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Botox and Medical Malpractice

Botox Patient — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:49:34 +0000

Contrary to popular belief, very few medical malpractice cases involve doctors and Botox cosmetic.

The prevailing idea is similar to what a respected icon in the makeup industry opines: Women should be afraid of Botox. Her reason: because it involves injecting poison into your skin.

I’d be rich if I got a penny for every single time I’ve read and heard this statement. Here’s the important truth that you, our dear reader, should remember. Botox cosmetic, administered in the proper dosages by an experienced injector, is safe.

Firstly, Botox is not injected to the skin but into the muscle underneath. Its purpose is to calm the muscle, giving the skin a break from repetitive creasing which, in the long run, allows it to return to its taut state. When the skin is allowed to smoothen out and tighten up, your wrinkles become less visible and eventually disappear.

Secondly, Botox is not scary. In fact, even the FDA acknowledges that most common side effects associated with the drug’s cosmetic use is ptosis or drooping of the eyelid.

Yes, there have been several reports linking Botox to paralysis and death but those instances are not from the cosmetic use of the drug.

The FDA’s Postmarket Drug Safety Information has the following information:

Adverse effects for pediatric cases are reported to come from treatments of muscle spasticity in cerebral palsy.

For adult cases, migration or distant spread of toxin effects are reported to come from treatment of spasticity and cervical dystonia. The report also stated that the several deaths connected with the use of the drug cannot be attributable to the toxin itself but to complications of pre-existing conditions.

With regard to the cosmetic use of the toxin, the FDA categorically stated, and I quote, “…there have been reports where some symptoms could be consistent with distant spread of toxin effect following dermatologic use. However, no definitive serious adverse event reports of distant spread of toxin effect associated with dermatologic use of Botox at the labeled dose of 20 Units (for glabellar lines) or 100 Units (for severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis) have been identified”.

Even with this current track record, doctors are careful with injecting the toxin to the lower part of the face to treat smile or marionette lines. There’s a world of difference between causing droopy eyelids and paralysing somebody’s lips disabling them from speaking. The first only pertains to appearance, the other can affect one’s life and work. Doctors know this so, some of them refrain from performing these treatments. In any case, the effects of Botox cosmetic, both the good and the bad, are only temporary. As such, things return to the way they were after a period of time.

We don’t have any legal authority to say that a malpractice case becomes moot after things return to normal. But at the very least, people should consider the fact that there are few medical malpractice cases involving Botox as a sort of reassurance. Doctors take care of their patients and their reputations and would not intentionally cause harm to clients. Add this to the fact that the drug itself is safe, and you end up with something that should not be feared.

Botox and Medical Malpractice is a post from: Botox Patient

The Real Score Between Botox and Doctors

Botox Patient — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:49:43 +0000

Ever wondered about the relationship between Botox and doctors? Well, today is the day when you’re wondering ends…

Every patient is aware that Botox treatments are expensive. In fact, we’d wager that this is the first consideration of most of them. But what very few realize is that doctors usually get so little profit from doing Botox. The fact of the matter is that it’s not a big ticket item in cosmetic medicine. Here’s the simple reason why: the drug, by itself, is expensive. Which means that even your trusty clinic bears the brunt of the high price of the drug.

According to this report, a vial of Botox containing 100 units carried a price tag of $525 last year, 2009. That translates to a bottom line cost of $5.25 per unit.

While prices vary per region, clinics typically charge their patients $10 per unit. That’s a little less than twice the cost of the drug itself! Let’s consider this for a moment. The $4.75 you pay on top of the cost of Botox will cover the following expenses: utilities (electricity and water), salary of all of the staff (yes, you pay not only for your Botox injector but also for everybody in the payroll), operating expenses and lease expenses (for the office and equipments), among other things. Of course all these costs are distributed among all the clients and you only shoulder a fraction of the overall expense. But, do you see how far doctors and clinics stretch the little margin they get per treatment?

Here’s an illustration so you may see the situation even better. A regular treatment of the glabellar lines for women require 20 units of Botox so, you will be paying the clinic $200 dollars for the procedure – $105 for the Botox, $95 for all of the other expenses that was already mentioned. Can you imagine what will be left as net profit? Gets you thinking, huh?

You might now be wondering why a lot of physicians are still deciding to add Botox to the services they offer. Here’s the answer to that one: Botox is a great introductory service and since it’s one of the most sought after treatments, it’s a fabulous way to obtain new clients. Making Botox patients happy can lead to a long term relationship that will (hopefully) include some of the ‘big ticket’ procedures. We know it sounds very utilitarian but this is the reality of the business side of things…

Now, let us make it clear that we aren’t divulging this info to disillusion you or to make you cynical. We just want you to see the other side of the coin. Before you think that your doctor is ripping you off with the price of his services, you should consider the things we pointed out above. Keeping these little bits of info in mind may help you understand your Botox provider and get you better treatments.

The Real Score Between Botox and Doctors is a post from: Botox Patient

In Your Botox Doctor’s Shoes

Botox Patient — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 22:50:32 +0000

Hey guys! Have we got a treat for you!

We’re going on a 3-day journey… one, we’re sure, you never thought you needed to take.

By way of introduction, let us share with you the reason why we’re doing this.

While we were doing research for the Botox Guide (which, by the way, we can’t wait to share with you!), we realized how getting into the mind of your physician can help you get safer, cheaper and better Botox treatments. It will help you see things through their eyes and sortof learn to play their game… but you create your own rules.

If you want to discover how they learn to inject Botox, what they actually think of the treatment and how medical malpractice figures into the equation, then you better bookmark our site now. We’ll be dishing out insider information you won’t get anywhere else!

So, without further ado, here is where your 3 days in the shoes of your Botox provider begins:

Day 1: the crash course that is the Botox Training

Medical practitioners, who seek to add Botox to their respective roster of services, usually start with training. Here’s a sample schedule of one such Botox training course:

8:00am – 12:00nn: Botox Training

Lessons include the following:

history of the drug,
the science behind how the drug works (or what is known as pharmacology)
proper storage, handling and reconstitution,
indications, contraindications and side effects
human facial anatomy and physiology
injection techniques for different treatment areas
pre and post treatment care

12:00nn – 1:00pm: Lunch

1:00pm – 3:30pm: Training on Dermal Fillers

Yes, the other half of the day is devoted to other cosmetic procedures. Botox is usually lumped with dermal fillers because they are both injectables and are, in that sense, similar.

3:30pm onwards: Hands-on Training for Botox and Fillers

This is where the day gets exciting. The physicians attending the seminar get to practice their new-found knowledge on actual people. However, there’s a catch. There’s a limited number of ‘live models’ on whom they can practice. We’re venturing a guess of a maximum of 3-5 people per attendee. While some may think that’s enough, we believe otherwise.

