There is no time more appropriate than this to say Thank You and to wish you a Happy Holiday Season.

Aesthetic Trends & Technologies
800.277.1391
www.aesthetictrends.com

Source: Aesthetic Trends & Technologies

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Beauty Power Tools the Pros Use are Available for Consumers

At-home tools can replace or complement professional services such as hair removal, airbrush makeup and skin care.

Automated beauty tools are beginning to make the days of applying makeup or washing your face by hand look quaint.

Professional-level devices are now available for use at home as manufacturers refine their products — and their sales pitches — to reach the large consumer market. The sometimes-pricey devices are more available than ever as spas, doctors’ offices, websites and infomercials sell them with celebrities and others touting their effectiveness. And with many devices now in their second or third incarnations, manufacturers may be approaching the right combination of price and performance, erasing the memories of gimmicks gone bad. Consumers now can laser away hair, treat acne, reduce uneven pigmentation, airbrush on cosmetics and cleanse skin, as well as (or better than) a professional.

These new beauty power tools are part of a growing trend for at-home spa treatments that can replace or complement professional services, said Michael Moretti, editor of the Medical Insight Report, which covers the aesthetic medical industry. His recent report on home-use devices profiled 26 companies that make consumer versions of professional products, a market that he projected will grow about 25% annually for several years to come.

As with cameras or cookware, the target market is the “prosumer” who craves the pro’s tricks and tips but is hoping for little pain to the body, wallet or ego. After all, how are you going to feel if you spend $270 on the no!no! 8800 device to zap body hair with patented heat waves if it doesn’t work? (It does, and it can keep hair from growing back, but you’ve got to tolerate the scent of burning hair and, most important, follow the directions.)

The at-home products are “more compact and won’t do the same job as a physician- utilized machine, but over time, they get great results,” said Cindy Vandruff, editor in chief of Aesthetic Trends & Technologies, a journal for physicians and aestheticians.

Cosmetic companies are hopping on the bandwagon. Neutrogena recently launched the new two-speed Wave Duo Power-Cleanser with Foaming Pads. The buzzing, $14.99 palm-sized plastic device comes with single-use foaming pads and the required AA battery. Vibrating mascaras by Maybelline and Lancome promise to mimic the delicate wiggle a makeup artist uses to build color on the lashes. Garnier’s $16.99 Ultra-Lift Pro Deep Wrinkle Roller puts ingredients such as Vitamin A in a roll-on dispenser that promises to firm and lift skin on the neck and face.

Skin care may have led the revolution in gadgetry, but color cosmetics are following up with technical innovations too. This fall, about 100 Sephora stores launched the $225 Temptu Airbrush Makeup System, designed to mist skin with an atomized foundation that looks slightly more dewy than most professional-level airbrushed makeup. Temptu Chief Executive Michael Benjamin says the company is developing an entire range of cosmetics or beauty products that could be airbrushed — including sunscreen.

Though Temptu has long sold a professional airbrush, the new at-home model allows users to switch easily between colors of foundation, blush or highlighter without cleaning the spray head. Makeup artist Gina Brooke says she sometimes prefers the smaller, lighter consumer Temptu system to apply makeup, or on location. Brooke said she also likes how the light mist can create a smooth complexion that can stand up to high-definition scrutiny. Lancome followed up its much-hyped $34 to $39 vibrating mascaras with a $48 buzzing powder puff, the new Oscillation Powerfoundation mineral makeup. It features a motorized, cushioned applicator that the company says delivers 7,000 vibrations a minute to wiggle micronized powder foundation smoothly across skin. Yet the item, which looks like a child’s top, relies on smooth human-powered strokes, not vibrations, to achieve a fine finish.

The old adage you get what you pay for proves true with many of these buzzing beauty products. Before buying, shoppers should investigate the manufacturer’s history and even check out Internet buzz, said Dr. Tina Alster, a clinical professor of dermatology at the Georgetown University Medical Center.

“Any of these at-home devices are a lot more cost-effective, and certainly they are more convenient [than professional treatments],” Alster said. “This is a huge trend. We are just at the tip of what will become widely available and widely used,” she said.

Alster is a fan of the Clarisonic skin-care brush and recommends the $149 to $225 devices for patients who have clogged pores, oily skin or whiteheads, or who are acne prone. Spas and doctors’ offices, including hers, are using the brushes to quickly remove surface dead skin for better product absorption, makeup removal or skin smoothing. The company recently launched a version that is designed to scrub your body. Alster also recommends the brushes for anyone who uses glycolic acid, retinols or Vitamin C products.

