*SPSSCS News Summer06

Specialty
Official Publication of the
S O C I E T Y
O F
SkinCare
Pamela Hill, RN, Editor
P L A ST I C
S U R G I C A L
S K I N
Summer 2014
C A R E
S P E C I A L I STS
Announcing SPSSCS Bylaws Revision
Abbey Helton, BSN, RN C, CPSN, CANS
O
From the Editor’s Desk
Pamela Hill, RN
I
t is great to have summer upon
us. The heat on our skin reminds us of
the many things we should be sharing
with clients. During the summer we
hear questions from clients, new and
old alike “what products should I be
using on my skin with the change of
seasons?” While a change in season
often brings the need to adjust a skin
care regime, the process should be
thoughtful and individualized. Each
client’s tone, texture, genetics and
extrinsic aging should be taken into
account as a skin care program is
developed. Antioxidants, retinols or
Retin A, just to mention a few, are a
must in today’s “high tech” skin
programs, even during these sunny
times. Be sure that you don’t sell your
Continued on page 2
ur 20th Anniversary
was celebrated in San
Francisco in April, as was
our mission, our talent
and our growth. We have
come so far and are still known for providing
the best, unbiased education in the world
for the skin care specialist.
As far as we have come, we recognize
the need for continued growth and it was
brought to the members by the Board of
Directors to revise our Bylaws to include
other core groups in our membership
including Facial Plastic Surgery, Ocular
Plastic Surgery and Dermatologic Surgery.
I am happy to report that the measure was
Words from our Inaugural President
T
Specialists is a voluntary, non-profit organization
dedicated to the promotion of education,
enhancement of clinical skills and the delivery
of safe, quality skin care provided to patients.
SPSSCS 20TH ANNIVERSARY MEETING
Bea Hunter Erdman
wenty years ago, in
1994, Bill Clinton was
President, Sonny Bono
was elected to the US
Congress and Nelson
Mandela was elected as first black President
of South Africa. We embraced movies like
the Lion King, Shawshank Redemption and
Forrest Gump. Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Rod
Stewart and Celine Dion moved us with
SPSSCS Mission
The Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care
voted on and passed unanimously at our
Member Business Meeting.
If you know any nurse or aesthetician
colleagues who are employed by one of the
“core” surgeons and would benefit from the
SPSSCS membership, please contact the
Central Office for a membership
application or visit www.spsscs.org.
We have also developed a Task Force
that is working hard to move forward in our
outreach in making our Society broaden,
while maintaining our mission. Any
suggestions are welcome and can be
directed to our Past President Abbey
Helton—[email protected]. ▲
their music, while Kurt Cobain committed
suicide. Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant
Ninja Turtles, which are making a comeback,
were the rage for kids. Netscape Navigator
and Java programming language were
introduced and thrust the world into a
technology revolution that had yet to
imagine how it would impact our future. And,
last but not least, Justin Bieber was born!
Continued on page 10
SPSSCS Board of Directors 2014–2015
Elena Reyes, C-RMA, RST
Cindy Steele, LA, NCEA
Shay Moinuddin, MHA, CPSN
Craig W. Colville, MD
President
Secretary/Treasurer
Member-At-Large
ASAPS Advisor
Nina Spadaccino
Donna Erb
Alicia Barrera, RST, RMA
Renato Saltz, MD
President-Elect
Member-At-Large
Parliamentarian
ASAPS Advisor
Lizabeth Clouse, RN, CPSN
Pamela Hill, RN
Abbey Helton, BSN, RN C, CPSN, CANS
Vice President
Member-At-Large
Immediate Past President
SPSSCS Central Office • 11262 Monarch Street, Garden Grove, CA 92841 • www.spsscs.org
562-799-0466 or 800-486-0611 • Fax 562-799-1098 • email: [email protected]
1
THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Elena Reyes, RST, C-RMA
W
ow, what a mark in history
for the SPSSCS, as it was our 20th Anniversary,
not to mention to be in the beautiful city of
San Francisco! I am so grateful for our amazing
speakers and exhibitors for their support to
our organization. I would like to send out a
huge thank you to mybody for sponsoring
our Welcome Reception and to SkinCeuticals
for sponsoring our Flower Power Social
Event, where we danced the night away. I
would also like to thank Dermesse for their
generosity in sponsoring our Tote Bags and
Name Badge Holders, as well as PMT
Corporation (Permark) for providing us
with a generous educational grant.
