MedEsthetics magazines offers business education and in-depth coverage of the latest noninvasive cosmetic procedures for physicians and practice managers working in the medical aesthetics industry.
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THE DESCENDANT 60 MARCH 2016 | Med Esthetics radiofrequency (RF) devices to improve skin tightening and picosecond lasers for tattoos. One of the most important advances that Dr. Weiss was able to help develop was an RF-based replacement for vein stripping introduced in 1997. He would fl y out to Berkeley, California, on weekends to perform animal studies with a team that included Mitchel Goldman, MD. They developed the fi rst RF system for endovenous thermal ablation for varicose saphenous veins. "By 2000, our practice was known for laser procedures, and we added a robust study division. We began doing FDA trials to get lasers and cosmetic devices and drugs approved," he says. "One of our fi rst major trials on the cosmetic side of dermatology was called Reloxin, now known as Dysport (Galderma). That was a three-year study, and it propelled us into the realm of doing Phase 3 clinical trials on fi llers, botulinum toxins and new laser devices." Three years ago, he started utilizing a picosecond laser for treating wrinkles, acne scarring and pigmentation problems. Today, his practice has 40 devices in all. "We have the Cynosure PicoSure, and we helped the company develop and do the studies to get FDA approval for a FOCUS Lens Array, which focuses the laser beam into 400 micro-dots that are 20 times stronger than the energy that is available as a fl at optic. We have seen some remarkable changes in photoaging," he says. "Some exciting upcoming trials include a topical botulinum toxin gel, which has been initiated and is currently enrolling new participants. Another frontier is nanoparticle topicals that slide down follicles to treat active acne and to remove white or light hair that could not be removed before with any of our hair removal devices." The Office Environment Today, Dr. Weiss' practice is called the Maryland Laser, Skin and Vein Institute. When patients enter they are greeted by an open reception desk with two friendly staff members. The practice features LED lighting to create a subdued environment, and a TV set at low volume that plays a loop about procedures done at the offi ce. A kitchen, conference room and offi ce space for clinical and clerical staff was recently added to the second fl oor of the practice's three-story building. "We chose a calming color scheme and there's a Sonos sound system that plays either piano or spa-like music to cre- ate a very soothing and relaxing atmosphere," says Dr. Weiss. "It's all about making patients feel comfortable." His philosophy in practice and life is to treat people in a way that he would want to be treated himself. "We drill into our staff over and over again that our patients are here not because they have to be, but because they want to be. We need to think about customer service, whereas in other aspects of medicine people are just grateful to get an appoint- ment," he says. "There are many places patients may choose to get Botox or fi llers, so we simply have to be the best." Dr. Weiss' early interest in lasers and aesthetic devices helped him grow the Maryland Laser, Skin and Vein Institute.