About BOTOX(R) Cosmetic
BOTOX(R) Cosmetic (Botulinum Toxin Type A) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines (the vertical "frown lines" between the eyebrows) in adult women and men ages 18 to 65. The glabellar lines, which often look like the number "11," can have a negative effect on one's overall facial appearance by creating a sad, angry, or tired impression.
BOTOX(R) Cosmetic has been ranked as the number one physician-administered, aesthetic injectable treatment(2) and 11.8 million treatment sessions with BOTOX(R) Cosmetic have been recorded in the United States alone.(3) High patient satisfaction rates following treatment with BOTOX(R) Cosmetic have been well established with 97 percent of patients indicating satisfaction with the product, according to a survey of approximately 1,000 patients conducted by the research arm of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).(4)
Important BOTOX(R) Cosmetic (Botulinum Toxin Type A) Information
BOTOX(R) Cosmetic is approved for the temporary treatment of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people ages 18 to 65.
Important Safety Information
BOTOX(R) Cosmetic injections should not be given to people who have an infection where the physician proposes to inject. They should not be given to people who are known to be sensitive to any ingredient in BOTOX(R) Cosmetic.
Serious heart problems and serious allergic reactions have been reported rarely. If you think you are having an allergic reaction or other reactions, such as difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing, call your doctor immediately. The most common side effects following injection include temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may be associated with the injection. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.
The FDA on April 30, 2009, in its update to the early communication sent in 2008, gave the following recommendations:
* Understand that dosage strength (potency) expressed in "Units" or "U" are different among the botulinum toxin products; clinical doses expressed in units are not interchangeable from one botulinum toxin product to another. * Be alert to and educate patients and caregivers about potential adverse events due to distant spread of botulinum toxin effects following local injections including: unexpected loss of strength or muscle weakness, hoarseness or trouble talking (dysphonia), trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria), loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids. * Understand that these adverse events have been reported as early as several hours and as late as several weeks after treatment. * Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if they develop any of these symptoms.
About Dress for Success
Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 90 cities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the UK and the West Indies. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 500,000 women work towards self-sufficiency. Visit http://www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.
About Vanessa Williams:
Vanessa Williams has achieved success in every area of entertainment, including the worlds of music, theatre, film and television. She has sold millions of albums, earning multiple Grammy(R) Award nominations and countless other awards and honors. She has starred in numerous films, television and Broadway productions and has won or been nominated for the Emmy(R), Golden Globe(R) and Screen Actors Guild(R) awards and has won two NAACP Image Awards for her role as the deliciously wicked Wilhelmina Slater on the hit ABC series, "Ugly Betty." Concord Records will release her 13th album, "The Real Thing" in June and she recently appeared in the box-office hit, "Hannah Montana: The Movie."
About Allergan, Inc.
Founded in 1950, Allergan, Inc., with headquarters in Irvine, California, is a multi-specialty health care company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative pharmaceuticals, biologics and medical devices that enable people to live life to its greatest potential - to see more clearly, move more freely, express themselves more fully. The Company employs more than 8,000 people worldwide operates state-of-the-art R&D facilities and world-class manufacturing plants. In addition to its discovery-to-development research organization, Allergan has global marketing and sales capabilities with a presence in more than 100 countries.
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
"Dress for Success is about more than providing business attire to women in need. Our mission is to change women's lives by enabling them to express success and confidence in their professional endeavors," said Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success. "We're excited to partner with Allergan and Vanessa Williams to raise awareness of Dress for Success."
As part of the donation to Dress for Success, up to $50,000 of the total $250,000 donation will be generated through an online drive, with Allergan donating $2 to the organization on behalf of each of the first 25,000 people who visit and register on the campaign Web site, ExpressSuccessCampaign.com. When pledging support on the Web site, people also can enter to win a trip for two to New York City to have lunch with Vanessa Williams, read Vanessa's personal blog as well as get interview and workplace tips.
In addition to the donation, the "BOTOX(R) Cosmetic: Express Success" campaign includes a series of educational events featuring campaign ambassador, Vanessa Williams, Dress for Success CEO Joi Gordon and an aesthetic-specialty physician. The events will take place in select markets across the country where consumers will be able to support Dress for Success by donating nearly new professional attire as a cost of entry, while learning about fast and simple tips for working women, including treatment with BOTOX(R) Cosmetic.