The panels were fantastic, and the
speakers gave great information on medical
skin care advances from ethnic skin care
and microneedling to hydrating the skin.
How motivating was our Keynote Speaker,
Chalene Johnson! What great energy and
inspirational vibes that she fed off to our
members!
I would like to thank our Central Office
staff Sue Dykema, Missy Robinson and
Janet Garcia for all of their wonderful
support, as well as our incredible Past
President, Abbey Helton. She truly amazes
me in all her efforts and contributions to
the SPSSCS, and congratulations to Kathy
Jones on her well-deserved Presidential
Award for Distinguished Service.
Bea Hunter Erdman has been such a
huge part of the SPSSCS as our Inaugural
President and I really appreciated her
touching video of the SPSSCS 20-year
journey, showing what we have become as
an organization. I am so proud of the
Society and I feel so humbled to be able to
serve as your President for the 2014–2015
year. The SPSSCS has had such a positive
impact on my professional life from the
time I became a member in 2005.
I encourage you to become more involved
with the Society and the wonderful
opportunities for philanthropy within our
organization. I truly feel that we are all
blessed to gain so much knowledge at the
annual meetings and be able to bring that
knowledge back to our practices. Medical
skin care is constantly evolving with new
technologies, and being part of the SPSSCS
sets us apart from the rest.
So let’s never stop challenging ourselves
to learn more! Knowledge is power and a
gift that we get to share with others. Let’s
make history together! I hope to see
everyone in Montreal in 2015 to find out
what is new in the technology of medical
skin care. ▲
Exploring Science and Technology
IN PLASTIC SURGICAL SKIN CARE
21st Annual Meeting
May 12 –15
Le Westin
Montréal Hotel
Montréal, Quebec
Canada
SOCIETY
OF
PLASTIC SURGICAL SKIN CARE SPECIALISTS
WWW.SPSSCS.ORG
FROM THE EDITOR
Continued from Cover
client short as you evaluate their program
and begin to make changes for the spring
and summer seasons. And remember
education for clients is key to their long
term skin care success.
For those of you who had the pleasure
of attending the April 2014 Annual
Meeting in San Francisco, I think we all
agree that it was a very educational event.
For those of you who missed the meeting,
many topics from the meeting are covered
in this summer edition of the newsletter.
The instructors were seasoned, qualified
practitioners bringing years of experience.
Finally, if you haven’t heard, the
members voted on and passed an
amendment to the Bylaws to include nurses
and aestheticians from other specialties.
This will include licensed skin care
2
specialists from the practices of Board
Certified Facial Plastic Surgeons,
Oculoplastic Surgeons and Dermatologic
Surgeons. We look forward to the broader
knowledge base this will bring to our
organization as well as the friendships we
will build. So, if you know a nurse or
aesthetician that is a good fit for our
organization, be sure to ask he or she to
join. Just like you, they won’t regret it. ▲
Microneedling
New Ideas
M
Chris Jackson
icroneedling procedures
have become an integral part of the U.S.
aesthetic market which has lead to the introduction of many
microneedling products. Traditional microneedling utilizing pens,
rollers and stamp have their drawbacks as far as needle penetration and
infusion of topical serums.
Any needle penetration that occurs through a vertical pressure
(the needle being pushed into the skin) results in an uneven depth of
penetration due to the skin’s elasticity. The skin’s variance in
elasticity means that the depth of penetration will not be even
throughout a treatment; these types of treatments also create pain
for the patient, therefore topical anesthesia prior to such procedures
is required. This is undesirable for the patients and time consuming
for the clinic.
“How can a safe, predictable, pain free microneedling procedure
be performed?”
This can be achieved by pulling the skin upwards; this upward
motion stretches the skin eliminating the elasticity problem. Another
major advantage of pulling the skin to the needle is the reduction in
pain; therefore by pulling the skin up to the needle you are
achieving a uniform depth of penetration that is safer, more
predictable and pain free!
