Health: SCALPEL news.(Brief Article)

Thermal Smoothing

A device called the PlasmaKinetic, which should be available next year, erases wrinkles and sun damage more powerfully than Intense Pulsed Light treatments and more gently than laser resurfacing, trials suggest. It emits nitrogen gas, which causes "minimal thermal injury" to the skin, says New York City dermatological surgeon Roy Geronemus. In his study of 15 women, wrinkles appeared smoother after a few-minute session. He says it remains to be seen whether the skin might lighten over time, but that did not occur after six months.

Custom-made Injections

A wrinkle treatment made from a bit of skin taken from behind a patient's ear …