Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/253819
38 ASCP Skin Deep March/April 2014 ascp and you: news notes Acne and Early Puberty Acne is occurring at increasingly younger ages, according to the American Acne and Rosacea Society (AARS)—a trend that may be linked to the earlier onset of puberty among today's youth. The society issued guidelines for the medical management of pediatric acne for the first time in 2013. The average age at which puberty begins is now 10–11 for girls and 11–12 for boys, compared to 15 and 16 respectively in the 19th century, and it is not uncommon for some children to show the first signs of puberty before the age of 10. Learn more about the AARS at www.acneandrosacea.org. LED or Laser? With the rise in popularity of light-emitting diode (LED) therapy, there is still a lot of confusion among the general public about the difference between LED and laser therapy. LEDs are not lasers! Here's how to explain the difference to your clients. LEDs produce a low-powered, glowing light, which is positioned to shine onto the face or other area being treated. Colored light is the only output of LEDs; they do not produce any heat, though some devices include an added source of warmth for client relaxation. In contrast, a laser is a narrowly focused, high-powered beam of light that can be used to remove tissue. Laser therapies are for medical use only, but LED devices can be used by estheticians or by the client at home. The most commonly used LED colors in devices designed for home or professional skin care are red, blue, and infrared. Red light is used for general skin improvement and to reduce the signs of aging. Blue light has been shown to destroy acne bacteria. Infrared light may stimulate collagen and elastin within the skin. Devices may combine any or all of these colors, and regular treatment provides the best results. Esthetics Market Keeps Growing Good news: the esthetics industry is still booming. Market research company Kline Group's study, "Professional Aesthetics: US Market Analysis and Opportunities," published in October 2013, found consumer spending on professional esthetics treatments was up 7.5 percent last year compared to 2012. American consumers spent an estimated $20 billion on nonsurgical esthetic treatments in 2013. Spending on injectables such as Botox grew 20 percent, but the fastest rate of growth was in the field of body toning and contouring devices. Kline Group predicts future esthetic trends will include more consumer loyalty programs, more multi-function devices to treat multiple skin concerns, and more partnerships between product and device manufacturers to market combined retail packages for home use. The study can be found at www.klinegroup.com/ reports/professional_aesthetics.asp.