Utilizing microneedling as a delivery mechanism for serums and
PRP deeper into the skin is also questionable. Microneedling has
been touted as a method of creating a hole in the skin in which
topical serums, PRP, etc. can penetrate. It has been hypothesized
that the hole generated by microneedling immediately fills with
interstitial fluid and blood resulting in no topical product being
delivered into the skin. Ideally, it would be beneficial to deliver the
solution or serum as the hole/pathway is being created—this
suggests that simultaneous delivery of solution and microneedling
would be ideal.
It has been reported that topical application of a skin care
product preceding microneedling (tattooing skin care products into
the skin) has lead to granulomas being formed in the skin; it is
A SAFE, REPRODUCIBLE, PREDICTABLE AND PAIN FREE TREATMENT
CAN BE ACHIEVED BY PULLING THE SKIN UPWARDS;
DELIVERY OF WATER BASED SOLUTIONS INTO THE SKIN
CAN BE BETTER ACHIEVED IF DONE SIMULTANEOUSLY
AS THE MICRONEEDLING.
3
important that any serum or solution that is being delivered deeper
than the immediate surface of the skin is water based in order to
prevent granuloma formations.
A safe, reproducible, predictable and pain free treatment can be
achieved by pulling the skin upwards; delivery of water based
solutions into the skin can be better achieved if done simultaneously
as the microneedling. Therefore, a more advanced, predictable, safer
and pain free treatment can be achieved by marrying those factors,
vacuum, needle penetration and solution delivery all simultaneously.
Having been in the medical industry since 1977, Chris has a broad knowledge
that marries product development with real clinical differences. The last 10 years
Chris has been entrenched in the aesthetic industry as part of a manufacturing and
product development team. Chris works closely with estheticians and physicians
throughout the world in order to learn and provide valuable information to the
industry. Chris can be contacted at: Genesis Biosystems, Inc. 1-888-577-7335
[email protected]. ▲
Topical Human Bio-signals in
Skincare and Aesthetics
Dr. John Sanderson and Dr. George Taylor
F
or nearly fifteen years,
skincare products containing human cell
culture-derived bio-signals (cytokines and
growth factors) have been available for
consumer purchase. Multiple studies confirm
that topical application of such bio-signals
promotes cellular proliferation, collagen
formation, and epidermal thickening,
resulting in positive cosmetic and clinical
outcomes in the treatment of photodamaged
skin. According to one article, “topical
application of products containing high
concentrations of a physiologically
balanced mixture of cytokines appears to
reverse the signs of skin aging.”
What is not widely known is the type
of cell cultured determines product potency
and whether or not the cytokine mixture
produced is “physiologically balanced”,
and especially whether or not the applied
bio-signals have a net pro-inflammatory or
anti-inflammatory effect. This distinction
is important since recent experience
suggests that anti-inflammatory patterns
of cell-derived cytokines can not only be
“anti-aging”, but also of significant value
in reducing post-procedure inflammation
(e.g. after fractional CO2 laser resurfacing,
chemical peels, dermabrasion, microneedling,
etc.) This not only shortens recovery “down
time”, it has potential to mitigate the
development of post-inflammatory pigment
and scarring that can adversely affect
cosmetic result. Growing evidence suggests
professionals can use anti-inflammatory
topical adjuvants to provide their patients
with faster recovery, less discomfort, and
superior aesthetic results.
INFLAMMATION & HEALING
The paradigm example of perfect
healing is fetal skin, which during the first
two trimesters of gestation regenerates scarfree, even including new hair follicles and
sebaceous glands. The hallmark of fetal
healing is an extremely brief, or even nonexistent, inflammatory phase. In fetal skin,
anti-inflammatory cytokines are abundant.
If the goal is to achieve improved healing
with less scarring i.e. more fetal-like
healing, reducing inflammation is of high
importance.
The deleterious effect of inflammation
on all tissues is well known. This is
particularly true of the skin where sun
exposure, environmental toxins, smoking,
etc., extract their toll via inflammation
triggered by the formation of reactive
oxygen species. It is a given that chronic
smoldering inflammation of the skin
accelerates aging. It even has a name—
“skinflammaging.”