"As a working woman and actress, I know how important it is to 'look the part' when interviewing for a new position or in any professional setting. It's no secret that I receive BOTOX(R) Cosmetic treatments, which is a quick procedure that reduces the two frown lines in between my brows that look like an '11' and give me a tired or stressed appearance," said Ms. Williams. "For me, putting my best face forward means finding ways to help other women express their own success, personally and professionally. That's why I'm so excited to be involved with the 'BOTOX(R) Cosmetic: Express Success' campaign benefiting Dress for Success, which has helped more than 500,000 women prepare for, find and keep the job that ultimately leads to financial independence. There is truly no better time to get involved than now, so I ask all women to join our efforts by pledging their support online, joining us at our local events and participating in our New York City launch event."
Vanessa Williams will host the "BOTOX(R) Cosmetic: Express Success" campaign launch event with Allergan and Dress for Success on June 30 in New York City's Union Square. The event includes a celebrity "Rack Relay Race" and clothing drive. The public is invited to join Vanessa in the race by donating nearly new professional clothing and registering to race on ExpressSuccessCampaign.com. The first 100 people to pre-register online and participate in the "Rack Relay Race" will receive a certificate for a physician consultation and, if appropriate, a complimentary BOTOX(R) Cosmetic treatment from a licensed and trained aesthetic-specialty physician. The winning "Rack Relay Race" team also will win an opportunity to have lunch with Vanessa Williams in New York City.
Additional information about the launch and local events is available on the campaign Web site which also features an inspiring animated video featuring Vanessa Williams and three Dress for Success graduates directed by Dex Deboree, a highly acclaimed Grammy(R)-award nominee.
"We are pleased to launch the 'BOTOX(R) Cosmetic: Express Success' campaign on behalf of the women who have helped make BOTOX(R) Cosmetic the most popular physician administered treatment over the past seven years," said Robert Grant, president of Allergan Medical, a division of Allergan, Inc. "During this time, Allergan has developed many programs to educate women about the product, especially the importance of seeing a licensed and trained physician. Through this campaign, Allergan also will be realizing the important philanthropic goal of helping disadvantaged women around the country fulfill their professional potential and express their success. It's a first of its kind campaign for BOTOX(R) Cosmetic and we are proud to be partnering with both Dress for Success and Vanessa Williams on this important mission."
For more information about BOTOX(R) Cosmetic and the "BOTOX(R) Cosmetic: Express Success" campaign, please visit www.ExpressSuccessCampaign.com.
About BOTOX(R) Cosmetic
BOTOX(R) Cosmetic (Botulinum Toxin Type A) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines (the vertical "frown lines" between the eyebrows) in adult women and men ages 18 to 65. The glabellar lines, which often look like the number "11," can have a negative effect on one's overall facial appearance by creating a sad, angry, or tired impression.
BOTOX(R) Cosmetic has been ranked as the number one physician-administered, aesthetic injectable treatment(2) and 11.8 million treatment sessions with BOTOX(R) Cosmetic have been recorded in the United States alone.(3) High patient satisfaction rates following treatment with BOTOX(R) Cosmetic have been well established with 97 percent of patients indicating satisfaction with the product, according to a survey of approximately 1,000 patients conducted by the research arm of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).(4)
Important BOTOX(R) Cosmetic (Botulinum Toxin Type A) Information
BOTOX(R) Cosmetic is approved for the temporary treatment of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people ages 18 to 65.
Important Safety Information
BOTOX(R) Cosmetic injections should not be given to people who have an infection where the physician proposes to inject. They should not be given to people who are known to be sensitive to any ingredient in BOTOX(R) Cosmetic.
Serious heart problems and serious allergic reactions have been reported rarely. If you think you are having an allergic reaction or other reactions, such as difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing, call your doctor immediately. The most common side effects following injection include temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may be associated with the injection. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.
