Alan J. Bauman M.D.'s personal notes--www.BaumanBlog.com

FDA-approved Latisse for lash growth is here and 'in-stock' at Bauman Medical

Medical consultations for eyelash hypotrichosis (weak or inadequate lashes) are available.  If indicated, Latisse (Allergan) can be prescribed and dispensed on-premises.  For more information on how to medically and/or surgically enhance thin, sparse, weak, damaged or missing lashes, visit http://www.eyelash-transplant.com

NEOGRAFT: A Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Hair Transplant on Steroids

Neograft is the newest technology to come on the scene for hair transplant surgeons who perform minimally-invasive surgery.   This new machine, called Neograft, promises to allow the tediously-slow and meticulously labor-intensive process of harvesting hair without a scalpel (called Follicular Unit Extraction or "FUE") to be peformed much more quickly and efficiently.   This is good news for FUE surgeons and patients alike.   FUE is generally considered a much more costly procedure than traditional hair transplant techniques in terms of time and resources. 

For those not familiar with FUE hair transplants, Follicular-Unit Extraction allows the harvesting of individual follicular units (1, 2 or 3 follicles) without a scalpel or stitches and without a linear scar in the back of the scalp.  FUE procedures, though they make literally hundreds of tiny incisions in the scalp, the recovery is comfortable and short, with little activity restriction post-operatively.  The main benefit of FUE, however, is that the patient can comfortably buzz his hair quite short once the healing is completed without the traditional linear scar.  

Neograft is a device which enables a surgeon and his skilled technicians to harvest individual follicular units of hair quickly, simulaneously cutting the previously anesthetised skin and literally 'sucking' the follicle out of the scalp and into a holding container.

For more information on FUE or the Neograft, visit www.baumanmedical.com or email doctorb@baumanmedical.com

Pharmawire Article on FDA approval of Latisse (Allergan)

Download the story by Pharmawire on Latisse here:

Download Pharmawire_Allergan_Latisse_story#2_1.09.09.pdf (104.1K)

Cosmetic and Reconstructive Eyelash Transplant / FDA Approves Latisse

At the 25th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery in Phoenix AZ, I was given the opportunity to present an update to last year's lecture on Cosmetic and Reconstructive Eyelash Transplantation.  Updates on technique (including advanced techniques, like the paired-follicle implantation and 'puppetteering' technique for curl orientation) were discussed.  Also presented was a review of the pertinent clinical data that led to the FDA's recent approval of Allergan's eyelash growth drug, Latisse(tm), inclding many before-and-after photos.  For information regarding the content of the lecture, please email me at doctorb@baumanmedical.com.   

Crown Entertainment/Discover Entertainment (post retracted)

Pardon the brief digression from my usual material, but I felt compelled to post this information so that my colleagues, friends and others may benefit from our experiences with these kinds of unethical selling practices and not waste valuable time, effort and energy.  I submitted this complaint to the Better Business Bureau after we were lied to by video production company selling advertising space, but portraying themselves as an editorial 'news-entertainment' program:

On 12/15/2008 our offices were contacted by Jason Kusell 561-819-0877 by phone, who identified himself as working for a tv show entitled "Best of South Florida" to my staff, posing as a journalist looking for an interview.  He requested time for a phone interview with Dr. Bauman under the premise that our medical practice had been one of several businesses 'selected' to potentially be featured on the local "Best of South Florida" television show.

Having been featured on news programs, we are often contacted by journalists seeking interviews. However, after making the initial appointment, a staff member called Jason back to confirm that this was NOT a solicitation and that NO FEES were required to be involved with the program.  Jason assured my staff member that there would absolutely be NO FEE to be involved.

At the time of the "interview" which lasted approximately 20 minutes and included a variety of legitimate questions regarding our practice, Jason then informed us that there would be an 'affiliate fee' in order to participate and be featured.   Obviously, these kinds of sales tactics are deceptive, devious, and, frankly, a waste of our time as a small business.  I am appalled that Jason would flat out lie on behalf of "Best of...", (or www.bestof-tv.com) which after further research, is actually Crown Entertainment (www.crown-tv.com) AKA/DBA Discover Entertainment Group located on 4723 W Atlantic Ave #A20, Delray Beach, FL 33445 561-819-0877, and use misleading tactics to sell advertising space on the "television show."   On behalf of other small businesses that may fall prey to these unethical, time-wasting salespeople and scam artists, like Jason Kusell and the company he works for, we submit this complaint to the Better Business Bureau on 12/17/2008.   

Thanks for proving that "The Best of South Florida" is certainly THE WORST of South Florida!   

FDA considering new 510(k) approval category for non-invasive 'fat burning' laser (Zerona)

"Fat Burning" is in quotes here because while we all know that low level lasers are non-thermal, the news media has adapted this slightly inaccurate term to describe the Zerona laser.  I guess "Laser Fat Zap" or "Fat Burning Laser" sounds better than 'fat leaking' -- which is, in fact, what the low level lasers in Zerona causes adipocytes (fat cells) to do... leak.

There are some rumblings from the FDA that regarding the Zerona laser, which has been demonstrated in scientific clinical trials to significantly decrease body circumference in two weeks, they (the FDA) are considering creating a 'new' category within the "Low Level Laser / Photobiomodulation" division of their 510(k) market approvals to reflect body-contouring and fat reduction. 

This has absolutely nothing to do with the specifications or safety of the Zerona device, but rather the proven body contouring effect Zerona demonstrated in the clinical trials.   So much for those people who believe that FDA 510(k) clearance is only about safety!   An FDA 510(k) approval is typically based on a predicate or pre-existing device, but because none such device exists that non-invasively reduces fat like Zerona, a new category will likely have to be created.   

We'll know within the next few weeks the FDA's decision.   For clarification, the laser in the Zerona device has already received 510(k) market approval from the FDA for use as an adjunct to Liposuction.   However, the studies submitted to the FDA show that the Zerona can be used non-invasively to significantly reduce the circumference of the hips waist and thighs without surgery, in two weeks.

For more information on Zerona lasers in Florida, visit http://www.baumanmedical.com/Default.aspx?tabid=157 or www.bocalipo.com.