Nexavar Gets Fast Track FDA Designation For Skin Cancer

Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NYSE: BAY) and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ONXX) announced today that Nexavar(R) (sorafenib) tablets has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced (including locally unresectable and metastatic) melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Nexavar was approved by the FDA in December 2005 for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

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Pomegranate's Internal and External Role in the War Against Environmental Aging and Disease

Pomegranate's Internal and External Role in the War Against Environmental Aging and Diseaseby
Howard Murad, M.D.

Since my early days as a dermatologist, I have been studying the ability of various antioxidants, such Vitamin C, Coenzyme Q 10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Vitamin E and herb extracts such as Burdock Root, Echinacea, Yellow Dock Root, and Grape Seed Extract to repair and protect the skin against such damage. While all are extremely beneficial, I found the most potent antioxidant power to date comes from Pomegranate Extract, and specifically the polyphenol, Ellagic Acid contained within the pomegranate.

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Medical Spas Offer Beauty On The Run, But Physicians Advise Choosing Carefully

Clients of Morphosis Rejuvenation Studio in San Jose can make a beauty pit stop to zap away acne, smooth pesky wrinkles and plump skinny lips -- all between shopping and grabbing a latte.

``We like to call them lunchtime treatments,'' says Linda Levenson, a nurse practitioner and founder of Morphosis at Santana Row. ``There's virtually no down time. You can get something done, put on your makeup, and go back to work. It's like running another errand.''

Medical spas such as Morphosis are a fast-emerging category in the spa industry and in aesthetic medicine, proliferating in shopping centers and strip malls in the Bay Area and across the country.

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A Merger Agreement With Virtuoso MedSpa

P.D.C. Innovative Industries, Inc. has signed a merger agreement with Virtuoso MedSpa, Inc., a company that offers non-invasive medical cosmetic skin care in a luxurious, relaxing spa environment.

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Report: Almost 4 million Botox treatments performed in 2005

The number of cosmetic procedures climbed to more than 10.2 million last year, most of them office-based, minimally invasive cosmetic fixes such as Botox injections.

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La Fontaine Aesthetics, 'Fusion' Spa, Opens its Doors

La Fontaine brings the science and technology of advanced medical and dental aesthetics together with a relaxing Thai spa and wellness experience. Translation: a one stop shop for non-surgical aesthetics like Botox, Restylane or Sculptra, Cosmetic Dentistry Services, a wellness and nutrition program, and traditional, relaxing spa therapies with a Thai philosophy and theme.

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11.9 Million Cosmetic Procedures In 2004

The number of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in the United States increased by 44 percent in 2004 to a total of nearly 11.9 million, according to statistics released today by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). The number of surgical procedures increased 17 percent and the number of nonsurgical procedures increased 51 percent from the previous year. The most frequently performed procedure was Botox injection and the most popular surgical procedure was liposuction. ASAPS, a national not-for-profit organization for education and research in cosmetic plastic surgery, annually conducts the nation's most authoritative survey of U.S. physicians performing cosmetic procedures.

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9 Medical Spa Tips For Success

Between 2002 and 2004, the medical spa industry grew by 109%. The demand is far from being met, and 2005 is going to see the largest number of Medical Spa openings yet. If you are going to open a Medical Spa this year, check out these 9 tips to Medical Spa Startup Success.

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Medspas: Unique Care and Treatment for Skin of Color

Speaking today at the American Academy of Dermatology’s (Academy) skin academy 2005, dermatologist Eliot F. Battle, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Howard University in Washington, D.C., addressed a variety of conditions that are common in people with skin of color and how to treat them.

“Skin of color reacts differently from Caucasian skin to almost all medical and cosmetic dermatologic treatments,” said Dr. Battle.  “It’s more sensitive and it’s more prone to problems of discoloration and scars.”

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Surgeons hope to earn a cut of spa market

Dr. Allen Guinn III has seen feast and famine in the field of cosmetic surgery during the past five years.That's why he moved his Aurora Plastic and Hand Surgery practice into the former site of the Tuscany Manor restaurant -- a 19th-century mansion in Lee's Summit.

Set on a hilltop near Interstate 470 and Douglas Road, the stately structure is the most recent -- and novel -- of several Kansas City-area sites where traditional plastic surgery practices have augmented themselves with trendy medical spa services.

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Medpas Are Growing In Popularity

Two years ago, Bob thought he'd give his wife Linda something she'd never expect for her birthday: a trip to a local day spa.

"At first I was embarrassed," Linda recalled. "But I decided to give it a try. Afterwards, I remember thinking - ‘Why haven't I done this before?' I loved it."

And she's not alone.

Day spas offering everything from massages and manicures to facials and Botox treatments are gaining popularity across the nation. In 1980, about 20 day spas were in operation in the country. Today, that number has jumped to at least 840, and still counting, according to the Spa Finder Report, an industry trade journal.

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Medspa Review - Ionic Treatment Is Evaluated After Demonstration In A Medical Spa

Raleigh Day Spa and medical spa newsletter includes a controversial column. Blue Water Spa was voted one of the top four spas in America in 2005 by American Spa Magazine. Caveat emptor is a regular feature in the newsletter. This column provides information, including sometimes less than positive reviews on popular medical spa treatments. In Blue Water Spa's latest newsletter, a detoxifying ionic foot bath treatment is evaluated after a demonstration in the spa. These treatments claim to release toxins through one's feet while immersed in water. According to the representative who visited Blue Water Spa, this device claims to help from everything from arthritis to cancer.

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The Opulence Spa and Surface Medical Spa both offer the medical services of their physician owners, but in very different atmospheres.

The Opulence Spa and Surface Medical Spa both offer the medical services of their physician owners, but in very different atmospheres. The gentle lighting, quiet music and plush sofas and overstuffed chairs at Opulence soften the prospect of medical procedures offered by the three doctors/owners, aestheticians and therapists. Opulence Spa is in Northgate, off Greenbrier Street. In contrast, bright light streams in the floor-to-ceiling windows from the river view at Surface Medical Spa, 1514 Kanawha Blvd. E., and highlights waiting room brochures outlining the nonsurgical face-lift process Pointe Lifts, skin smoothing Thermage technique and intense pulsed light hair removal.

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The Vibraderm/Seda Skin Care Treatment

New clinical research adds versatility to Vibraderm, a clinically designed quick and painless treatment that removes a layer of dead tissue, leaving the skin looking more radiant and healthy. Vibraderm, Inc. of Grand Prairie, TX recently completed a clinical study from U.T. Southwest Medical School in Dallas, Texas that details a significant increase in topical product penetration using Vibradermabrasion (exfoliation) and Vibrafusion (infusion). The results are unprecedented. Without the Vibraderm the protein product penetrated at the rate of 2% when applied topically. With the Vibraderm and Vibrafusion the product penetration was over 20%. This scientific breakthrough technology will enhance any treatment involving topical applications in the spa or medical spa arena.

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5 Ways to Increase your Medical Spa’s Revenues

These 5 tips will not only help your Medical Spa or practice survive, but thrive in this time of increased competition. Las Vegas, NV January 26, 2006 -- According to the International Medical Spa Association there are over 1,000 open medical spas in the U.S. Jeff Russell, CEO of MedSpa Financing says, “Competition is definitely setting in, and it’s not only direct competition from other medical spas, but indirect competition from businesses that offer the same services. You have salons that offer hair removal, day spas that offer dermal filler injections, and mall outlets that offer microdermabrasion.” If you are going to not only succeed, but thrive in this new environment, you are going to have to be better than your competition. Following these 5 tips will help you get that extra edge you’ll need to stay ahead of the pack.

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