There’s a new site for Botox training that allows physicians, dentists and other medical clinicians learn how to perfom Botox and filler injections (Including Dysport) online. It seems so popular that it’s full right now and has a waiting list.

Botox Training MD is a post from: Botox Patient

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Botox training course for doctors, nurses, PAs, NPs and other medical professionals.

As A Botox Training MD Member You’ll Have Access To Everything You Need To Know To Add High-Profit Botox & Dermal Filler Treatments To Your Practice:

Hands-On Botox & Filler Training Videos: Learn how to perform all common Botox and dermal filler treatments with 11 detailed video overviews and demonstrations; Brow lifting, crows feet, gummy smile, smile lift, lower face treatments and more!
Comprehensive Training & Resource Guides: Illustrated PDF treatment guides showing exactly how each treatment is performed and how it can be modified for the best results. Resource Guides show you where to find the best deals on products and services to grow your cosmetic practice, from legal services to marketing resources.

Insider Secrets From Experts: 5 interviews with physician experts that are already raking in cash that give you insider info on exactly what works; marketing, consultations, up-selling, pricing and more! Our experts spill the beans on everything from perfecting your consultation, to training your staff, to exactly how to prevent unhappy patients. These interviews give you access to information you can’t get ANYWHERE else and are easily worth the membership all by themselves.

5 Special Bonus Products: Q&A sessions, patient marketing tips, consent forms, before and after pictures for your use, and the special Ultimate Botox Guide, a 35 page patient marketing eBook to distribute to your existing or prospective clients to position yourself as the expert in your market!

FREE Botox Marketing Mini-Course: Just ask to be notified above (you don’t have to by anything) and we’ll send you a free mini-course on marketing your new cosmetic services! You’ll find out how to set up your legal structure, where to outsource and where to do-it-yourself, and how to train your staff. It’s completely free and without any obligation!

is a post from: Botox Patient

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1. Botox Training Course

This is what happened when a woman in Texas started selling fake “Botox” from a website and posting How To videos on Youtube.

This obviously isn’t the same as the Botox training that physicians are offered…

Here’s what happened in Texas:

Discount Medspa Defendant D’Alleva Agrees To Halt Unauthorized Sales of Prescription Drugs, Devices

Owner offered prescription products, including Botox-like drugs, for sale online

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today resolved a November 2009 enforcement action against a Tarrant County woman who unlawfully marketed and sold prescription drugs, including instructions for botulinum toxin injections, over the Internet.

According to state investigators, Laurie D’Alleva and her Mansfield-based businesses, Discount Medspa and Ontario Medspa, improperly marketed cosmetic enhancement prescription devices and prescription drugs over the Internet. She also provided links to video instructions for “do-it-yourself” injections of botulinum toxin. To resolve the state’s enforcement action, D’Alleva agreed to pay the state of Texas $125,000 in civil penalties, attorneys’ fees and the Texas Department of State Health Services’ investigative costs.

The drugs and devices marketed by the defendant are only available to purchasers who have prescriptions from licensed medical professionals. Thus, the defendant improperly made those products available to persons without requiring prescriptions. Further, the defendant did so without licenses to dispense, distribute or sell prescription products, as required by state law.

Products that D’Alleva offered for sale included: Dysport® and “Freeze,” which both contain botulinum toxin; several prescription saline solutions and creams; an anti-depressant to lift libido; the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone for weight loss; and the prescription device Restylane® for face augmentation.

Court documents filed by the state indicate that an undercover investigator purchased a “Newbie Starter Kit,” which contained the prescription Restylane® in a filled syringe, a 50-unit Freeze product containing purified neurotoxins, one package of Bacitracin, empty syringes and needles, and other pharmaceuticals.

The state’s enforcement action charged D’Alleva and her businesses with multiple violations of the Texas Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act and the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. According to investigators, the defendant falsely – and unlawfully – claimed that prescription-only products were available to all purchasers without restrictions. Further, although D’Alleva promoted her membership with an organization called the Texas Medical Council – which she said granted her the authority to sell prescription-only products – no such organization actually exists.

Posting DIY Botox Training Videos On Youtube? is a post from: Botox Patient

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Botox Mom is shooting up her 8 year old.

You’ll have to watch an advertisement, but Anderson Cooper’s take on Botox Mom illegally shooting up her 8 year old daughter is worth watching.

Of course Botox Mom isn’t the only one finding and using Botox themselves as you’ll see on Medical Spa MD: Do It Yourself Botox: Are These People For Real?

The ‘Botox’ vial shown in the clip clearly doesn’t have a hologram and I can’t believe it’s real. I’m guessing that it’s some fake from China. It shouldn’t be too hard to find out where she, and these other ‘pageant moms’ are getting this.

is a post from: Botox Patient

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If you’re a physician, dentist, RN, or NP, there’s a new video training site that offers a Botox training course.

Here’s what you get with the Botox Training MD course.

As a Botox Training MD Member, you’ll have instant access to:

• Hands-On Botox & Filler Training Videos: 11 detailed video overviews and demonstrations of all common Botox treatment areas; Brow lifting, crows feet, gummy smile, smile lift, lower face treatments and more!
• Comprehensive Training & Resource Guides: Illustrated PDF treatment guides showing exactly how each treatment is performed and how it can be modified for the best results. Resource Guides show you where to find the best deals on products and services to grow your cosmetic practice, from legal services to marketing resources.
• Expert Interviews: 5 interviews with physician experts that are raking in cash that give you insider info on exactly what works; marketing, consultations, up-selling, pricing and more!
• 5 Special Bonus Products: Q&A sessions, patient marketing tips, consent forms, before and after pictures for your use, and the special Ultimate Botox Guide, a 35 page patient marketing eBook to distribute to your existing or prospective clients to position yourself as the expert in your market!

• FREE Botox Marketing Mini-Course: Just ask to be notified above (you don’t have to by anything) and we’ll send you a free mini-course on marketing your new cosmetic services! You’ll find out how to set up your legal structure, where to outsource and where to do-it-yourself, and how to train your staff. It’s completely free and without any obligation!

Botox Training Course is a post from: Botox Patient

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2. Posting DIY Botox Training Videos On Youtube?
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Did your get your new year’s resolutions all listed when you welcomed 2011? More importantly, are you prepared to make them part of your reality?

If you’re a bit apprehensive (like I am!), then you better read this great  article. It offers valuable tips on how to “Make Things Happen in 2011.”

1. Walk before you run.  Great ideas usually start as big, blue- sky concepts in our head.  The downside to this is that you may not know how or where to start executing.  Break your big idea into small, actionable chunks that will move you past the “dreaming” stage.  Once you get some initial feedback on your “small” steps, you will feel more confident taking the bigger steps.

(Author’s note: This reminded me of a quote I saw once - ”Give details to your desires and you’ll give wings to your dreams.”)

2. Find the courage to move.  What separates the entrepreneurs and creative professionals from the rest is an innate desire to move forward.  Yes, planning is crucial, but don’t fall into analysis paralysis.  As soon as you take that first step (applying for a patent, designing a prototype), your momentum will grow.  You must challenge yourself to take action sooner rather than later.   

