Bi-monthly newspaper for the cosmetic and plastic surgery sector
Stand sales are now open for the British Dental Conference and Exhibition, the conference and exhibition for UK dentistry.
The 2015 conference will take place from 7th – 9th May at the Central Convention Complex in Manchester.
According to the organisers event is the best opportunity to get them in front of dentists. The conference sees 9,785 combined attendees and 4,823 unique attendees.
Call 020 7563 6883 to find out about stand availability, or to discuss your sponsorship requirements.
THSJ will be at the CCR Expo at London’s Olympia this weekend.
You can keep up to date with the latest news from the industry event by following us on Twitter.
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Lutronic and AZTEC Services are arranging a workshop on the INFINI micro-needle and fractional RF system.
The workshop will be held in London and will be hosted by a top luminary doctors, and will feature presentations and live treatments demonstrating the unique benefits of this system in delivering very dramatic results with absolute minimal downtime.
This event is designed for persons who are seriously considering investing in this technology and places will be limited. The micro-needle treatment with Lutronic INFINI is a doctor-only treatment.
If you would be interested in attending this event please reply with your name, telephone number and email address as soon as possible to az@aztecservices.uk.com
Britain’s largest conference uniting the reconstructive, aesthetic and non-surgical arenas announced a first-of-its kind ‘Surgical Training Dome’ will be unveiled at its event in London’s Olympia in October this year.
Providing essential, hands-on activities for surgical trainees who will receive continuing medical education (CPD) credits for attending, the Clinical Cosmetic and Reconstructive Expo (www.ccr-expo.com) has partnered with the Plastic Surgery Trainees’ Association (www.plasta.org.uk), offering members priority access to engage in some of the practical skills in their field.
The trade expo; boasting an Advisory Board which includes Chairman Norman Waterhouse who is the former Aesthetics Tutor at the Royal College of Surgeons of England and ex-President of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS); takes place on 10-11 October and was attended last year by over 2,300 professionals.
This year, CCR Expo offers a unique opportunity not just for fully qualified surgeons, doctors and nurses to learn about the latest advances and techniques but now also flings open its doors to surgical trainees via its innovative ‘Training Dome’ in partnership with PLASTA.
The interactive exhibition allows for participation in especially-designed ‘pods’ tackling some of the relevant skills required in a plastic surgical career. Members of PLASTA get priority booking but all trainees around the country – at any level – are invited to attend for free.
Handpicked to establish and lead the training content of the Dome is reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon Jeyaram Srinivasan, a former Regional Surgical Advisor for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, part of its Faculty of Surgical Trainers and Tutor in Specialist Surgical Skills courses. He says:
“I’m thrilled to help design an innovative exhibition tailored entirely towards surgical trainees’ needs, providing them with the opportunity to engage in hands-on exercises that are essential to their careers. The Dome gives novice surgeons a chance to practise basic and advanced skin suturing, explore microsurgery techniques and participate in mark-up sessions on live models, taught by some of the most recognised names in the profession. They will also have exposure to the latest technology that assists in treatment planning – the Dome is a fantastic addition to the show, and I am sure will provide a great platform for attendees to learn, network and enjoy themselves.”
Surgical trainee Adrian Murphy, President of PLASTA, commented:
“PLASTA is delighted to be partnering with CCR Expo this year to support its new Surgical Training Dome, running within the event. The introduction of the initiative at CCR Expo in October seems an appropriate addition to its already wide range of features and will offer broad appeal to all surgical trainees, providing them with an exciting opportunity to gain new insights in to a range of techniques and approaches.”
The ‘Surgical Training Dome’ will run practical sessions for circa 50 trainees held twice in the day: morning (10am-12noon) and afternoon (2pm-4pm). The Dome offers five interactive ‘pods’, navigating a variety of skills and scenarios that trainees would encounter throughout their careers. These include:
• Basic to advanced suturing: Skin suturing is the most fundamental skill in plastic surgery; the Dome will have options to master basic techniques but also offers more advanced, practical tips to master suturing under tension and difficult situations.
• Microsurgery techniques: From managing hand trauma to advanced free tissue transfer techniques, microsurgical skills set plastic surgical training apart from other specialties. In the Dome, trainees will have options to practice / improve microsurgical suturing skills, with expert advice available throughout the session to enhance understanding of this crucial skill.
• 3D imaging: The use of this cutting-edge technology is becoming a useful tool for many aesthetic surgical procedures and will be demonstrated by seasoned professionals who use it regularly in patient education.