There’s a difference between those who are legally allowed and who are qualified to perform Botox treatments. Anyone with a medical license can inject Botox. But being qualified takes more than just a day’s worth of lectures.

Also, merely reading materials and watching other people perform the treatments do not result in Botox expertise. Experience, specifically performing the procedure on hundreds (even thousands) of patients is still the best way to perfect this skill.

It is through experience that the injector learns about the differences in the facial musculature of every individual, how such differences would affect where the Botox is injected and how much of the drug is used as well as what techniques increase or decrease the risk of side effects. This kind of knowledge cannot be acquired in just a few hours. This is why we can’t stress enough how important it is to check how long your doctor’s been administering Botox and how many patients he’s already treated. Knowing these may help you decide on who you will trust to wield that Botox laden needle.

Note though that the more experienced injectors charge higher than the new ones. Think of it this way: the new Botox doctors charge less because they get to practice on you. You, then, become a prelude to their expertise. We’re not saying that this is wrong. We just wanted to let you know so you can make an informed choice on the matter. At the end of the day, your decision will prevail and we trust that you will weigh the pros and cons carefully.

In Your Botox Doctor’s Shoes is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox Mistakes You Should Avoid

Botox Patient — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:40:35 +0000

Here’s an update to The Insider’s Guide that we are creating.

We just decided to include a discussion of issues that should be considered as Botox no-no’s. A common denominator among these types of issues is the desire to avoid paying the high cost of Botox treatments. Sadly, money, or a feeling of lack thereof, can really drive people to make unwise decisions. We’re hoping that this Guide will protect women from unscrupulous individuals and, maybe, even from themselves, by giving them the information needed to make smart choices.

Here are a couple of issues that we might tackle in The Guide.

Do-It-Yourself Botox treatments

A lot of controversy was stirred by the arrest of Laurie D’Alleva. Suddenly, the issue of Do-It-Yourself Botox treatments was shoved into the spotlight. I know that there are individuals out there who believe that Laurie was doing the common person a great service by giving them access to cheaper cosmetic medicine. But, please be wary of distributors, online or otherwise, who allow you to purchase prescription medicine, such as Botox, without a prescription. The FDA has regulated these drugs for several reasons – most important of which is your safety. A lot of people seem to overlook the matter of health just to be able to save some money but, as some of the victims of Discount MedSpa admit, reversing the effects of their DIY treatments are causing a much bigger dent on their bank accounts.

Fake Botox

Most of the bad press associated with Botox actually pertain to instances where Fake Botox was used irresponsibly. You may have heard of the Houston physician who was sentenced to prison for using industrial strength Botox on her patients. The drug she used was labeled “FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY, NOT FOR HUMAN USE” and yet she still injected some 170 of her patients with it. Botox, despite being derived from a neurotoxin, is really a safe drug – but this comes with several precautions such as using only the FDA approved version produced by Allergan and proper administration by experienced medical practitioners. When a person chooses to cut corners and find cheaper alternatives without regard to possible repercussions, you just know that things are bound to get ugly – and with Botox in the equation, ugly might just be right on the money.

I know that deciding to undergo any medical procedure requires giving your physician a little bit of faith but that doesn’t mean that you have to go through the process blindfolded.

The inclusion of a section that discusses these issues in The Guide is made with the hope that we will be making more women think twice about latching on to super-saver deals like these. We’ll also give you some tips on avoiding Botox pitfalls such as how to choose your physician, what to ask during your consultation and even how to check if the Botox that will be used is the real deal.

I hope this is getting to be as exciting for you as it is for us!

Botox Mistakes You Should Avoid is a post from: Botox Patient

Common Botox Safety Concerns

Botox Patient — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:36:40 +0000

Botox, like every other word, has an etymology that can tell you so much about what the word denotes.

Most people overlook the fact that Botox is the brand name that Allergan gave the drug it manufactures for the treatment of wrinkles. This commercial name is actually a contraction of the words Botulinum Toxin from which the drug is derived.

BOTOX = BOtulinum TOXin

Let us now deal with the 2 main words involved:

Bot·u·li·num* (n): a spore-forming bacterium that secretes Botulinum Toxin. [From the German word "Botulismus"; coined from the Latin term "Botulus" which means sausage. The word 'sausage' is a depiction of the shape of Clostridium Botulinum, the bacteria that produces the toxin]
Tox·in* (n): a poisonous substance… usually very unstable, notably toxic when introduced into the tissues… [From the Latin term “Toxicum” which means poison]

Bacterium. Poison.

The two main words associated with Botox involve things that people usually stay far away from. No wonder most women’s primary concern is the safety of using Botox!

The Insider’s Guide that we are currently creating will include a section that will delve into the safety issues commonly associated with Botox treatments such as:

Is it safe? If so, how?
Important things you need to know to do Botox safely
How things can go wrong in a Botox treatment and how to avoid them
Possible side effects and measures you can take to prevent them from occurring
Botox pitfalls that you should avoid at all costs

We’re hoping that tackling this issue head on will give you the answers to common questions you may have regarding the safety of using Botox. The ultimate goal is to give you eveything you will need to make smart choices every step of the way.

*definition from merriam-webster online

Common Botox Safety Concerns is a post from: Botox Patient

The Truth About How Botox Works

Botox Patient — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:35:38 +0000

What exactly does Botox do?

One of our goals for this Guide is to give you an accurate description of how Botox works. Of course before you can decide that a Botox treatment will work for you, you have to know how the drug works.

A simple google search on the topic will give you the impression that the research is easy enough – and it actually is. Well, at least until you come across a site that says something different. Then you question which of the two possibilities is correct.

Here’s what most of the sites say: Botox blocks the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is the muscle’s signal to contract. Even the pictures available online all illustrate this cause and effect scenario. The common visual interpretation depicts Botox as encircling little spheres in the nerve ending that contain the acetylcholine. By virtue of such encircling, Botox prevents the release of the neurotransmitter and the muscle does not receive its signal to contract. No muscle contractions mean reduction in wrinkles. This explanation puts forward the theory that what is affected is the function in the nerve ending.

Now, here is what the dissenting website had to say: the function of Botox is to prevent the receptors on the side of the muscle from recognizing the acetylcholine – which means that the neurotransmitter is still released but the muscle receptors cannot recognize the signal. In this explanation, the organ affected by Botox is the muscle.

To a non-scientist, the second theory actually makes sense following this logic: Botox is injected into the muscle therefore, the organ affected is the muscle.

However, when one realizes that the Botulinum Toxin, from which Botox is derived, is a neurotoxin, you realize that it can and will have an effect on the functions of neurons so it is plausible that they affect the nerve that is responsible for making the muscles move even if the drug is injected in the latter.

Ah, the confusion.

