Archive for the ‘Botox’ Category

« Older Entries

Bro-tox Trend: More Men Are Getting Botox

Friday, January 20th, 2012

ABC News recently spotlighted a growing cosmetic procedure trend: Bro-tox, as in Botox for men.

Actor Johnny Markoudakis told ABC that he got Botox injections in his forehead and around his eyes, and a week later people told him he looked more refreshed.

But Bro-tox patients include more than just actors, models and metrosexuals, according to ABC.

For instance, Marc from Detroit is 38 and works at a chemical company. “I do a lot of industrial type work, getting dirty. … And I restore old cars,” Marc told ABC.

When he started noticing that he had some wrinkles and that he was looking older, his wife decided to get him Botox for Christmas.

“The card was very nice,” Marc said. “But then there was a little note that said … ‘Botox’ on it, and I was a little shocked. … It’s just not anything I thought I would do for myself.”

Marc used the gift and now has less noticeable crow’s feet thanks to Botox.

Cosmetic Procedures Becoming More Popular for Men

ABC News reports that over 300,000 men got Botox last year, a 10% increase from the previous year. Men are getting more cosmetic procedures in general — one in eight cosmetic surgery procedures is now performed on men.

According to the report, from 2010 to 2011, eyelid surgeries increased by 15% for men, facelifts by 14% and liposuction by 7%.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) says the five most popular procedures among men are Botox, hair transplantation/restoration, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion and liposuction.

A consumer survey by the AACS found that 12% of men plan to have cosmetic surgery at some point in the future and that 83% of men believe that personal appearance plays a role in their professional success and advancement.

Tags: ,
Posted in Botox | No Comments »

Study Ranks Best Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Based on Safety & Effectiveness

Saturday, January 14th, 2012

best cosmetic surgery procedures Today’s consumers looking to have cosmetic work done have many procedures to choose from, but some have been shown to be more safe and effective than others. A new study has named what it considers the best cosmetic surgery procedures.

Study author Murad Alam, MD, chief of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, reviewed existing research to identify which procedures have proven to be safe and effective and which ones need more evidence.

“Many treatments gaining popularity are novel techniques that use complex devices, such as lasers and ultrasound, but there is sparse research evaluating their long-term effects,” said Dr. Alam. “We need more prospective studies comparing different treatments for the same problem head-to-head, so doctors and consumers know what’s best and safest.”

After reviewing 98 studies, Alam concluded that the following cosmetic procedures are among the most effective, proven procedures when performed by a trained, board-certified physician:

  1. Injectable botulinum toxins, which include Botox, Dysport and Xeomin, for smoothing wrinkles
  2. Liposuction for fat removal
  3. Lasers for treating broken blood vessels, port wine stains and rosacea
  4. Lasers for removing brown spots and hair

Of ranking Botox and other botulinum toxins first, Alam said, “These have been around for 20 years and during that entire period, when an approved pharmaceutical product in approved doses is used for cosmetic purposes, there have not been any instances of serious reactions.”

As for liposuction, Alam said that tumescent liposuction has shown to be an especially safe liposuction technique. “The main potential complication, excessive bleeding, simply doesn’t occur with that form of liposuction when appropriate rules are followed because the anesthetic used in the procedure prevents bleeding,” he said.

Some procedures are safe, but more studies are needed on their effectiveness, such as low-level laser light for fat removal, according to Alam.

Others, such as fat freezing, work, said Alam, but it will take several more years to determine if the fat removal is permanent.

Patients should be aware that there may be more than one type of procedure to treat a cosmetic concern. That’s why it is so important to have a skilled cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist. “Experienced physicians can help patients select the treatments that are best for them,” Alam concluded.

Tags:
Posted in Botox, In The News, Laser Treatment | No Comments »

New Study Compares Dysport & Botox for Crow’s Feet

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

Dysport for crow’s feetA new study compared botulinum toxins Botox and Dysport for treating crow’s feet and found Dysport may be more effective.

Researchers at the Maas Clinic in San Francisco treated crow’s feet on 90 patients with Botox on one side of the face and Dysport on the other. Patients were seen two, four and six days after injections. Patients and doctors rated Dysport as more effective at reducing crow’s feet, when patients were smiling.

Researchers concluded that Dysport had a trend toward greater improvements at day two compared to Botox and “statistically significant greater improvement at days four and six.”