• Facial Injecting: Practical sessions on facial injecting techniques simulated on realistic silicone facial moulds. Using appropriate filler materials in aesthetically sensitive areas is a popular adjunct to many facial aesthetic procedures.
• Live Mark-up: Trainees will be able to witness leading experts explaining and demonstrating their marking techniques using live models. This allows for access to some of the best kept secrets of top surgeons’ thinking and technique for many aesthetic procedures – such as facelift, abdominoplasty, liposuction and more.
In addition, all attendees to the Surgical Training Dome will have the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw to win a free place worth £2,999 for another exclusive surgery ‘first’: the CCR Facelift Masterclass. This groundbreaking, invitation-only event is limited to 100 spaces and will take place in March 2015 at London’s Dorchester hotel. Its faculty boasts some of the most well-known facial plastic surgeons including three former BAAPS Presidents.
According to Norman Waterhouse, Chairman of CCR Expo’s Advisory Board and former Head of the Craniofacial Unit at Chelsea and Westminster:
“It’s no secret that hands-on training opportunities in aesthetic surgery can be hard to find in today’s demanding NHS schedules. Through the Surgical Training Dome we want to offer an interactive space with relevant activities that will be of significant value to trainees, whatever stage they might be at in their careers. Our partnership with PLASTA is a natural extension and we look forward to continuing to offer educational solutions of real relevance to the sector.”
According to Peter Jones, Chief Executive Officer of CCR Expo and owner of events company Nineteen Events:
“Last year was a resounding success and we wanted to widen our scope even further for 2014 – not just by providing a comprehensive, educational event aimed at consultants of today, but reaching out to the consultants of tomorrow. Our show offers this and much more so we’re delighted to join PLASTA in looking after the interests of future plastic surgeons in the UK.”
About the Clinical Cosmetic & Reconstructive (CCR) Expo
The Clinical Cosmetic & Reconstructive Expo (www.ccr-expo.com) is a groundbreaking business-to-business event that brings the international surgical and non-surgical community together under one roof. The first-ever expo ran from 11-12 October 2013 at London, Olympia and showcased over 120 international exhibitors, alongside 14 days of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) content, including workshops, conferences and live demonstration theatres, packed into an exciting two-day event. The next Expo taking place also at London Olympia has been scheduled for 10-11 October 2014 and will offer twice the space and workshop content.
Novus Scientific, an innovator in the development and commercialisation of resorbable synthetic polymers medical devices and creator of TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh, will be exhibiting at the London Breast Meeting in September.
Hosted by the Royal College of Physicians, the three day meeting is the first of its kind in Europe. The scientific symposium will address technical advances in the complex area of aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery. Novus Scientific will also be conducting on-camera interviews with surgeons who have used medical devices in breast surgeries.
TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh is a new alternative that promotes tissue regeneration via a fully resorbable disappearing mesh. This helps reduce infection and complication rates resulting in higher post-op quality of life and satisfaction.
Novus is also announcing that it will be included in a groundbreaking UK study of medical devices used in breast surgery called iBRA. This intensive analysis of both aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries, led in part by Dr. Sue Refsum of Belfast hospital, will compare and contrast patient outcomes. TIGR is the only long term resorbable matrix mesh selected for this survey.
Leading surgeons across the globe are choosing to use TIGR® Matrix, a degradable surgical matrix knitted from synthetic resorbable polymers intended to support and reinforce tissue for 6-9 months and absorb completely after 3 years.
TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh is used to reinforce soft tissue in reconstructive or aesthetic breast surgery as well as other surgical procedures like abdominal wall. Clinical data and key opinion leading surgeons suggest that TIGR®Matrix brings added value in the form of greater ease of use, low complication rate and high cost efficiency.
“We at Novus Scientific have long prided ourselves on our ability to identify clinical needs and to develop innovative products to address those needs,” said Stefan Sowa of Novus located in Uppsala, Sweden.
“We are pleased to join our colleagues at the London Breast Meeting to further the discussion about the needs of breast surgeons across the world. By introducing a new audience to TIGR® Matrix and the benefits it provides to women and surgeons alike, it is our belief that our product will improve the field of aesthetic and reconstructive breast medicine.
Patients considering breast enlargements using transfers of fat from other parts of the body are being warned to be aware of the risk of future complications and the need for regular checks.