The FDA on April 30, 2009, in its update to the early communication sent in 2008, gave the following recommendations:
* Understand that dosage strength (potency) expressed in "Units" or "U" are different among the botulinum toxin products; clinical doses expressed in units are not interchangeable from one botulinum toxin product to another. * Be alert to and educate patients and caregivers about potential adverse events due to distant spread of botulinum toxin effects following local injections including: unexpected loss of strength or muscle weakness, hoarseness or trouble talking (dysphonia), trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria), loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids. * Understand that these adverse events have been reported as early as several hours and as late as several weeks after treatment. * Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if they develop any of these symptoms.
About Dress for Success
Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 90 cities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the UK and the West Indies. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 500,000 women work towards self-sufficiency. Visit http://www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.
About Vanessa Williams:
Vanessa Williams has achieved success in every area of entertainment, including the worlds of music, theatre, film and television. She has sold millions of albums, earning multiple Grammy(R) Award nominations and countless other awards and honors. She has starred in numerous films, television and Broadway productions and has won or been nominated for the Emmy(R), Golden Globe(R) and Screen Actors Guild(R) awards and has won two NAACP Image Awards for her role as the deliciously wicked Wilhelmina Slater on the hit ABC series, "Ugly Betty." Concord Records will release her 13th album, "The Real Thing" in June and she recently appeared in the box-office hit, "Hannah Montana: The Movie."
About Allergan, Inc.
Founded in 1950, Allergan, Inc., with headquarters in Irvine, California, is a multi-specialty health care company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative pharmaceuticals, biologics and medical devices that enable people to live life to its greatest potential - to see more clearly, move more freely, express themselves more fully. The Company employs more than 8,000 people worldwide operates state-of-the-art R&D facilities and world-class manufacturing plants. In addition to its discovery-to-development research organization, Allergan has global marketing and sales capabilities with a presence in more than 100 countries.
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com
The Last Ten Pounds are the Hardest Pounds To Lose
MIAMI, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -Dr. Sanford Siegal, Medical Director of Miami, Florida-based weight-loss practice, Siegal Medical Group, today confirmed the widely held suspicion among dieters that the most challenging part of reaching a healthful weight is shedding the last ten pounds.
"Losing that last ten pounds is, in fact, the greatest challenge, but it's more complicated than that," said Dr. Siegal. "It's more accurate to say that the next pound is harder to lose than the previous one because, like it or not, the Law of Diminishing Returns applies to weight loss. The more you lose, the harder it is to lose more."
For more information about the hCG Diet at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=15&products_id=191
In his forthcoming book, Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet Book (Hyde Park Publishers, Ltd.), Dr. Siegal explains that the more one weighs, the more calories he burns just transporting his own weight. As a dieter sheds pounds, the amount of calories he burns simply going about his normal routine decreases.
"One of the great ironies in losing weight is that your own weight helps you lose it," continued Dr. Siegal. "A person who weighs 250 pounds burns many more calories performing the same activity as one who weighs 150 pounds."
According to Dr. Siegal, many overweight people don't recognize that carrying excess fat inside their bodies takes the same amount of energy as carrying around an object of the same weight.
In his practice, in order to put things into perspective for his patients, Dr. Siegal asks them to imagine what their life would be like if they were to strap a fifty pound weight to their body and never take it off except to sit or lie down. In most cases, he says, people recognize the tremendous amount of effort they would have to expend just to go about their normal activities. They have no trouble imagining how taxing it would be to ascend a flight of stairs, take out the trash, or put away the groceries. Yet, while they are able to imagine the consequences of carrying around a heavy weight, few of his patients recognize that they are already doing so.
"Someone who is fifty pounds overweight at 200 pounds uses the same amount of energy to get around as a 150 pound person with a fifty pound weight strapped to her body," continued Dr. Siegal. "Imagine how many extra calories you would burn if you were to lug a fifty pound barbell everywhere you went!"
In his book, and on his web site, CookieDiet.com, Dr. Siegal provides free tools to help people cheat the Law of Diminishing Returns and lose weight at a fast, predictable, and consistent pace, even when they reach the hurdle of the last ten pounds.
For more information about the hCG Diet at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=15&products_id=191
ABOUT SANFORD SIEGAL, D.O., M.D.