However, though Dysport resulted in greater improvement, both showed statistically significant changes two days after injection.

ABC News spoke with doctors about the results of the study. Physicians agreed that both Botox and Dysport have positive results, and that the skill and experience of the doctor administering the injection is more important than which botulinum toxin is used.

Botox Maker Questions Study

Allergan, maker of Botox, responded to the study by saying that is was funded by Dysport’s maker Medicis. A spokesperson for Allergan, Kellie Lao, pointed out that the study, published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, only reported data out to 30 days after the injections, so “the long-term comparative efficacy is unknown.”

Medicis spokesperson Kara Stancell wrote Cosmetic Surgery Times, “These findings resulted from an independent, physician-initiated study that was funded by a grant from Medicis, but not designed or conducted by Medicis. The study investigators are well-regarded, and the study speaks for itself.”

Dr. Corey Maas, lead author of the study, said, “It’s good for us to know that we have good, quality options out there for patients. When we have choices and there is good competition, it helps both the doctor and the patient.”

Dr. Heffernan offers both Botox and Dysport at his Seattle practice.

Tags:
Posted in Botox, In The News, wrinkle fillers | No Comments »

Courtney Thorne-Smith Educates Consumers on Botox Facts

Monday, October 10th, 2011

Botox facts Actress Courtney Thorne-Smith is helping to educate consumers on BOTOX® Cosmetic and changes in perceptions about the injectable since the drug launched almost 10 years ago.

Allergan, the company that makes BOTOX, reports that since FDA approval, the number of women who believe that BOTOX is an effective way to treat frown lines between the eyebrows has increased from 21 percent to 79 percent in 2010.

Women, like Thorne-Smith, have become more open about getting BOTOX treatments, and 90 percent of women who have had BOTOX say they would recommend it to a friend.

“I’ve used it, I like it, it works well for me. That’s just the simple truth,” Thorne-Smith told People magazine.

“I found I’ve been able to use it and have full expression and look really normal,” she said. “I found the frown line was distracting me – I was conscious of it. Now I’m not.”

Botox Facts

Here are some facts about BOTOX, in response to some of the most common questions consumers have about injectable treatments, according to a survey conducted by Allergan and HealthyWomen of 826 U.S. women ages 35 to 65.

Botox safety: For every injectable treatment, including BOTOX, it’s important to review the Important Safety Information and Medication Guide with your physician as serious side effects can occur. The most common side effects include pain or temporary bruising at the injection site, temporary tiredness, headache and nausea.

Cost of treatment: Cost varies across the country based on a number of factors. Allergan reports that according to one survey of doctors, the average cost of BOTOX is approximately $400 for treatment of the glabellar lines between the brows.

Facial movement after Botox: Injectable treatments such as BOTOX should not radically change one’s appearance. When BOTOX is administered by an experienced physician, a person can still frown and look surprised without lines between the brows.

Length of results: BOTOX treatment effects can last up to four months.

Discomfort from treatment: Discomfort associated with the injection is usually minimal and brief, and your physician may apply an ice pack or anesthetic cream.

Tags:
Posted in Botox, In The News | No Comments »

Topical Botox Gel Shows Promise in Treating Crow’s Feet

Monday, September 26th, 2011

topical botoxBotox results without the needle? It may be a reality one day, as preliminary research for a topical Botox gel shows promise for reducing crow’s feet, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The gel contains botulinum toxin, which is Botox’s active ingredient, and results last about four months, which is similar to the results from Botox injections.

The study said that the gel “noticeably softened crow’s feet,” but there are still many unknowns about the new drug, including how much it would cost, when it might be available and how well it will work compared to injected Botox. More studies are needed before possible FDA approval.

If a Botox gel does prove to be safe and effective, it would likely be embraced by consumers. Botulinum toxins, such as Botox and Dysport, are the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the country, and the gel could offer a pain-free alternative to the injectables. The gel is applied to the wrinkled area around the eyes; after a half an hour it is then wiped off, according to study researchers.

In one study, close to 90 percent of patients who got the botulinum toxin gel showed a “clinically meaningful” reduction in wrinkles, compared to 28 percent of those who got a placebo gel. In another study with 180 patients who had crow’s feet, about 40 percent responded favorably, the researchers reported.