A meeting of surgeons in Edinburgh this month (6-11July) will hear about the potential uses of fat grafting in cosmetic procedures, as well as for reconstructive treatments, where fat is taken from the stomach or buttocks to correct or enhance another area.
Nigel Mercer, vice president of British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), said fat grafting was a “big unknown quantity” and surgeons wanted to be sure of its safety, for example whether it could increase the risk of cancer.
Other potential complications could include changes in the appearance of the fat, which could lead to further surgery having to take place.
The European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery congress is held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, with experts attending from around the world.
Mr Mercer said fat grafting would be discussed extensively as an area which seemed to be growing in popularity, as more private clinics were offering the service in combination with ¬liposuction.
Some women prefer fat transfer to traditional silicone implants due to concerns about their safety, but the procedure is only suitable for those wanting a small increase in breast size.
Mr Mercer said the procedure was used in the NHS in reconstructive surgery, but a bigger concern was in the private ¬sector where follow-up checks on cosmetic patients were less ¬likely to take place.
He said: “It is like the alchemy of old. You are taking fat and turning it into a reconstructive phenomenon. There is still a lot of witchcraft about fat grafting, and a lot that’s not known.
“For example, fat grafting in the breast after both breast ¬cancer and for cosmetic augmentation would be an incredible way forward but you’re taking stem cells in the fat from the abdomen or the buttock and putting stem cells into an organ which we know is already at a one in nine risk of developing cancer.”
Mr Mercer said it was important with any new procedure to make sure it is properly tested.
He said: “It is not going to take very long to do that but it is ¬essential that people know what the science is and we don’t hoodwink the public for the sake of marketing and making money.”
Mr Mercer said changes in the appearance of the fat over time were a potential concern. There are cases of people with fat grafting in their face having to have lumps of fat removed.
He added: “One of the biggest problems is that the fat stays as tummy or buttock fat. It doesn’t turn to facial fat. So if a patient’s weight changes over their lifetime they end up with buttock fat or tummy fat which has big fat globules in their face which can look terrible.”
Mr Mercer said patients wanting fat transfer for breast enhancement may also be unwilling to pay more or take the time to have follow-up checks.
An aesthetics clinic in Canterbury is now offering state of the art cosmetic and aesthetic procedures, popular with the rich and famous, to Kent.
The owners of The Canterbury Skin and Laser Clinic have invested in the latest high tech non-surgical fat busting and skin tightening treatments, aiming to bring a little glitz and glamour to Kent without patients having to go under the knife.
Husband and wife team Drs Mark and Alice Hudson-Peacock, Directors of The Canterbury Skin and Laser Clinic, say the private clinic is thrilled to offer the effective non-invasive treatments – similar to those favourited by Hollywood darlings including Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston – as they know the importance of looking good and feeling great.
“We’re so pleased to be bringing something different to the local area,” says Dr Mark, who met wife Alice during their medical school training in the University of Wales College of Medicine.
“Hollywood trends always make their way over to the UK, and the team at The Canterbury Skin and Laser Clinic – all leading skin specialists – are proud to be the first clinic in the area to be treating our patients with devices like Exilis Elite, which uses radio frequency energy rather than scalpels.”
Explaining what treatments the Exilis Elite can offer, Consultant Dermatologist Dr Mark says this unique machine can both contour the body and tighten the skin.
“Exilis offers a 2-in-1 treatment, meaning the machine itself can get rid of stubborn fat pockets anywhere on the body, and also tighten the skin on the face. You can tone up your tummy and shrink that sagging neck using the same device.”
Claiming radiofrequency machines are replacing traditional surgery, Dr Mark says he can see why Hollywood’s famous faces are replacing facelifts and liposuction in favour of energy-assisted treatments.
“Our patients love the natural results. The treatments are simple but effective, providing fantastic changes to the body and face without the pain, recovery and knives that go alongside surgical anti-ageing and body sculpting treatments. We want all of our patients to feel like Hollywood royalty, and with Exilis Elite we’ve found the answer.”
Dr Mark established his private dermatological and laser practice at The Chaucer Hospital in Canterbury in 1996 before expanding into the Spencer Wing at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate. With the practice continuing to grow as demand for skin and cosmetic treatments increased, the couple acquired a building in Castle Street in Canterbury, which continues to offer accomfortable environment in which to provide modern and comprehensive skin care, unique to this part of Kent.
