Background:
Aging is a natural process that causes skin texture changes, facial volume loss, and altered 3-dimensional topography of the underlying tissues.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to assess the malar reshaping strategy in Asian patients using bidirectional suspension-barbed threads.
Methods:
A prospective interventional study was conducted on Asian patients presenting with mild-to-moderate facial aging who were treated with the Definisse double-needle thread in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The primary endpoint was assessed using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale and scoring the benefit of anterior projection using a questionnaire. Patient safety was the secondary endpoint measured.
Results:
Twenty Asian patients (4 men [20%] and 16 women [80%]; age <45 to ≥45 years) were included in the study. The patients experienced marked improvement (score 2) in their appearance, except for the follow-up after 1 month. One month after the procedure, patients scored 1 for optimal cosmetic improvement in their looks. The nasolabial fold disappeared in all patients (n = 20 [100%]) and the face looked slimmer. Nine patients (45%) reported that the focus seemed centralized. Four patients (20%) reported prominence of the nose and chin. Redness, swelling, and bruising were the most common adverse events experienced by 75% of patients (n = 15), followed by pain (n = 6; 30%). All adverse events resolved within 4 weeks after their incidence. Because 80% of our patients were women, these positive cosmetic outcomes may be of interest across the aging female population.
Conclusion:
Overall, 3-dimensional facial rejuvenation with the Definisse thread seems to be an effective, safe, and minimally invasive office-based procedure to achieve immediate and long-term effects. These absorbable barbed sutures used in the malar reshaping technique can result in satisfactory esthetic enhancement of 3-dimensional aging, including sagginess, jowling, central facial heaviness, and tissue descent in female and male Asian patients.
The Dermatology Advisory Board on Atopic Dermatitis from Asian Medical Expert Academy compiles current evidence-based approach review in managing atopic dermatitis (AD) among Asians. Electronic searches were performed to retrieve relevant published paper, systematic reviews, and guidelines on AD in the period of 2010-2020. A premeeting survey was performed prior to the meeting to gather opinions from experts to identify the individual unmet demands in the current management, and the possible strategies to overcome these issues. Collective opinions are scrutinized during the next step in a meeting, with the establishment of the opinions into an updated consensus in current AD management. Meeting of all committees through webinar platform in 2020 is called in making the current position in the AD management. Current challenges in AD management include steroid phobia, compliance, myths among the community, frequent flares leading to loss of patience, and good rapport. The Expert Panel recommends a stepwise approach to treatment based on disease severity. The use of moisturizers is recommended across all levels of AD severity. Oxidative stress is recognized as an important contributor to AD that can directly damage skin cells and induce an immune response that leads to AD. Prescribed Emollient Device (PED) with antioxidants can help mitigate the effects of oxidative stress in causing AD. Furfuryl palmitate is an antioxidant that has demonstrated efficacy in managing symptoms of AD in adults and children, as well as other inflammatory dermatoses. PEDs can potentially play an important role in the treatment of AD by augmenting "upstream" treatment. This could potentially help reduce the risk of side effects and adverse events in patients undergoing treatment for AD. Furfuryl palmitate is an antioxidant that has demonstrated efficacy in managing symptoms of AD in adults and children.
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