3. Try, try and try again.  Even the best idea can suck the first time it’s prototyped.  Trial and error is a must in the creative process.  The important thing is to learn, refine, study and create a new-and-improved version. Rather than getting discouraged by your “failures,” just keep moving.  Then build a new prototype. Then do it again. And then one more time if needed until you get it right. 

4. Create a routine and stick to it. Part of being able to work on your project a little bit each day is carving out the time to do so. Routines can seem monotonous and uninspiring, but they actually form a strong foundation for creating true insight. 

5. Create simple objectives and review them frequently.  Working on complicated projects can make it difficult to remain focused on the goal.  Lots of new ideas enter the scene and the project’s scope can grow out of control.  This phenomenon, called “scope creep” can make it impossible to ever complete anything. The best way to avoid it is to write down a simple goals that summarize your objective at the start of each project. Read it regularly and ask yourself if you are still focused on the original goal.

6. Avoid “out of sight, out of mind”.  Whether you are writing a book, developing a new medical instrument or just learning a new skill, it is imperative that you maintain momentum.  It’s like exercise; the more you do it, the easier it becomes.  The same thing applies to your brain.  Just as when you run everyday, the exercise gets easier and easier, the same thing happens with your brain. As Jack Cheng argues in a great blog post, “Thirty Minutes A Day”: “the important thing isn’t how much you do; it’s how often you do it.”                                               

7. Say “no” more often. Be selfish with your energy. 

Creative energy is not infinite. Seasoned idea-makers know that they must guard their energy – and their focus – closely. Take author Jim Collins for example. His books Built to Last and Good to Great have sold millions of copies. His business acumen and insights are in demand. Yet, “even though Collins demands over $60,000 per speech, he gives fewer than 18 per year.” More than that and Collins wouldn’t have enough time to focus on the research and writing that yield those bestselling books. The ability to say “no” is an essential part of the productivity process.

The tips here should only be followed as long as they are actually working. If moving forward seems impossible, then take a walk, call a friend, visit a museum. Make sure you occasionally shake up your established routine. New perspective is gained and helps recharge us to keep moving forward.

-o-

Cheers to a fabulous 2011!!

from Medical Spa MD

Making 2011 Resolutions Come True is a post from: Botox Patient

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Since we’re already talking about online strategies, allow us to share with you some great tips that we found.

These are some steps that you can take to further your SEO efforts even offline.

What to do: Use offline advertising to promote your web presence.
How to do it: Include your website URL and other online accounts in your offline advertisements (think: print ads). When you do this, potential clients will know about you via offline means and will hopefully look you up when they get the chance to go online.

What: Ditch the traditional Business cards.
How: We don’t mean that you should do away with business cards. Rather, we encourage you to include your web addresses in the information you indicate in your card. That way, any person who gets a hold of it will know how to find you online.

What: Use your car for advertising.
How: Have you ever been stuck in traffic and noticed a car with a sticker that contained a web address? Some might think that it’s a little bit tacky but it’s just like having a mobile billboard showcasing your web address. It’s a good way to get your online location out there. Just think of it as the modern bumper sticker!

What: Be Creative.
How: You have a whole array of ways and means to boost your online presence outside of the internet. What’s left for you to do is get with the program and use the resources available to you. Remember though that you should be mindful of your marketing strategy. Make sure that your offline SEO efforts tie in with the general plan. Otherwise, you run the risk of doing more harm than good.

via Frontdesk SEO. Follow the link for more information on how to do SEO.

Boosting Your Online Presence Offline is a post from: Botox Patient

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What the world needs now, is love, sweet love… and so the song goes.

Remembering this little line even in your online dealings will definitely get you a thumbs up from your web friends.

The question now is this: how can you spread the love when all you’ve got in front of you is your computer?

The answer is simple: let your fingers do the talking.

The easiest way to do this is by commenting, whether it’s on your friends’ blogs, facebook profiles, myspace accounts or youtube videos. Let them know that you’ve seen their posts… and that you appreciate their efforts at sharing a part of themselves with you.

Another thing you could do is to engage your online friends in conversations. They don’t have to be about deep topics like philosophy or the woes of life… even a simple discussion about music, your favorite vacation spots or even just your favorite Thanksgiving food will pave the way for creating relationships. And at the end of it all, that’s what you want: to be able to connect with people and form relationships.

A word of caution, though. There’s a thin line between being friendly and being annoying. You’d want to be careful that you’re the former rather than the latter. Here are a few things that you may want to remember:

• Make sure that your comments are relevant to that which you are commenting on.
• Exert the effort to follow through with conversations that you initiate (Don’t you hate it when a friend starts a conversation and leaves you in mid-air after you reply? Well, the same principle applies online.)
• Moderate the number of comments and posts that you make in other people’s sites. (You don’t want to be “un-friended,” do you?)
• Always be polite. There’s no need to cuss or be rude.

Commenting may be something that’s taken for granted but it’s a simple way to appeal to people’s desire to be appreciated. And doesn’t everybody like to feel appreciated? We know we do so, feel free to send some love our way.

Spreading The Love is a post from: Botox Patient

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This topic is a bit off-tangent from our usual discussions about Botox but we thought it was worth sharing… Let’s consider this as spreading the tech-love.

We’ll begin by dishing out an important youtube secret with you.

Well, alright, what we’re about to share isn’t really a secret (we’re pretty sure there are a lot of other people who already know this) but this tip will surely prove relevant to your site.

I know you’ve seen a youtube video before but did you ever pay attention to all those links to related videos that show up at the end? Aren’t they annoying especially when they lead your readers away from your site? Well, you hold the power to remove those links completely.

If you want to embed a video in your site but don’t want those related videos showing up at the end, here’s a simple step by step guide of how to do just that:

1. Log-in to your youtube account and then select the video you want to embed into your site.
2. Click on the embed button. (It’s one of the buttons directly below the player, right beside the shared button)
3. Uncheck the “Include related videos” option from the drop down menu.
4. You can now copy the embed code (ctrl+c is the fastest way to do this).
5. Paste it on to your site’s “add video” field and submit.

Viola! You have now embedded a video in your site that will not show links to other videos.

This tip will be especially helpful for online entrepreneurs who want to refrain from driving traffic away from their sites. If there are no outside links that your readers can go to, they’ll be more likely to stick around and browse through your pages. Pretty simple for something so nifty, don’t you agree?

Youtube Secrets Revealed is a post from: Botox Patient

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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

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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

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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

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The FDA approved the use of Botox for migraine headaches just last October 15. Here’s a little Q&A that addresses your most pressing questions:

How will I know if I have chronic migraine?

You have chronic migraine if you experience headaches on most days of the month (at least 15 days each month).

The common symptom is intense pulsing or throbbing pain in an area of the head accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. (sidenote: The FDA recognizes that the condition is more common in women than in men.)

What will I experience during the treatment?

During treatment, the physician will inject Botox around the head and neck area. Injections will have to be repeated every 12 weeks for the continuous prevention of headaches.

