By Dr. Ken Washenik, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director of Bosley

August is National Hair Loss Awareness Month. The American Academy of Dermatology states that this annual event is designed to increase public awareness about hair loss, the importance of early detection, and available treatment options. Hereditary hair loss, the most common form of hair loss, affects nearly 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States alone, according to the National Hair Journal.

It is important to set the consumer straight on at least one subject – hair loss – by separating fact from fiction about hair care and medical treatment options.

Causes:
Fiction: Hair loss is caused by hats and headgear which restrict blood vessels, the scalp draining transference of hair growth to a beard, too frequent washing or cutting of hair, microbes and bacteria, sunlight, smoking, sexual excess, nervous tension, diet, or the most common myth: the passing on of a baldness gene from one’s mother.

Fact: While temporary hair shedding may be caused by any number of reasons including poor nutrition and vitamin deficiency, illness or hormone imbalance, true hair loss is a genetic response to the hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. It is not inherited, however, from the mother’s father as was once commonly believed, but can come from both sides of the family.

Attitudes:
Fiction: Distaste for baldness is a product of modern times. It is a form of vanity born and bred in 20th century youth culture madness.

Fact: The disease has afflicted men since the dawn of civilization, and they have gone to almost any length to regrow thinning hair. In ancient times, they smeared their heads with fats from ibex, lions, crocodiles, serpents, geese, and even hippos. They have since used wigs, painful scalp “blistering,� sheep pituitary injections, herbs, vitamins, liniments, elixirs, and salves. None work.

Women and Hair Loss:
Fiction: Hair transplantation is for men who are the predominant sufferers of genetic baldness.

Fact: While 80% of men exhibit some degree of hair loss, 17% of women also are afflicted, beginning at about the age of thirty. In the United States, that constitutes more than 20 million women. They are now prime candidates for hair restoration by means of surgical implantation.

Surgical Results:
Fiction: Hair transplantation produces “doll scalp� or plugs resembling corn rows.

Fact: Procedures today such as Bosley Follicular Unit Transplantation techniques performed by Bosley hair restoration surgeons are light years ahead of older methods. Hair restoration in the hands of the skilled physician is natural, virtually undetectable, and individually designed for a person’s facial structure, age, and hair color, texture, and type.

Cosmetic Options:
Fiction: Hair care products cannot address the problem of hair loss.

Fact: While most products are just volumizers plumping up the hair shaft, new products are now available with topical Minoxidil, the only FDA approved ingredient for stopping hair loss and promoting regrowth (such as Bosley Hair Regrowth Treatment).

Ken Washenik, M.D., Ph.D.

Ken Washenik, M.D., Ph.D., is the Medical Director of the Bosley and the Executive Vice President of Scientific and Medical Development of the Aderans Research Institute, a biotechnology firm involved in researching tissue engineered hair follicle neogenesis and cellular based hair restoration.

Dr. Washenik is the former director of the Dermatopharmacology Unit at NYU School of Medicine, where he is a faculty member in the Department of Dermatology. He has conducted extensive clinical research and phase II-IV studies in the area of dermatopharmacology.

As part of his achievements, Dr. Washenik is a well-known national and international lecturer and has presented many seminars on dermatopharmacology and dermatology-related issues. His PhD is in Cell Biology and focused on progesterone metabolism and ovarian development. He frequently lectures on the effects of hormones on the skin including their effects in acne, hirsutism, and alopecia.

Dr. Washenik is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, North American Hair Research Society, the National Alopecia Areata Foundation and the National Psoriasis Foundation. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and a member of the Dermatological Society of Greater New York.

Dr. Washenik has published numerous scientific and medical articles in peer review journals including Endocrinology, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Archives of Dermatology, The Lancet, and The New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Washenik has been widely recognized in the medical and academic communities with many honors and awards. He received top honors for doctoral research and clinical performance from the Baylor College of Medicine Medical Scientist Training Program as well as first place awards in research from the American Medical Association and Mead Johnson. Additionally, Dr. Washenik received a Young Investigator Travel Award from the Endocrine Society and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society.

After earning his medical and doctorate degrees form the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, Dr. Washenik completed his internship at the St. Joseph Hospital Department of Medicine in Houston, Texas, where he received the Outstanding Intern Award. He finished his residency training at the New York University Medical Center, where he also completed a dermatopharmacology fellowship.