As described below, our body’s innate
ability to manage and quench inflammation
declines with age, in large measure because
of a dramatic age-related decline in the
cell population specifically tasked with
pro-healing anti-inflammatory duties, the
bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell.
Accumulating evidence suggests this may
be the optimal cell type to culture because
it produces a strongly anti-inflammatory
bio-signal pattern.
CELL TYPES CULTURED FOR TOPICAL
BIO-SIGNALS
FIBROBLASTS: The first human cell
cultured to produce topical bio-signals for
skin was the fibroblast. This is a differentiated
cell found in all connective tissue and is the
predominant cell type within the dermis.
Fibroblasts secrete fibrous proteins (collagen
and elastin) and ground substance, which
together form the extracellular matrix.
While obviously proficient producers of
matrix constituents, their ability to secrete
important cytokines and growth factors
involved in promoting tissue healing is
poor. Depending on the cytokine measured,
fibroblasts produce from 1/15 to 1/50 the
amount produced by bone marrow
mesenchymal stem cells.
ADIPOSE MESENCHYMAL STEM
CELLS: Stem cells isolated from aspirated
fat (whether from liposuction by-products
or autologous) are also cultured to obtain
64
bio-signals for use in skin care products.
Adipose derived stem cells produce a
bio-signal pattern that is strongly proinflammatory, not surprising since adipocytes
are well recognized as producing substances
that are also pro-inflammatory.
BONE MARROW MESENCHYMAL
STEM CELLS: Bio-signals produced by
these cells appear best suited for use in
anti-aging skincare products. Not only is
their secreted bio-signal pattern strongly
anti-inflammatory, it is now recognized
that, similar to red & white blood cells and
platelets, these stem cells migrate from the
bone marrow and patrol the body via the
blood stream. When injured tissue is
encountered, some may differentiate into
cells needed for repair i.e. myocytes,
chondrocytes, osteocytes, fibroblasts, etc.
More importantly, they function as
“command and control” of overall healing
functions, modulating inflammation and
promoting tissue repair. Not surprisingly,
application of their bio-signals to aging and
injured skin has demonstrated significant
benefit.
PRO-HEALING, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY,
ANTI-FIBROTIC BENEFIT
Early user experience with products
containing bio-signals derived from
bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
demonstrated significant effects beyond
anti-aging benefits. The anti-inflammatory
effect was pronounced enough to enable
several clinical trial subjects to discontinue
prescription medications used to manage
decades of rosacea symptoms, and to keep
flare-ups from recurring. User anecdotes
of reduced inflammation and enhanced
healing following abrasions (in one instance
“road rash” from a bicycle fall), and burns
(thermal and from sun exposure) led to
clinical trials to evaluate efficacy in
reducing healing time, inflammation, and
discomfort following fractional CO2 laser
Continued on page 10
Lookout for Dangerous Hidden Toxins in
Skin Care Products
P
Edward Domanskis, MD
riority One
of looking younger,
as any doctor or anti-aging expert will tell
you, is taking care of your skin: minimal
sun exposure, hydration, supplements, and
so on. But many people with the best of
intentions are inadvertently exposing
themselves to a battlefield of toxins waging
war on the face and skin. Imagine slathering
on a skin cream loaded with lead, parabens
and even formaldehyde?
been shown to “mimic” estrogen and have
been linked to the development of breast
cancer tumors.
Phthalates are often added to plastics to
increase their flexibility, and are used in skin
care products for much the same purpose.
But the risks here far outweigh the rewards,
as phthalates have been proven to interfere
with hormones and cause birth defects if
used by women in child-bearing years.
BUYER BEWARE
FOR A SIMPLE START—AND A GOOD RULE
Unfortunately, toxins in skincare products
are more common than they should be,
largely because they aren’t regulated the way
many physician-prescribed products are.
The majority of skin care products on the
market today have never been evaluated for
safety because there is no legal compulsion
to do so. There are no warnings about the
contents of these products. Their shiny,
expensive packaging and exotic ingredients
can belie some harmful, toxic chemicals
that may be absorbed into the deepest
layers of the skin.