This now well established clinic continues to be the only specialist Dermatology and Laser clinic in East Kent, which combined with the couple’s forward-thinking business sense, makes it a popular destination for patient’s in the south.
“We’re always investing in the latest and best treatments from across the world to make sure the local community can look and feel fabulous without leaving Kent,” Dr Alice says.
During September, Olympia Beauty is set to life once again, as visitors pour into the trade beauty exhibition to discover new innovations the industry had to offer.
The show – a popular event in the cosmetic beauty calendar, amasses a vast amount of visitors hoping to get their hands on a whole host of special offers, discounts and brand new releases.
It will take place 21-22 September 2014.
Over 100 products from more than 70 skincare brands have made the shortlist of the third annual FreeFrom Skincare Awards.
Green People lead the way with four shortlisted products, followed by four brands with three shortlisted products each – Botanicals, Odylique, Shea Mooti and Tropic Skincare.
Entries across the 12 categories were up 20% on last year, and over 50% of the brands were first-time entrants – evidence of the growth in ‘free from’ skincare over the last year.
“The shortlist is much longer than we anticipated, but it deserves to be because the standard of entries was noticeably higher this year,” said Alex Gazzola, Awards Co-ordinator.
“Drawing up the shortlist has been a challenge,” added Michelle Berriedale-Johnson, chair of the judging sessions.
“Our panels had to assess ‘free from’ qualities, skin-healthy ingredients, effectiveness, innovation, value for money, clarity of labelling, preservative content, and much more. When combined with the personal tastes and unique perspectives of judges, it all makes for a lot of vigorous debate,” she concluded.
Shortlisted products now go forward for month-long assessment by testers from The Ultimate Natural Beauty Bible, and their detailed feedback will be used to draw up lists of winners and runners-up in all twelve categories – plus an additional award for Best FreeFrom Skincare Brand, and of course Best Overall FreeFrom Skincare Product – to be announced at the Love Natural, Love Organic show at Olympia on 4th July 2014.
A recent paper, by ASPS Member Surgeon Dr. Kevin C. Chung and Lauren E. Franzblau of the University of Michigan, discusses “the rise and transformation of the medical tourism industry, foreign and domestic forces that influence cosmetic surgical tourism, and the pros and cons for all involved parties.”
“The rapid globalisation of the industry also marks a fundamental shift in the world’s perception of elective procedures: patients are becoming consumers and these medical services are being viewed as commodities,” say Chung and Franzblau.
More ‘Medical Tourists’ Are Traveling for Cosmetic Surgery
Travelling for medical care is nothing new — but in the past, people were more likely to travel from poor countries to obtain higher-quality care in wealthier countries. Today, prompted by the ease and relatively low costs of travel, more patients from the United States and other western countries are travelling to the developing world to access less-costly medical and surgical procedures. Because cosmetic plastic surgery procedures aren’t covered by insurance, they make up a major part of the burgeoning medical tourism market.
Figures vary, but there’s a consensus that medical tourism is growing rapidly: India alone may have more than one million medical tourists per year. Other countries with growing medical tourism industries include Mexico, Dubai, South Africa, Thailand and Singapore.
Prices for cosmetic surgery in these countries are typically much lower than at home. For example, a breast augmentation procedure that would cost £4,000 in the U.S. can be done for £1,200 in India. Even after the costs of airfare are factored in, having an operation overseas can be much less expensive.
In many countries, governments are working actively to foster their medical tourism industry. Some destinations even market procedures performed in resort-like settings, encouraging patients to combine a vacation with cosmetic surgery. Travelling abroad also lets patients recuperate privately, without anyone at home knowing that they’ve had plastic surgery.
Raising Potential Concerns Over Safety and Quality
The growth of medical tourism may have a significant impact on the cosmetic surgery market in the U.S., but also raises concerns over physical safety and legal protection. Although destination countries promote the quality and safety of their procedures and facilities, there is often little evidence to support these claims.
“Because the practice of medical travel does not appear to be going away in the foreseeable future, plastic surgeons must understand the international market and learn to compete in it,” Chung and Franzblau write.
Since U.S. surgeons may find it hard to compete on price, effective strategies may include emphasising superior quality and safety of care, or developing “niche markets” of procedures that can be profitably performed at home.
The authors emphasise that medical tourism “is not purely good or bad” – neither for patients nor the countries involved. Patients may be drawn by lower costs, but must consider the potential risks of undergoing surgery in a foreign country, as well as travelling after surgery.