Have you heard of the Dysport Challenge? Medicis, the company that makes Dysport, have come up with a way to encourage loyal BOTOX users and new patients alike to give Dysport a try. The Dysport Challenge works like this: you visit your skin care specialist for a Dysport treatment, and then within two weeks visit www.DysportUSA.com and register for the Challenge.... and mail in your rebate form for a $75 check!

But wait! Three months after your treatment, you get another $75. If you are happy with your results, you go to the website, click ‘love it,’ and get a second Dysport treatment and check. But if you weren’t happy you can click ‘leave it,’ get another botulinum toxin type A (i.e. BOTOX) treatment, and still get $75 off the cost.

You’re not the only one who thinks this is a great deal—Medicis announced today that over 100,000 patients have registered for the Dysport Challenge. And it’s also proven to be a good deal for them, too—Medicis reported that to date, only 2.6% of all patients who have registered have made a selection to "Leave It" since the program was launched. That means more people trying—and ‘loving’—Dysport!

Originally, the Dysport Challenge was only planned to last until May 30th, 2010. However, due to the success and positive response from both skin care specialists and patients, Medicis has decided to extend the Challenge until September 30th, 2010. Take advantage of this great opportunity to save money and try Dysport today! To learn more about Dysport, Click Here.

Consider these phrases: 'Stem cells' and 'Fat injections.' Do images of beauty and youth come to mind? Probably not. But new cosmetic treatments involving both stem cells and fat may prove to represent a new era of aesthetic medicine.



Cell Enriched Cosmetic Surgery is the official name. Basically, these treatments involve removing fat cells from select areas of the body, treating those cells and encouraging them to multiply the stem cells that naturally occur in them, and then reintroducing the treated fat cells to the breasts, face, or other areas where volume and fullness is needed.



The idea is that the stem cells help the fat cells survive the transfer better. Some specialists also believe that the stem cells may serve as an anti-aging aid, since they may speed up the healing process and encourage tissue regeneration.



Sounds great, right? Yes, but it's important to keep in mind that some skin care specialists aren't sure that the stem cells are as effective as some people say, and are concerned that not enough clinical research has been done. Also, cell enriched cosmetic surgery procedures have not been approved by the FDA, though they have been performed for some time in Europe and other countries.



While cell enriched cosmetic surgery may be the future, it also may need to prove it's worth (and safety) in the lab. Check back with DermaNetwork.org for updates about stem cell related procedures. To consult a local specialist about these and other anti-aging treatments, click here.

So you’re headed home from a long, hot day at the beach, river, pool, lake, or waterpark and you start to feel that tingling, a stinging chafe where your bathing suit meets your back. Sunburn. As you mentally kick yourself for forgetting to reapply that sunscreen—or for skipping it entirely—it’s time for damage control. Here are some tips for managing the discomfort that sunburns can cause.

• Start taking a mild pain relief medication like aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol as soon as you begin to feel pain.


• Try making a cool compress by soaking a washcloth in equal parts of water and milk. Cool compresses containing Burow solution are another option; you can buy Burow packets at the drugstore.


• Aloe is a natural ingredient that has been used for years to help treat sunburns. It’s now available in a variety of lotions and gels, so you don’t have to suffer through both a sunburn and sticky, smelly natural aloe to benefit from it’s healing properties.


• Soaking in a cool bath might also sooth your singed skin, but be sure to keep the water cool (not ice cold), and avoid anything that might irritate the skin further, such as bath salts, harsh soaps, or scrubbing the skin.

If your sunburn is more severe, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. Symptoms like extreme blistering, nausea, dizziness, or fainting may require professional care or could indicate more severe problems related to sun exposure.

More regulation of cosmetic products is likely pending, with recent discussion from both the cosmetic and regulation industries.



The Personal Care Products Council, the cosmetic industry's trade group, proposed to establish more direct regulation over cosmetic products, and to develop a more involved role for the FDA in the supervision of ingredients. That's right--the cosmetic's industry itself is asking for more regulation on products like sunscreen, cleansers, and moisturizers, which ultimately will mean safer products for consumers.



Under the existing laws, the FDA isn't able to require cosmetics companies to test their product's safety in a regulated way. The FDA also doesn't have to approve the claims made on product labels (like "natural" or "safe"), or have the authority to order recalls.



The internet is abuzz with discussion about the seven-minute 'Story of Cosmetics' video, which was released today. The video advocates for higher safety regulation, saying that fewer than 20% of chemicals in cosmetics have been assessed by the industry's safety panel. The video is co-produced by The Story of Stuff Project, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Free Range Studios.



Today, Democrats Reps. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill. and Ed Markey, D-Mass. in Congress proposed a bill that would empower the FDA and give it a larger role in determining the safety of cosmetic products. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is working on a similar bill in the Senate.



Only time will tell what kinds of changes are in store for the regulation of cosmetic products, but it certainly seems that all parties are on the same page: more regulation equals safer products, and safety is always important to consumers. Check back with DermaNetwork for updates and more information about FDA regulation in the cosmetic industry.

DermaNetwork.org gets thousands of visitors every month--people just like you looking for information about cosmetic treatments, conditions, and specialists who can help them.