Why would a company knowingly use
toxic chemicals in their products? Simple.
Money. Some ingredients that “may” be
toxic are considerably less expensive than
others. Many hazardous products have
been on the market for some time, and it
wouldn’t be economically feasible to alter a
beauty product that has already been
heavily invested in.
So what is a consumer to do? You can
use products that are safe and deliver the
desired results to look younger, healthier
and more vibrant. They do exist! It takes a
little homework on your part, but it’s worth
it. For a simple start—and a good rule of
thumb when shopping for a skin care
product—remember “The Three Ps” to
avoid—Parabens, Phthalates, and Perfumes.
Also be wary of products containing lead,
and the preservative formaldehyde
(embalming, anyone?), often disguised in
the list of ingredients as “diazolidinyl urea,”
and a proven carcinogen.
Parabens are added to prolong the
shelf-life of a product , serving as a
preservative and fungicide; they have also
OF THUMB WHEN SHOPPING FOR A SKIN CARE
PRODUCT—REMEMBER
“THE THREE PS” TO
AVOID—PARABENS, PHTHALATES, AND PERFUMES.
Perfumes are perhaps the biggest culprit
among popular skin care products, because
we as consumers enjoy things that smell
good, right? When you are shopping for a
face cream, when sampling it at the counter
what is the first thing you do: you smell it.
We are all attracted to a pleasant fragrance,
but essential oils and perfumes can cause
irritation to the skin, inflammation, rosacea.
And while you may not notice any problems
on the surface, more serious problems could
occur deeper, including the breakdown of
collagen and hindering the ability of the
skin to heal properly. Bottom line: irritated
skin creates wrinkles, and doesn’t look
youthful or firm. Why spend money on a
product that will yield these unsatisfactory
results?
Shop wisely for better and safer results
when it comes to your skin care products.
The products you purchase could change
the way companies are creating new
ones and might even encourage them to
reformulate those that are toxic. Many
companies have done so in marketing their
products internationally, but continue to
sell the inferior, more toxic versions in the
United States because there are no federal
regulatory standards on cosmetics with
which they need to comply.
Be your own advocate and do the
research. I’m writing this not only as a
physician but also as an advocate for my
patients. I am increasingly concerned with
5
the products on the market today, so much
so that I developed my own line of skin
care products that are toxin free. Clean,
healthy products that work are available if
you know what to look for.
Dr. Edward Jonas Domanskis is certified by the
American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is a member
of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He
is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery
(Plastic) WOC at the University of California
(Irvine). Dr. Domanskis is listed among America’s
Top Physicians and America’s Best Doctors. He
has also been named an Orange County Physician
of Excellence. Dr. Domanskis practices in
Newport Beach, Ca. www.surgery-plastic.com.
He can be reached at (949) 640-6324, or at
[email protected]. His skin care
line, Organoderm is available at his office or
through the website www.Organoderm.com. ▲
MeetingHighlights
Nina Spadaccino
S
an Francisco
proved to be a
terrific city for our
SPSSCS 20th Annual Meeting. What a
unique and breathtaking metropolis. From
the famous icon of the Golden Gate Bridge
to the exquisite art galleries and amazing
restaurants that reflect the city’s great
ethnic and cultural diversity. Hopefully,
everyone had a chance to experience a little
taste of what the city had to offer us.
There were five incredible Pre-Meeting
courses available this year. Kathy Jones
instructed her basic and advanced courses
in permanent makeup, which always seems
to be a great learning experience. John
Hoopman, the master of lasers, held a
course in practical applications and
controlling the process. Bea Hunter Erdman
and Sandra Adams used their expertise in
giving advice for “Overcoming Challenges:
Your Road Map to Success!” Also, Michele
Garber gave some great tips on “Safety in
Beauty: The Importance of Consumer
Education and How to Use Social Media
Engagement to Promote Your Message.” If
you haven’t previously had a chance to
attend the Pre-Meeting courses, try to make
adjustments on next year’s schedule in
Montreal. It’s absolutely worth it!
Our festive Welcome Reception was
once again supported by our friends at
“mybody” which is always a great way to
network with old friends and create new
contacts. Also, the fabulous Flower Power
Social Event was supported by SkinCeuticals.