It doesn’t help that Medline Plus, a website by the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, says that Botox treatments work by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles OR by blocking certain nerves. This technically gives both of the theories leg to stand on. This now leads me to 3 hypotheses: (1) both of these theories are actually correct and are not mutually exclusive in describing the effects of botox, (2) if only one of them is correct, even these government agencies are unsure which of the two is correct or (3) none of these theories is correct and there is a third explanation out there just waiting to be discovered.

On that note, let the research resume…

The Truth About How Botox Works is a post from: Botox Patient

Debunking Botox Myths

Botox Patient — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:27:10 +0000

We’ve started writing the Insider’s Guide To Botox and are keeping you in mind the whole time — as much as possible, we’d like to address your Botox concerns from the moment you start deliberating if you’re a good candidate for the procedure until the time you schedule your next treatment.

One of the things that we decided to do is address the myths surrounding Botox and give you the correct information.

We came across several erroneous and misleading articles and commentaries online while conducting our initial research and this propelled our efforts into separating Botox myths from facts. We also took note of common misconceptions and will distinguish which ones are true and which are not.

We figured that if we were to put ourselves in the shoes of someone searching around online for information that will help them decide if they’re going to go through with the procedure, we’d end up having to wrestle with confusing literature especially with topics relating to when you should schedule your next treatment, who are authorized to administer the drug and something as basic as how the drug works.

All this is geared towards creating the ultimate guide for the smart Botox patient.

Here are the general headlines of the Guide:

Botox Basics: Everything you need to know even before your first consult
Botox Treatment: Overcoming Botox Jitters
Botox Aftermath: Making the effects of Botox last

Debunking Botox Myths is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox Without Needles

Botox Patient — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:20:30 +0000

New news on Botox without needles or injections.

Botox Without Needles is a post from: Botox Patient

Bad Botox

Botox Patient — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:07:46 +0000

A Plastic Surgery Group out of Albany, along with several of its staff, have been charged following guilty pleas that they were using non FDA approved Botox products on their patients.

The Plastic Surgery Group, LLP (TPSG), of Albany has been sentenced and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $106,686, and a fine of $200,000, in connection with TPSG’s plea of guilty to one felony count of misbranding drugs.

The company was sentenced in Federal District Court in Albany, along with Doctors William F. DeLuca Jr., Douglas M. Hargrave, Jeffrey L. Rockmore, Steven M. Lynch, and John D. Noonan, who were all sentenced to probation with community service and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $106,686 and a fine of $5,000.

TPSG’s practice administrator, Peter M. Slattery, and supervisory nurse Susan F. Knott were also sentenced and ordered to pay
restitution in the amount of $106,686, and fines in the amount of $1,000 and $500, respectively.

All the individuals were sentenced in connection with their guilty pleas to one misdemeanor count of misbranding drugs.

According to plea agreements, starting in approximately February 2004 and continuing to December 2004, defendant TPSG ceased using the FDA-approved Botox and Botox Cosmetic and began exclusively using a non-FDA approved TRI-toxin on its patients seeking treatments with Botulinum Toxin Type A for facial wrinkles.

Five physicians, whose professional corporations were partners of TPSG (the “treating physicians”), with the assistance of TPSG nurses, injected approximately 150 patients with the unapproved product.

Bad Botox is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox ready for a price surge?

Botox Patient — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:50:16 +0000

Botox maker Allergan is getting ready to break resistance, and one investor is fine-tuning a position to take profits and maximize gains.

optionMONSTER’s Heat Seeker tracking program detected the purchase of 6,000 January 65 calls for $0.80 and the sale of 3,000 January 60 calls for $3.05. Volume exceeded open interest in the higher strikes and not the lower, indicating that the investor rolled a position into the higher strike.

AGN rose 2.44 percent to $61.83 in late morning trading and reached a new 52-week high of $61.94. The stock is attempting to break an old peak from September 2008, after which point the next resistance is likely to be around $69.

Rolling the calls forward allowed the investor to recover $435,000 of premium while doubling the number of options they own on the stock. The move also increases their likely gain on a percentage basis. If AGN rallies to $69, their position will appreciate about 400 percent.

If they had stayed in the January 60 calls, they’d only make about 200 percent and run the risk of losing money if the shares reverse lower.

AGN’s sales and profit beat expectations the last time the company reported results on Oct. 29.
Overall options volume in the name is almost 13 times greater than average today, with calls outnumbering puts by 145 to 1.

Botox ready for a price surge? is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox Patient: Allergan’s CEO comments on proposed new “Botax”

Botox Patient — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:03:14 +0000

Botox manufacturer Allergan’s CEO calls tax impact to company “pretty marginal”…

(Reuters) – Botox maker Allergan Inc (AGN.N) is actively fighting a proposed U.S. cosmetic surgery tax, but sees a marginal impact on the company, Allergan’s chief executive told Reuters on Friday.

Healthcare legislation pending in the U.S. Senate includes a 5 percent tax on elective cosmetic surgery procedures, nicknamed the “Botax” after Allergan’s popular wrinkle-fighting injection.

The impact would be “pretty marginal” for Allergan overall, CEO David Pyott said in an interview.

He said adding 5 percent to the average $440 cost of a Botox procedure would have a “very marginal” impact on demand, but could have a “larger” effect on breast implant procedures that cost upward of $5,000, he said.

Still, the company is lobbying to have the tax killed because “we really feel strongly this is bad policy,” Pyott said.

“I think it’s a dangerous precedent. It’s extremely discriminatory against women,” who make up about 90 percent of cosmetic surgery patients.

“Why not have a tax on drugs for male balding or for erectile dysfunction? Why are we picking on women?” he said.

Many patients are middle-class, working women and not just the wealthy, Pyott said. He pointed to an American Society of Plastic Surgeons survey that showed 60 percent of people planning to have cosmetic surgery lived in households with annual income below $90,000.

The tax in the Senate bill is estimated to raise roughly $5 billion over 10 years to help pay for a healthcare overhaul costing $849 billion. It is not included in health legislation that passed the House of Representatives.

Among Allergan’s products, the tax would apply to Botox, wrinkle filler Juvederm, eyelash drug Latisse and breast implants, Pyott said.

The tax would apply to cosmetic procedures that are “not necessary to ameliorate a deformity” related to “a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or disfiguring disease,” according to the bill.

Sales of Botox rose about 3 percent in the third quarter to $328 million following declines in previous quarters that the company blamed on waning use of cosmetic procedures during the economic downturn. Allergan’s breast implant sales amounted to $69 million in the third quarter.

Allergan would not pay the tax directly, but doctors would be required to collect it from patients.

The company’s lobbying efforts include a website and Facebook page to rally tax opponents. The website calls the plan “a tax on self-improvement.”

More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition opposing the tax and more than 7,500 letters have been sent to senators, Pyott said.

