Photography for Aesthetic Practices By Ron Scherl October 14, 2009 "Healthy Aging"
Photos should be taken as a part of the initial client assessment. Photos help to document the "baseline" skin condition and are valuable for identifying subtle skin changes that occur in the skin during treatment plan implementation.
Photos document the treatment progression of permanent hair reduction, subtle texture changes and diminishing redness from Laser Genesis or changes in pigmented lesions. It often takes multiple vein treatments over a number of months to achieve the end result. Photos help the patient to remember the baseline of their condition.
Let me ask you a few questions.
- Do you have a diverse patient population with all or most skin types and many different ethnicities?
- Are you able to offer aesthetic treatments to all of these patients?
- Do they know you have aesthetic products and treatments for THEM?
In other words - are you doing a good job letting your patients know exactly what you can offer them, and which services are safe and effective for their individual needs? Do you use marketing materials that feature models of different age groups? Different ethnicities? Both male and female models if your clientele is both male and female?
Cutera recognizes this need exists. We offer a way to create customized patient brochures to help our customers reach out to their entire practice. Customers visit
CuteraPatientTools.com, choose the application, then select a brochure cover model(s) who best suits the patient group they are targeting. They can customize the back panel of the brochure with their practice information as well.
For example, if you want to offer customized laser hair removal patient brochures, you can choose from photos of men and women of all ages, from skin types I -VI. A specific example -- create and print a vein treatment brochure that features a woman of Mediterranean heritage or show an older couple who are contemplating fractional skin resurfacing such as Pearl Fractional.
Think about your patient base, what you can do for them and ensure they know it.
Cutera offers monthly webinars on a variety of clinical education and practice marketing tips.
Today's webinar is hosted by David A. Engleman, MD FACC who will discuss the latest advances and advanced techniques for treating leg veins with sclerotherapy and using lasers - specifically the Cutera CoolGlide 1064 nm long-pulsed, high powered laser.
Do you find treating leg veins or any kind of laser vascular treatment to be tricky? Please watch this webinar. For your convenience, it will be recorded and available to view on-demand in Cutera webinar archive.
I'll be your host today; hope to see you online!
The use and delegation of Laser based technology differs from state to state. Treatment providers are required to know the state laws that govern the use of Laser and Light based technology. Some states mandate that the physician be physically present and supervise procedures such as Laser Hair removal and vascular treatments. While other states mandate that the physician can delegate Laser based treatments to staff that have recieved adequate training. The physician is not required to be physically present when the Laser Hair removal or vein treatment is performed.
USE OF LASERS/DELEGATION OF MEDICAL FUNCTIONS REGULATION BY STATE
Last Updated: 7/1/2008
Potential patients are bombarded with advertisements for Laser Hair Removal, Laser vein treatment, skin tightening and skin rejuvenation. It is important for treatment providers differentiate themselves from the competitors.
Aesthetic Profits Releases the Highly Anticipated How To SeriesAfter great anticipation Aesthetic Profits Inc. is trilled to announce the launch of it’s much awaited How To: Series - Effective Patient Attraction Tools for Aesthetic Physicians. This compilation contains essential strategies aesthetic doctors need to build a reliable database of returning patients, to enhance their presence within their community and see a steady boost in revenues.
Current titles include: ‘How to Differentiate Yourself From All the Others’, ‘How to Make the Most of Your In-House Marketing’, ‘How to Effectively Communicate With Your Patients’, ‘How to Become Famous in Your Community’, ‘How to Conduct a Successful Aesthetic Patient Consultation’, ‘How to Coordinate a Successful Open House’, ‘How to Promote Retail Profitably’, ‘How to Promote Minimally-Invasive Procedures’, ‘How to Build a Word-of-Mouth Practice’ and many more.
Source: International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM)
Reward you patients with the
VIP (Very Important Patient) Promotion.
Promotions can be for Laser Hair removal, Laser Vein treatment, skin tightening, skin rejuvenation, chemical peels or advanced skin care products. How to Develop a Very Loyal FollowingWe all know your best aesthetic patient is the referred patient. They are not as price conscious and are already pre-sold on you. You do not want to take these referrals lightly. Every aesthetic practice or medical spa has their group of cheerleaders and you do too.