What's the buzz about this month? Our Top 5 popular cosmetic treatments are:

1. FotoFacial IPL. Photo rejuvenation is a non-ablative (does not damage the skin) skin rejuvenation technique that is delivered through a series of applications of intense pulsed light. The intense, luminescent light is delivered deep within the skin, targeting problems like rosacea and sun damage without damaging the skin's surface.


2. SmartLipo. SmartLipo uses the high-intensity energy of a laser to dissolve and remove fat deposits and tighten the surrounding skin.Unlike traditional liposuction, with SmartLipo patients aren't 'put under' with general anesthetic, which means they get to start enjoying their body contouring results faster than ever!
   
   


3. Fraxel. Reaching deep into the tissue of the skin, Fraxel lasers target problem areas and stimulate the production of new collagen. This process of controlled skin damage in small areas allows for minimal healing time and highly effective rejuvenation of the skin.


4. Chemical Peels. A chemical peel is a cosmetic procedure that rejuvenates the surface of the skin and treats various skin issues like fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, and mild scarring. There are a multitude of chemical peels to choose from, so your treatment can be customized to your individual needs.


5. Restylane. Restylane is an injectable dermal filling gel that is used to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles, nasolabial folds (the folds from the nose to the corners of the mouth) and for sculpting lips. Patients love that Restylane is a natural cosmetic dermal filler that is made of non-animal-based hyaluronic acid--meaning that it poses fewer risks than many other dermal filler options, but provides fantastic results.

Got you thinking about one (or more!) of these popular treatments? Click on the links to learn more about the treatments, and then let us help you find an experienced local specialist who can tell you more.

DermaNetwork.org is constantly working to provide solid information and interactive features to our site visitors, through a variety of media.



DermaNetwork just launched it's own Facebook page, viewable here. By embracing social media we can keep you in the loop and provide a convenient way for you to tell your friends about DermaNetwork. Keep informed about the latest news and treatments available in the cosmetic dermatology industry. Read and comment on our updates, check out the latest news, and give us feedback about our site. "Like" DermaNetwork and recommend us to your Facebook friends today!



Running with the social media theme, you can also connect with DermaNetwork on Twitter. Check out twitter.com/DermaNetwork for tweets about everything from sun protection to Smart Lipo!

No pain, no incisions, no recovery time, and no one will be able to pinpoint what you've done to look so amazing! Zerona Laser Liposuction provides a non-invasive alternative to traditional liposuction that delivers great results.



Since its approval by the FDA, many doctors are recommending Zerona to help their patients to get rid of unwanted pockets of fat. Zerona works by melting fat with a specially-developed laser. The laser targets fat cells, encouraging to release their fatty cargo which can then be metabolized by your body and leaves it as a natural waste-product. The result? Contoured curves and an overall slimmer look in the problem areas you want to address.



Zerona treatments don't hurt, and you can go on with your normal everyday activities right after your treatment sessions. During the procedure, you will lie down and your doctor will use a low frequency laser to target fatty areas while you relax.  Most patients have a series of treatments customized to their needs. Talk to a specialist today to learn more about Zerona Laser Liposuction, and how it can help you achieve the sculpted physique you've been waiting for!

It's summer! The season of sun, sand, and... cellulite. The smaller the bikinis and shorter the shorts, the more those cottage cheese thighs make you sick--or at least, very uncomfortable poolside.



But don't worry, you're certainly not alone. Did you know that over 90% of women have cellulite? Even men can develop it. And because it's actually considered a skin condition, even skinny celebrities can suffer from cellulite. Knowing all this can help you cope, but you may still be unhappy when you look in the mirror. Here are some tips to help reduce the appearance of cellulite:

•     Maintain a normal weight: heavier people tend to have more pronounced cellulite


•     Quit smoking


•     Reduce your intake of high-fat foods, salt, alcohol, coffee and highly processed foods


•     Eat plenty of fiber


•     Drink an adequate amount of water daily to cleanse your body of toxins


•     Exercise regularly

Of course, following these rules can help, but they may not get you the results you are looking for. Cosmetic specialists have developed a number of light and radio-frequency devices that can diminish cellulite after repeated treatments. Have you heard of Velashape, SmoothShapes, or TriActive? All of these treatments are non-invasive, fast, and are designed to target cellulite. Click on the links to learn more, and visit DermaNetwork.org to find a provider near you.

Are you sick of shaving that 'stache? All women have at least some facial hair, but for certain women the hair on their upper lip, cheeks, or chin may appear thicker, darker, or coarser than they would like.



There are many options when it comes to addressing unwanted facial hair, including bleaching, shaving, and waxing. But these fixes are incomplete--they don't do anything to prevent new hair growth. But now, a great non-invasive product is available to do just that.



Vaniqa is the only prescription cream approved by the FDA to reduce the growth of unwanted facial hair in women. How does it work? Vaniqa absorbs into the skin and affects the enzyme that promotes hair growth. The active ingredient in Vaniqa goes below the surface of the skin to block this growth process, thereby slowing down hair growth. For most women, it also causes hair to grow in finer and lighter in color. Most patients will find that they are able to use their preferred hair removal treatments less frequently when they use Vaniqa regularly.



Interested? Contact a local skin care specialist to learn more, or visit the Vaniqa page on DermaNetwork.