Reminder: Make sure that your physician is familiar with using Botox for migraines, specifically. Remember that different muscles are treated for varying conditions and expertise in using the drug for 1 condition does not translate to expertise for the others.

Are there any side effects?

The most common complaints of patients who’ve had Botox injections for migraines are neck pain and headache. Note, though, that these are only temporary and they do go away.

What does this mean for me?

This may well be good news for you if you suffer from chronic migraines! You may be able to get your insurance to shoulder the cost of treatments like this. The Director of the FDA’s Division of Neurology Products considers chronic migraine as one of the most disabling forms of headache that greatly affects family, social and work life. Because of this, the FDA deemed it necessary to provide patients with options to address their condition – one of those being Botox.

Despite its only recent FDA approval, doctors have been using the drug off-label to treat this same condition. In case you’re worrying about safety, don’t! Numerous clinical studies have been conducted to test its efficacy and it won’t get the green light from the FDA if it wasn’t safe for use on humans. If you suffer from chronic migraines and would like to try Botox, be sure to consult your physician first.

via Medical Spa MD

FDA Approves Botox For Migraine Headaches is a post from: Botox Patient

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A lot of women have shunned Botox use because – let’s admit it – there’s more bad than good reviews in popular media  about the drug and its effects.

Here are 3 reasons for its infamy:

1.    Hollywood

Yes, you read right: the glitzy and glamorous Hollywood.

Let’s cut through the fluff and admit that some of the worst ambassadors for Botox are celebrities. In fact, most patients refer to some of them when describing how they don’t want to look after a treatment.

It’s also very possible that one of the more famous Botox myths – that you become incapable of emotions – sprung forth from its star-encrusted streets. I, personally, believe it started from directors who complained that their actors became unable to convey the emotions required in a scene.

It doesn’t help either that these actors get photographed so often that before and after pictures are so easy to come by (Perez Hilton probably has a whole gallery of them!). And because the effects are so drastic sometimes, people can’t help but notice.

2.    Botox Scams

A definite cause of infamy is Botox scams. While it’s good that these con games are found out, publicized and their masterminds prosecuted, they also spawn a negative stigma that people assume to be fact. They create what I like to call Botox Terror. Unfortunately, this fear is usually misplaced and is based on misconceptions.

For one, these scams commonly involve fake Botox – not just any harmless placebo but the shouldn’t-be-used-on-people-because-they-can-kill kind. Secondly, these are generally marketed as DIY kits that require self-injection – an absolute no-no, unless you’re willing to run the risk of poking your eye out or puncturing blood vessels in your face!

3.    People assume they know everything there is to know about Botox

Now, this is the absolute culprit for Botox’s growing bad rep.

Everybody has an opinion on the drug and the loudest voices are probably those of its detractors. Unfortunately, some of the most emphatic of them know squat about the real deal. They take what they’ve read, watched or heard from some random tabloid or magazine and accept it as truth without verifying it first.

For those who are interested, here’s the real score: Botox, produced by Allergan, is a safe drug. However, most people often gloss over the fact that a Botox treatment is still a medical procedure that carries risks, especially if the drug is misused. Your best ally would be to keep an open mind and take everything you read with a grain of salt. Read up and research and see if everything checks out. Remember, the smart patients get the best and safest treatments so it definitely pays to be one of them!

3 Reasons Why Botox Gets a Bad Rep is a post from: Botox Patient

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Who among you knew that there was such a thing as Botox immunity? It’s not one of the more known info about Botox, that’s for sure!

But yes, there have been cases of patients having a Botox immunity. They get the shots but don’t see the results. Too bad, eh? Well, here’s the skinny on this little known fact about this often-used drug.

Causes:

• OVER-DOSAGE: physicians say that this is the most common cause of Botox immunity. When too much of the drug is used, the body starts developing antibodies that counteracts its effect. Note, though, that this usually happens when Botox is used to treat other conditions like cerebral palsy where large dosages are really used for treatment.

• SUBSEQUENT TREATMENTS: the effects of Botox are said to be cumulative if you go in for your next treatment before the drug completely wears off. This will be tantamount to over-dosage that builds-up through procedures in intervals of 2-3 months, spanning a period of years.

• UNDER-DOSAGE: in case you can’t see any results after, there is a possibility that the Botox used for your treatment was watered down. In this instance, immunity is not the problem – your Botox provider is ripping you off using an over-diluted drug! You can either go in and demand your money’s worth or consider that as a lesson learned and find an honest and experienced physician who will inject you with the right potency.

Quick fixes:

• You can have your blood tested for the antibodies

This will set the record straight and you can act according to the results. If you do not have the antibodies, then chances are you’re being duped by your physician. If you have the antibodies in your system, then read on because we have some tips to deal with that…

• Try other Botulinum toxin products

You have a choice between Dysport and Myobloc. Dysport is derived from Botulinum Toxin Type A (like Botox) but they have different inactive ingredients that may just do the trick. Another (more) possible option is Myobloc since its active ingredient is the Type B strain of the toxin. The latter is what they usually recommend to patients that are found to be immune to the Type A drugs.

• Try Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures

You have several options on the non-surgical cosmetic medicine front. A few of the treatments that you can consider are fillers, Restylane, Juvederm and laser resurfacing. They’re all intended to decrease the appearance of wrinkles. Some people say they’re not at par with Botox but, we think, considering your specific circumstance, you’ve got nothing to lose!

The What’s-What of Botox Immunity is a post from: Botox Patient

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Here are 5 of the most frequently asked questions about Botox treatments that we’ve collected from blogs, forums and comments all over the web. These are real concerns that real women have expressed on the topic of Botox treatment.

1.    How long will the procedure last?

A Botox treatment lasts an average of 20 minutes.

2.    What part of the face does it work best on?

Botox will work best on parts of the face that have dynamic wrinkles. While the topic of dynamic wrinkles is best discussed separately, I will say that they can be found in the following areas of the face: forehead, crow’s feet, between the eyebrows and smile lines.

3.    What happens during the procedure?

A Botox treatment begins with the reconstitution of the drug, followed by the treatment proper where the doctor will use a very fine needle to inject the drug into the body of the muscle.  Yes, you read right, Botox is injected into the muscle and not the skin.

4.    Does is hurt?

Some patients have experienced slight discomfort during injection but they also said that it didn’t last longer than a few seconds.  Because there is little to no pain involved, a Botox treatment usually does not require any anesthesia.

5.    Can I resume my regular activities after treatment?

Yes, you can go back to your regular activities after treatment.  There is no downtime after a procedure but you do have to follow some post treatment measures to prevent side effects from occurring.

-o-

These are just a handful of the important issues that we will be talking about in the Guide.  Other topics include how to choose your doctor, questions that you should ask during your consultation and tips on lowering the cost of your Botox treatment.

Leave us a comment below if you have any other concerns that you want us to include. This Guide is for you and is being made with you in mind.  We want to address most, if not all, of your concerns so sound off and get your Botox concern heard and answered!

Top 5 Botox Treatment FAQs is a post from: Botox Patient

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Are you the right candidate for Botox?