Source: International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine
There are many things to research and learn about starting an Aesthetic practice. The physician may want to offer skin rejuvenation with chemical peels and Laser based technology or a more advanced skin care practice with Laser hair removal, vein treatments or skin tightening.
Physician Aesthetic Medicine Certification Training Aesthetic Practice Startup Workshop Ensures Adding Aesthetic Medicine is a Profitable OptionAfter completing this workshop, participants will leave with a comprehensive business plan for their aesthetic medicine practice. This program will cover all aspects of creating a business plan for a profitable medical spa, including:
• Financing options for physicians;
• Target demographics for tailored aesthetic procedures;
• Developing a menu of treatments and pricing strategies;
• Establishing aesthetic practice protocols and HR for aesthetic practitioners;
• Creating an effective marketing plan;
• Finding the right location;
• Staffing;
• Federal and state legal and regulatory issues; and
• Startup costs and reading financials.
Souce: International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM)
Record number of patients seek laser based technology for laser hair removal, laser vein treatment, skin tightening and skin rejuvenation.
RECORD NUMBER OF PATIENTS SEEK LASER TREATMENTS
A skin care treatment plan for the management of Rosacea must first start with assessing the clinical signs and symptoms. Laser based technology is often part of advanced skin care for the managment of Rosacea symtoms of redness. Laser Genesis is very effective at treating the diffuse redness. LimeLight may also be used to treat the diffuse redness but also to provide a vein treatment of facial telangiectasia.
Rosacea is a common condition characterized by symptoms of facial flushing and a spectrum of clinical signs, including erythema, telangiectasia, coarseness of skin, and an inflammatory papulopustular eruption resembling acne.
RosaceaBefore the initiation of therapy, the triggering factors that exacerbate the patient's rosacea should be identified and avoided if possible. These factors may be unique to each individual patient.
Treatment and MedicationAuthor: Agnieszka Kupiec-Banasikowska, MD, Consulting Staff, Division of Dermatology, Georgetown University Medical Center
Coauthor(s): Mana Ogholikhan, MD, Staff Physician, Division of Dermatology, Georgetown University Hospital;
Ravi Ratnavel, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, Stoke Mandeville, Thames Valley Nuffield, Paddocks Hospitals, UK
VitiligoVitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder of the skin and mucous membranes, and it is characterized by circumscribed depigmented macules and patches. It is a progressive disorder in which some or all of the melanocytes in the affected skin are selectively destroyed.
Depigmentation most often begins on the fingers, hands, and wrist but soon spreads to the face and feet. Depigmentation is progressive. The individual lesions progress from hypopigmentation to depigmentation. The white skin is more susceptible to sunburn.
It is important to determine if the depigmentation is true vitiligo. Any physical, chemical, or infectious agent that destroys the epidermis will destroy the pigment cells located along the basal layer. If the injury extends deep into the dermis and involves the hair bulbs and the other appendages, the normal reservoir of new pigment cells is destroyed, the skin will probably remain permanently white.
It is important when working with Laser based technology to properly identify the root cause for the loss of pigment. If the loss of pigment is from trauma, chemicals or infectious agents then it may be safe to use Laser based technology for laser hair removal, Laser vein treatment, Limelight for pigmented lesions and Laser Genesis for new collagen production.
Skin care treatment for Rosacea may include oral and/or topical medication as well as Laser based technology. Facial redness can be associated with both inflammation and increased visibility of the underlying vascular system. A Laser vein treatment may include a combination treatment of Laser Genesis and/or Limelight facial. Laser Genesis' short pulse duration is optimal for treating the diffuse redness of dilated capillaries. The Limelight facial can be used to treat both the diffuse redness of dilated capillaries and more visible telangiectasia.
Cause Of Skin Condition Rosacea DiscoveredChemists Develop New Tool For Treating Rosacea
Safe and effective Laser vein treatment requires assessment and correct diagnosis of the vascular lesion. Laser based technology may be part of the vascular treatment plan.