Like a power toothbrush for your face, the Clarisonic bristles move a few millimeters, 300 times a second in an oscillatory fashion, said Dr. Robb Akridge, co-founder and vice president of clinical affairs at manufacturer Pacific Bioscience Laboratories Inc., in Bellevue, Wash. And the message seems to be getting through: Sales have increased 2,179% in three years.

Not all consumer versions of professional devices get the thumbs up, however. Alster and Veronica Barton-Schwartz, who runs a spa in Malibu, gave tepid reviews of the micro-current devices that aim to firm facial muscles with electric stimulation.

Yet aestheticians have been using micro-current technology since the 1970s, according to Carol Cole, whose namesake company has been selling her NuFace hand-held micro-current device for four years. Though some experts debate the usefulness of micro-current, at-home devices can offer a cost savings. Cole said professional micro-current treatments can cost $120 to $400 a session, and an effective regimen requires 12 to 18 twice-a-week sessions. Her device sells for $325.

Naturally, even with DVDs, charts and guides to using the products, someone will probably airbrush their sinuses in medium beige. Alster and others urge consumers to research all claims and, please, read the instructions.

Los Angeles Times
www.latimes.com

Source: LA Times / Image Section

World-Renowned Speakers Headline the 30th Annual Conference of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery

Wausau, WI – December 21, 2009. To celebrate 30 years of premier scientific gatherings, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) will host an unrivaled educational event at Laser 2010. The Annual Conference will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 14-18, 2010, at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel and Phoenix Convention Center.

“We have created an outstanding educational conference that has something for everyone – from scientists and physicians to clinical engineers and allied health professionals – regardless of their core specialty or level of technological experience,” said ASLMS President R. Rox Anderson, MD. “Program offerings will also include specialty tracks as well as cross-disciplinary exchanges to enhance the information flow to all attendees.”

The scientific program boasts some of the latest research developments and clinical studies in laser medicine and surgery, as well as promising devices and technologies poised to improve disease detection, diagnosis and management in the future. Sessions will address basic science, cutaneous laser surgery, dentistry, photobiomodulation and surgical applications with course content reflective of multiple specialty areas including oncology, dermatology, plastic surgery, gynecology, otolaryngology, urology, nursing and allied health, among others.

Invited Guest Speakers
Charles H. Townes, Ph.D., father of lasers, Nobel Laureate and a professor of physics at the University of California Berkeley, will be honored in person for his lifetime achievements in the field of laser research. Dr. Townes first demonstrated the maser in 1954 and later published the theoretical principles of the laser, earning him the Nobel Prize in physics in 1964. To commemorate both the Society’s 30th Annual Conference and the 50th anniversary of the operation of the laser, ASLMS will present a Special Award to Dr. Townes.

Howard Schlossberg, Ph.D., the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research’s program manager and a world leader in the development of the laser technologies, will be the Keynote Speaker of LASER 2010. Dr. Schlossberg’s pioneering research efforts have resulted in both military and civilian applications, particularly advances related to the nation’s defense superiority. The ASLMS is proud to feature Dr. Schlossberg, who embodies the interdisciplinary spirit of Society in his superb ability to couple Air Force research efforts with university, industry and government programs.

What’s New for 2010
Four new educational offerings to foster the exchange of knowledge across research, technological and medical specialty disciplines will be featured. These include:

· Primary Care Physicians Luncheon

· Photodynamic Therapy Luncheon

· Workshop on translational research and grant opportunities

· Two cross-cutting programs designed to bring all attendees together: “The Cutting Edge: Case Studies and the Quest to Improve Treatment” and “Outstanding Abstracts.”

· Press briefing featuring key note speakers, award recipients and Society leadership

Scientific Highlights
This year’s “hot topics” include, but are not limited to, the following presentations:

· Targeted Delivery of Gold-Coated Plasmon Resonant Liposomes to Cancer Cells

· The Effect of Methylene Blue Photodynamic Therapy on Human Melanocyte Viability

· Circumferential Vaporization of Posterior and Anterior Urethral Strictures: Long-Term Results

· Micro-Focused Ultrasound for Brow Lift and Improvement of Facial Skin Laxity and Texture: Final Results of a Multi-Center Clinical Study

· Effects of Low Level Laser Therapy on Stem Cell from the Heart and Bone Marrow – Overview of In Vivo and In Vitro Studies

· Photoactivated Antimicrobial Collagen for Wound Care

· Light Therapy as a Potential Treatment of Diabetes and for Reducing Low Density Lipoprotein Levels

· Imaging Brain Tumors Using Wide-Field High-Resolution Optical System

· Next-Generation IPL Optimized for Treatment of Vascular Lesions

· An Evaluation of Optical Approaches to Oral Cancer Screening and Diagnosis

· New technologies for non-invasive fat removal

In addition to the more than 1,500 laser specialists expected to attend, approximately 150 industry exhibitors will be on hand to showcase their latest products and services.

