Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice
Leslie Baumann, MD. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill, 218 pp, $149.
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The rapidly growing field of cosmetic dermatology will continue to expand as Baby Boomers age. Many patients are asking primary care providers about procedures such as laser resurfacing, chemical peels, and Botox treatments, as well as various skin care products.
Leslie Baumann, MD, wrote this book because she felt there is a scarcity of published research on this subject. Private companies that develop equipment and products don't publish their research because they consider the information proprietary. What's more, cosmetic products don't require FDA approval; therefore, research for cosmetic products is not standardized.
This text begins by reviewing basic concepts of dermatology and skin care. Much of the author's focus is on factors that contribute to skin aging, such as smoking, sun damage, and hormones. One particularly helpful chapter featured a medical review of basic skin care products, such as moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, retinoids, and alpha and beta hydroxides.
The book's well-illustrated latter section deals with cosmetic treatments and procedures. It includes Botox and collagen injections, tattooing and body piercing, allografts and autografts, chemical peels, and hair removal. The author concludes with a brief chapter on the psychosocial aspects of cosmetic dermatology.