The tax was added recently to the Senate healthcare bill as lawmakers looked for new ways to help fund wider insurance coverage and other changes.

“We needed money to make the bill work while using a funding mechanism that would allow us to stay within the healthcare arena,” said Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Botox Patient: Allergan’s CEO comments on proposed new “Botax” is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox Patient: No more needles?

Botox Patient — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:21:12 +0000

Clinical trials are showing some promise for needle-free wrinkle removal…

ANTI-WRINKLE GEL

Doctors are achieving some successes in testing a Botox-like gel that’s aimed at smoothing away wrinkles much as Botox injections do.

Early word from doctors who are testing the gel is that it has an effect on crow’s feet wrinkles, but is not as effective as Botox, which is made by Irvine-based Allergan.

Photos of two patients treated with the gel show some improvement, but not always a dramatic change. Doctors who measured the gel’s effect said a statistically significant number of patients experienced somewhat less intense wrinkles around their eyes — for example, a change from severe to moderate crow’s feet or from moderate to mild crow’s feet a month after the treatment.

The treatment, called RT001, is still in clinical trials, which means the prospect of approval by the Food and Drug Administration remains far in the future.

The latest tests have been aimed in part at determining the concentration of peptide molecules in the gel that would be most effective in transporting the active Botox-like botulinum ingredient through the skin.

The latest tests found that, at stronger concentrations of peptide, RT001 improved the appearance of about 80 percent of patients, compared to improvements for 50 percent of the patients treated with a placebo gel with no active ingredients. Revance Therapeutics of Mountain View, Calif., which is developing RT001, reported those results in a poster presented to the American Academy of Dermatology in August.

“The results are good, but they probably won’t be as dramatic as [Botox] injections,” dermatologist Dr. Fredric Brandt of Miami told WSVN television there.

Continue article here

Botox Patient: No more needles? is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox Patient: What’s the #1 treatment at medical spas?

Botox Patient — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:31:39 +0000

For many medical spas, Botox is the number one physician performed treatment.

There may soon be a better way to fight unsightly wrinkles. Researchers have discovered a novel way to increase the potency of botulinum neurotoxin treatments – commonly known as Botox - that they say could one day allow patients to receive the injections less frequently while maintaining or even enhancing its cosmetic benefits.

By allowing lower doses, the new approach could also make the treatment safer by reducing the risk of complications associated with immune system recognition that can sometimes occur with frequent injections, according to scientists at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif. Smaller, more potent doses may even lead to lower prices for the popular wrinkle-remover, the researchers say. Their study is published in the March issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Although popular for removing wrinkles, Botox is also used to treat a growing number of other conditions, including migraine headaches, lazy eyes and excessive sweating. It is developed from the botulinum neurotoxin, the most lethal poison known and a potential bioterrorist weapon. In a medical setting, small doses of a purified version of the toxin block the release of a chemical (acetylcholine) that signals muscle contraction, resulting in a localized, temporary paralysis that erases wrinkles and unwanted muscle spasms.

Kim Janda, Ph.D., a chemistry professor at Scripps and head of the research study, and his associates developed a synthetic molecule that can â€˜superactivateâ€™ the neurotoxin used in Botox by binding to specific sites on the neurotoxin protein. The synthetic molecule works by increasing the activity of an enzyme that cleaves proteins that are critical for neurotransmitter release, thereby increasing the blockage of acetylcholine and enhancing the toxinâ€™s paralyzing effect. In laboratory studies, the researchers found that this â€˜superactivatorâ€™ could boost the activity of the toxin by as much as 14 times that of the untreated toxin.

The new treatment has not yet been tested in humans or animals, the researchers say. If further studies prove successful, the technique could be available to consumers in four to six years, the researchers estimate.

(Dysport has recently been approved by the FDA. It’s a competitor of Botox.)

Botox Patient: What’s the #1 treatment at medical spas? is a post from: Botox Patient

Botax: New Taxes on Botox + Plastic Surgery?

Botox Patient — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:38:01 +0000

The medical spa and plastic surgery community is in an uproar over some proposed legislation that could make a trip to the plastic surgeon or a Botox injection at the medical spa more expensive.

People are calling it the Botax. It’s a 5 percent tax on elective procedures such as Botox, Juvederm, Restylane, laser hair removal, facelifts, breast augmentation and other nips and tucks that lawmakers are hoping will help fund the nearly $1 trillion health care plan.

The bill says the tax would not apply to cosmetic surgery to fix a deformity either from birth, accident, or disease. It would apply to procedures like face lifts, liposuction, cosmetic implants and teeth whitening.

But as Dr. Paula Hicks points out sometimes cosmetic surgeries have very medical purposes.

“Certainly breast reduction surgery is a very good surgery for a lot of women and a lot of them will get denied by the insurance company as cosmetic surgery,” said Dr. Hicks of the Ave Medical Laser Spa and Laser Clinic.

Under the proposal, Dr. Hicks says an eyelid tuck, which can help with vision, would cost an extra $100 in taxes on top of the $2,000 price tag for the procedure.

She says that could be a big hit to her business since most of her clients are not wealthy.

“Most of these procedures are not done on people that are rich and have endless amounts of money, it’s middle class working women that would be targeted with this tax and it’s really not fair.”

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons 86 percent of cosmetic surgery patients are women. Sixty percent of them have annual incomes between $30,000 and $90,000.

The tax, if approved, would raise $6 billion over 10 years.

Allergan, which sells Botox, took a civil rights angle: The tax “discriminates against women,” the company said in a statement. Some 86% of cosmetic surgery patients are working women ages 35-50, with an average annual income of $55,000 per year, according to Allergan.

“What’s next? Are we going to tax people who color their hair?” the CEO of Medicis, a drug company that sells fillers, told Dow Jones Newswires.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, which is fighting the provision, says “a large portion of those being taxed would be the baby-boomer generation. And as this age group continues to age, the more interest will be generated in cosmetic procedures.”

A spokesman for the 2,500-member group said they were surprised to see the provision in the Senate bill this week, because it had already surfaced and sank in July. The tax is not in the House bill.

The tax is on elective procedures, and would not apply to any procedure to correct birth defects or issues arising from disease, accidents or trauma. The CBO says it would raise about $5 billion over the next decade.

via medicalspamd.com Follow Medical Spa MD on Twitter

Botox Patient: Posted from Medical Spa RX: Wholesale Botox

Botax: New Taxes on Botox + Plastic Surgery? is a post from: Botox Patient

How much does Botox cost your local doctor?

Botox Patient — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:55:20 +0000

What do doctors pay for Botox? Botox pricing

Prior to the slowing economy and rise of new competition (i.e. Dysport, Allergan has exercised incredible pricing power with Botox.