It was a Psychedelic, fun filled evening of
music, dancing, cocktails and 60s fashion.
The SPSSCS flower child members had a
groovy time!!!
This year’s General Sessions did not
disappoint. We had two full days of amazing
education with incredible speakers. It
started with the inspiring Keynote Speaker,
Chalene Johnson, whose energy was like a
fresh cup of coffee, and continued with all
the informative presentations, roundtable
discussions, and the live peel demonstrations,
this year’s meeting was spectacular!!!
A huge highlight at this meeting was
the accomplishments of Abbey Helton. Her
6
20th Anniversary
focus on the purpose of broadening our
membership to become more financially
secure will enable the SPSSCS to enhance
the services offered and provide more
benefits to our members. The vote was
positive and our membership will now be
open to include nurses and aestheticians
who are employed by “core” aesthetic
surgeons such as facial plastic surgeons
(AAFPRS members), dermatological surgeons
(ASDS members), and oculoplastic surgeons
(ASOPRS members). Thank you so much
Abbey, for all your hard work and dedication.
You are amazing!!! Also, a special thanks to
Elena Reyes for all her time and dedication
in putting together a terrific program for
this year’s meeting. We all appreciate the
great job she has done.
I hope to see everyone next year in
Montreal! ▲
7
Meeting
Highlights
Thank You
2013-2014
Board of
Directors
LEFT TO RIGHT: NINA SPADACCINO (MEMBER AT LARGE); KAREN MENARD, RN (PARLIAMENTARIAN);
ELENA REYES, C-RMA, RST (PRESIDENT-ELECT); ABBEY HELTON, BSN, RN C, CPSN, CANS (PRESIDENT);
KAREN DAVIS (IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT); BELINDA HAMMERGREN, RN, BSN (SECRETARY/TREASURER);
DONNA ERB (MEMBER AT LARGE). NOT PICTURED: CLAUDIO PINTO, MMA, (VICE PRESIDENT) AND
CINDY CAREY, RN (MEMBER AT LARGE).
Annual Meeting
Scholarship
Winners
ROBYN HOFMANN, CANCUN, MEXICO
Being a scholarship winner is an honor
that words cannot describe and I want to
thank all the members of the SPSSCS
Scholarship Committee for considering me
for the 2014 Scholarship. I also want to
congratulate the other 2014 Scholarship
Winner, Yelena Barsky. It was a pleasure
sharing the scholarship with her this year.
It was a moment I will never forget.
The 2014 meeting was full of great
speakers. I truly love and look forward to
the keynote presentation each year. The
chosen speaker always has such positive
energy and gets the meeting off to a great
start! This is one of the highlights of the
meeting. Charlene Johnson stole the
meeting with her dynamic personality and
words of wisdom. I was then charged and
ready for what was to come!
This year’s topics were extremely
interesting, such as the latest technology
using stem cells in skin care products. It
looks like it is the future in skin care! The
less-is-more recommendation is becoming
the golden rule when finding the best way
to treat vulnerable skin. What each topic
really expressed in this meeting was that we
as professionals must educate our patients
about safety and using good quality nontoxic products. Our patients really need us
to guide them in the right direction.
So, another meeting has come and
gone, but the valuable knowledge and
experiences will live on in our minds and
hearts. Continuous education is the key to
being the best in our field year-after-year. I
will continue to attend the meetings, which
I feel are essential to my professional
growth as a skin care specialist. I look
forward to seeing you all at next year’s
meeting in Montreal, Canada!
8
YELENA BARSKY, EAST BRUNSWICK NJ
I have recently returned from the Skin
Care Society's 20th Annual Meeting, and
I am still energized from the experience. I
feel just as I did after my first time attending
the meeting in New York City in 2007,
happy to catch up on the latest and greatest
information in the world of skin care. My
favorite topics this year were stem cells and
the safety of skin care products.