Sanford Siegal, D.O., M.D., is a practicing physician whose South Florida medical practice, Siegal Medical Group, has treated more than 500,000 overweight patients. Although he has achieved notoriety for his books on such subjects as high fiber diets, hunger control without drugs, and hypothyroidism, he is best known as the Cookie Doctor(R) behind the venerable Dr. Siegal's COOKIE DIET(R) weight-loss program and hunger-controlling foods. Dr. Siegal is frequently in the news and has been profiled by dozens of media including Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Today Show, National Post, and Forbes.
Source: Siegal Medical Group
"Losing that last ten pounds is, in fact, the greatest challenge, but it's more complicated than that," said Dr. Siegal. "It's more accurate to say that the next pound is harder to lose than the previous one because, like it or not, the Law of Diminishing Returns applies to weight loss. The more you lose, the harder it is to lose more."
For more information about the hCG Diet at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=15&products_id=191
In his forthcoming book, Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet Book (Hyde Park Publishers, Ltd.), Dr. Siegal explains that the more one weighs, the more calories he burns just transporting his own weight. As a dieter sheds pounds, the amount of calories he burns simply going about his normal routine decreases.
"One of the great ironies in losing weight is that your own weight helps you lose it," continued Dr. Siegal. "A person who weighs 250 pounds burns many more calories performing the same activity as one who weighs 150 pounds."
According to Dr. Siegal, many overweight people don't recognize that carrying excess fat inside their bodies takes the same amount of energy as carrying around an object of the same weight.
In his practice, in order to put things into perspective for his patients, Dr. Siegal asks them to imagine what their life would be like if they were to strap a fifty pound weight to their body and never take it off except to sit or lie down. In most cases, he says, people recognize the tremendous amount of effort they would have to expend just to go about their normal activities. They have no trouble imagining how taxing it would be to ascend a flight of stairs, take out the trash, or put away the groceries. Yet, while they are able to imagine the consequences of carrying around a heavy weight, few of his patients recognize that they are already doing so.
"Someone who is fifty pounds overweight at 200 pounds uses the same amount of energy to get around as a 150 pound person with a fifty pound weight strapped to her body," continued Dr. Siegal. "Imagine how many extra calories you would burn if you were to lug a fifty pound barbell everywhere you went!"
In his book, and on his web site, CookieDiet.com, Dr. Siegal provides free tools to help people cheat the Law of Diminishing Returns and lose weight at a fast, predictable, and consistent pace, even when they reach the hurdle of the last ten pounds.
For more information about the hCG Diet at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=15&products_id=191
ABOUT SANFORD SIEGAL, D.O., M.D.
Sanford Siegal, D.O., M.D., is a practicing physician whose South Florida medical practice, Siegal Medical Group, has treated more than 500,000 overweight patients. Although he has achieved notoriety for his books on such subjects as high fiber diets, hunger control without drugs, and hypothyroidism, he is best known as the Cookie Doctor(R) behind the venerable Dr. Siegal's COOKIE DIET(R) weight-loss program and hunger-controlling foods. Dr. Siegal is frequently in the news and has been profiled by dozens of media including Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Today Show, National Post, and Forbes.
Source: Siegal Medical Group
Do Fad Diets Really Work?
WASHINGTON, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -Spring. It's the time of year when we shed our unhealthy winter habits and renew the weight-loss vows we made back in January in hopes of seeing the numbers on the scale drop. Each year, millions of Americans follow the latest and greatest diet trends and widely publicized information in our quest to lose weight and manage our diets. However, many of the most common diet "truths" are false.
For more information about the hCG Diet at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=15&products_id=191
"Many women search for the magic bullet to shed extra pounds, but a lot of the most publicized diet trends result in false hope and even potential weight gain," explains registered dietitian Kris Clark, Ph.D., R.D., F.A.C.S.M., Director of Sports Nutrition, The Pennsylvania State University. "Diet myths mislead and deceive women to believe a particular ingredient or diet plan will help them lose weight, when most of these are in fact incorrect and some can even be unhealthy."
A recent national survey(1) finds that more than half of women are currently on or plan to be on a diet within the next one to two months and that 96% of these women fall victim to believing at least one of the most popular and prevalent diet myths. Dr. Clark reveals a few of the popular diet myths to help women become more diet savvy:
Eating at night makes you gain weight. While a full belly might not make for the most restful night of sleep, our bodies don't metabolize food differently in the evening than at other times of the day. Weight gain has nothing to do with when we eat, but rather what we eat and how much.
