Spa+Clinic Team 
Pubisher Kirien Withers with the Innovative Medical Technologies team
Team Spa Australasia recently attended two of the year’s most important medi-aesthetics gatherings, held within a week of each other.
The 5th annual Cosmetex conference, convened by the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgeons (ACCS), was held at RACV Royal Pines Resort on Queensland’s Gold Coast May1-3. The Non-Surgical Symposium (NSS), hosted by The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia Inc. (CPSA), was held at Sydney’s Hilton hotel, May 8-11.
‘I was most impressed at both Cosmetex and NSS by the ability of the technology, injectables and skin care suppliers to explain complex science and delivery data to the ‘medically’ uninitiated (me!) in a way that I could understand,’ says Spa Australasia’s publisher Kirien Withers.
‘I was also very pleased to hear their level of understanding re the types of in-depth training required for our non-medical staffing levels, from therapist, through dermal clinician or para-medical aesthetician. Further, their level of responsibility in the decision-making process about who they sell their active technology and skin care to in terms of appropriate levels of training and account suitability.’
We recap the highlights of both conferences.
Editor-in-Chief Anne-Marie Cook on The Non-Surgical Symposium 2014
While it seems a leap from the, generally, non-invasive aesthetic approach of our industry, the NSS was more aligned with spa, salon and skincare clinics than you may expect.
The non-surgical streams do have a strong focus on physician-only injectables, Class 4 lasers (also physician-operated) and prescription-only strength acids. But other sessions include face and body contouring based on ultrasound and radiofrequency (RF), and the anatomy of skin and skincare.
Perhaps the most important aspect of getting to know more about cosmetic physicians is becoming aware of the importance they place on excellence in skincare.
Dr Gabrielle Caswell (above), president of the CPSA says that cosmetic physicians, who in general do the most injecting, know how important skincare is as the basis of their work. She has run medi-spas and skincare clinics, and advocates well-informed and knowledgeable dermal aestheticians having an essential role in providing quality skin health and aesthetics services.
‘Discerning patients are now requesting environments that are less clinical and more comfortable, to undertake their medical treatments without clinical compromise, so the almost natural bridge between cosmetic/spa and cosmetic medicine is being developed in the medi-spa environment’, Dr Caswell told us.
‘The CPSA members at NSS enjoyed the international speakers, who brought an extremely high standard of independent educations to the medically-based audience.
‘In the US, of course, the medi-spa concept is more developed, so learning from our international colleagues can only be fruitful for the profession as a whole.’
Advanced Cosmeceuticals/Lutronics’ Mark Stewart and Catherine Biedermann with Dr Glen Calderhead
We loved seeing Dr Glen Calderhead once again, following our interview with him last year. He was with Catherine Biedermann on the Advanced Cosmeceuticals/Lutronic stand.
As an inventor of the Healite II, his knowledge of various light wavelengths on skin healing is extraordinary, so it’s always worth a chat to find out what he’s been researching. The next interesting news we’re waiting for are the imminent results of the double blind skin healing study that has underway for the last two years in Korea.
Advanced Cosmeceuticals, Australian distributor for cosmeceutical skincare brands including Medik8 and Mesoestetic and distributor of the Healite II LED phototherapy system, and now the sole distributor for all Lutronic equipment throughout Australia, took the opportunity at the NSS to introduce its new national sales manager Mark Stewart.
The Lutronic/Advanced Cosmeceuticals distribution partnership was greeted with interest and congratulations from cosmetic physicians.
Alon Tzionit from Alma Lasers was on hand at the Innovative Medical Technologies stand with company director Paul Baltas to guide attendees through the range of devices that IMT is now the exclusive Australian distributor for (see photo at top of page).
An attendee getting the Clear + Brilliant treatment at iNova Aesthetics’ stand
The company’s aesthetic laser applications include acne treatment, hair removal, tattoo removal, fractional resurfacing, treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions, skin rejuvenation, wrinkle treatment and skin tightening. Other stands of interest: Osmosis Skin Care, iNova Aesthetics’ Clear + Brilliant and Ultraceuticals.
Clear + Brilliant is a revolutionary, gentle laser skin care treatment, clinically proven to fight the effects of ageing skin. It is suitable for use in salons as well as medi-spas and clinics.
Osmosis Skincare is dedicated to fostering and maintaining health through a combination of holistic and innovative products that address common problems on a cellular level. The Osmosis ‘family’ of products can be grouped into three categories: skincare, colour cosmetics, and wellness supplements.
Kirien and Ultraceuticals’ general manager Olivier DuVillard
Kirien was impressed with Ultraceuticals, one of Australia’s made and owned pre-eminent cosmeceutical brands, offering professional-grade products and in-clinic treatments, formulated to address skin concerns such as ageing, pigmentation and acne. Developed by cosmetic physician Dr Geoffrey Heber, Ultraceutical products and treatments offer doctor’s-office efficacy without the prescription or the price tag.
Editor Jenni Gilbert on Cosmetex 2014
On being introduced to ACCS President Dr Soo-Keat Lim, his first comment to Kirien and I was: ‘It’s time we meet to see how we can bring our two industries working more closely together.’ And so say all of us!
ACCS President Dr Soo-Keat Lim
Over the years that Cosmetex has been running, the gulf between surgical and non-surgical procedures has distinctly narrowed. The two modalities are working effectively in tandem, complementing each other as well as being stand-alone choices for patients and clients. But it was evident from this year’s conference that spa and wellness is now considered an integral element in an holistic aesthetics package.
.
The buzzing Cosmetex exhibition hall at Royal Pines
This year’s Cosmetex delegates benefited from a high-quality program across a diverse range of topics – from body contouring, cellulite reduction, liposuction, breast surgery, anti-ageing, skincare, lasers, dermal fillers, facial surgery and eye surgery, lip plumping and facial rejuvenation, to complication management and exploring beauty philosophies.
World-renowned international keynote speakers included Dr Arthur Swift, Dr Steven Dayan, Dr Raj Acquilla, Dr Stephen Eubanks, Dr Marina Landau, Dr Mark Nestor, and Dr Christopher Zachary.
‘These experienced presenters delivered new knowledge and clear messages about the developments in cosmetic surgery and cosmetic medicine,’ says ACCS spokesperson, Dr Irene Kushelew. ‘I learnt new injection techniques for creating facial harmony from Plastic Surgeon, Dr Arthur Swift, and was impressed to see how Cosmetic Dermatologist, Dr Raj Acquilla and Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr Steven Dayan approached non-surgical rhinoplasty.’
Dr Swift explains his BeautiPHIcation concept to a rapt audience
Internationally renowned Canadian plastic surgeon Dr Swift is a regular guest at Cosmetex and pioneered the concept of ‘BeautiPHIcation’, a global dermal filler injection technique that has revolutionised the ways dermal fillers are used to rejuvenate the face. It is based on the ancient mathetical Phi ratio to bring optimum balance and volume to the facial features, to restore them to more youthful yet natural proportions.
‘I learnt new injection techniques for creating facial harmony from Dr Swift,’ says ACCS spokesman Dr David Topcian. ‘One of the trends that is becoming more evident at each Cosmetex is that practitioners are now approaching their patients more holistically and devising treatment plans that combine several different treatments over time in order to deliver more natural looking results.’
Exhibitor and attendee discussing device breakthroughs
A number of new devices were showcased in the trade exibition hall that will take treatments such as tattoo removal, cellulite reduction, body contouring, treating stretch marks and hyperhidrosis (underarm sweating) to a new level, many of which will be accessible to salons, spas and clinics.
Spa Australasia will keep you posted!