By Elda Argenti, President of Plantogen

Manuka Honey offers a new way to help improve and maintain healthier, younger looking skin. Plantogen introduces the Manuka Honey Facial treatment in American spas to relieve, rejuvenate, and restore pores. Known for its relatively cleaner and purer environments, Australia and New Zealand are home to some of nature’s purest healers, such as Active Manuka Honey, which has special healing properties that have been shown in laboratory research to have exceptional healing benefits on skin. Unlike regular honey, Active Manuka Honey has positive healing properties for a variety of skin conditions. In fact, many hospitals and medical practitioners use active [UMF+10] Manuka Honey for wound treatment.

Benefits of Manuka Honey on Skin:

Manuka Honey is a natural antioxidant. It supplies cells with a variety of vitamins, amino acids, and minerals while providing white blood cells with the necessary glucose to destroy bacteria. Healing Manuka Honey improves cellular regeneration, thereby improving skin texture and skin smoothness. Additionally, Manuka Honey promotes collagen production. Active Healing Manuka Honey has the ability to destroy a large number of bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus and Propiobacterium, common causes of acne. Having regular Manuka Honey facials will help reduce blemishes without over-drying or aggravating the skin.

Plantogen At-Home Treatments:

Plantogen was developed by Australian skin care professionals and motivated by the belief in utilizing the Earth’s resources to obtain plant-derived ingredients. In addition to the Manuka Honey Facial treatment, Plantogen offers a variety of products for use at home which provide a refreshing perspective to healing and relaxing the skin. The Plantogen products line consists of the following plant derived spa therapy products: Corrective Eye Gel, Intensive Firming Serum, Overnight Stress Repair, Purifying Cream Cleanser, Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Face Scrub, Seaweed Mask, Rotorua Geothermal Clay Mask, Light Moisturiser, Hydrating Moisturiser, Protective Moisturiser, Toner, Body Wash, Marine Exfoliating Shower Gel and Body Moisturiser.

Commitment to Wellness and the Environment:
Plantogen is dedicated to the consumer and the environment. The line takes a holistic approach to beauty and skin health by encouraging consumers to choose healthy lifestyles based on a personal maintenance program developed by their beauty specialist, drinking lots of water daily, and investing in their own well being. Additionally, Plantogen products are packaged in recyclable jars, tubes, and bottles; and the products are not animal tested.

Plantogen at Your Practice:

Plantogen Healing Manuka Honey Facials and At-Home products are now available at select spas and finer salons nationwide. To find a store nearby consumers can use the store locator at www.plantogen.com.

By Dr. Donald Kress, M.D., P.A., F.A.C.S.

One of the earliest signs that men and women are maturing occurs when the middle part of the face loses its underlying attachments and droops with gravity. The change from fullness of the cheeks to fullness of the lower face is perceived as older and less vibrant. As the cheek fat pads begin to droop, the lines along side of the nose and from the corner of the mouth deepen and become much more prominent. Jowls can also form along the jaw line contributing to the aged, tired, and haggard look. These changes can occur in spite of a healthy and active life-style. They are stubborn, resistant to treatment, and often begin in the 30’s. Collagen, fat transfers, and even facelift techniques do not fully correct these changes; and surgical treatments to reduce the mid-face sag can require extensive time off work and produce a stretched or unnatural look.

A new minimally invasive procedure called Threading corrects the mid-face sag, elevates the brow, lifts the neck and jaw line, and banishes laugh lines naturally. Dr. Donald Kress, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, practicing in Frederick, MD, has perfected the technique which is done under local anesthesia, requires no visible incisions, and has a rapid recovery time of 3 days.

The “threading� technique requires the surgeon to “thread� 6-18 barbed, permanent sutures through a hollow guide into the skin and the deeper soft tissue. The number of threads required is dependent on the number of areas being treated. Once the suture is in place, the tissues of the face are elevated and compressed, and the guide is removed. This causes the barbs to engage into the soft tissue lifting and supporting it. The end of the exposed suture is then snipped, leaving the suture buried entirely beneath the skin.

This procedure does not pull the skin too tight and will not produce that taut, windblown look. Results are natural and show a restorative and refreshed type of improvement.

This procedure is ideal for younger and middle-aged patients who are at the first plateau of facial aging (35-45), as well as previous surgical facelift patients who would like a touch-up. One treatment per area is usually all that is required to achieve the desired results. The procedure takes less than 30 minutes.

The “threading� technique is a lot lighter on the wallet as well, beginning at about $3,000 depending upon the number of areas, as opposed to a surgical facelift costing upwards of $9,000.