About the ASLMS
The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) is the world’s preeminent resource for laser research, safety, education, and clinical knowledge. Founded in 1980, ASLMS promotes excellence in patient care by advancing clinical application of lasers and related technologies.

American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS)
715.845.9283
www.aslms.org

Source: ASLMS

New Patient Benefits Program Established by Allergan the Makers of BOTOX® Cosmetic

Allergan, the makers of BOTOX® Cosmetic has offered a new program to its patients called the BOTOX® Cosmetic Benefits program, which gives patients special offers, exclusive invitations, and savings on treatments via email.

Dollars Off Treatments
When patients sign up for the Benefits Program, they will receive special rebates off BOTOX® Cosmetic and other Allergan products.

Invitations to Special Events
With email notification, patients gain access to exclusive events nationwide.

Treatment Reminders
Patients are able to keep track of their treatment schedules & appointments with timely reminders.

Exclusive Information
Patients can gain access to information and newsletters that will help them find a doctor who can assess whether BOTOX® Cosmetic is right for them.

SHARE THIS LINK WITH YOUR BOTOX PATIENTS – Click Here!

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults younger than 65 years of age for a short period of time (temporary).

Important Safety Information
BOTOX®Cosmetic may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Insist on informing your patients to call their physician or get medical help right away if they have any of these problems after treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic:

• Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing. These problems can happen hours to weeks after an injection of BOTOX® Cosmetic usually because the muscles that you use to breathe and swallow can become weak after the injection. Death can happen as a complication if you have severe problems with swallowing or breathing after treatment with BOTOX®Cosmetic.

• Swallowing problems may last for several months. People who already have swallowing or breathing problems before receiving BOTOX® Cosmetic have the highest risk of getting these problems.

• Spread of toxin effects. In some cases, the effect of botul inum toxin may affect areas of the body away from the injection site and cause symptoms of a serious condition called botulism. The symptoms of botulism include: loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice (dysphonia),trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria), loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing.

These symptoms can happen hours to weeks after a patient receives an injection of BOTOX® Cosmetic.

These problems could make it unsafe for a patient to drive a car or do other dangerous activities. See “What should I avoid while receiving BOTOX® Cosmetic ” in Medication Guide.

There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect away from the injection site when BOTOX® has been used at the recommended dose to treat severe underarm sweating, blepharospasm, or strabismus, or when BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used at the recommended dose to treat frown lines.

Be sure to ask your patient all their medical conditions, including if they have: a disease that affects muscles and nerves (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome). Also, ask your patients to tell you about all the medicines they take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal products.

BOTOX® Cosmetic can cause serious side effects. Other side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic include: dry mouth, discomfort or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, and eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to BOTOX® Cosmetic may include: itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, or dizziness or feeling faint. Patients should seek medical attention and get medical help right away if they are wheezing or have asthma symptoms, or if they become dizzy or faint.

Be sure to follow-up with your patients for any side effect that bothers them or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic. For additional information refer to the Medication Guide. The Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about BOTOX® Cosmetic and should be shared with your patients.

Please see BOTOX® Cosmetic Full Product Information and Medication Guide.

Allergan
800.433.8871
www.botoxcosmetic.com

Source: Allergan

Allergan CEO Fights US ‘Botax’ Plan - UPDATE 3-INTERVIEW

By Lisa Richwine

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Botox maker Allergan Inc is trying to rally opposition to kill a proposed U.S. tax on wrinkle fillers, nose jobs and other elective cosmetic procedures, the company’s chief executive told Reuters on Friday.

Healthcare legislation pending in the U.S. Senate includes a 5 percent tax on elective cosmetic surgery procedures, nicknamed the “Botax” after Allergan’s popular wrinkle-fighting injection.