Still trudging along the lines of Botox safety, we are thinking to include a section on how to check if you are the right candidate for a Botox treatment.

Botox, despite all the bad press surrounding its use, is a really safe drug that has not been reported, as yet, to cause severe illnesses such as paralysis or even death.  But because it is still precisely that, a drug, there are some possible side effects that can be triggered or aggravated by circumstances that exist prior to the treatment.  Should you have any of such condition, it is highly recommended that you inform your chosen physician before your procedure so that he may advise you properly.

Here are some of the circumstances and conditions that should make someone re-evaluate the risks posed vis-à-vis the expected benefits of undergoing Botox treatments:

• Pre-existing neuromuscular condition such as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or the Lou Gehrig disease), Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis and spinal muscular atrophy;
• Allergic reaction to any of the components of Botox
• Adverse reaction to a previous treatment involving the Botulinum Toxin
• Muscle weakness especially in the area where you plan to be treated
• Any surgery on the location to be treated, whether in the past or planned for a future date
• Breathing problems such as asthma or emphysema
• Pregnancy and/or lactation

We’re planning to expound on how these conditions increase the risks associated with undergoing a Botox treatment and why the FDA has considered these factors as contraindications to the usage of the drug.

We want you to feel comfortable with the procedure before you even sit on the doctor’s chair and we know that addressing your concerns about safety is the first step towards this direction. So, we’re trying to discover the common questions that Botox patients ask and try to provide all the answers in one handy resource.

This Guide is starting to turn out to be a nifty source for real information about Botox!  Stay tuned for more updates…

Know If Botox Is Right For You is a post from: Botox Patient

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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

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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:

1. 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]
2. 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

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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

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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

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I’ve been thinking about what we’ll need to answer in the Insiders’ Guide To Botox

Here are some of my thoughts about what we’ll reveal.

The Insiders Guide To Botox will be a tell-all revelation that will put you on the inside of one of the most sought-after and talked about cosmetic treatments around. This is information that no one else will give you and your friends and family don’t know.

Find out what your Doctor doesn’t want you to know about your Botox treatments
Learn how your doctor decides how much to charge you
Discover why some women are injecting themselves with Botox at home
Know what to ask your doctor in your consultation
Understand how Botox works, and if it will work for you.
Find out why some Doctors are administering fake Botox.

This guide gives you the inside scoop on the most popular cosmetic treatment for crows feet and foreheads. Botox has been around for a long time. You may have even had it. But did you know that.

Some doctors have lost their licenses for giving their patients fake Botox.
Websites are hawking ‘do it yourself Botox treatments’, and states are shutting them down.
China is pushing fake Botox into the US market, with disastrous results.
Some doctors are ‘watering down’ their Botox to save money.
There are new competitors coming on to the market.
Doctors get kickbacks for pushing more Botox.
Botox has a bottom price.

Where to get real information about Botox.

The Insiders Guide To Botox is a post from: Botox Patient

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We’re about to make available a new guide for anyone looking in to the possibility of getting Botox for the first time.

Here’s the very first outline that we’re starting to work from. Of course, it’s only a rough draft but it’ll take shape soon enough.

Botox Patient: Getting Botox For The First Time. A guide to Botox for smart women.

Before: a woman thinking it over at home

• What is Botox
• Address the concern that Botox is a toxin
• What it does
• Why it has the effect that it does
• Am I candidate for Botox injections
• How do I select a Physician/Clinic
• During: a woman on her first consult and procedure
• What is the nature of the office examination
• Questions that Physicians ask
• Questions that a Patient must ask
• How soon after the first consult can the procedure be done

The Botox Treatment

• How is it administered
• Where is it injected
• Is it painful?
• What a patient can do to minimize the pain (Take pain killers before the procedure?)
• How long does the procedure last
• Out patient procedure
• Is it advisable to do it during lunch hour?
• We could include the “what you need to know but doctors don’t tell you” part here

After:  a woman who just finished her first botox treatment

• What are the things a first-timer must remember
• How long does the effect last (how long before next treatment)
• Possible side effects
• Any special advice to take care of skin that has been recently botoxed
• How to address possible inflammation or tenderness on the area treated
• How to make the botox last

Getting Botox For The First Time is a post from: Botox Patient

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Creases and facial lines are an almost universal side-effect of the aging process. Occasionally they disclose one’s actual age, but yet sometimes they can make a person seem to be more aged than they actually are, exacerbated by sun and weather damage, cigarette smoking, and bad nourishment.

In time, our skin becomes not as elastic and effective holding onto moisture, while the deepest layers of skin shed fat cells, which sometimes bring sagging and wrinkles at the surface of the skin.

There’s a lot of solutions for getting rid of and minimizing fine lines , including Botox, dermal fillers, laser skin resurfacing, and topical chemical peels and creams. If ever the wrinkles and fine lines aren’t too deep or excessive, it may be possible to remedy them employing a glycolic acid peel, a lactic acid peel, or a glycolic peel.

A Glycolic peel works by stimulating collagen under the epidermis. It’s really a really light peel that is going to be used every fourteen days, over time causing up to a 20% thickening of the skin.

Excellent for fine lines, eye wrinkles and smile lines, glycolic acid can’t help with sagging skin or serious wrinkles.

An alternate procedure for fighting wrinkles is by using lactic acid. Unlike glycolic acid, it functions entirely on the surface layers of the skin, by pulling moisture content into skin cells.

Glycolic chemical peels may be used once every week. For best results, anyone using it should always exfoliate and hydrate their skin on non-treatment days.

With all the previously mentioned products, it is recommended that users should avoid using self-tanning creams, facial hair waxing, masks, scrubs, or exfoliants for 48 hrs prior to a peel. Additionally, limit sun exposure and tanning for not less than 7 days prior to applying the peel.

After the peel, just a few basic guidelines can help ensure the best results. Don’t workout or sweat excessively for a couple hours after use, and don’t use exfoliants until the facial skin returns to its usual condition. In addition, make sure you apply a fragrance-free moisturizer 2 times a day.

For anyone who is thinking about learning what cosmetic surgeons and various medical professionals operating nonsurgical cosmetic medical spas think of the next Intense pulsed light (IPL) and skin fractionated laser technology choices out of Sciton, Candela, Alma, Cutera, Cynosure, Lumenis, Solta, Syneron, Palomar and others, as well as skin treatments such as Thermage skin tightening, Slimlipo, Botox, mesotherapy and photofacials, remember to view all the cosmetic skin laser discussions on Medical Spa MD, a online community of medical doctors practicing aesthetic medicine.

Medical spas Are Combating The War On Wrinkles is a post from: Botox Patient

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Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. The reality is, more than one million individuals are told they have basal cell or squamous cell (non-melanoma) carcinoma annually. Presented with these considerable statistics, every person will likely know someone who may have had a skin cancer burned out. Even so, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are often slow growing and most often not deadly. For instance, fewer than one thousand people die from non-melanoma skin cancer every year.

