LATISSE® to Enhance Eyelases

The FDA recently approved Latisse® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% as a new treatment to increase eyelash length, thickness and darkness. Though the exact mechanism of action is unknown, medical researchers suspect that Latisse increases the percentage of eyelash hairs during the growth phase and increases the duration of the growth phase.

Latisse is a once a day prescription medication that is applied to the base of the upper eyelashes with a disposable applicator. Longer, fuller and darker eyelashes can be seen in less than 8 weeks, with full results in 16 weeks. Continued treatment is required to maintain the effect. Find a dermatologist to who dispenses Latisse®.

Efficacy was tested in a phase 3 multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which 137 patients received active treatment and 141 received vehicle alone for four months, followed by one month withdrawal. Researchers found that those treated with the active drug had a 25 percent increase in eyelash length compared to those receiving vehicle.

Skin Cancer Doctors Launches in Honor of National Skin Cancer Awareness Month

In honor of National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Vivacare launched Skin Cancer Doctors with information about skin cancer prevention and treatment options authored by dermatologists, skin care experts.

The Skin Cancer Doctors Website highlights those dermatologists that use the FromYourDoctor patient education service who have written particularly helpful information for their patients regarding skin cancer.

For instance, Dr. Jeffrey Ellis, M.D., Director of Dermatological Surgery at North Shore/ Long island Jewish Hospital and in private practice at Belaray Dermatology in Plainview, NY uses the FromYourDoctor service as a tool to publish information about actinic keratoses (AKs), a common precancerous skin condition.

We are pleased to be helping dermatologists get the word out regarding the risks of skin cancer, skin cancer treatment options, and the importance of skin cancer prevention

People seeking dermatologists in their area who are qualified to diagnose and treat skin cancer may wish to refer to Vivacare's Find a Dermatologist resource.

Skin cancer occurs when skin cells start growing abnormally, causing cancerous growths. The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. Melanoma is the least common but most dangerous form of skin cancer. Almost all skin cancers start as a small, low-risk lesions, but can grow and become high-risk lesions if left untreated. There is a chance of a complete cure when skin cancer is detected before it has spread to surrounding tissues. Recommended treatment options depend primarily on the type, size and location of the skin cancer, but may include topical medications, such as Aldara and 5-FU, or dermatologic procedures such as cryotherapy or Mohs Surgery.

Botox Black Box Warning: AAD Responds

The FDA recently announced that a boxed warning ("black box warning") will be added to the labeling of botulinum toxin products (Botox, Dysport) and a medication guide will be distributed to patients receiving these products for any use.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) today issued a statement in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) announcement. See the Botulinum Toxin Black Box Review that provides answer to frequently asked questions regarding this new statement by the FDA.

"The health, safety and welfare of our patients being treated with botulinum toxin products are of paramount importance to dermatologists," said dermatologist David M. Pariser, MD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology. "While no serious side effects have been reported from the dermatologic use of botulinum toxin products, the FDA's actions emphasize the importance of selecting a qualified physician to administer these products for medical and cosmetic uses."

Rosacea-Doctors: Rosacea Information from Dermatologists

Vivacare Inc. announced the launch of the Rosacea-Doctors Website to offer patients with up-to-date, clinically relevant health information from top rosacea experts.

The Rosacea-doctors Website contains dermatologist-authored information about rosacea, including self-care advice, a rosacea diary, medication information (Oracea, MetroGel, Finacea, Plexion), laser and light treatments (including intense pulse light - IPL), and more.

Rosacea-Doctors is part of the FromYourDoctor service from Vivacare Inc. "Vivacare aims to strengthen the online voice of dermatologists", says Mark Becker, M.D., founder of Vivacare. "People are seeking health information online and we want to be sure that they have a clear understanding of their own doctor's clinical perspective before receiving second and third opinions from anonymous online sources".

"It is particularly fulfilling to launch Rosacea-doctors in April in honor of National Rosacea Awareness Month and to support the National Rosacea Society in its effort to increase awareness of this often undiagnosed skin condition", said Dr. Becker.

Rosacea-Doctors highlights those dermatologists who have written particularly helpful information for their patients regarding rosacea. For example, patients and consumers can learn more about their disease from Hilary Baldwin M.D. a dermatologist and past President of the American Acne and Rosacea Society.

Beauty-Doctors: Dermatologist-Authored Skin Care Information from Experts

The Beauty-Doctors Website is committed to providing people with skin care information from their most trusted source, dermatologists. Its’ practical advice and helpful insights are provided by skin care experts with additional training and professional devotion to cosmetic dermatology. The content is written by experts in skin care, and covers a wide range of dermatology issues.

Beauty-Doctors.com is part of the FromYourDoctor service from Vivacare Inc. The FromYourDoctor service enables physicians to easily create their own customizable patient education resource for their practice, including a Patient Education Library with patient handouts and clinical images, and a Patient eNewsletter. Physicians can use the service to provide their patients with convenient access to helpful health information that reinforces key clinical messages.

Helen Torok M.D., a dermatologist in Medina, Ohio, and specializing in dermal fillers and soft tissue augmentation, wrote a summary on JuveDerm which is posted on Beauty-Doctors.com with a link to her more in depth handout that resides on the Trillium Creeks' practice medical library, Trillium Creek. Learn more from a recent Beauty-Doctors.com Press Release.

Dysport: New Wrinkle Treatment Option

Dysport (TM), a new type of botulinum toxin type A, received U.S. FDA approval yesterday for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines in adults younger than 65 years of age.

An April 2009 article in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, "Long-term Safety and Efficacy of a New Botulinum Toxin Type A in Treating Glabellar Lines", showed that injections with this new botulinum toxin appears to be well tolerated and may help to improve the appearance of moderate to severe forehead lines with no evidence of diminishing treatment response over 13 months.

"The onset of effect was seen as soon as 24 hours and at a median [midpoint] of three days during all cycles," the authors wrote. By day seven of each treatment cycle, 93 percent to 95 percent of patients reported a response to treatment, and between 80 percent and 91 percent had a response by day 30 based on the investigators' assessments

This new botulinum toxin type A has been used to treat neurological disorders outside the United States for more than 15 years and is approved to treat wrinkles in 23 countries. The product will be marketed for cosmetic use in the U.S. by Medicis under the name Dysport(TM).