The impact would be “pretty marginal” for Allergan overall, CEO David Pyott said in an interview.

He said adding 5 percent to the average $440 cost of a Botox procedure would have a “very marginal” impact on demand, but could have a “larger” effect on breast implant procedures that cost upward of $5,000.

Still, the company is lobbying against the tax because “we really feel strongly this is bad policy,” Pyott said.

“I think it’s a dangerous precedent. It’s extremely discriminatory against women,” who make up about 90 percent of cosmetic surgery patients.

“Why not have a tax on drugs for male balding or for erectile dysfunction? Why are we picking on women?” he said.

Many patients are middle-class, working women and not just the wealthy, Pyott said. He pointed to an American Society of Plastic Surgeons survey that showed 60 percent of people planning to have cosmetic surgery lived in households with annual income below $90,000.

The tax in the Senate bill is estimated to raise roughly $5 billion over 10 years to help pay for a healthcare overhaul costing $849 billion. It is not included in health legislation that passed the House of Representatives.

The bill said the tax would be levied on cosmetic procedures that are “not necessary to ameliorate a deformity” related to “a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or disfiguring disease.” That could apply to elective procedures ranging from wrinkle-smoothing shots to nose jobs, tummy tucks and face lifts.

Among Allergan’s products, the tax would apply to Botox, wrinkle filler Juvederm, eyelash drug Latisse and breast implants, Pyott said.

Sales of Botox rose about 3 percent in the third quarter to $328 million following declines in previous quarters that the company blamed on waning use of cosmetic procedures during the economic downturn. Allergan’s breast implant sales amounted to $69 million in the third quarter.

Allergan would not pay the tax directly, but doctors would be required to collect it from patients.

The company’s lobbying efforts include a website and Facebook page to rally tax opponents. The website calls the plan “a tax on self-improvement.”

More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition opposing the tax and more than 7,500 letters have been sent to senators, Pyott said.

The tax was added recently to the Senate healthcare bill as lawmakers looked for new ways to help fund wider insurance coverage and other changes.

“We needed money to make the bill work while using a funding mechanism that would allow us to stay within the healthcare arena,” said Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Allergan shares fell nearly 0.4 percent to close at $60.36 on the New York Stock Exchange.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; editing by Andre Grenon and Carol Bishopric)

Allergan, Inc.
800.433.8871
www.botoxcosmetic.com

Source: Reuters

PinPointe™ FootLaser™has begun a major multi-site clinical trial entitled “Multi-Center Trial: Evaluation of PinPointe FootLaser Treatment for Infected Toenails (Onychomycosis)” at four separate research centers across North America.

PinPointe FootLaser uses a patented laser technology to target the pathogens that cause toenail fungus (Onychomycosis), an infection that afflicts an estimated 40 million people in the U.S. alone. PinPointe FootLaser recently received CE Mark approval, certifying that it has met EU consumer and health safety standards and can be offered by PinPointe certified healthcare providers throughout Europe.

The current clinical trial initiative is a controlled multi-center study to evaluate the effectiveness of the PinPointe FootLaser treatment. It is a significantly expanded follow-up to an initial PinPointe FootLaser clinical study conducted among a small group of patients (Harris, McDowell and Strisower, Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus, Proc. SPIE 7161A, 2009.) The early study indicated a potential efficacy rate as high as 87%, a finding which the current study aims to verify.

In the new study’s randomized blind trial, the right and left great toes of approximately 125 subjects infected with Onychomycosis will be evaluated. The toes will be randomized and subjected to analysis based on treatment or no-treatment with PinPointe FootLaser. Before and after samples from infected areas of each toe will be evaluated for the presence and species of fungus with the KOH, PCR and culture tests. In addition, a blind study of nail bed clearing and nail plate growth will be measured using high-resolution photographs by evaluators. Research subjects will be evaluated at baseline and at intervals out to 48 weeks for both safety and effectiveness of the PinPointe FootLaser treatment.

The four sites at which PinPointe FootLaser clinical trials are being held include:

Site #1 – London Ontario, Canada. The dermatology clinic and research facility of Aditya K. Gupta, M.D., Ph.D., M.A.(Cantab), DABD, FAAD, FRCPC, one of the world’s most respected researchers in Onychomycosis and Director of Mediprobe Research, a world class dermatology research and clinical trials center where the study will be conducted.

Site #2 – Seattle, WA. The private practice/clinical research facility of Bernard Goffe, MD, Dermatology Associates, a dermatologist and world authority on nail diseases.