Avoid high fructose corn syrup to lose weight faster. Recent scientific reviews(2) confirm there is no unique link between high fructose corn syrup and obesity. In fact, high fructose corn syrup is nutritionally the same as sugar, metabolizes in the body similarly and is equally sweet with the same number of calories -only 4 per gram, compared to 9 calories per gram for fats. Dr. Clark adds, "No single food or ingredient is the cause of obesity or weight gain. Eating too many calories and getting too little exercise causes it."
Detox from specific ingredients/food for quick, healthy weight loss. There is no scientific evidence that points to detox dieting being an effective weight loss strategy. Experts agree that moderation is the key to a healthy diet, whereas extreme measures, such as food restriction and fasting, may do more harm than good.
High protein, low carb diets are best for weight loss. A recent Harvard study(3) shows that regardless of protein or carb levels in the diet, total calories count when it comes to weight loss. The research pointed to low-fat and low-carb diets as being nearly identical.
Acai berry is the best new food for losing weight. This so-called "superfood" has recently received tremendous press that promises rapid and dramatic weight loss, but the truth is it has only been proven to be a healthy antioxidant.
More Than Nine in Ten Women Believe at Least Some of the Hype
When asked to identify which diet statements were true, a national survey of 516 women found that 96% of women were unable to correctly identify at least one of the more popular diet strategies as myth. Most women (83%) falsely believed the time of day impacts weight gain and 59% believed certain foods burn more calories during digestion than they contain. Some 53% of the women also incorrectly pointed to high protein, low carb diets as best for weight loss. In addition, 40% erroneously believed it is necessary to eliminate sugar, such as table sugar, honey and high fructose corn syrup to lose weight.
"Myths continue to gain momentum because they appeal to our desire to create shortcuts and make what requires hard work easy," explains Dr. Clark. "But, the real culprit of weight gain is eating too many calories and getting too little exercise on a daily basis."
How to Spot a Diet Myth
To demystify diet fact from fiction, Dr. Clark offers the following advice:
Do your homework. Just because you find a lot of information about a specific diet topic doesn't mean the information is correct. Quality should always trump quantity when it comes to diet data, so check your references and ask a few key questions is the information from a credible source or reputable health expert/organization, is the information current and is there scientific proof that it's effective?
If it sounds too good to be true, it's probably false. If you can only find glowing testimonials and positive remarks about a specific diet plan, then it's likely a misleading promotion. Any legitimate diet strategy will provide both the pros and the cons, so you can make an informed decision with your health professional.
For more information about the hCG Diet at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=15&products_id=191
Find more science-based information on sweeteners at www.SweetSurprise.com.
The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining (wet milling) industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, ethanol, starch, bioproducts, corn oil, and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein, and fiber.
(1) Kelton Research conducted the phone survey between March 17 and March 23, 2009. Results were collected from a random sample of 516 women ages eighteen and older. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population.
(2) Fulgoni V. 2008. High-fructose corn syrup: everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask. Am J Clin Nutr 88(6):1715S. White JS. 2008. Straight talk about high-fructose corn syrup: what it is and what it ain't. Am J Clin Nutr 88(6):1716S-1721S. Melanson KJ, Angelopoulos TJ, Nguyen V, Zukley L, Lowndes J, Rippe JM. 2008. High-fructose corn syrup, energy intake, and appetite regulation. Am J Clin Nutr 88(6):1738S-1744S.
(3) Sacks F. et al. Comparison of Weight-Loss Diets with Different Compositions of Fat, Protein, and Carbohydrates. N Engl J Med
360(9):859-873.
www.SweetSurprise.com
For more information about the hCG Diet at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=15&products_id=191
"Many women search for the magic bullet to shed extra pounds, but a lot of the most publicized diet trends result in false hope and even potential weight gain," explains registered dietitian Kris Clark, Ph.D., R.D., F.A.C.S.M., Director of Sports Nutrition, The Pennsylvania State University. "Diet myths mislead and deceive women to believe a particular ingredient or diet plan will help them lose weight, when most of these are in fact incorrect and some can even be unhealthy."