Topical Botox Would Require Your Cosmetic Surgeon

The botulinum toxin gel is a drug, not a skin cream. That means that if it were eventually to receive FDA approval, patients could only undergo the procedure at their physician’s office.

The researchers did point out that it may be difficult for a gel to get the level of precision that injections provide; however, the gel’s advantage is that patients can avoid the needle.

Tags: ,
Posted in Botox, In The News | No Comments »

The Five Most Popular Cosmetic Surgery Procedures for Men

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

most popular cosmetic surgery for menMore men are getting cosmetic surgery, and a recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) found that 12 percent of men said they plan to have cosmetic surgery at some point in the future.

Why are more men turning to cosmetic surgery? Spouses and significant others may play a role in encouraging it. Men may also feel pressure to maintain a more-youthful look for their careers.

Top Five Cosmetic Surgery Procedures for Men

Men seem to favor non-surgical procedures, according to the top five cosmetic procedures from the AACS. The most popular procedure for men is Botox, and laser hair removal and microdermabrasion also made the top five.

Surgeons say that men are more discreet about cosmetic procedures, and so they tend to look for outpatient procedures with little recovery time and subtle results.

Hair transplantation/restoration and liposuction also made the list of the top five popular procedures for men, according to AACS statistics.

For liposuction, men often focus on areas like the lower back, upper flanks and abdomen, otherwise known as the “spare tire.” However, removal of fat from under the chin — neck liposuction — is also becoming more popular for men.

Barry Lind, 52, said he chose to have cosmetic surgery after losing weight, which left him looking like a “12-year-old St. Bernard.”

“After successfully losing 30 pounds over two years, I decided to get a neck reduction at age 47,” Lind said. “That consisted of liposuction and tightening of my neck muscles.”

A year later, Lind got a chin implant. “I’ve maintained my weight, and I look great,” said Lind. “No regrets.”

Tags:
Posted in Botox, Facial Plastic Surgery, In The News | No Comments »

20-somethings Turn to Botox in Hopes of Preventing Wrinkles

Monday, August 15th, 2011

X Botox to prevent wrinkles There is no definitive evidence that using Botox to prevent wrinkles is effective, but despite this, there has been a large increase over the last few years in the number of 20-somethings getting Botox, Dysport and similar treatments to try to prevent wrinkles, experts say.

Tiffany Rose Goodyear, 29, started getting Botox at 24 to smooth forehead wrinkles that she says she got by frequently raising her eyebrows.

“If I start at a younger age, when I’m older I’ll continue to have that youthful appearance that our society so values,” Goodyear said.

In 2010, almost 78,500 people in their 20s received Botox in the United States, an 11 percent increase from 2009, according to statistics from the American Society for Plastic Surgeons.

Plastic surgeon Arthur Perry thinks the concept of trying to prevent future wrinkles is “nutty.”

“You don’t want to use a drug unless you need the drug, and Botox is a drug,” he said.

Brian Glatt, a plastic surgeon, finds that regular use of Botox seems to make the muscle-relaxing effect last longer so patients don’t need to come in as often for treatments. This may occur because the muscle undergoes atrophy, or wasting, after prolonged periods of not being used, Glatt said, which could mean that wrinkles wouldn’t form as easily on a young person who has had treatments for years.

Also, if Botox is used regularly, the wrinkles that return when it wears off may not be as severe, said Glatt.

Plastic surgeon Steven Pearlman goes by what you could call the “rest test.” He said to wait until lines show up before getting Botox. The wrinkles must be there when your face is at rest, not contorted through smiling or grimacing, he said. “Unless someone has lines at rest, they’re not a candidate for Botox.”

So how can you prevent wrinkles? Two of the best ways are to wear sunscreen and avoid smoking, according to the experts.

Tags:
Posted in Botox, In The News | No Comments »

Couples Increasingly Choosing Non-Invasive Plastic Surgery

Monday, June 27th, 2011

non invasive plastic surgeryAs many couples age together, more of them are slowing down the visible effects of aging with non-invasive plastic surgery, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune.

Why Are Couples Choosing Non-Invasive Plastic Surgery?

The trend is likely because people are not only living longer than before, but also because they are working harder, which puts added stress on the skin, according to Dr. Leo R. McCafferty, vice president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The uptick in non-invasive plastic surgery may also be attributed to improvements in the economy, which has seen consumers with more spending money.