Site #3 – San Antonio TX. The chief investigator will be Richard Pollak DPM, a leading researcher in the field of Onychomycosis. The facility, Endeavor Clinical Trials, PA, located in the Medical Center of San Antonio, is a privately owned, multi-therapeutic, dedicated research center set up to conduct Phase II-V trials.

Site #4 – Rochester, NY. The trial will be conducted under the guidance of Dr. Raymond Lanzafame MD MBA FACS and Rochester University. Dr. Lanzafame has been a pioneer in the development of lasers in surgery and medicine. He is past president of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) is currently Director of CME for ASLMS, and President of the North American Association for Laser Therapy (NAALT). He is also the editor of Photomedicine Magazine.

With PinPointe FootLaser, patients are treated safely and quickly with no drugs, no anesthesia and no pain. PinPointe’s laser light passes through the toenail without causing damage to the nail or surrounding skin. Following the procedure, the new nail will grow in healthy and clear. Unlike medication-driven treatments for toenail fungus, PinPointe FootLaser presents minimal risk of side effects. Competing medication procedures can result in a wide variety of side effects, including liver toxicity.

About PathoLase, Inc.
Founded in 2004, PathoLase, Inc. is a privately-held, emerging medical technology company with headquarters in Chico, California. PathoLase has assembled a world-class group of top scientists, academic thought leaders, and leading practitioners from around the world, to bring to market a new generation of laser technology solutions to address a series of medical issues from toenail fungus and periodontal disease to more serious life threatening problems, such as blood borne and respiratory infections.

PathoLase
530.809.3809
www.patholase.com

Source: PathoLase

Study Finds Women Have More Wrinkles than Men

In a recent study, it was found that women generally have more wrinkles than men, especially around the mouth.

Women have long lamented the fact that aging is more difficult for women then for men. Recently, studies have proven this to be fact, at least when it comes to perioral wrinkles, or those around the lips. According to a study in the November/December issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), women are more prone to wrinkles in this area than men are.

This study, pioneered by Dr. Emma C. Paes of the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery at the University Medical Center in Utrecht Netherlands, was intended “to obtain new insight into the perception that women wrinkle earlier and more severely then men” in order to understand “the reasons for differences in wrinkling between women and women.”

The study identified a number of these reasons, all pointing to the fact that women experience more and deeper wrinkles than their male counterparts. Contributing factors included the fact that women’s skin contains fewer sebaceous and sweat glands, and fewer blood vessels.

The sebaceous glands secrete sebum, which is a waxy and oily substance. This substance may play a role in the filling of the skin, and when less of it is produced, more wrinkles may occur. The smaller number of blood vessels is also important, as it results in less vascularized skin that allows wrinkles to develop more quickly. Finally, the muscle fibers surrounding the mouth are attached more closely in women than men, and thus an inward traction may occur that makes wrinkles appear more deeply in women.

Paes hopes that the findings may help “develop better strategies for the treatment of perioral wrinkles.” These wrinkles are currently treated with botulinum toxin injections - Botox or Dysport, lasers, injectable wrinkle fillers, dermabrasion and chemical peels. Unfortunately, while many of these treatments are moderately effective, there is still along way to go in successful wrinkle treatment.

Paes believes that “sometimes one has to go back to the basics” in order to determine “the reasons why a particular treatment may or may not be effective.” It is the hope of Paes, and likely of women everywhere, that studies like these will help “speed up the process of finding the right solution.”

The study was conducted using skin surface replicas of 10 male and 10 female cadavers between the ages of 75 and 93. An additional 15 male and female cadavers provided full thickness lip resections to add further data to the study. The skin samples were examined in a blinded fashion.

American Beauty & Health.com
www.americanbeautyandhealth.com

Source: American Beauty & Health.com

Attitudes and Perceptions of Beauty and Wellness Careers

American Association of Cosmetology Schools Commissions National Survey

The survey was commissioned to learn more about the attitudes and perceptions various audiences have regarding careers in beauty and wellness. Respondents included career investigators, identified as young women between the ages of 16 and 34 who reported speaking with someone about careers in the past 12 months; career influencers including parents and guidance counselors; and individuals who had trained or worked in the beauty and wellness industry.

Additionally, the survey captured perceptions regarding other career paths including health care, information technology, graphic design and culinary arts. The online survey was conducted in September and October of 2009 by Decision Analyst, Inc., a leader in consumer market research.

