Zwivel’s team attended The American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ annual Plastic Surgery: The Meeting conference in Los Angeles this weekend, where renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeons from around the world presented their latest research to 3,000 attendees from nearly 50 countries around the globe.
During the expo consumers got to learn more about emerging health and beauty products, giving Zwivel’s Newsroom contributor Susan Hornik the opportunity to research many of the newest and most exciting trends in the industry. From transgender surgery to breakthroughs in stem-cell research, exhibitors and surgeons had much to discuss.
Above: Dan Sullivan, Tim Roe, Jeff Woodrow, Scott Kera, and Zwivel CEO Dr. Gary D. Breslow, MD, FACS.
(Photo gallery below)
Scientific findings: improved healing, more natural results
Over 100 instructional courses were offered to participants this year during half-day seminars led by expert surgeons.
“This year’s Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons was its most successful yet – we had thousands of attendees and hundreds of exhibitors, all of whom were dedicated to advancing the science and practice of what we do, as plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgeons,” enthused president Dr. David H. Song. “These annual gatherings are vital to advancing positive patient outcomes and delivery of the overall best care possible.”
Mommies make, daddies do
Dr. Aviva Preminger, YPS (Young Plastic Surgeons) committee chair and member of the Board of Directors for ASPS, noted that more men are having procedures than ever before, and that many of the non-invasive procedures tilt towards men.
One example: Restoration Robotics was at the conference showcasing their ARTAS® Robotic Hair Transplant, a minimally invasive outpatient procedure which transplants men’s hair without stitches or a linear scar. Recovery time is fast, with most men returning to work or other activities within a few days.
“There is a misconception that there is something inherently female about plastic surgery, but more and more men are choosing to proceed with plastic surgery and realizing how much we have to offer them. Patients in general, especially men, are looking for less downtime and quicker recovery. Many of the new non-invasive technologies such as CoolSculpting really appeal to men. The daddy-do-over has become the logical counterpart to the mommy makeover,” said Preminger.
Injectable fillers, through thick and thin
Numerous companies that cater to medical spas were present at the convention, with products ranging from anti-aging creams and sophisticated non-invasive machines to exotic shapewear and scar removal serums.
However, the increase in choices on the filler market might be the biggest current trend in medical spas. The ASPS reports that the number of dermal fillers increased by 6% in 2015, making it the second most popular minimally-invasive procedure after botulinum toxin type A.
“The filler market has drastically expanded; we have so many more options to offer patients,” says Preminger. “We now have fillers of various cross-linking or thickness that we can use to target different areas of the face. For example, we can use a thicker or more cross-linked filler for the cheek area and a thinner one for the lips. This really allows us to create improved and more natural results.”
PRP buzz spurs the blood rush
With so much buzz being generated around vampire facials, it’s no wonder that Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is gaining popularity in the medical aesthetic field. “PRP is desirable because it’s a non-surgical procedure,” says skincare professional and sales representative Nadia Bixler. “Typically used in the facial aesthetic field either topically or as an injectable, PRP uses your own antibodies by spinning whole blood and concentrating the platelets within the plasma.”
Bixler noted that while medical practices use PRP for topical micro-needling, post laser procedures and facial aesthetics, it’s also used for hair restoration, as well as the dental and orthopedic fields. “Patients like the fact that the process is ‘natural,’ using their own bodies’ healing system in a concentrated manner.”
Healing wounds, providing closure
There were a number of first time exhibitors at the convention too, like DermaClip®, which
displayed its product line. “The DermaClip® Skin Closure Device is a revolutionary new device that take the place of sutures, staples, glues and tapes in dermal skin closure,” said DermaClip® Vice President, Business Development & Operations Christopher B. Darling.
“Having already been successfully used internationally on tens of thousands of patients across a broad range of surgical procedures and wound closures, DermaClip® is currently being introduced into the U.S. market. Designed to affect eversion in wound closure, the device assists the plastic surgeon in achieving optimal results while minimizing time in closure.”
MTF and FTM transitions boost confidence, quality of life
Another hot topic at the conference: transgender surgery. According to facial plastic surgeon and member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) Dr. Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD, gender affirmation treatments such as Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) are associated with improved mental health and quality of life for transgender patients.
“This is extremely significant for us as surgical sub-specialists,” says Dr. Scott Chaiet, MD, a facial plastic surgeon and moderator of the AAFPRS’ first transgender educational panel. “Gender affirming surgery goes beyond changing what we see on the surface. It’s more than simply reducing a prominent forehead, softening a jawline or sculpting cheekbones. We have the important power to positively affect the lives and confidence of these individuals.”
Photo gallery: American Society of Plastic Surgeons Expo
This is only a small selection of the pictures we took on Saturday, September 24 2016 at the ASPS Expo in Los Angeles.
Is your kiosk shown here? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] if you would like us to send you the full-res files. We’re nice like that.
Photo credits: Luigi Ventura