Has the traditional facelift seen its last day?
“No, the traditional facelift isn’t obsolete yet,” says Dr. Kress. “It is still necessary for patients with skin laxity which requires skin removal. The threading technique is destined to become the dominant method of the smaller procedures. The simplicity, ease, predictable result, lack of significant complications, and rapid return to normal life are extraordinary even among the “minor procedures.â€? For more information: www.plasticsurgeryone.com

Dr. Donald Kress, M.D., P.A., F.A.C.S.

Plastic Surgery One was founded by Dr. Donald Kress, M.D., P.A., F.A.C.S., Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, to address the growing need for high quality plastic surgery among people of all ages and types. Dr. Kress has over 20 years of experience and a very high level of patient satisfaction. Over 80% of his patients are referred by other patients. A noted author and seminar presenter, he spends his free time riding his horse ChiCha, camping, running, mountain climbing, scuba diving, or fishing.

“The way you feel about your appearance affects every aspect of your life,” says Dr. Kress. “I have been helping men and women feel better about themselves for over 20 years. Successfully correcting flaws and reversing the effects of aging is both challenging and immensely rewarding.”

Donald Kress, M.D., P.A., F.A.C.S.

Plastic Surgery One was founded by Dr. Donald Kress to address the growing need for high quality plastic surgery among people of all ages and types. Dr. Kress has over 20 years of experience and a very high level of patient satisfaction. Over 80% of his patients are referred by other patients.

Some of Dr. Kress’ professional memberships include:

• American Society of Plastic Surgery
• American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
• The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
• American Society of Lasers in Medicine and Surgery
• Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
• Lipolysis Society of America
• The American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive perspiration, is a problem for millions of Americans. It presents a hindrance when exercising, in warm temperatures, or under stressful situations. Those who sweat as a result of anxiety find that the problem becomes exacerbated in stressful situations and can result in embarrassment and an attempt to avoid those situations which provoke profuse sweating. Until recently, there was little people could do other than re-apply deodorant throughout the day or change clothes frequently. Now we can paralyze those sweat glands for up to eight months at a time with newly FDA approved Botox injections.

Hyperhidrosis afflicts both men and women and can occur on the palms, feet, and armpits. This condition can manifest as early as adolescence. Attempted cures can be extremely costly ranging from over-the-counter products to other medications. Some doctors have attempted passing low electrical currents through the sweat glands which is short term, not very effective, and requires multiple visits to the doctor. Patients have even gone as far as major surgery, which has not proven to remedy the problem either.

Now, we have a safer, more effective therapy in the form of Botox injections into the armpits. These injections can render a person sweat free for up to eight months. The injection in the armpit is painless. The injections work by paralyzing or shutting off the sweat glands. Most people are familiar with the use of Botox to eliminate wrinkles of the forehead which functions by paralyzing the corrigator muscle so it cannot form a wrinkle. By paralyzing the sweat gland, the mechanism to secrete sweat is literally shut down.

In two placebo-controlled, multi-center, randomized, double-blind clinical trials involving over 600 adults, those who received Botox had significantly reduced underarm sweating as compared to the placebo group. In one study, four weeks after being injected, the percentage of people showing a 50% reduction in sweating was 91% in the group receiving Botox compared to 36% in the placebo group. In another study, the average duration of response following the first treatment was 170 days. The most common adverse events following treatment (occurring in three to 10% of patients) included injection site pain and hemorrhage, sweating in other parts of the body, flu-like symptoms, headache, fever, itching, and anxiety.

Before being treated for primary axillary hyperhidrosis, patients should be evaluated for other potential causes of the problem, such as hyperthyroidism, to avoid symptomatic treatment of hyperhidrosis with Botox without addressing a potentially serious underlying disease which requires other forms of treatment.

Unless you or someone you know has severe hyperhidrosis, it is very difficult to imagine how devastating a problem it can be. Fortunately, plastic surgeons now have an excellent, non-surgical, minimally invasive FDA-approved treatment which can help our patients lead normal lives.

The good news is that people of virtually any age are candidates for this technique. For those who have lived with an embarrassing sweat problem and costly dry cleaning bills, Botox offers a safe and effective technique for remaining sweat free throughout the year.

STEVE R. FALLEK, M.D.
Cosmetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon
New York, NY & Englewood, NJ

Dr. Fallek obtained his B.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania, cum laude, in 1987, and received his M.D. from Mount Sinai School of Medicine New York, NY in 1991. After medical school, he completed a general surgery residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, where he then received fellowship training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Board Certifications

Medical Licenses and Other Certifications

Academic Appointments

- University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) - University Hospital, Newark, NJ

- University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) - University Hospital, Newark,

Hospital Appointments

Memberships

For more information please visit www.fallekplasticsurgery.com or call (201) 541-4181