The most apparent indication of Sturge-Weber Syndrome is a facial birthmark or "Port Wine Stain" present at birth and typically involving at least one upper eyelid and the forehead. Much variation in the size of the stain has been reported and may be limited to one side of the face or may involve both sides. The stain, varying from light pink to deep purple, is due to an overabundance of capillaries just beneath the surface of the involved skin. In persons with dark pigmentation, the stain may be difficult to recognize. In rare instances, there is an absence of a Port Wine Stain.
Sturge-Weber Syndrome (encephelotrigeminal angiomatosis) is a congenital, non-familial disorder of unknown incidence and cause. It is characterized by a congenital facial birthmark and neurological abnormalities. Other symptoms associated with Sturge-Weber can include eye and internal organ irregularities. Each case of Sturge-Weber Syndrome is unique and exhibits the characterizing findings to varying degrees.
Source: Sturge-Weber Foundation; Seattle Children's Hospital
Laser vein treatment requires assessment and correct diagnosis before performing the vascular treatment.
Management Strategies for Infantile Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas are benign tumors in which growth of capillary blood vessels occurs through angiogenesis.2 They rarely occur in utero, but instead appear as bluish or red marks within the first 2 weeks of infancy. Following this initial stage, they show rapid growth lasting for up to 12 months, the proliferation phase. In the next phase, the involuting phase, they slowly regress until an average of 5 to 7 years, after which hemangiomas remain unchanged.3 Traditional management of hemangiomas therefore, has been to wait until involution occurs spontaneously. However, complications such as bleeding, infection, ulceration, obstruction of orifices or psychosocial distress may be cues for intervention.
Source: Skin and Aging
VOLUME: 17 PUBLICATION DATE: Jan 09 2009
Issue Number:
1 Jan 09
author: Maya Barsky, BS, and Robert Buka, MD, JD
Laser based infrared technology may be used to perform a Laser Vein treatment to hemangiomas. Treating hemangiomas is an advanced vascular treatment and should only be attempted if the treatment provider understands the anatomy and physiology of the lesion and has performed a complete assessment.
Management Strategies for Infantile Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas are benign tumors in which growth of capillary blood vessels occurs through angiogenesis.2 They rarely occur in utero, but instead appear as bluish or red marks within the first 2 weeks of infancy. Following this initial stage, they show rapid growth lasting for up to 12 months, the proliferation phase. In the next phase, the involuting phase, they slowly regress until an average of 5 to 7 years, after which hemangiomas remain unchanged.3 Traditional management of hemangiomas therefore, has been to wait until involution occurs spontaneously. However, complications such as bleeding, infection, ulceration, obstruction of orifices or psychosocial distress may be cues for intervention.
Maya Barsky, BS, and Robert Buka, MD, JD
Do you have fantastic patient results with great before and after photos?
Subject to HIPAA and patient permissions of course, you may be able to tell a compelling story to your patients and potential patients on your web site.
Take a look (and scroll down) at what Dr. Grant Stevens of Marina Plastic Surgery in Southern California did with one of his patients - an exciting case study on her great outcome.
Definitely show off your best before and after patient photos on your website and in your waiting and exam rooms but consider also listing testimonials, case studies, patient diaries and other information that shows your patients what you can do and how you do it.
Let your website visitors know that now is a great time to start working on summer-worthy legs (leg vein treatments) or permanent hair reduction packages. New Years resolutions often include diets - let your clientele know about Titan and that skin tightening procedures can help with lax skin. Are you an expert in fractional skin resurfacing with Pearl Fractional? Do you combine Pearl full face epidermal resurfacing with Pearl Fractional for deeper imperfections? Use lasers with fillers and injectibles such as Radiesse and BOTOX? Talk up those combination treatments and brag a little, both online and in your practice!
Chronological aging and changes in the skin are part of the natural aging process. Genetic factors and hormones influence the skin quality and durability over time. Thicker, darker skin tends to wrinkle less.
Environmental factors such as sun exposure, prolonged exposure to wind, cold and pollution cause cumulative damage to the skin over time.