While proper diagnosis of any sort of skin cancer is problematic which individuals refer to it generically as “C,” most individuals interviewed were a whole lot more intrepid about a skin cancer treatment. Their emotions aren’t going to be on radiation or chemo. There may be factors why people don’t take epidermis cancer so seriously. For one, the two nearly all well known sorts of skin cancer are primarily not fatal.

The Melanoma version of skin cancer is what you really do need to concern yourself with and why you need to seek out dermatologists, who’re taught to identify all sorts of skin cancer. Your local laser clinic or medical center is a good place to start with this…. anywhere that you can find a competent MD.

Almost all new research calculate that 68,720 brand new examples of melanoma may have recently been diagnosed in 2009. This is less in comparison with breast cancer , colon cancer (106,100) and lung cancer (219,440). There is however one particular noticeable differentiation.

We’ve got the various tools required (your eyes plus a hand mirror) to pick up on possible problem areas. Our follow-up with a health-care professional each year will be able to make sure the malignancy is eliminated, before it propagates to your lymph nodes.

The good thing is once melanoma is found early on, it’s extremely treatable, bragging 90 percent and above success rates.

Then again, malignant melanoma, if found later on, may be a cancer with only a few effectual procedures. The typical number of people who will be told they have an advanced stage of melanoma do not live a whole year according to the Melanoma Research Foundation.

Even though there are those who say ignorance is bliss; burying your head in the sand may very well kill.

The main thing you may do, if you happen to have got just about any question, is go and get it tested. The last thing one wants to do is to lose your life by a problem you have been considering.

Medical Centers & Skin Cancer is a post from: Botox Patient

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Like Botox, Dysport is a crease treatment using the pure variety of Botulinum toxin. Both products are particularly well suited for the vertical lines between the eyebrows recognized as glabellar lines, and are sometimes used for other dynamic facial wrinkles such as horizontal lines across the forehead and crows feet.

Unlike Botox (that earned approval by the Federal Drug Administration in 1991), Dysport received the thumbs up by the FDA just one year ago. What has the national aesthetic industry learned about the product since then? What are professionals saying about it? What are Dysport’s many advantages over Botox Cosmetic, if any?

Some aesthetic surgeons explain that there are a couple of differences between Dysport and Botox Aesthetic which a doctor will observe, but that won’t make too much differentiation to most clients, explaining which the Botulinum molecules in Dysport are smaller, requiring a different unit of gauge. For instance, where 20 units of Botox might suffice for one area of the face, 50 units of Dysport could be needed. But with Dysport costing less, there’s a slight cost advantage to the doctor and patient.

The smaller molecules in Dysport seem to influence a couple more of its properties, according to many doctors. Dysport seems to diffuse over a wider area of the face, notes two Los Angeles area practitioners. This could be why some doctors believe Dysport works more effectively across the entire forehead than Botox. And some feel that the smaller sized molecules guide to less discomfort at the injection site.

While doctors agree that the two programs are similar except in their molecule size and units of evaluate, there are few other aspects of Dysport and Botox they readily agree on. Many doctors say Dysport acts more quickly than Botox. One noted, however, which the Dysport advantage was measured in just hours, not days. Some doctors have noted no difference at all in onset times for their clients.

The bottom line for all concerned—does Dysport last longer than Botox?

Unfortunately, there’s no clear answer to this question either. Some physicians feel Dysport does last longer, but perhaps just days, maybe a week or a little longer. No one seems to believe there’s a very significant disparity.

It seems there’s little doctors are ready to state definitively when it comes to the two wrinkle blockers. The one thing professionals do agree on is which more will be typically called the employ of Dysport becomes more widespread and years of practice yield more data with many physicians believing that they may end up preferring Dysport to Botox as they gain more experience with it.

Even thought it seems too early to draw many conclusions, there is good news. The introduction of Dysport into the marketplace means there’s competition at last for Botox. And there are at least two other wrinkle blockers in the pipeline, probably more. It’s a safe bet which efficacy will go up and prices will eventually come down.

Botox vs Dysport is a post from: Botox Patient

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Gone are the days when plastic surgery was simply for the rich and famous and something you felt the need to sweep under the rug.

These days, it is popular and even hip to have something ‘done’. Women and men get it done for all sorts of purposes – to help feel great about themselves, to get rid of some type of medical issue, or just to shed pounds efficiently.

What ever the reason, it is fundamental that you take on simple protection measures since even though it’s cosmetic, the dangers will not be. So before you consent to change the way you look, here is what precisely you want to do:

Chose a capable surgeon: The most critical concern in plastic surgery is not the cost; it’s actually precisely how experienced your surgeon is. You’re doing this since you aspire to try to improve your physical appearance, and it is solely having a respectable and established physician that are you able to be sure that the outcomes are as predicted. So even should you are required to fork out a lot more, choose a cosmetic surgeon who is trained and qualified to do plastic surgery as well as someone that is experienced in the particular treatment that you’re keen on.

Insist on a safe setting: Cosmetic surgery is just like every other surgical treatment in that you’ll be under the effects of anesthesia and you’ll go through blood loss. Therefore, just in case anything goes completely wrong, it is ideal to have surgical treatments conducted in a clinic in which crisis care can be found at a 24×7 basis. If your surgery is actually slated at a private aesthetic surgical clinic, find out about medical facilities which might be in the area and where you might receive emergency care if needed.

Learn recommendations: And finally, it’s very important to stay within your physician’s recommendations ahead of as well as after the surgery. You might have to stop smoking and/or go off particular drugs (if you are on medicines). Also, after the treatment is done, you could be in a good amount of discomfort, but talk with your medical professional before you decide to commence swallowing painkillers all on your own. It may perhaps be some time before you start seeing results, primarily with liposuctions and alternative surgeries performed on the facial area, which means you need to be patient. It’s also possible to have to undergo physiotherapy in some cases, so consult your doctor to be able to provide you all the info prior to deciding to sign on the dotted line.

It could be aesthetic, nevertheless the hazards exist because it is surgery in the end. But should you consider the basic safety measures plus follow directions, there is very little need to dread cosmetic surgery.

Thoughts Before Your Cosmetic Surgery is a post from: Botox Patient

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How Come Fractional CO2 Aesthetic Lasers Are Now The Top Fractional Procedure For Skin-Tightening?

CO2 laser skin resurfacing is not really a new principle. Co2 laser resurfacing has been around for 25 years. While conventional laser ablation had been fantastic for facial lines and wrinkles, scarring, sun damage or elastosis, there were substantive threat of infections, scarring and pigmentary differences. All those negative effects made this complete ablation to drop in favor with laser surgeons and subjects as well.

The concept of fractional laser treatments has been around since 04. Basically, fractional treatments provides for a small fraction of the epidermis is treated even though the all of the intervening areas are not ablated. These untouched areas of dermis all around the treated zones provides for swift healing.

As this methods was combined with with a CO2 laser, exhilaration within the laser clinic community catapulted. There are specific reasons for the medical spa community’s excitement:

First, there’s a smaller amount of downtime.

Conventional full laser ablation methods took extended down times of as many as 6 weeks. A handful of clients might have erythema (redness) for nearly eight months. By using Fraxel remedies, the down-time is from 3 to 6 days depending on the energy levels used. Such fast recuperation gives a much higher degree of expediency for your usual individual.

