Highlights from the ASDS Annual Conference 2016

At this year’s American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) annual meeting, many of the hot topics pertained to tightening and smoothness of the skin. More naturally derived skin care products were discussed, as well as skin-tightening devices, techniques for improving fat, microneedling, devices for improving cellulite, and some of the newer injectable fillers on the market.

Of all of these, the use of microneedling with and without radiofrequency energy to improve acne scars, rhytids, and pore size was the most prominent emerging trend. Microneedling devices with radiofrequency also are being used for skin tightening, in addition to improving skin texture.

While liposuction for submental fat was the main treatment option in the past, two newer, less invasive options have dramatically changed the way we can address submental fat, the upper neck, and jawline appearance. Coolsculpting with the CoolMini handpiece and deoxycholic acid (Kybella) are these newer options for improving submental fat that were also hot topics at the meeting.

There were also presentations on improvements in acne scars with a number of techniques, including fractional ablative and nonablative lasers, subcision, microneedling, and fillers.

Controversies addressed at the meeting included whether or not dermatologists should use the same lasers with different Food and Drug Administration–approved hand pieces for vaginal rejuvenation. In addition, controversies over whether Mohs surgeons should undergo board examination were discussed.

Reconstructive conundrums in Mohs surgery, chemical peeling, melasma, scars, coding tips for dermatologic surgery, practice management, and social media also were addressed during the meeting. As always, the Iron Surgeon competition and gala were highlights. Thomas Rohrer, MD, of Chestnut Hill, Mass., was inducted as ASDS president and Jean Carruthers, MD, of Vancouver was honored with the Samuel J. Stegman Award for Distinguished Service for her career work in advancing aesthetic and surgical dermatology. The meeting highlighted how lucky our specialty is to have more and more methods for addressing aesthetic concerns.

Dr. Talakoub and Dr. Wesley are co-contributors to this column. Dr. Talakoub is in private practice in McLean, Va. Dr. Wesley practices dermatology in Beverly Hills, Calif. This month’s column is by Dr. Wesley. Write to them at [email protected].

At this year’s American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) annual meeting, many of the hot topics pertained to tightening and smoothness of the skin. More naturally derived skin care products were discussed, as well as skin-tightening devices, techniques for improving fat, microneedling, devices for improving cellulite, and some of the newer injectable fillers on the market.

Of all of these, the use of microneedling with and without radiofrequency energy to improve acne scars, rhytids, and pore size was the most prominent emerging trend. Microneedling devices with radiofrequency also are being used for skin tightening, in addition to improving skin texture.

While liposuction for submental fat was the main treatment option in the past, two newer, less invasive options have dramatically changed the way we can address submental fat, the upper neck, and jawline appearance. Coolsculpting with the CoolMini handpiece and deoxycholic acid (Kybella) are these newer options for improving submental fat that were also hot topics at the meeting.

There were also presentations on improvements in acne scars with a number of techniques, including fractional ablative and nonablative lasers, subcision, microneedling, and fillers.

Controversies addressed at the meeting included whether or not dermatologists should use the same lasers with different Food and Drug Administration–approved hand pieces for vaginal rejuvenation. In addition, controversies over whether Mohs surgeons should undergo board examination were discussed.

Reconstructive conundrums in Mohs surgery, chemical peeling, melasma, scars, coding tips for dermatologic surgery, practice management, and social media also were addressed during the meeting. As always, the Iron Surgeon competition and gala were highlights. Thomas Rohrer, MD, of Chestnut Hill, Mass., was inducted as ASDS president and Jean Carruthers, MD, of Vancouver was honored with the Samuel J. Stegman Award for Distinguished Service for her career work in advancing aesthetic and surgical dermatology. The meeting highlighted how lucky our specialty is to have more and more methods for addressing aesthetic concerns.

Dr. Talakoub and Dr. Wesley are co-contributors to this column. Dr. Talakoub is in private practice in McLean, Va. Dr. Wesley practices dermatology in Beverly Hills, Calif. This month’s column is by Dr. Wesley. Write to them at [email protected].

At this year’s American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) annual meeting, many of the hot topics pertained to tightening and smoothness of the skin. More naturally derived skin care products were discussed, as well as skin-tightening devices, techniques for improving fat, microneedling, devices for improving cellulite, and some of the newer injectable fillers on the market.

Of all of these, the use of microneedling with and without radiofrequency energy to improve acne scars, rhytids, and pore size was the most prominent emerging trend. Microneedling devices with radiofrequency also are being used for skin tightening, in addition to improving skin texture.

While liposuction for submental fat was the main treatment option in the past, two newer, less invasive options have dramatically changed the way we can address submental fat, the upper neck, and jawline appearance. Coolsculpting with the CoolMini handpiece and deoxycholic acid (Kybella) are these newer options for improving submental fat that were also hot topics at the meeting.

There were also presentations on improvements in acne scars with a number of techniques, including fractional ablative and nonablative lasers, subcision, microneedling, and fillers.

Controversies addressed at the meeting included whether or not dermatologists should use the same lasers with different Food and Drug Administration–approved hand pieces for vaginal rejuvenation. In addition, controversies over whether Mohs surgeons should undergo board examination were discussed.

Reconstructive conundrums in Mohs surgery, chemical peeling, melasma, scars, coding tips for dermatologic surgery, practice management, and social media also were addressed during the meeting. As always, the Iron Surgeon competition and gala were highlights. Thomas Rohrer, MD, of Chestnut Hill, Mass., was inducted as ASDS president and Jean Carruthers, MD, of Vancouver was honored with the Samuel J. Stegman Award for Distinguished Service for her career work in advancing aesthetic and surgical dermatology. The meeting highlighted how lucky our specialty is to have more and more methods for addressing aesthetic concerns.

Dr. Talakoub and Dr. Wesley are co-contributors to this column. Dr. Talakoub is in private practice in McLean, Va. Dr. Wesley practices dermatology in Beverly Hills, Calif. This month’s column is by Dr. Wesley. Write to them at [email protected].