Key Findings – Interest/Support for Beauty and Wellness Careers
The survey asked career investigators to indicate their level of interest in various careers. Forty-one percent of investigators reported having some interest in a beauty and wellness career. Among those expressing interest, 5 percent were extremely interested in a beauty and wellness career, 17 percent were moderately interested and 19 percent were slightly interested. However, investigators between the ages of 25 to 34 had a stronger interest in beauty and wellness than younger respondents. More than 75 percent of respondents between 25 and 34 also indicated that they had investigated or taken steps to upgrade their job skills in the past year. “The findings indicate that cosmetology schools may want to target some of their recruiting efforts specifically towards career changers,” noted Jim Cox, executive director of AACS.

Among those that influence young women’s career decisions, respondents were generally supportive of beauty and wellness careers. Ninety-four percent of influencers indicated some level of support for beauty and wellness careers, and 62 percent of respondents were “extremely” or “moderately” supportive of a young person’s choice to pursue a career in beauty and wellness.

What Draws People to Beauty and Wellness Careers?
Respondents who expressed interest in a beauty and wellness career valued the career path for its entrepreneurial qualities, the creative expression opportunities it presents, as well as the opportunity it provides to help others. Supportive influencers also noted that there will always be a need for beauty and wellness professionals.

The survey asked individuals who were not interested in or supportive of beauty and wellness careers to share their concerns. Among investigators, the most common reason cited was that the respondent was simply not interested in beauty. However, other concerns included income potential, health/retirement benefits and the availability of jobs.

Although generally supportive of careers in beauty and wellness, influencers including parents and guidance counselors, expressed a strong desire for information and data to support beauty and wellness as a career choice. Additionally, these individuals tended to be more concerned about the amount of time and cost of entry required for various career paths. “The survey revealed that influencers are considering the return on investment careers in beauty and wellness provide,” noted Jim Cox, adding that member schools can use the short time to licensure as strength when prospective students are comparing various careers.

How Does Beauty and Wellness Compare to Other Career Paths?
When investigators and influencers were asked to rate various career fields, beauty and wellness performed competitively with careers in information technology, graphic design and culinary arts, but significantly lower than health care. Beauty and wellness careers’ perceived strengths compared to other fields surveyed included creativity, flexible scheduling, working with others and entrepreneurship. Perceived weaknesses included income potential, health insurance and retirement benefits. “Factors where beauty scored particularly well, such as creative expression indicate that cosmetology may be a draw for students considering other career paths such as graphic design,” said Jim Cox.

The survey also asked respondents to indicate how “believable” they found several statements regarding careers in beauty and wellness. Statements focused on income potential, job availability, entrepreneurial opportunities and skills that last a lifetime, among others. After indicating how strongly they believed each statement, respondents were provided with claim statements supporting careers in beauty. Among both investigators and influencers, the claim statements had a positive impact on respondents’ perceptions, particularly among the influencers. “The survey findings indicate that people can begin to change their perceptions about careers in beauty and wellness, but that it’s important to provide them with facts,” said Lynelle Lynch, president of Bellus Academy and a director with AACS.

Perspective from Industry Veterans
As a supplement to the investigator and influencer research, AACS also asked individuals who had trained or worked in the beauty and wellness industry to share their perceptions about beauty and wellness careers. Beauty veterans tended to have some of the same concerns typically expressed by other independent contractors and entrepreneurs with regards to health and retirement benefits. However, they also valued the field for its opportunity to help others, be creative and the entrepreneurial opportunities it provides. Continuing education was important to beauty veterans. More than one-third of beauty veteran respondents – 36 percent – indicated that they had taken an advanced beauty school program, and 62 percent indicated they had some level of interest in advanced training for beauty and wellness professionals.

Conclusion
While beauty and wellness is not the leading career choice for investigators, it is perceived as a strong career path for individuals interested in helping and working with others, being creative and having an entrepreneurial drive. Despite the positive attributes associated with careers in beauty, the field is perceived as having some areas of deficiency, primarily related to predictable income and security.

Research indicates that it is possible to improve attitudes toward careers in beauty and wellness by exposing individuals to facts regarding career benefits. Cosmetology schools, salons and businesses vested in the beauty and wellness industry have an opportunity to educate prospective students and the public in general about the rewards and opportunities careers in beauty represent. “Our industry’s potential has been a secret for too long. We’re excited to be engaging in initiatives that will position beauty as a premier career of choice,” said Lynelle Lynch.

