Posts Tagged ‘Botox’

Is There a Perfect Age to Get Botox Cosmetic?

Monday, February 8th, 2010

“I probably don’t need cosmetic surgery – but I could see myself getting Botox when I’m a little bit older,” said my 26-year-old friend over dinner last Friday. I think her opinion is pretty normal, but it begs the question, what age is “old enough” for Botox?

For most people, the appropriate age to get Botox (or Dysport) probably depends on when their frown lines become noticeable and when they have the disposable income to afford the treatment. But does that mean the patient is necessarily middle-aged?

(more…)

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Enhance Yourself – Enhance Your Job Prospects

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

istock_000008859561xsmallCompetition on the job market is fierce these days, and many people are considering the possibility that age, or their appearance, may be affecting their job prospects to some extent.

To get a little extra edge, many job seekers have turned to their hair stylist for a new look, or their local surgeon for Botox or Dysport wrinkle injections.  When you have to compete with young adults just out of college, who often accept a much lower wage, you need to present yourself in the best possible light.

Men and women are using some of their extra time to get a little touchup, with injectables like Botox, a wrinkle filler, or even eyelid surgery.  Botox is the number one minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in the U.S; according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 5 million treatments were done last year. The cost of a single treatment will vary, and it pays to keep an eye out for monthly specials and events.

If you are going for treatments prior to a job interview, give yourself at least 7 days to heal from Botox and other injectables. Remember, doing well on an interview is not only about how you look, but whether you exude confidence about yourself and your ability to do the job.

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Wide-Awake but Still Looking Tired?

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

istock_000006408881xsmallIs this you? Your eyes are swollen morning and night. You constantly have under eye bags and dark circles. When people aren’t saying you look tired, they’re asking if you have allergies or if you feel okay.

If any of this sounds familiar, perhaps it is time to do something about it. You shouldn’t have to live with such a condition – especially one so treatable! Besides, if you don’t seek treatment, it’s possible that symptoms may become more noticeable.

Dr. Heffernan is a board certified Oculoplastic surgeon who can recommend treatment options such as the following:

• An upper and lower eyelid lift (also called a blepharoplasty)
• A brow, or forehead lift
• Injection with Botox cosmetic
• Injection of a dermal filler to add volume to sunken eye troughs

In some cases, patients need a combination of the above options. Many choose to combine eyelid surgery with a brow lift. Choosing to undergo surgery (or even a non-surgical procedure) is a significant decision, so try to gather as much information as possible. View before and after photos of patients like yourself, speak to former patients and ask them questions like these:

  • How was the procedure beneficial for you?
  • Were you comfortable with your surgeon?
  • Would you do it again?
  • Would you do anything differently?

The eyes are one of the first features on the face to which most of us respond. You deserve to have eyes that radiate, eyes that brighten your face and eyes that reflect how young and energetic you truly feel.

If you’re ready to discuss your options, contact the Seattle office of Dr. Heffernan today.

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Why Do People Get Botox or Wrinkle Filler Treatments?

Monday, June 1st, 2009

A survey conducted by researchers from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has given us some insight about patients who choose wrinkle treatments. Researchers sent questionnaires last March to 687 patients who had received Botox and/or dermal filler treatment. 

The following statistics illustrate the opinions of the ‘typical’ patient. Who is the ‘typical’ patient?  Apparently, “a married, working mother between 41-55 years of age with a household income of under $100,000.”

Roughly 70 percent of the respondents claimed that Botox and dermal fillers play an important role in their cosmetic routine.

When asked what their motivation was for pursuing Botox treatment, 34 percent said their appearance looked “stressed” or “angry”. Others said that a friend, family member, or their physician had recommended it, or they were preparing for a social event. 66 percent said they received Botox treatment 2-3 times per year. 72 percent of the respondents chose Botox to treat glabellar lines – the vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows.  

When asked about their motivation to use hyaluronic acid fillers, the majority (63 percent) of patients reported a desire to remove facial wrinkles and folds – mostly the nasolabial folds that travel from the nose to each side of the mouth.

Nearly 70 percent of the respondents who had been treated with Botox also opted for dermal filler treatment.

A full summary of the results is available (in MS Word) here.

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New Botox Therapies, Cosmetic Uses Emerging

Friday, May 1st, 2009

Botox has been proven to smooth out facial wrinkles by surgeons worldwide, but that has hardly been the extent of its usage.  If you do a little research, you’ll find that physicians are using Botox for many interesting purposes, and new techniques are emerging all the time.

As reported in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers from Allergan Inc. conducted surveys about sweating, revealing that almost 3 percent of the U.S. population (7.8 million people) believe their sweating to be excessive. At the time of the survey (in 2004), less than half of the respondents had sought medical help for the problem. Botox blocks the localized release of a specific chemical that stimulates sweating, and so the FDA approved it for this use years ago.

Many doctors also routinely use Botox to treat headaches, and their basic procedures are hardly different than those of wrinkle treatment. It isn’t entirely clear how the Botulinum toxin provides relief; it may work to inhibit certain pain-transmitting nerves. Studies have nonetheless shown that people experience fewer headaches after Botox injection.

Last March, the New York Times published a story on the off-label use of Botox to help those who have suffered a stroke and have trouble relaxing certain muscles. According to the experts, “only about 5 percent of the stroke patients who could benefit from its use ever get it.”

Patients with even more obscure conditions have found success using Botox. In Feb 2008, USA Today reported that radio personality Diane Rehm (of National Public Radio) had received routine off-label Botox treatments for a vocal disorder called spasmodic dysphonia.

Aside from these therapies, surgeons and dermatologists are finding even more cosmetic uses for Botox. Dr. Lawrence Reed recently told an ABC news affiliate that “we’re at the tip of the iceberg where Botox is going to be used.” Reed has apparently been pioneering some interesting new cosmetic applications.

For acne, Dr. Reed injects Botox just below the skin: “It decreases the muscle pump and blocks the production of oils, so we use it for acne,” he claims. Other patients of Dr. Reed found success using Botox to relax certain muscles and actually make their eyes appear larger, and to supplement laser skin resurfacing.

If you’re considering Botox for any off-label use, make sure you choose a qualified physician. Despite the optimism surrounding Botox as a ‘wonder drug’, there have been complications and side effects associated with off-label use and inexperienced providers. If you’re interested in Botox treatment around Seattle, see our homepage or contact us.

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