California Bill 438 Allows Dentists to Perform Facial Plastic Surgery

California Senate Bill 438 is identical to legislation that was passed in the House and Senate in 2004 but was ultimately vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This legislation awaits a decision again by the governator as Otolaryngologists and board certified plastic surgeons oppose the law, which would allow a dentist to perform all facial plastic surgery from the neck up on their patients.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Market Forecast: ASPS Forum

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 21 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Plastic surgery industry leaders and analysts will offer the latest data regarding trends, innovations and forecasts for the high-profile cosmetic plastic surgery market on Monday, Oct. 9, in San Francisco at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Industry Forum.

More than 10 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in 2005, a 38 percent increase since 2000, according to ASPS statistics. This business forum will feature CEO's of the leading companies in the industry as well as opinion leaders, market researchers and financial analysts. Presenters will provide stock analyses, company visions and procedural statistics on topics including breast implants, facial fillers, neurotoxins, tissue engineering and body shaping.

Featured speakers include Jonah Shacknai, CEO, Medicis (NYSE:MRX) and Joshua Levine, CEO, Mentor Corporation (NYSE:MNT). Keynote speaker Robert Grant, president, Allergan Medical (NYSE:AGN), will be joined by Michael Moretti, editor, Aesthetic Buyers Guide; Peter Bye, research analyst, Wachovia; Mikael Svensson, OrthoNeutrogena (NYSE:JNJ); Steve Basta, CEO, Bioform; Shimon Eckhouse, chairman, Syneron Medical (NASDAQ:ELOS); Bruce Cunningham, MD, ASPS president; James Wells, MD, ASPS past president; and Miles Graivier, MD, ASPS member surgeon.

"Our firm has closely tracked data on the cosmetic industry for the past 10 years, and we believe the global market now exceeds $30 billion, with a sustainable compound annual growth rate in the range of 25 percent," said Michael Moretti, editor, Aesthetic Buyer's Guide (miinews.com), who will moderate the forum. "This enormous business growth opportunity is attracting major pharmaceutical companies, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and other investors to the cosmetic procedure space. We can expect to see significant technology innovation as well as increased merger and acquisition activity as new players develop the dynamic aesthetic market on a global basis."

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. With more than 6,000 members, the society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in l93l, the society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

The ASPS Industry Forum will take place Monday, Oct. 9, from noon to 5 p.m., at the San Francisco Marriott.

Contact: Brian Hugins of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 847-228-9900

Analysts and reporters can register to attend the event at no cost and download the official program by logging on to http://www.aspsforum.org. To arrange interviews with presenters contact ASPS Public Relations at 847-228-9900 or in San Francisco, Oct. 7-11, at 415-905-1730.

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© 2006 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770

High Tech Plastic Surgery Tools: Better Cosmetic Surgery

The role of high technology is expanding dramatically in Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery where biotech developments and new laser surgery techniques are blending with medical tools and surgical advances to improve results and reduce side effects of plastic surgery.

Younger patients are seeking subtle improvements to their skin, having fat literally melted away and older patients are seeking less invasive techniques such as a new "fractional" laser surgery to remove skin imperfections and firm up with new live stem cell therapies.

Here are a few of the high technology advances either coming, or newly in use by plastic surgeons.

• New light therapies and laser technology are being developed, including "Fractional Laser Surgery" which can reduce the appearance of fine lines, blemishes, age spots and acne scars.
• New "Fat Melting" chemical procedures are being developed which liquifies fat and allows it to be reabsorbed by the body naturally. Ultrasound techniques which target fat cells is foreseen by researchers.
• New implantable, biodegradable anchors have been developed to help surgically tightened areas in facelifts to more effectively attach in new positions by allowing muscle and skin tissue to attach and grow naturally to bone.
• A new biotech development called Hydroxylapatite Microspheres serve as injectable scaffolding for collagen to grow and attach naturally in facial areas in need of filling and sculpting.
• New live stem cells obtained from the amniotic fluid of cows appears to have promise as an effective skin therapy to hydrate and bring back elasticity to sagging skin.

Plastic Surgery Wanted by One in Five Consumers

American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Announces 2006 Consumer Perception Survey Results

CHICAGO, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) is announcing the results of its 2006 Consumer Perception Survey. The survey was conducted on behalf of the Academy to gauge current consumer perceptions as it relates to celebrity "must-have" features, cosmetic procedures and consumer misconceptions on practitioners' education, qualifications and training.

The survey showed that cosmetic surgery is something that only 6% of the adult population has done, but that almost 20% of the population aspires to do at some point in their lifetime. The survey also provides insights about the perceptions and myths surrounding cosmetic surgery. For example, the results show that only about half of consumers are aware of the difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon -- which emphasizes the need for patient education surrounding cosmetic surgery.

Additional highlights of the results report include:

• An overwhelming five out of six consumers believe that personal appearance is key to professional success.
• When asked how open they would be about a cosmetic surgery procedure, 33% of consumers said they would tell only those who asked, while 18% said they would tell only close friends and family.
• The two most wanted celebrity features, according to the survey, are Jennifer Aniston's eyes for women (46%) and Nick Lachey's abs for men (51%).
• If there was disposable income to be had, 46% of consumers say they would forego an expensive vacation or luxury car to pay for cosmetic surgery.
• About 12% of the men surveyed believe they will have cosmetic surgery at some point in the future.
• Only 18% of consumers cited fear of pain as a reason for foregoing cosmetic surgery. Instead, the cost is what would discourage 54% of those surveyed from having a procedure.
• About 20% of consumers are unclear on what a cosmetic surgeon is.

The AACS Consumer Perception Survey was conducted by Synovate, Inc., and included a total of 1,510 representative interviews. Additional survey methodology and statistics can be obtained by contacting the Academy.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is a professional medical society whose members are dedicated to patient safety and physician education in cosmetic surgery. Members of the AACS are dermatologic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, plastic surgeons, ocular plastic surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons or other surgical backgrounds -- 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.

Source: American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery http://www.cosmeticsurgery.org