One plastic surgery practice near Pittsburgh saw about six couples for non-invasive plastic surgery five years ago and now sees almost 30 couples per year.

Not only are couples undergoing similar non-invasive plastic surgery treatments to maintain a youthful look for their spouses, but they may also be doing so to stay competitive in the workplace.

What Non-Invasive Plastic Surgery Options Are Couples Choosing?

Though surgical procedures are still popular among a range of patients, young and mature, non-invasive plastic surgery is only gaining traction. Most popular among women and men looking to shave a few years off is Botox, an injectable that smooths out many types of facial wrinkles.

Though one woman had undergone non-invasive plastic surgery treatments like chemical peels, she had not pressured her aging husband to do so. However, when he began to notice wrinkles creeping across his cheeks, he chose to have injectable fillers, like Juvederm or Restylane, to fill in the deep lines.

When you visit your plastic surgeon’s office for a consultation, make sure to inquire about non-invasive plastic surgery as well as traditional plastic surgeries to reduce the signs of aging and refresh your skin, at any age.

Tags:
Posted in Botox, In The News, Products, skin care, wrinkle fillers | No Comments »

Dysport for Crow’s Feet Favored by Patients in Study

Monday, June 27th, 2011

dysport crows feetIn a new study, a majority of patients preferred the correction of Dysport for crow’s feet over that of a similar wrinkle-fighting injectable, according to HealthDay News.

Dysport for Crow’s Feet: How Does It Fare?

The study, which was conducted at the University of California and published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, used 90 adults, mostly women, to compare their preference for Dysport or similar injectable Botox. Each patient was injected with 10 units of Botox on one side of their face at their crow’s feet, while the other side was injected with 30 units of Dysport for crow’s feet. None of the participants had ever undergone facial surgery, nor had they used a botulinum-based injectable in the previous six months.

One month after they had been treated, the patients were asked to compare their appearance with their facial muscles contracted to photos taken before being treated. According to the study, two-thirds of the patients said they preferred the wrinkle protection provided by Dysport for crow’s feet. With their faces relaxed, the patients generally noted no difference between the treatments.

How Does Dysport for Crow’s Feet Compare to Botox?

While for treating crow’s feet, Dysport may have garnered more patient preference, the authors of the study are quick to note that other injection sites on the face were not tested. For example, botulinum injectables are often used to treat forehead wrinkles, lines around the mouth and sometimes those signs of aging on the neck. Additionally, Dysport and Botox are not interchangeable and contain different formulations of botulinum, which should be considered when contemplating treatment.

When you visit your plastic surgeon for non-surgical wrinkle treatments, be sure to share your aesthetic goals so your plastic surgeon can suggest the best treatment for your needs.

Tags:
Posted in Botox, In The News, Products, skin care, wrinkle fillers | No Comments »

New Study Examines Botox’s Effects on Reading Emotions

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Does Botox affect ability to read emotionsBotox injections may actually inhibit the ability to read others’ facial emotions, according to a new study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science. The study found that people who had Botox injections were significantly less accurate at reading others’ emotions in photos compared to those who had Restylane injections.

Study researcher David R. Neal, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Southern California, said, “If you have a poker face because your facial muscles are paralyzed, you can’t read others emotions as well.”

Why would Botox have this effect and not other fillers? According to Neal, evidence suggests that people use mimicry to register and label the emotional states of others, so something that limits one’s ability to reproduce another person’s expression of emotions, such as Botox — which has a paralyzing effect on facial muscles in the immediate vicinity of the injection site — would likely impair one’s ability to register or label those emotions.

Women who had their facial folds treated with Restylane were able to read others’ emotional states with about 77% accuracy, while those who had Botox had 70% accuracy.

Neal admits that it’s a “fairly subtle” effect. “People are not becoming automatons. It’s just a matter of weighing whether the aesthetic and self-esteem boost outweighs any subtle impact on your ability to perceive others emotions,” he added.

Andrew Jacono, MD, a facial plastic surgeon in New York City, who reviewed the study, said that the findings likely only apply to those who use excessive amounts of Botox.

“When Botox is overdone, it doesn’t look right and people aren’t perceived in the right way,” Jacono said. “The goal is to try to make sure when you get Botox, it is done in a subtle way so you can look better and maintain your ability to emote and read others.”

Tags: ,
Posted in Botox, In The News, wrinkle fillers | No Comments »

« Older Entries