The 2009 Study of Attitudes toward Beauty & Wellness Careers used a U.S.-Canada sample of respondents, made up of 203 Career Investigators (women ages 16 to 34) and 211 Career Influencers (parents, counselors, and mentors, ages 25 to 64). More than 3,500 individuals were screened to ensure a balanced, representative final sample. Findings based on the total sample of 414 are subject to a +/- 4.9% or less margin of error, at a 95% confidence interval.

The demand for cosmetologists from the NACCAS 2007 Job Demand Survey
In January 2007, there were 1,682,641 professionals employed in the nation’s 370,215 beauty salons, barber shops, skin care salons and nail salons. The typical salon is a small full service salon with 5 stations, 3 full-time professionals and 2 part-time professionals. Salon owners report an average of 127 clients per week.

The salon industry is a job-seekers market. “Salon owners reported 484,660 job openings were filled during 2006. This represents an average of 1.3 openings per salon. Nearly 40 percent of all new positions were filled by inexperienced workers.”

“Even with significant levels of hiring, nearly three-quarters of the salons that tried to fill positions were not able to find qualified applicants. The supply of skilled professionals in the industry continues to fall short of the demand. This is a chronic shortage that has been reported in earlier surveys of the cosmetology industry.”

“The cosmetology industry employs individuals in every town and city in the country. No community exists without barbershops and hair salons. They range from single chair operations to large salons with dozens of workstations.”

“The universe probably underestimates employment in the industry. Unincorporated individuals who may work out of their home are not included, nor are organizations that might provide personal care services, but are in a business that is unrelated to the personal care industry. Examples include department stores, cruise ships or resorts, and retirement communities.”

“The salon industry employs nearly 1.7 million professionals, over half of whom are fulltime experienced employees who work as cosmetologists. While these professionals tend to move around within the industry, there were more vacated positions in 2006 than well-prepared entrants to fill the positions. A sizeable number of employees (27 percent) leave each year with plans to open their own salon, work from their home, or rent a booth and become independent contractors. This suggests that the industry provides the option to start one’s own business.”

“Of the various specialties, the increasing demand for nail technicians appears to be most substantial. While nail technicians currently make up only 9.7 percent of the current industry employees, nearly 18 percent of the job openings are in that area.”

“The data lead us to believe that growth in the industry is constrained by too few new entrants to the profession. Demand for cosmetology services is estimated to expand at least at the same rate as the growth of the population.”

Other key findings

• 56% of salon employees work full-time, 31% part-time (20-35 hours) and 13% work less than 20 hours.
• The average salary, NOT including tips, is about $30,000 to $48,000 per year.

Statistics and quotes from the NACCAS 2007 Job Demand Survey.

To review the full report - Click Here!

American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS)
800.831.1086
www.beautyschools.org

Source: American Association of Cosmetology Schools

’Tis the Season for Gifting Cosmetic Surgery - Trends in Consumer Spending

AACS warns discussing the procedure with recipient beforehand

CHICAGO – Maybe you’ve received eye-opening holiday gifts in the past such as new electronics, an exciting vacation or that car you have always craved. The gift of cosmetic surgery is not a new phenomenon, but many are going that route this holiday season as husbands and wives yearn for that perfect present to their loved one.

“It’s the season of giving and cosmetic surgery can fit into that category just as easily as some of the more traditional gifts out there,” said Dr. Patrick McMenamin, MD, President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. “What better way to ring in the New Year than to get that procedure that you’ve always wanted? And if it’s a present to or from a loved one, that makes it all the better.”

According to a consumer survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, 46 percent of consumers say they would forego an expensive vacation or luxury car to pay for cosmetic surgery.

Surgery gift-giving does take some planning, as the procedures are often done before Christmas, so patients are either recovering or showing off their improved looks in time for their holiday gatherings. But make sure this is something you talk over with the surgery recipient beforehand, because surprising someone with cosmetic surgery is not recommended.

“There are a large number of people who really want cosmetic surgery, and they just need that little nudge or incentive to get it done,” said Dr. Mark Berman, AACS President-Elect. “Well, if you’re that spouse or significant other, just make sure you’ve discussed the idea in the past so it doesn’t come as a surprise.”

About AACS
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.