2. Much less danger of secondary complications.

Utilizing old-school total ablation laser procedures the chance of contamination, scarring like hypertrophic scarring and color alterations like hypopigmentation were much more frequent even with the most practiced laser surgeons. Considering the fact that Fraxel CO2 solutions leaves behind the majority of the dermis intact, the pitfalls linked with the approach are reduced.

3. Improvement.

Though much less of a dramatic end result when compared to old school CO2 laser solutions, the lowered risk and fine effects help make newer fractional laser treatments an alluring laser. In contrast to non-ablative fractional lasers, fractional CO2 lasers allow for significantly greater skin tightening. Fractional CO2 laser treatments are frequently performed again too. For scarring damage, it ordinarily involves 3 procedures in order to lessen the the scars. There are several fraxel CO2 lasers that you can purchase:

1. Smart Skin by Cynosure. This particular laser goes to thirty W in a two millisecond length. There are plenty of various parameters which may be selected so the procedure is personalized to every single customer.

2. Active FX & Deep FX by Lumenis: This fractional skin is also well-known, having said that you will find a couple of spot sizes which end up being switched out through a procedure.

3. Fraxel Repair from Solta: This laser skin penetrates really deeply. Be certain you look at a seasoned MD, since the highest rate of problems have been involved with this particular laser do to the level of penetration.

4. eCO by Lutronics. This fractionated laser is certainly attaining footing inside quite a few skin clinics and has a chaos technology which is good.

Those might be all the main fractional CO2 lasers which are typically though of as lasers which are generally easy to apply and show results. Certainly, there are different lasers, yet, some can be low powered and / or studies are lacking.

CO2 Cosmetic Laser Resurfacing is a post from: Botox Patient

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An additional Hyaluronic acid for filler injections gaining global recognition is produced through the identical corporation which produces Botox injectable, Juvederm. It’s also Food and Drug Administration approved, filler used to correct mid to strong dermis wrinkles. It is effective in facial lines in the 1/3 of the facial skin similar to nasolabial folds as well as oral commissures

As soon as any Hyaluronic acid filler is injected it maintains the needed form by simply attracting and holding your body’s moisture. (It can do this for a few months before additional treatments will be needed.)

One of the differences between Hyaluronic acid fillers is that it can come in not one but two formulas Ultra and Ultra Plus to deal with different wrinkle regions that need to be filled. Furthermore the foundation of the filler injection is even gel vs a granular gel utilized by various other fillers. It has also been tested and demonstrates hardly any hypertrophic scaring in patients of color.

The actual treatment approach is identical to alternative injectables along with a comprehensive examination before the treatment. An injection area is going to be measured and cleaned clearing away all make-up and It will be injected using an ultra-tiny needle. The particular treatment may take roughly 17 mins and just after the injection the medical professional will rub the area to help even out the gel around the treatment region.

Immediately after a Jevederm treatment:

• Keep away from extra sun, demanding exercise and liquor for a twenty-four hour span to lessen the chance of irritation and erythema.
• Final results continue for approximately six months even so, other treatments will be needed following this to maintain prolonged final results.
• Listed here are a number of contraindications regarding Hyaluronic acid products which encompass these:
• Patients with a background of anaphylaxis or different intense allergic reactions.
• Clients with a sensitized background to gram-positive microbe proteins.
• Lower immune may perhaps have an higher chance of infections.
• Essential safety for expectant mothers and people under the age of 18 haven’t been identified.

Jevederm & Botox is a post from: Botox Patient

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Are emotions only skin deep?  Check out this new info about a positive side effect from Botox….

Botox injections administered to reduce frown lines may also delay patients’ recognition of anger and sadness around them, according to a study to be published in the journal Psychological Science. This common cosmetic treatment uses botulinum toxin type A (BTX) — known as Botox — to paralyze facial muscles that control frowning and relax the surrounding skin wrinkles. “Botox induces a kind of mild, temporary cognitive blindness to information in the world, social information about the emotions of other people,” said David Havas, lead study author and a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Havas’ team evaluated 40 first-time Botox patients before, and then two weeks after, they underwent treatment. On both occasions, the participants read happy, sad or angry statements, and pushed a button to indicate their comprehension of the text. After receiving the Botox injections, it took longer for the frown-impaired participants to process the angry and sad statements. However, the time required to process happy statements did not change.

The study results support the “facial feedback hypothesis,” which states that physical expressions, such as grinning or grimacing, signal our brains to produce an emotional responses. In this case, the Botox injections prevented frowning, and so delayed the perception of negative statements.

Murad Alam, an associate professor of dermatology at Northwestern University, has also investigated the Botox-facial feedback relationship and found a link between restricted frown muscles and mood. “When we are sad, angry or frustrated, but we have Botox on board, our muscles do not contract to create furrows between our brows and deep creases on our foreheads,” Alam said. “This lack of frowning and wrinkling works backward to adjust our emotions and make us happier.” “We all know that language has the power to move us to emotional experience; just read your favorite novel, or listen to a rousing speaker,” Havas said. “This research shows how it works: Language moves emotions in part by moving the face.”

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Check out the beautiful work of this terrific headshot photographer in NYC.

She’s also put up a new blog about actor headshots in NYC that really showcases her work and lets actors who might be potential clients to read a few posts and build up a comfort level before picking up the phone and making a call. She can take photographs of the kind of images that the rest of us can only dream about and have to buy from iStock.

Make sure you also check out the ugly portrait project. I’m guessing it’s something of a real person gallery as opposed to the work that typically makes up the advertisements of plastic surgeons and dermatologists.

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Botox headlines are always more than a little bit of trouble to come up with… but here are some doozies.

The greatest Botox stories since history began
Will Botox really make me a millionaire
Why my dog doesn’t need Botox
3 Reasons you should never Botox whilst on the toilet
How drunk Botoxing can lead to a divorce
Is Coffee the fuel of Botox and if so, which bean?
Is the level of ADD sufferers higher on Botox
Why your business should Botox now
People who should Botox more
People who should Botox less
People who really should start Botoxing
People who should really stop Botoxing
Is the best thing about Botox that it distracts your competitor?
10 of the most stupid Botox stories ever
What defines a Tweet Guru
People you absolutely must follow on Botox
What is the carbon footprint of Botox
How Botox can help seo
Ways Botox can help get a job
Ways Botox can get you sacked
Bankers who Botox
Ultimate list of politicians who use Botox
Can you call yourself a fashionista if you have no Botox
A list of people who slagged Botox but who now are addicted
10 best put downs about Botox
10 Scientists who Botox
Why Botox will never make a profit
How to spot a Botox user
Is Botox the new dating need?
Most famous fake Botox accounts
Top ten things people most hate about Botox
Top ten things people love about Botox
10 Botox gurus and their advice
How to make Botox work for you
How to find 10,000 Botox patients
Why Botox success is not about the number of wrinkles
How patients game Botox clinics
Top ten Botox scams
Botox tips an Ebook should really teach
The evolution of Botox
Who makes money from Botox
How you can make money from Botox
8 reasons Botox will lose you money
15 ways to save money by using Botox

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Frontdesk SEO is Medical Spa MD’s newest Select Partner.