This year was extra special for me
because for the first time, I attended the
meeting as a scholarship winner! When I was
called up and recognized for my scholarship,
I was overwhelmed, and incredibly proud of
what I had accomplished, because I could
hear cheering from all my old friends in
the crowd. Thank you so very much for
choosing me. I cannot begin to express to
you what an honor it is, and how special
this recognition is for me. ▲
Presidential Award for
Distinguished Service
Kathy Jones, BSN, RN, CPSN
Thank
You
TO THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES
FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT
OF THE
SPSSCS:
tinum
Pla
Su
p
por te
r
Silver Supporter
F
irst, I want to thank Abbey
and the Society for granting this award
to me. I am honored beyond measure.
I first became acquainted with the
Society as an outside speaker, then a
member, followed by being a board
member and President in 2009. It has
been an exciting and educational
experience. The best part about this
journey has been participating in a
process that is so much bigger than any
one person. Being a part of a process
that gives back through education,
networking and peer support is an
amazing feeling. I am also grateful for
those remarkable strong women, who
guided me, tutored me and supported
me each and every step of the way.
I came across the following poem
the very day I was asked to write this for
the newsletter. From the bottom of my
heart this expresses my feelings more
than any words I could ever say.
Lastly, I would like to thank you for
being passengers on my train!
9
TRAIN OF LIFE
At birth we boarded the train and met our
parents, and we believe they will always travel
on our side.
However, at some station our parents will
step down from the train, leaving us on this
journey alone.
As time goes by, other people will board the train;
and they will be significant.
Many will step down and leave a permanent
vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we
don't realize that they vacated their seats!
This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow,
fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes,
and farewells.
Success consists of having a good relationship
with all passengers...requiring that we give
the best of ourselves.
The mystery to everyone is: We do not know
at which station we ourselves will step down.
So, we must live in the best way—love, forgive,
and offer the best of who we are.
It is important to do this because when the time
comes for us to step down and leave our seat
empty—we should leave behind beautiful
memories for those who will continue to travel
on the train of life.
I wish you a joyful journey on the train of life.
Reap success and give back.
More importantly, thank God for the journey!
—Author Unknown—
WORDS FROM OUR INAUGURAL PRESIDENT
Continued from Cover
Twenty years ago, the idea to form an
educational society was a dream and a
vision by a few plastic surgeons along with
their nurses and aestheticians. The goal was
to create a venue that provided exceptional,
scientific-based education for the purpose of
delivering safe and effective services to
patients in the emerging field of medical
skin care.
In 1994, we had no expectations for
how far the Society would go or how long
it would last. It was a test drive, so to speak.
During the formative years of the Society,
we were concerned with the logistics of
forming a solid organization and providing
good education to the members and
attendees. It was a year-by-year process. It
was tough work getting this Society off the
ground and sometimes the dream seemed
more like a nightmare! To be truthful, I
don’t think any of us who were there at the
beginning envisioned the Society lasting so
long, including Dr. Fritz Barton and myself!
But we were committed and continued to
follow our vision, dream and passion and
NEVER gave up.
The 20th anniversary of the Society of
Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists is an
important milestone. We have come a long
way in our organization. We have had
successes and challenges. There have been
progressive changes in the industry, from
the early days of micropeels to
scientifically-validated skin care products to
advances in laser technology. All the while,
the SPSSCS has been a proven leader in
providing progressive education and
opportunity to its members.
While technology changes, the
message, the goal, the vision, the passion,
and the commitment has remained the same
since 1994. The SPSSCS was, and continues
to be, built on and driven by commitment
and passion. As our Society moves forward
and we Bridge to the Future, we look to
ALL members to draw on your passion,
commitment and unique talents and
participate, in whatever way you can, in the
future of the SPSSCS. The SPSSCS needs
you as much as you need the SPSSCS.
Now, you may say, “What do I have to
offer? I can’t speak in front of a group of
people! How much time do I have to give? I
am just too busy!” In 1994, the
commitment, vision and passion drove us.
Most of us never spoke in front of a group
of people, let alone put presentations
together. We had full time jobs and families.
I was a single mother with three daughters
ages 6, 14 and 17. But the vision for what
we could attain was the driving force that
led us to that first meeting.