Based on data furnished to RealSelf, from 1998 to 2008 Allergan price increases for Botox exceeded the rate of inflation 9 out of 11 years.

Since 1997, the cost of Botox moved up $190 to $525 per vial, or 57%. If Botox prices were only adjusted with inflation, the same vial would price out at $447. The price per unit (paid by the doctor) has climbed from $3.35 to $5.25. Botox vials hold 100 units.

Here’s a table showing the historical cost of Botox to doctors (most doctors markup about 2X):

	vial cost	unit cost	% change	Inflation
1997	$335	$3.35	-	2.34%
1998	$352	$3.52	5.1%	1.55%
1999	$369	$3.69	4.8%	2.19%
2000	$370	$3.70	0.3%	3.38%
2001	$392	$3.92	5.9%	2.83%
2002	$392	$3.92	0%	1.59%
2003	$417	$4.17	6.4%	2.27%
2004	$448	$4.48	7.4%	2.68%
2005	$466	$4.66	4.0%	3.39%
2006	$485	$4.85	4.1%	3.24%
2007	$505	$5.05	4.1%	2.85%
2008	$525	$5.25	4.0%	3.85%
2009	$525	$5.25	0%

Botox Patient: Posted from Medical Spa RX: Wholesale Botox

How much does Botox cost your local doctor? is a post from: Botox Patient

Do it yourself home Botox injections? ABC News want’s to talk.

Botox Patient — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:22:19 +0000

Have you tried do-it yourself plastic surgery? In tough economic times, many try to cut costs, including in their beauty regimen. Despite the risks, some people have decided to skip the doctor — and obtain and self-administer cosmetic treatments.

If you have self-injected products like Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, silicone, and other substances, 20/20 would like to hear your story.

Please fill out the form below, including information about your experience, and a producer may be in contact with you.

You can tell ABC all about it here.

via medicalspamd.com

Amazing that anyone would give themselves Botox or Restylane injections at home.

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Do it yourself home Botox injections? ABC News want’s to talk. is a post from: Botox Patient

Wholesale Dysport from Medical Spa RX

Botox Patient — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:36:20 +0000

Wholesale Dysport from Canada

Dysport is botulinum toxin type A that is manufactured by Ipsen. In the USA, Dysport has been approved under the trade name Reloxin. Reloxin and Dysport are exactly the same product and manufactured by the same company. We guarantee that all products we supply are 100% genuine and that you will be satisfied with your order.

We source Dysport from Europe where there are government implemented price regulations allowing us to bring you the best possible price for Dysport.

Through the partnership of Medical Spa Rx and Medical Spa Md we now offer you a new purchasing option so you can save even more. By selecting the option Group Buy above, your order will become a part of a group buy with other clients, getting you the absolute lowest price possible.

When you choose the group buy option, you order will not be shipped to you immediately. Instead, your order will only be shipped once there are enough orders collected to meet the minimum amount for the Group Buy. You will receive your order approximately 10 working days after this has been met.

The Group Buy option does take much longer to get your order, but it gives you the ability to make uncomparable savings. So, if you can wait longer, or order ahead of time, the Group Buy option will be perfect for you.

If you need your order urgently and can not wait that long for the Group Buy, we still offer our regular services at the most competitive prices around.

via Wholesale Dysport

The Dysport group buy allows medical spas, laser clinics and plastic surgery clinics to group their buying power and buy Dysport at a discount. it’s a much more efficient way to buy Dysport if you’re a heavy Dysport user.

Botox Patient: Posted from Medical Spa RX: Wholesale Botox

Wholesale Dysport from Medical Spa RX is a post from: Botox Patient

Wholesale Botox

Botox Patient — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:21:39 +0000

Wholesale Botox: Botox is botulinum toxin type A that is manufactured by Allergan. The Botox that is supplied on MedicalSpaRx.com is original Botox manufactured by Allergan in Ireland. We guarantee that all Botox that you buy wholesale through is is 100% original and will meet your expectations.

The Botox that is supplied through MedicalSpaRx.com is sourced from European countries that have government implemented price regulations, allowing us to bring you the best possible price.

Through the partnership of MedicalSpaRx.com and MedicalSpaMd.com we now offer you a new purchasing option so you can save even more. By selecting the option Group Buy above, your order will become a part of a group buy with other clients, getting you the absolute lowest price possible.

When you chose the group buy option, you order will not be shipped to you immediately. Instead, your order will only be shipped once there are enough orders collected to meet the minimum amount for the Group Buy. You will receive your order approximately 10 working days after this has been met.

If you need your order urgently and can not wait that long for the Group Buy, we still offer our regular services at the most competitive prices around.

via medicalsparx.com

If you haven’t checked out the ‘Group Botox Buy’ from Medical Spa RX, you’re not doing your medspa or laser clinic any good.

Botox Patient: Posted from Medical Spa RX: Wholesale Botox

Wholesale Botox is a post from: Botox Patient

Dysport + Botox

Botox Patient — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:51:13 +0000

Is Dysport the new Botox?

Dysport is often called the “New Botox.” However, Dypsort has actually been available in Europe for therapeutic indications since 1991 and for cosmetic applications since 2001. In April 2009, Dysport (officially known as BoNT-A/D) was approved in the United States for the “temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines.” These are the lines between your eyebrows. However, just like Botox Cosmetic, Dysport can be used “off-lable” for treatment of crow’s feet (squinting lines around your eyes), forehead wrinkles, chemical brow lifts, platysmal bands (neck bands) and sweaty palms and armpits.

The molecule in Dysport is exactly like Botox Cosmetic but is covered by a different coating, which dissociates (dissolves) at a different rate. That is why the onset of action of Dysport is thought to be faster than Botox Cosmetic since the coating comes off faster. In Botox Cosmetic Treatment the usual onset of action is 3 to 7 days where the Dysport onset of action seems to be a few days faster. The dosing is different with Dysport, so there may be some confusion when translating Botox “units” with Dysport “units.” This is why you need to see an injector who has experience specifically in Dysport injections. Also, there is a learning curve with Dysport injections, so you may not initially achieve the same results as you are used to receiving with Botox Cosmetic.

There is also some confusion about the pricing of Dysport with many reports on the Internet and advertising claiming that it is cheaper than Botox Cosmetic. There is a discrepancy in the potency of units. A “unit” of Botox is not equivalent to a “unit” of Dysport, so unit pricing is not comparable. There is a slight savings with Dysport, but it is about 5% – nothing substantial. So, do not expect to go to your plastic surgeon, medical spa, laser center or skin clinic to achieve the same results as Botox Cosmetic for half the price. However, with competition, hopefully prices will come down. Allergan (Botox Cosmetic) is currently offering a $50 mail-in rebate for Botox Cosmetic customers and Medicis Aesthetics (Dysport) is offering a $75 mail-in rebate. With these rebates and introductory pricing, you may be able to get a better deal than your last injection.