Smoking also causes skin damage over time. Nicotine causes constriction of the blood vessels that decreases the blood flow to the skin. Toxic substances from smoking affect the skin through the circulatory system and may damage collagen and elastin fibres.
Degeneration of elastin fibres and collagen fibres causes the skin to lose it's strength with subsequent loosening of the skin. These changes in the skin lead to the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, deep facial expression lines and skin laxity. Fine lines and wrinkle are caused by the decline in the quantity and quality of the elastin fibres.
Additional changes in the skin is the gradual thinning of all layers of the skin (epidermis, dermis & subcutaneous layers). Loss of subcutaneous fat is seen in areas of the face and hands. The skin becomes drier due to the gradual decline in the activity of the sebacious glands. There are changes in hair growth with thinning of the hair on the body.
Sun exposure is the primary environmental cause of skin damage along with prolonged exposure to cold and wind. Sun exposure degenerates the elastin in the skin leading to the formation of wrinkles and loss of elasticity. Sun exposure also creates uneven pigment, formation of solar lentigines, dilated blood vessels (telangiectases), wrinkles and skin laxity.
Advanced Skin care and skin rejuvention may include skin tightening with Titan to address laxity. Laser Genesis to address texture and diffuse redness. Laser vein treatment for dilated blood vessels. LimeLight facial to address pigmented lesions but may also treat vascular issues. These treatment modalities may be combined with both Pearl and Pearl Fractional Laser treatments to address both epidermal & dermal changes. Cutera Laser based technology has been optimized to address the many issues of aging skin.
Causes of Aging Skin
Reference: "Handbook of Cosmetic Skin Care"; Avi Shai; Howard I Maibach; Robert Baran
A successful Laser vein treatment is dependent on proper evaluation of the leg veins.
The visual appearance of the lower extreme ties is a useful, but not always reliable, guide to the peripheral venous condition. Multiple factors contribute to varicose veins. Intrinsic pathological conditions combine with extrinsic environmental factors to produce a wide spectrum of disease.
Heredity seems to be particularly important in determining susceptibility to primary valvular failure.
Occupations that require prolonged standing can lead to chronic venous distention and secondary valvular incompetence at any level. Women seem to be more susceptible to this problem, most likely because vein walls and valves periodically become more distensible under the influence of cyclic increases in progesterone.
Pregnancy is an important risk factor that causes varicosities through several mechanisms. Most important are circulating hormonal factors that increase the distensibility of vein walls and soften valve leaflets. Another factor is the increase in venous capacity the develops to accommodate a greatly expanded circulation blood volume. Age is an independent risk factor for varicosities because with advancing age the elastic lamina of the vein becomes atrophic and the smooth muscle layer begins to degenerate, leaving a weakened vein that is more susceptible to dilatation. Most patients with venous insufficiency have subjective symptoms of pain, soreness, burning, aching, throbbing, cramping, muscle fatigue, and restless legs.
"Vein Diagnosis&Treatment: A Comprehensive Approach"
Robert A. Weiss; Feied, Craig F.; Margaret A. Weiss
Greater Saphenous VeinVenous AnatomyVaricose Veins
Laser based technology requires that the treatment provider accurately assess client skin type. Successful skin rejuvenation may require treatment of pigmented lesions, skin tightening and Laser vein treatment. In order to minimize and manage unexpected outcomes and possible complications the treatment provider must choose correct parameters on the aesthetic laser system based on a comprehensive skin type evaluation. The Roberts Skin Type Classification System is a 4-part serial system that comprehensively identifies a patient's skin type characteristics, and provides data to predict the skin's likely response to insult, injury, and inflammation (i/i/i) for individuals of global skin types. The clinician evaluates 4 elements (phototype, hyperpigmentation, photoaging, and scarring) and assigns a numeric "feature" to each, according to established and original scales. This classification system can uniquely help determine the course of treatment, clarify postprocedure expectations, and optimize outcomes. This individualized approach to identifying features and elements in various skin types will positively impact on physician communication, patient awareness and compliance, and preventive measures.
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