As we “Bridge to the Future”, the
continued success and evolution of the
SPSSCS depends on every member to keep
the vision, dream and passion alive. It is all
about the POWER OF YOU! You possess
amazing talents, abilities and gifts that you
share with people every day. I think we all
agree that the work that has been done thus
far by those who embraced the vision of the
SPSSCS has been a great benefit to so
many. We always find a way to make time
for that which is important in our lives and
we reap what we sow. I challenge you to
participate, in whatever way you can, to
keep the vision and dream alive. Commit to
telling others about our Society and bring
them to our meetings. Give a few hours to
be on a committee and let your voice be
heard. Consider giving back to an
organization that has enhanced your
professional and personal goals in whatever
way you can. Out future, more than ever,
depends on the continued commitment of
every member.
What do you have to gain from
becoming involved? Twenty years ago, I
expected that my education and
professionalism would be elevated. What
I did not realize is that because of my
association with the SPSSCS, my passion
for this great profession would grow
immensely. Most importantly, I have met
amazing professionals with whom I could
network and share my passion. Many have
become close friends that I never would
have known had if it had not been for the
SPSSCS. My life has been fulfilled beyond
my wildest dreams because of the SPSSCS.
You have to admit, this is the best, and
only, organization of its kind! The dream of
the Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care
Specialists will continue because of all of
you.
Bea Hunter Erdman is a licensed cosmetologist
and medical skin care specialist who has been in
practice since 1970. Bea was the Inaugural President
of The Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care
Specialists from November 1994 to April 1996, has
served as Advisor, Nominating Chair, Scientific
Program Chair and participated on several
committees. She has been a speaker for the Society on
multiple occasions and continues to be an active
member of the Society. ▲
TOPICAL HUMAN BIO-SIGNALS IN SKINCARE AND AESTHETICS
Continued from Page 4
resurfacing. A national distributor of
fractional laser equipment reports up to
40% reduction in post-treatment recovery
time (“down time”) and reduced incidence
of post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation.
Additional studies are ongoing to evaluate
benefits following dermabrasion and
chemical peels, and in conjunction with
medical microneedling.
John Sanderson, MD is a stem cell researcher,
expert in diabetes and metabolism, former medical
director at Johnson & Johnson, and consultant to
several Fortune 100 health care companies. In recent
years, Dr. Sanderson has focused exclusively on the
application of adult human stem cells to dermatologic
problems and effects of ageing. Dr. Sanderson is
founder and CEO of Cellese Regenerative
Therapeutics in Irvine, California.
Dr. George Taylor is a former anesthesiologist
whose interest in the treatment of chronic skin wounds
10
dates to the early 1990s. After a sports injury forced
his retirement from clinical medicine in 2001, he
served as medical director for a home health and
hospice agency and as a venture capital liaison and
executive for several pharmaceutical start-ups. His
interest in stem cells and skincare evolved from
studying impaired wound healing in diabetic
patients. Dr. Taylor is VP of Business Development
of Cellese Regenerative Therapeutics. . ▲
SpecialtySkinCare
SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGICAL SKIN CARE SPECIALISTS
11262 Monarch Street, Garden Grove, CA 92841-1441 • www.spsscs.org
Karen Menard, RN
Chair, Membership/Mentor Committee
WelcomeNew
Members
Shiva S. Abadi, RN—San Francisco, CA
Heather Bargeron—Albuquerque, NM
Jodi Crocke—Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Gail Day, MA—Marietta, GA
Katy Doke, DNA—Houston, TX
Julie Fortier—Portsmouth, NH
Stephanie Godfrey—Lindon, UT
Rachel Hanus—Toledo, OH
Abby Heifner—Woodstock, GA
Debra Johnson, RN—Pasadena, CA
Carla Lovato, MS, PA-C—Marina Del Rey, CA
Leslie McClellan—Tallahassee, FL
Jessica Misserbiev-Anderson—Fort Wayne, IN
Shannon Taylor Morey—Atlanta, GA
Susan Owens—Tallahassee, FL
Jenna Quinto—Lutherville–Timonium, MD
Misti A. Schacher, RN—Lubbock, TX
Elizabeth Steigner—Orange, CA
Sandy Tam, MD—Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Kelly Toney, RN—Chesterfield, MO