In the end, it is great to have another minimally invasive product approved on the market which can give consistent and noticeable results with virtually no downtime and minimal risks.

via Medical Spa RX: Dysport

Botox Patient: Posted from Medical Spa RX: Wholesale Botox

Dysport + Botox is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox from Canada

Botox Patient — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Botox from Canada that is supplied through MedicalSpaRx.com is sourced from European countries that have government implemented price regulations, allowing us to bring you the best possible price.

If you need your order urgently and can not wait that long for the Group Buy, we still offer our regular services at the most competitive prices around.

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Botox from Canada is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox: Single use?

Botox Patient — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:24:36 +0000

Is your medical spa using a new vial of Botox for every patient?

If your medical spa is using a new vial of Botox for every patient, yours will be the first medical spa or cosmetic practice of any kind that I've ever know to do so.

Here's a story from the Las Vegas Review Journal that specifically points out Botox as a 'contributor' to an outbreak of hepatitis C. Of course, if you read the story you'll see that some nurses were observerd 'reusing needles' that contaminated vials of Botox. A very different cause indeed from just using the Botox on multiple patients.

And of course, there's the cost, which almost every medical spa mentioned in the story. (You'd have to get all of your Botox from Canada to afford that.)

Single-use Botox vials used on more than one patient.

That practice at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada, public health officials have repeatedly said, contributed to the hepatitis C outbreak in the Las Vegas Valley.

A phone call to inquire about the cost of a Botox party was greeted with this information: "It will be cheaper if all the partiers use the same vial."

One business that seems to be going well in Las Vegas is known for throwing Botox parties. That's an ongoing phenomenon across the country where friends get together and drink champagne while their wrinkles are needled away.

"We just couldn't handle it financially," said one medical assistant who asked to remain anonymous. "We would have gone out of business."

Medical assistants at two different spas said their owners only stopped multipatient use of single-use vials of Botox "until things quieted down" after the hepatitis outbreak was announced.

The Review-Journal had little trouble finding medical providers who said they and their companies knowingly broke state and federal regulations.

"You can't have doctors worrying about breaking the law or guidelines or whatever," Niamtu said.

A new company called Dysport is manufacturing a similar product, and the competition could force Allergan to provide smaller dosage vials to physicians who want them, he said.

Now a federal lawsuit filed in California by Las Vegas physician Ivan Goldsmith argues that sales representatives for Allergan Inc., maker of the popular anti-wrinkle drug Botox, promote multipatient use of its 50-unit or 100-unit single-use vials.

Goldsmith's lawsuit alleges that doctors can only make a profit using Botox if they reuse the single-use vials that the drug comes in.

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Botox: Single use? is a post from: Botox Patient

Allergan’s Botox profit.

Botox Patient — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:24:26 +0000

Allergan Inc (AGN.N) on Thursday said its quarterly profit rose, as sales of anti-wrinkle drug Botox rebounded from an earlier slump and helped offset lower sales of medical devices.

The company’s third-quarter earnings increased 8 percent to $179 million, or 58 cents per share, compared with $165 million, or 54 cents per share, in the year-earlier period.

Excluding special items, Allergan earned 70 cents per share. Analysts on average expected 69 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

The company’s shares were up 1.2 percent at $54.20 in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Allergan said global sales rose 4.2 percent to $1.13 billion in the quarter, somewhat higher than analysts’ expectations of $1.08 billion.

Sales of Botox rose about 3 percent to $328 million, following declines in earlier quarters that the company had attributed to waning use of cosmetic procedures during the economic downturn.

For full-year 2009, Allergan forecast earnings of $2.75 to $2.77 per share, excluding special items, compared with Wall Street expectations of $2.75 per share.

The company said it expects full-year sales of $4.35 billion to $4.4 billion, compared with Wall Street forecasts of $4.32 billion. (Reporting by Ransdell Pierson, editing by Dave Zimmerman)

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Allergan’s Botox profit. is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox + Dysport

Botox Patient — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:24:14 +0000

MedicalSpaRX.com sells Dysport, Ipsen's newest introduction the the cosmetic corrections market in the USA. Dysport is starting to make an impact on doctors choices to treat your wrinkles in 2009 and going forward, with MedicalSpaRX.com offering some of the lowest pricing on a wholesale basis.

(MedicalSpaRX.com is affiliated with Medical Spa MD, the largest community of plastic surgeons, dermatologists, laser clinics, and skin clinics on the web with more than 4,000 physician members world-wide.)

Traditionally the main selling botulinum toxin product for MedicalSpaRX.com has been the ever so popular Botox that is manufactured by multinational Allergan. Until recently Botox has arguably dominated the market for wrinkle corrections performed by a medical professional, as we at MedicalSpaRX.com have noted through our sales.

Of course there has also been the option to buy and use so called "fillers" such as Restylane or Juvederm since the late '90s, all of which MedicalSpaRX.com also supplies at discounted pricing to medical professionals.

Since its approval by the FDA this year, Dysport has slowly gained popularity with sales through MedicalSpaRX.com. Contributing to Dysport taking some of our Botox sales are several advantages in price and effects.

We have noted that Dysport can begin showing effects in the patient within one day of injection, whereas patients that have been treated by Botox have regularly commented saying that effects are usually noticed within a week of treatment, or in some cases within 2 weeks according to some doctors.

There is also a small pricing advantage in Dysport's favor, with pricing being an average of 5-10% cheaper than the same treatment with Botox. Although the price on MedicalSpaRX.com is higher per vial than Botox, the amount of Dysport used per injection differs and the end result is a more cost effective product.

Although gaining popularity we at MedicalSpaRX.com are still seeing strong Botox sales, which tells us that we still have a very loyal following that prefer to use the tried and tested Botox.

We would suggest to medical professionals to at least try out Dysport through MedicalSpaRX.com, who has such great pricing it can't hurt.

About MedicalSpaRX.com

MedicalSpaRX.com is an international wholesaler of pharmaceuticals and medical products to doctors, clinics and other medical organizations at discounted pricing. Amongst the products that are sold by Medica Depot are Botox, Dysport, Restylane and Juvederm.

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Botox + Dysport is a post from: Botox Patient

Medical Spa Botox

Botox Patient — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:23:45 +0000

From Medical Spa MD: Understanding Botox & Injectables. Injectable products are an important contributing factor to your clinic’s financial success. With new products entering the market like Dysport and Evolence, and other exiting like ArteFill, it is important that your staff be knowledgeable of the products used in injectable procedures.

Although this chapter from the Advanced Medical Aesthetics Training Manual wasn’t actually requested in the training manual I wrote for the academy students, I felt it was extremely important for , especially for medical estheticians, to know the difference amongst the various treatments used to alleviate the appearance of wrinkles and folds, and the difference between dynamic and static lines.