A recent national survey(1) finds that more than half of women are currently on or plan to be on a diet within the next one to two months and that 96% of these women fall victim to believing at least one of the most popular and prevalent diet myths. Dr. Clark reveals a few of the popular diet myths to help women become more diet savvy:
Eating at night makes you gain weight. While a full belly might not make for the most restful night of sleep, our bodies don't metabolize food differently in the evening than at other times of the day. Weight gain has nothing to do with when we eat, but rather what we eat and how much.
Avoid high fructose corn syrup to lose weight faster. Recent scientific reviews(2) confirm there is no unique link between high fructose corn syrup and obesity. In fact, high fructose corn syrup is nutritionally the same as sugar, metabolizes in the body similarly and is equally sweet with the same number of calories -only 4 per gram, compared to 9 calories per gram for fats. Dr. Clark adds, "No single food or ingredient is the cause of obesity or weight gain. Eating too many calories and getting too little exercise causes it."
Detox from specific ingredients/food for quick, healthy weight loss. There is no scientific evidence that points to detox dieting being an effective weight loss strategy. Experts agree that moderation is the key to a healthy diet, whereas extreme measures, such as food restriction and fasting, may do more harm than good.
High protein, low carb diets are best for weight loss. A recent Harvard study(3) shows that regardless of protein or carb levels in the diet, total calories count when it comes to weight loss. The research pointed to low-fat and low-carb diets as being nearly identical.
Acai berry is the best new food for losing weight. This so-called "superfood" has recently received tremendous press that promises rapid and dramatic weight loss, but the truth is it has only been proven to be a healthy antioxidant.
More Than Nine in Ten Women Believe at Least Some of the Hype
When asked to identify which diet statements were true, a national survey of 516 women found that 96% of women were unable to correctly identify at least one of the more popular diet strategies as myth. Most women (83%) falsely believed the time of day impacts weight gain and 59% believed certain foods burn more calories during digestion than they contain. Some 53% of the women also incorrectly pointed to high protein, low carb diets as best for weight loss. In addition, 40% erroneously believed it is necessary to eliminate sugar, such as table sugar, honey and high fructose corn syrup to lose weight.
"Myths continue to gain momentum because they appeal to our desire to create shortcuts and make what requires hard work easy," explains Dr. Clark. "But, the real culprit of weight gain is eating too many calories and getting too little exercise on a daily basis."
How to Spot a Diet Myth
To demystify diet fact from fiction, Dr. Clark offers the following advice:
Do your homework. Just because you find a lot of information about a specific diet topic doesn't mean the information is correct. Quality should always trump quantity when it comes to diet data, so check your references and ask a few key questions is the information from a credible source or reputable health expert/organization, is the information current and is there scientific proof that it's effective?
If it sounds too good to be true, it's probably false. If you can only find glowing testimonials and positive remarks about a specific diet plan, then it's likely a misleading promotion. Any legitimate diet strategy will provide both the pros and the cons, so you can make an informed decision with your health professional.
For more information about the hCG Diet at Derma Health Institute.com, go to:
http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=15&products_id=191
Find more science-based information on sweeteners at www.SweetSurprise.com.
The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining (wet milling) industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, ethanol, starch, bioproducts, corn oil, and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein, and fiber.
(1) Kelton Research conducted the phone survey between March 17 and March 23, 2009. Results were collected from a random sample of 516 women ages eighteen and older. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population.
(2) Fulgoni V. 2008. High-fructose corn syrup: everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask. Am J Clin Nutr 88(6):1715S. White JS. 2008. Straight talk about high-fructose corn syrup: what it is and what it ain't. Am J Clin Nutr 88(6):1716S-1721S. Melanson KJ, Angelopoulos TJ, Nguyen V, Zukley L, Lowndes J, Rippe JM. 2008. High-fructose corn syrup, energy intake, and appetite regulation. Am J Clin Nutr 88(6):1738S-1744S.
(3) Sacks F. et al. Comparison of Weight-Loss Diets with Different Compositions of Fat, Protein, and Carbohydrates. N Engl J Med
360(9):859-873.
www.SweetSurprise.com