What is
Anti-Aging Medicine?
Anti-aging medicine is
the newest clinical
medical specialty, the
"optimum" of wellness
and longevity, and
employs extensive
therapies and treatment
in the preventative
health care field far
beyond just cholesterol
testing and mammograms.
A profound paradigm
shift in the way the
medical establishment
views aging and
age-related disease is
now underway. Our
nation's health care
system demands a
radically different
approach to how we view
and medically treat
aging. The demographics
of aging necessitate we
change from the current
disease-based model of
medicine, to a more
preventative one,
otherwise the U.S. will
go bankrupt under the
weight of the 76 million
strong baby boomer
generation as they reach
retirement age in 2011,
and develop the chronic,
degenerative diseases of
aging! With early
detection and
appropriate
intervention, most of
these diseases can be
prevented, cured, or
have their downward
course reversed.
Techniques for
rejuvenating the body
and lengthening life are
already available to the
doctors of the American
Academy of Anti-Aging
Medicine (A4M).
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XIII
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS
ON
ANTI-AGING
MEDICINE
Chicago, August 19th
The A4M World Congress
on Anti-Aging Medicine
is the largest and most
influential academic and
industry event worldwide
in the space of
preventative medicine
and bio-medical
technologies. This new
medical specialty ($30
billion Anti-Aging US
Marketplace-Dateline
NBC, 2001), is expected
to grow to $41.94
Billion by 2006,
reflecting an average
annual rate (AAGR) of 9%
("Drugs and Cosmetics
for Aging Boomers,"
Business Communications
Company, Inc., 2002).
A4M, which began its
mission in 1993 with
just 12 physicians, has
now grown into a
worldwide international
medical society with
representation in over
70 countries. Our
Academy has trained over
30,000 new physicians
in its hands-on
scientific, clinical and
academic programs, and
today influences over
100,000 health
professionals via
its educational training
programs, seminars,
board certification
programs, videos,
website, textbooks, and
outreach programs.
Cheryl Whitman
will speak at the
conference on August
19th at 10:45am.
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Cosmetics +
Pharmaceuticals
= Younger Looking Skin
In a not too distant
past, it was suggested
that men and women
should grow old
gracefully, and that
nothing short of a
miracle, or a plastic
surgeon’s knife, could
eliminate wrinkles,
crow’s feet or sun
damage. But with the
birth of cosmeceuticals,
that may no longer be
the case.
TOPICAL
CREAMS & LOTIONS
RETINOID
is a vitamin A compound
that occurs naturally in
the skin and can be
found in many forms,
including isotretinoin,
trans retinoic acid and
retinol. Retinoids are
available mostly by
prescription, but some,
such as retinal, are
beginning to appear in
creams and lotions
available over the
counter. These compounds
work by increasing the
rate of skin cell
division and turnover
and may generate new
collagen, making skin
firmer and plumper.
ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS (AHAs)
are organic chemicals
that include glycolic,
lactic, citric and
tartaric acids. AHAs
dissolve the protein
bond that keeps dead
skin cells attached and
may decrease acne by
clearing pore-clogging
cells. They may also
improve the complexion
by lightening dark spots
or excessive
pigmentation caused by
melasma, a common skin
condition that affects
pregnant women. AHAs
may be irritating to
sensitive skin, and some
opponents suggest too
much use may strip the
skin of too many cells,
but results are
extremely beneficial in
reducing signs of aging,
acne and sun damage.
BETA HYDROXY ACIDS (BHAs),
including the widely
used salicylic acid,
have been used for many
years on dry, scaly skin
and warts. Like AHAs,
BHAs shed excess skin
cells, but also offer an
anti-inflammatory
effect, which not only
prevents future acne but
calms inflamed spots.
Ascorbic acid, or
vitamin C, (found in
vegetables and citrus
fruits) is sometimes
prescribed before a
surgical or resurfacing
procedure to neutralize
free radicals and boost
collagen production and
tissue healing.
ANTIOXIDANTS
VITAMIN C
preparations may
reduce fine lines
and wrinkles and
lessen the severity
of a sunburn, but
there is no
scientific proof of
its effectiveness
yet, so it’s not as
widely prescribed.
KINETIN
is an antioxidant
and a hormone-like
growth factor from
plant and yeast.
There is some
evidence that
kinetin may
influence cell
growth and slow the
aging process, but
its use in
cosmeceuticals is
fairly new and
long-term effects
are not yet known.
VITAMIN E
is another antioxidant
that may have
antiinflammatory effects
on the skin. Although
there are a limited
number of studies on
vitamin E applied
topically, it has been
noted to improve
moisture, softness and
smoothness and also
protect against photo
damage.
COENZYME Q10
is a naturally occurring
antioxidant present in
the skin, and may retard
some of the aging
process and soften and
firm the skin, but there
is currently little
clinical data available
to support this claim.
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Stem Cell Banks From Teeth?
U.S. medical officials are
encouraging private
companies to create banks
for stem cells obtained from
baby and wisdom teeth that
one day could prove useful
for regenerating diseased or
damaged tissue. "A few
companies have contacted us
about using the technology
... but none have come
forward and said they want
to bank these cells," Pamela
Gehron Robey, of the
National Institute of Dental
and Craniofacial Research, a
division of the National
Institutes of Health in
Bethesda, Md., told United
Press International.
"We're hoping that some of
this media attention will
bring companies forward,"
Robey added, referring to
coverage of a speech she
made about tooth stem-cell
research at the American
Dental Association meeting
in New York City. So far,
it does not appear many
companies are biting.
Rita
Kennen of the Cord Blood
Registry in San Bruno,
Calif., said her company
also had not considered
banking teeth stem cells.
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Franchising in the
Medical Spa Industry
By Cheryl Whitman
The spa industry has grown
from day spas to destination
spas and now to medical day
spas. Medical spas
franchises are another
recent growth area and they
are still in their infancy.
This article discusses legal
considerations of franchises
(make sure you get an
attorney to review the
contract and that state laws
are considered). It also
answers several common
questions. Franchising can
be easier because the
franchise makes many of the
decisions and offers
staffing/training for your
facility. They also can pick
products for you and
services. But on the other
hand, you do sacrifice
individuality. For example,
the franchise can choose
uniforms or skin care
products for you. These are
products that you need to
use. But you may prefer not
to get inundated with these
details as part of your
day-to-day interactions. The
important thing is to
consider your personality,
asking yourself some
questions, like “Are you the
type of owner that needs to
be in total control of your
surroundings?” Also, if the
franchise sees hard times or
comes under scrutiny, you
might also come under
scrutiny. But, on the other
hand, if your facility
experiences hard times, the
franchise can help pull you
through it. The franchise
also picks the equipment,
which can be good because
you don’t have to worry
about negotiating with
companies, but it can be bad
because you don’t get to
negotiate pricing, etc. The
author also asks readers to
consider termination terms
of a contract, as well as
exploring limitations on
selling or transferring the
franchise business.
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