Medical estheticians have the most “face time” with clients, examining it with magnifying lenses, treating it with exfolliants, moisturizers, galvanic current, high frequency, various acids, etc. They understand the realm of fine lines and wrinkles and know what can be alleviated with topical treatments such as facials, peels, microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing, and what cannot.

I cannot tell you how many patients call or come into our office with no knowledge of the difference between paralyzing agents such as Botox and Dysport, and dermal fillers. We take it for granted that we know the difference, but injectable products can be very confusing to the lay person. Because the aesthetician works with the client’s skin, they should be well versed in the differences in the two categories of injectables and the products that lie within. Estheticians become your most powerful education source for your clients which ultimately leads to an upsell for them (with possible commission).

Many people think all fillers products are the same, nor do they care to understand the difference between hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxylapetite. All they truly care about is “how long will it last” and will the “results look fake”. Only with proper education can the medical esthetician effectively and intelligently discuss the differences in the filler products, educate the patient about the effects and lasting results, and help lead the patient to the right product, or combination of products, for their expected outcome.

This information in this chapter is very important for your front desk/phone people as well!

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Medical Spa Botox is a post from: Botox Patient

Medical Spa RX: Botox from Canada

Botox Patient — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:23:29 +0000

From Medical Spa MD: Medical Spa RX has had it’s first physician who has reordered Botox 5 times. In fact, there are a number of them. Woot!

Oddly enough, I consider 5 reoders of Botox significantly significanly more impressive than only 4. (I don’t know why. Perhaps because Medical Spa RX has only been offering Botox for the last 4 months so 5 orders would be more than monthly.)

Medical Spa RX has been shipping orders for something on the order of 4 months now so 5 orders is telling me that we’ve got a number of physicians who switched to Medical Spa RX very shortly after we launched it and have been using it exclusively. (My clincs usually orded Botox or Restyland monthly so that’s where my logic lies.)

We’ve been extremely diligent in makeing sure that Medical Spa MD Members are being taken care of by Medical Spa RX and as far as I’m aware we’ve never yet had a single complaint about the service or product.

I should note here that Medical Spa RX and Medical Spa MD are completely different. Medical Spa RX is Select Partner who offers exclusive services to our Members. (Any technology provider or service company who can provide meaningfull value to our Members is welcome to apply.)

For those physician or medical spa Members who have not yet ordered your Botox through Medical Spa RX and are in a position to do so, I’d highly recommend giving them a chance by placing a small test order of whatever you use most, Botox, Restylane, Juvederm of Dysport.

Also, if you haven’t heard about the group buy option, there’s nothing like it to harness buying power.

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Medical Spa RX: Botox from Canada is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox & Nose Jobs becoming more popular in India

Botox Patient — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:22:58 +0000

Botox becomming more popular in India?

A pointed nose and taut skin seem to have emerged as the two most important assets for Indians going by the number of people opting for rhinoplasty or “nose jobs” and botox injections in the country.
Though there are no official records of plastic surgeries in India, a study of hospital records show that cosmetic procedures like rhinoplasty and liposuction have seen an increase of 150 per cent in the last five years.
Other popular surgical procedures include abdominoplasty and male breast reduction.
Among the non-surgical procedures, some of the widely practised procedures include Botox injection, microdermabrasion (a non-invasive procedure that uses a spray of micro crystals to remove the outermost layer of dry, dead skin cells and reveal younger, healthier-looking skin), collagen injection, laser hair removal and chemical peel.

via ptinews.com

Vanity is constant as the norther star… So is Botox. Just the kind of thing you can get at any laser clinic or skin clinic.

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Botox & Nose Jobs becoming more popular in India is a post from: Botox Patient

Bootox? Botox & Restylane injections for women’s high heels.

Botox Patient — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:22:46 +0000

I came across this article from Australia on Botox and Restylane being injected in womens feet.

IT'S the subject of whispered conversations over cocktails deep within Flemington's Birdcage. The secret weapon a flock of fashionistas rely upon to teeter upon 10cm stilettos all day long at the races.

Botox and filler injections for the feet are the latest crazes in cosmetic surgery to make their way to Flemington – and the solution, according those with cash to splash, to the old racing conundrum of how to wear those towering pumps and not end up carrying them home after the final race has been run.

For about $1500, some doctors, such as Bondi-based cosmetic surgeon Michael Zacharia, will inject hyaluronic acid (Restylane) into the balls of the feet.

The fluid, commonly injected into joints to treat osteoarthritis, numbs the parts of the foot that become strained by wearing sky-high heels.

And judging by the height of the footwear that was racing out the door of Melbourne boutique Miss Louise yesterday, 10cm heels will indeed be spotted around the Birdcage today.

Dr Zacharia, who has been doing the procedure for just over a year, said the foot filling provided "internal padding for the feel at that point of pressure underneath the balls of the feet. Instead of using those silicon pads inside your shoes, this is an internal way of doing it."

The procedure, however, is a lot more expensive than purchasing a pair of silicon inner-soles. At $750 per foot, the fillers will last for about six months.

Dr Zacharia said three or four people this week had told him they wanted the foot fillers for the Spring Racing Carnival, but he warned those considering the treatment that the sensation immediately following the injections could be uncomfortable.

"I've been told that for about 10 minutes afterwards it feels like you are walking with marbles in your feet, or it's like there is something in your shoe," he said.

The other procedure women are turning to is "bootox" – having Botox injected into the balls, arches and soles of the feet to paralyse the sweat glands, which Dr Zacharia said would also set you back about $1500.

Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons president Mark Gilheany said while women might think the procedures were magic solutions to stiletto-fatigue, foot fillers could be masking symptoms of more serious problems.

He warned that for people experiencing a significant amount of pain standing in heels it could be a sign of partially dislocated bones or torn ligaments.

"If you require something of that (surgical) nature then you could have an underlying problem," he said.

"It's not something that is routinely done and I haven't seen any clinical trials to say whether the injection of a biological cushion into the foot is effective.

"If there was anything that really worked I'm sure I would know about it. It seems like a waste of time when you can stick a cushion in your shoes and take some paracetamol."

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Bootox? Botox & Restylane injections for women’s high heels. is a post from: Botox Patient

Bad Botox

Botox Patient — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:22:35 +0000

Federal officials in Washington State indicted three beauty salon proprietors this week for administering phony Botox and for trying to bribe an officer to overlook an unauthorized laser device.

In the first instance, Xin “Faith” He of Natural Beauty in Bellvue, WA told clients she was injecting Botox and the hyaluronic acid dermal filler Restylane when in fact she was injecting counterfeit substances. Her actions led to at least two reported negative reactions since 2004 that required a dermatologist’s or plastic surgeon’s care. One victim (pictured above), who wished to remain anonymous, remarked, “My face looked like Frankenstein’s.”

