General physicians seeking to enter the field or expand their own cosmetic practice will have an opportunity to hear several successful aesthetic practitioners share their experiences at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) in San Francisco at the end of September. A host of new aesthetic technologies will also be exhibited at this show, which has become the largest shopping venue of the year for family practices.

For the second year in a row, Donald Brideau, M.D., president of  Springfield Family Medicine in Alexandria, Va., will be a featured speaker at the AAFP annual meeting. “Over the past several years, the academy has started to incorporate more cosmetic procedures into its convention, so family physicians can be taught. Last year, I presented a three hour workshop on light-based interventions,” Dr. Brideau said. “It is important that physicians understand the basic sciences for performing hair removal, treating varicose veins, pigmented lesions, and wrinkle reduction or  skin tightening. I think  if you’re going to offer only one indication, hair removal is still probably the most common procedure people are purchasing, followed by vascular indications. We are also seeing a significant rise in skin rejuvenation.”

The portable LightPod lasers from FriendlyLight Laser Corporation (Tarrytown, N.Y.) cover most of the range needed for treating aesthetic indications, so they are ideal lasers for primary care physicians starting a laser practice. These lasers are reasonably priced and are simple to operate. They also use optimal energy parameters that deliver high efficacy, yet avoid collateral thermal damage, which minimizes patient discomfort and downtime. “I find the instrument to be easy to use and effective, with a wide margin of safety,” said James R.  Gordon, M.D., an oculoplastic surgeon from White Plains, N.Y. “From the surgeon’s perspective, the FriendlyLight laser is a patient leasing, revenue enhancing, cost-effective addition to one’s practice.”

FriendlyLight will also be displaying its new MicroPulse 1064 nm laser for pain free hair and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) removal on high melanin skin. Other applications for which FriendlyLight lasers are indicated for all skin types include laser skin resurfacing; ablation of cutaneous lesions; removal of facial telangiectasis and other vascular and pigmented lesions; tattoo reduction; and non-ablative skin rejuvenation.