Frontdesk offers do-it-yourself SEO software that lets you use your front desk staff to market your business. (They offer outsource SEO as well.) You can start for as little as $59 a month which is killer.

If you haven’t already, run a free SEO report on your website and see where you rank according to the major search engines.

This is the same system that we use at Medical Spa MD to keep our #1 rankings in all of the major search engines and I can’t say enough about the back end and how easy it is to use and works eaqually well for any business or web site. And, if you want to kick it up a notch, the have outsourcing options that use their SEO experts to do the work.

SEO SEM is a post from: Botox Patient

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SEO, SEM

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New news on Botox without needles or injections.

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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.

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In a survey released today by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), 71% of respondents think society is less judgmental about cosmetic surgery than it was just five years ago. Furthermore, about 62% said society’s attitude toward cosmetic surgery made them feel more comfortable about getting a cosmetic medical procedure at a skin clinic or medical spa.

“This is a confirmation of what many of us have felt for a long time; that cosmetic surgery has become mainstream,” said Dr. Mark Berman, AACS president-elect. “A variety of factors have contributed to the normalization of our industry, but the bottom line is that people are not afraid to talk openly about cosmetic surgery anymore.”

According to the survey, the most accepted invasive procedures are breast augmentation (42.4%), face lift (32.2%) and tummy tuck (32.1%). Among noninvasive procedures, the most accepted are laser hair removal (61.9%) and Botox (61.6%). Additionally, 52% of respondents said they would tell family about having invasive cosmetic surgery.

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Kristin Chenoweth, the actress/singer, has defended her use of Botox, saying that she needs the anti-wrinkle drug to prevent migraines.

The 41-year-old often has Botox on her forehead, but she insists that her dosage is medical and not cosmetic purposes.

Studies have proven that Botox can alleviate migraines and this is what Chenoweth employs them for. She says that the gravity of her migraines threaten her function, and Botox was her best solution to controlling the pain.

“The factor is I suffer from migraines,” explained Chenoweth. “Flashing lights. It’s not great for me, so I get three (Botox) shots right there (on my forehead).”

She continued: “I was very nervous about it considering I’m an actor and I have to move my face. But, without it, I would not be able to sing or carry out.”

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Via KevinMD: This issue has come up before, most recently when the New England Journal of Medicine asked whether doctors should friend their patients on Facebook.

Pediatrician Bryan Vartabedian looks further at the issue, and sees it fraught with potential risk.

He points out that sharing privileged information requires written consent. But what if the patient initiates the conversation? Some attorneys say that can imply consent, but the laws in this area are not yet clear.

Also, every communication between doctor and patient needs to be documented. Dr. Vartabedian notes that “the documentation on most social platforms isn’t detailed enough for other medical professionals or auditors to follow what’s gone on between you and your caregiver [and] let’s not forget that Twitter has a habit of disappearing after a couple of weeks.”

And perhaps most concerning is the privacy issue. When someone shares personal medical information in a public forum, like Twitter or a Facebook page, it has to potential to get indexed by search engines, making it permanent on the web.

There’s tremendous potential for doctors to better use Twitter and Facebook to interact with patients. By guiding patients to reputable sources of medical information, for instance.

But social media isn’t mature enough for doctors to provide personal medical advice to patients. Yet.

Medical Spas & Plastic Surgeons On Twitter is a post from: Botox Patient

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Shine provides professional teeth whitening services to medical clinics using exactly the same process, materials and trained technicians that serve dental clinics. We provide a new way for your medical spa, laser clinic or cosmetic surgery center to offer the most desired cosmetic treatment directly to your existing clientele… and it’s amazingly easy.

How Shine Teeth Whitening Services Work.

Shine’s teeth whitening kits are easy to use. Any member of your staff can quickly administer the materials we send you to capture precise top and bottom “bite” impressions of your clients in the specialized impression putty and trays we provide to you.

Send the impressions to our lab in the package we provide you. Within 48 hours, we’ll ship the completed custom trays back to you for your client to pick up from your office (or, if you prefer, we can mail the completed kit directly to the customer for you with gel and instructions included.)

A return visit by your customer is another chance to provide additional service and purchases such as extra whitening gel and portable whitening pens to supplement your client’s new custom whitening kit.

The possibilities are endless – and in no time, your ability to provide custom teeth whitening kits at a retail price that is up to 70% less expensive than a comparable kit from a dental office will provide extra satisfaction for your clientele, and thousands of dollars per month in additional revenue for you, with no extra staffing, equipment or training required.

How do you begin? Start with the Shine trial teeth whitening kit – a set of materials we’ll provide you at cost to allow you to sample the impression materials and send your own impressions to our lab to receive your first two custom kits, to see how our service works and experience our custom whitening kits for yourself. When you can see how simple the process is, you can order our kits in quantities of 5, 10, 50 or 100 in order to be ready to offer Shine teeth whitening kits to your customers. The greater the quantity of kits you purchase, the steeper your discount.

So what are you waiting for? Try Shine and see what this $300M industry could be doing for you.

Via Shine Teeth Whitening

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Botox is bringing new hope for migraine sufferers….

Migraines are extremely painful and can be debilitating to those who suffer from them. There are many different treatments available, the most popular being prescription medications. Many swear by acupuncture or hypnotherapy as a relief from pain and some even undergo surgery to make the headaches stop. There is another option available – Botox.

Migraines are thought to be caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the head. When dilated, these blood vessels tug at the nearby nerve receptors causing incredible pain. Migraines tend to involve not only a headache but result in sensitivity to light and colors, nausea, dizziness and more.

Botox is an increasingly popular treatment because it can be targeted to treat the specific muscles that are overused. Botox is injected into the muscles, not the nerves, and it works by impairing the muscle’s ability to flex. The patient is able to work with the doctor, specifically identifying the areas that they believe are the origin of the migraines. The Botox may be slightly dilated and is then injected into the muscle. The physician will often massage the injection site to ensure proper dispersion of the medication.  It only takes about 20 minutes for a treatment and it usually takes effect in a few days. Patients report relief for about 4 months and are generally pleased with the results.

Use of Botox for headaches is currently an off-label use of the drug and has not been approved by the FDA. When seeking a physician regarding Botox treatment for your migraines, make sure to ask not only if they’re familiar with Botox injections, but if they’re familiar with Botox for migraines specifically

Botox delivers headache relief is a post from: Botox Patient

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Here’s a different thought – using Botox as a “preventative” treatment…

It may seem crazy to get Botox or Dysport injections in your 20′s, but in addition to their ability to temporarily reduce wrinkles, these formulations of botulinum toxin can actually prevent wrinkles before they’re etched into your face.

By stopping the repeated muscle contractions that contribute to wrinkles, Botox and Dysport can be used to help break line-forming habits such as frowning or squinting, so you can stay furrow-free for the foreseeable future. And compared to the price of surgery down the line, it may prove to be more cost-effective.