In the second case, the two owners of Crystal Nails in Burien are charged with offering an official an $800 bribe to overlook a dangerous and unapproved radiation-emitting laser treatment they had imported.

Of course, neither of these Botox injectors were running a real medical spa, skin clinic or laser treatment center. They were just injecting Botox on their own.

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Bad Botox is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox around the world

Botox Patient — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:16:41 +0000

There's a lot of Botox used around the world from sweating to headaches to wrinkles.

Here's a graphic from a Botox story on CNN.

In the hunt to discover the next blockbuster medical use for Botox, doctors have injected it experimentally into muscles and glands all over the body, making it medicine’s answer to duct tape. According to recent medical journals, physicians have used it to treat chewing problems, swallowing problems, pelvic muscle spasms, drooling, hair loss, anal fissures and pain from missing limbs.

“We see it as a molecule that keeps on giving. As we understand it more, it gives us new ideas of how to use it,” says Dr. Mitchell F. Brin, a neurologist who is the chief scientific officer for Botox at Allergan, the drug’s maker.

No other therapeutic agent “has so many demonstrated uses,” he says.

But some health advocates worry that doctors are widely adopting novel uses for Botox before federal guidance and rigorous clinical studies have established safe and effective dosages for the new treatments.

“It’s trial and error with a nerve poison,” says Dr. Sidney M. Wolfe, the director of the health research group at Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group. Last year, the group petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to require a warning label for injectable toxins.

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Botox around the world is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox Patient: Fake Botox or not, Discount Medspa is going to jail!

Botox Patient — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:15:25 +0000

Via an almost unbeliveable story on Wired: Fake Botox or not, Discount Medspa is going to jail!

A website that sells a prescription drug similar to Botox without requiring a prescription claims it has more than 2,000 customers. Some have learned how to inject the botulism-derived drug into their own faces from YouTube videos produced for the site.

Discountmedspa sells a variety of other DIY cosmetic treatments, including prescription Renova, and lip-filling gels. The botulinum toxin-derivative for sale on the site is Dysport, produced by the pharmaceutical company Ipsen and is a competitor of Allergan’s Botox. The site simply calls it “the Freeze.”

A Grand Prairie, Texas, woman, Laurie D’Alleva, who appears to be the site’s proprietor, performs treatments on herself in self-made videos posted to the site’s YouTube channel. In one video, D’Alleva pulls out a vial of what is presumably Dysport and a syringe filled with saline.

“It’s important to remember that you are mixing the potency of the botox,” she says, mixing the contents of the vial with the saline solution. She then injects her forehead and the areas around her eyes.

Ipsen received FDA clearance to sell Dysport in the United States a few months ago, but it’s a prescription medication. It’s the first direct competitor for the branded Botox, which is the most popular cosmetic treatment in America. Doctors did more than 2.4 million Botox procedures in 2008, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In recent years, the vast amounts of money spent on the treatment have attracted scams and knockoffs, which the FDA has had to crack down on. In May, the FDA also ruled the drug needed a tougher “black-box” warning label to reflect an increased understanding of the small, but real risks of the treatment.

In the U.S., it is illegal for anyone but a doctor or nurse practitioner to prescribe drugs to patients and only pharmacists can dispense drugs to people. Yet drug sellers on the internet routinely flout the FDA’s regulations. A review published last month in the Annals of Family Medicine found more than 130 websites offering antibiotics without a prescription. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy tracks thousands of sites that don’t meet its standards for brick-and-mortar shops. LegitScript, a private firm that works with the NABP, has database of 47,633 internet pharmacies; 46,570 of them aren’t up to snuff.

These sites are brazenly circumventing regulations that protect consumers from bad or fake drugs and ensure that the chemicals are used correctly. The laws were designed precisely to prevent Americans with little to no medical training from doing things like buying a form of toxin, mixing it with saline and injecting it into their faces. Yet, precisely that appears to be possible with the help of discountmedspa.com.

Video: The original YouTube video was pulled by DiscountMedSpa on Wednesday, October 28. Wired.com had saved the source and has embedded that video in the story.

In a blog post response to a customer’s skeptical query, Laurie provided the following explanation for the legality of her site and the provenance of her products.

I know there is much information out on the net about fillers and Botox ‘knock-offs’. This is not what I am selling! The products I have are from a company names Ipsen… I have a connection that allows me to get products that are not usually available in the states because I purchase other products in their line. Now the trick is I have to market it and label it under my own brand, to keep them and myself from getting into any legal trouble. It does take a leap of faith, but I assure you I have over 2000 customers now who love the products and are saving literally hundreds of thousands of dollars between us!

“I watched a Doctor on YouTube.com do this to a patient and he warned people not to inject below the eyes however I had to put a smile on my face too,” Lesley commented on a blog post. “The trick to this is to hold a pencil just at the corner of one side of your mouth and inject two units of Freeze at the very bottom of your chin. This will cause your [sic] very end of your mouth to turn up. Then do the other side the same way. If you don’t get it even you may have a crooked smile so be very careful that the injection is placed in exactly the same place as the other side.”

Her recommendation for another user is to “watch YouTube.com and you will learn a lot of some of the Doctors [sic] secrets to recreating your face the way you want to look.”

Other women describe mishaps with over-injecting the drug.

“My Dr. would never inject the crows feet. I did and got GREAT results!” wrote a commenter named Pat. “Unfortunately, I can’t read those little hash marks on the syringe too well and over injected above the brow on one side. A week later I’m now sporting a half closed and swollen eye, and look ready for Halloween!”

the Texas Department of State Health Services released the following statement, but would not comment further.

“The Texas Department of State Health Services is aware of discountmedspa.com through a complaint we received. That complaint status remains open and under review,” the agency wrote.

The complaint was made under the Texas Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which regulates the sale of prescription drugs like Dysport in the state.

“Botox is a prescription drug that must be dispensed or sold by a licensee pharmacy and only with a prescription from a licensed practitioner. Any over-the-counter sale of Botox is illegal,” the agency affirmed.

Unbelieveable that people could be so dumb as to inject themselves with Botox… or anything else for that matter. Discount Medspa’s owner is definately headed for the slammer.

Side Note: Medical Spa MDs partner site, Medical Spa RX, is a licensed and regulated phamacy that sells wholesale Botox and other fillers exclusively to licensed medical professionals only.

via medicalspamd.com

This was first posted on Medical Spa MD.com. It’s truly amazing what people will do. Injecting yourself in a mirror with Botox has got to be a precursor for the Darwin Awards.

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Botox Patient: Fake Botox or not, Discount Medspa is going to jail! is a post from: Botox Patient