American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS)
312.981.6760
www.cosmeticsurgery.org

Source: AACS

Mintel Predicts Global Beauty Trends for 2010

“Austerity chic” ruled the beauty industry in 2009, but as this challenging year comes to a close, Mintel Beauty Innovation forecasts the top beauty trends for 2010. Though manufacturer and consumer attitudes were changed by the recession, innovation and resilience have shaped a new landscape for beauty in 2010.

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Nica Lewis, director of Mintel Beauty Innovation says:
“While 2009 brought its challenges for the industry, beauty brands and suppliers have continued to seek creative new ways to merge science, nature and sustainability for better results and more eco-friendly formulas and packaging. In 2010, we will see more consolidation in the beauty industry and the evolution of old trends, as well as new ones, as consumer confidence returns.”

1. MOOD BEAUTY
Make-up has long been associated with making the wearer feel better, but recent product evolution has seen actual ingredients enabling this. In 2010, consumers will be able to enhance their mood through make-up and skincare, going beyond aromatherapy and simple use of scent.

“Mood Beauty” creates a new beauty space, intersecting psychology and wellbeing with beauty products that offer psychological benefits and ingredients that act on people’s neurotransmitters. Expect manufacturers to make use of textures, temperatures or sounds that affect the mood, as well as innovations like make-up that “switches on and off.”

Meanwhile, the idea of beauty sleep will take on new meaning, as cosmetics claiming to induce positive moods or improve sleep quality inject new life into night care products.

2. NU NATURAL
“Nu Natural” is a new vision of natural that is less focused on certification and more focused on results, efficiency and safety. In 2010, beauty products will evolve from today’s trend towards organic ingredients, revisiting attributes like authenticity, provenance and local production.

Mintel Beauty Innovation expects claims like “free from” and “sustainable” to appear in products that simultaneously contain synthetic actives like peptides, hyaluronic acid, ceramides or collagen. Beauty manufacturers will further explore simple formulas, such as infusions and fluids, but they’ll formulate them with a new generation of phytochemicals, anthocyanins and fermented actives.

3. PRO-TECH’T
Throughout 2009, there was a renewed emphasis on protection, one of the basic functions of skincare, hair care and color cosmetics. Beauty products offered increasingly powerful shields against not just UV rays, but also physiological and man-made factors.

In 2010, “Pro-Tech’t” will strengthen this shield. Marketing language is already growing more robust, borrowing from computer technology (e.g. “firewalls”). Packaging, too, will expand beyond traditional glass and plastic to materials like neoprene and concrete.

In addition, Mintel Beauty Innovation expects growth in immune-boosting and skin-defending claims, as well as new products that contain ingredients from extreme environments such as the Arctic, Alpine or Desert. Expect more healthcare actives like rhodiola rosea, griffonia and superoxide dismutase to appear in 2010’s beauty products, forging a stronger link with nutricosmetics.

4. TURBO BEAUTY 4G
Developing 2009’s “Turbo Beauty”’ trend, “Turbo Beauty 4G” continues to capitalize on advances in biochemistry for higher-tech beauty products. Expect more quasi-medical results and “mix-it-yourself” solutions: at-home kits and cures that offer alternatives to cosmetic surgery and non-invasive procedures.

In 2010, products will increasingly include medical- or pharmaceutical-grade actives and next-generation nanotechnology. In addition, clinical testing to substantiate claims and results will move from prestige into “masstige” (affordable for general consumers but positioned as luxury).

Following the explosion of social media, Mintel also expects beauty manufacturers to start marketing anti-aging products in particular to “digital natives.”

About Mintel
Mintel began over three decades ago, providing food and drink research in the UK. Now the brand spans all corners of the globe. Mintel’s leading analysts are world-renowned experts in diverse areas such as leisure, consumer goods, retail, financial services, sales promotion and social trends. Traffic to the group website is a testament to Mintel’s success, with page views exceeding 500,000 every month. The US office, opened in 1998, now rivals the UK office in terms of size and revenue. Mintel’s reach also extends into continental Europe, Latin America, Australia, Israel, China and Japan.

Mintel’s ability to predict market developments has driven the company’s strategic direction. Furthermore, the ability to analyse data and deliver it using the latest technology has allowed Mintel to stay one step ahead of its competitors. By identifying opportunities, the company has expanded accordingly, both in its product offering and the geographical areas of operation. Its portfolio has grown from supplying published research to offering a full-service research solution, giving clients the tools they need to surpass their business objectives.

Mintel
312.932.0400
www.mintel.com

Source: Mintel