Changing lives

How evidence-based medicine, energy-based devices, and a caring partnership helps change lives of patients in need

Every year, about 40,000 babies are born with vascular birthmarks that require a referral to a specialist. Yet, getting quality care isn’t easy. Physicians often delay referral or delay treatment, expecting that the birthmark may fade or resolve over time. Getting access to treatment early can improve outcomes, shorten the treatment cycle and minimize the risk of invasive procedures requiring general anesthesia – an especially important concern for infants and children.

The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF) networks families who are affected by a vascular birthmark to an appropriate medical professional for evaluation and/or treatment. One of VBF’s highly anticipated events is its annual Vascular Birthmarks Conference and Clinic, which convenes hundreds of people in early October for a 2-day event filled with educational sessions. Expert physicians include Roy Geronemus, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, director of the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York and chairman of the Board of the New York Stem Cell Foundation. At this year’s pro-bono clinic day, Dr. Geronemus provided 40 patients (children and adults) with treatment using the Syneron-Candela Vbeam Pulsed-Dye Laser.

Dr. Geronemus, together with VBF founder and president Linda Rozell-Shannon, Ph.D., and other physicians who treat newborns with vascular birthmarks, are rallying behind a “Done by One” approach. The Done by One approach recommends vascular birthmark treatment with VBeam Pulsed Dye Laser that begins as early as several days after birth and concludes during the infant’s first year. Not only does this optimize clearance of the birthmark, but it also minimizes risks and improves psychosocial outcomes as well.

According to Dr. Geronemus, what impacted him most during his busy pro bono treatment day was, “how each of these patients has lacked a meaningful and effective treatment plan for their condition.” He treated patients who ranged in age from infants to adults and included people from both the US and around the world who “had not received optimal treatment. Many physicians were not using correct technology to treat the condition or were using incorrect parameters for ideal treatment,” he stated.

Dr. Geronemus is committed to educating doctors around the world on the Done by One approach, especially given the increased sophistication of devices. The Vbeam laser is considered a gold standard for the treatment of port wine stains and vascular anomalies in infants, children and adults. Originally the SPTL 1 FDA-cleared for the treatment of port wine stains in 2005, the VBeam laser treats port wine stains more efficiently than other devices, with its deeper skin penetration and vessel clearance. “Today’s treatment is safer. There’s cooling spray to protect skin from injury. The devices such as the Vbeam Prima, the newer generation Vbeam treats larger areas with higher energy settings, making treatments faster and more comfortable. We are seeing further improvement in the clearance of vascular birthmarks. For all these reasons, patient outcomes are improving considerably.”

Over the course of two decades, Dr. Geronemus has donated thousands of hours of his time to provide clinical consultation and treatment to patients and their families. Syneron-Candela proudly supports VBF’s annual conference and clinic. In 2018, the company’s support helped cover travel expenses for the families and supported Dr. Geronemus’ pro bono treatments by providing the use of Vbeam lasers for patient treatments. Dr. Rozell-Shannon added, underscoring Dr. Geronemus’ comments, “We have many patients that are eager to receive treatment, and we are so grateful that Syneron-Candela and Dr. Geronemus are working with us to make it possible.”

Syneron-Candela supports domestic violence survivors by healing visible injuries

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence,  nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner and that most often, these injuries occur on the face, head and neck.

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Foundation (AAFPRS) founded FACE TO FACE: The Domestic Violence Project as one of its three humanitarian programs. Through this life-altering program, AAFPRS members offer pro bono facial plastic and reconstructive surgery to domestic violence survivors to repair injuries caused by an intimate partner or spouse. Facial plastic surgeons who have participated in the program have helped more than 1,000 women since its inception in 1994.

Some survivors have injuries that require a hospital stay or anesthesiologist fees. Syneron-Candela has partnered with the program and established the initial monetary donation for funding hospital and medical fees. In addition, the AAFPRS and Syneron-Candela are collaborating to outline state-of-the-art protocols for instances where Candela’s Vbeam Pulsed Dye Laser system will be used by FACE TO FACE surgeons to assist patients that require the treatment of scars or trauma-induced purpura.

Syneron Candela’s partnership with AAFPRS and Face to Face, is another example of our commitment to using our state of the art medical aesthetic technologies to change lives and promote internal and external healing.