However, some doctors aren’t quick to reach for the syringe with younger patients, believing it doesn’t make much sense to use Botox or Dysport if there aren’t any visible wrinkles. Be sure to thoroughly discuss the range of wrinkle-preventing options with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon before opting for the most expensive or invasive treatment.

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(UPI) — A new California law will prevent doctors from performing elective cosmetic surgery without an “appropriate” physical exam, authorities said.

The law, which takes effect Friday, is named the “Donda West Law” after singer Kanye West’s mother, who died a day after cosmetic surgery in 2007.

The law requires “an appropriate physical examination within 30 days of a procedure and “written clearance” from a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant before cosmetic surgery is performed, The Sacramento Bee reported Saturday.

The law will change little since reputable cosmetic surgeons have always obtained a patient’s medical history and made sure the patient had a physical exam before a procedure, said Dr. Terry Zimmerman, head of the Greater Sacramento Plastic Surgical Society.

Autopsy results showed Donda West died of pre-existing coronary artery disease and “multiple post-operative factors” a day after she had an abdominal tuck, breast surgery and liposuction. The surgeon who operated on West surrendered his medical license in April.

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Not exactly the first body part we think of when battling signs of aging, but why shouldn’t our ears get equal attention?

The earlobes can be just as symptomatic as the face or
neck in the battle to slow down aging. Years of sun exposure and gravity-exacerbating earrings can leave earlobes looking droopy, thin and even wrinkly.

While there’s no anti-aging aging cream specifically for earlobes—that we know of—your doctor can use the fillers usually used for facial lines to improve their appearance.

“If the earlobes are of a generally good size and shape but your earrings are starting to droop, a good option
is to use injectable filler such as Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse or Sculptra to plump them up and add support,” explains Mount Sinai School of Medicine assistant professor and board-certified plastic surgeon
Matthew Schulman. “If the earring hole is slightly stretched, this will actually make the hole smaller.”

The recovery period is almost nil: results are immediate, and you can wear your earrings again immediately.

Injectables for aging earlobes is a post from: Botox Patient

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Who said beauty has to be painful?  Check out this possible alternative to painful injections…

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If you are like most people, you want what you don’t have.  Perms and hair straighteners may be a thing of the past and going curly or straight could be as simple as popping a pill….

A new finding by Australian scientists could lead to letting you switch your hair texture by popping a pill.

It sounds like science fiction, but Nick Martin of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research tells the UK’s Daily Mail: “Potentially, we can now develop new treatments to make hair curlier or straighter, rather than treating the hair directly.” How? It’s due to the discovery of the gene that predicts whether a person will have curly or straight hair.

Already known to influence follicle development, the trichohyalin gene has now been found to determine the curliness of its host’s hair. In addition to predicting what a baby’s hair texture will be and helping forensic specialists establish if a person has a wavy mane, this discovery could mean a future free of flattening and curling irons, chemical straightening treatments and perms.

How far in future? Martin says, “I will be discussing this with a major cosmetic company in Paris in January.”

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For the man who has everything...

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), men accounted for 13% of all cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the United States in 2008, and 9% of the cosmetic minimally invasive procedures. And these numbers are only going to rise as “getting work done” is no longer considered taboo and men realize that in today’s competitive environment, looking their best is advantageous to their careers and life.

While plastic surgery procedures are still predominantly performed on women, here are the top five surgical and top five minimally invasive procedures that are on men’s wish lists:

Top Five Surgical Male Procedures

1. Rhinoplasty: What man hasn’t broken his nose in a childhood injury and secretly wishes they had a straight nose again?

2. Eyelid surgery: Droopy eyelids make your man look old – open his eyes up to a more youthful appearance.

3. Liposuction: Love handles are called that for a reason, but do you really love them? Does he? That stubborn fat that won’t budge regardless of diet or exercise can now be removed through a myriad of new liposuction options.

4.  Breast reduction:  It’s never good when your man has bigger breasts than you. Enough said.

5.  Hair transplant: Women want to move their fat around to different parts of their bodies. Men want the hair of their youth – on their heads, not their backs.

Top Five Minimally Invasive Male Procedures

1.  Botox: Maybe he won’t look so angry anymore.

2.  Chemical peel: Years of no sunblock plus sun exposure equals leather face. A chemical peel could turn back the clock by smoothing out the skin.

3.  Laser hair removal: Sweaters should come off at some point – and aren’t you tired of shaving his back because he can’t reach? Laser hair removal is a permanent option.

4.  Laser skin tightening: Using a carbon dioxide laser, skin is tightened and since it penetrates the deep layers of skin, it promotes collagen growth. And what guy doesn’t like lasers?

5.  Microdermabrasion:  It’s like sandblasting for your face. That’s all you need to tell him.

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A simple procedure that can give you a brand new smile that is less gummy – without surgery!

A gummy smile is normally corrected through surgical procedures called Gingivectomies and Crown Lengthening. While relatively painless, the surgeries involve a dental laser that removes the excess gum that shows up in gummy smiles. Healing time can take up to several weeks and further restorations may be necessary dependent on the appearance of the newly exposed teeth.

As seen on The Doctors, now a less painful and less expensive option is available for those wanting to change the appearance of their smiles. By injecting Botox into the muscles that elevate the upper lip, the Botox effectively blocks and relaxes those muscles thus hiding more of the gums. There is no downtime and results are seen within 24-36 hours. Botox lasts for three to six months so repeat visits will be necessary.

When seeking a physician regarding Botox treatment for your smile, make sure to ask not only if they’re familiar with Botox injections, but if they’re familiar with Botox for smiles specifically.

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Friend of Michael Jackson joined him on his plastic surgery journey…

David Gest blames himself for having too much plastic surgery.

The 56-year-old TV star-and-concert promoter says he was encouraged by his late friend Michael Jackson to have several operations, but insists it was all his own decision.

David – whose cosmetic procedures include two facelifts and a nose realignment operation – said: “On Celebrity Come Dine With Me, I discuss the plastic surgery I had done between 1980-1981 and blame only myself for being so foolish, especially not Michael Jackson nor anyone else. I was an idiot. I look back at that time and think of myself as being so stupid, and was very appreciative of Michael’s support and being there when I went through all that.”

David appears on the Christmas special of the British dinner party TV show Celebrity Come Dine With Me.

The flamboyant star also revealed he had his cheek implants removed after having a surgery epiphany.

“It was my idea to put in a clef chin and cheek bones – not Michael’s. Sometimes when you are young you are foolish and you get carried away. I remember I was looking in the mirror in an office building when I was with Band of Gold singer Freda Payne. I was mortified and almost fainted. I had the cheekbones removed a week later. I’ve come to realize that it’s not what’s on the outside, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts.”

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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

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Those who suffer from chronic migraines know the intense pain and discomfort they cause. Now there is new hope in Botox.

Migraines are extremely painful and can be debilitating to those who suffer from them. There are many different treatments available, the most popular being prescription medications. Many swear by acupuncture or hypnotherapy as a relief from pain and some even undergo surgery to make the headaches stop. There is another option available that is a new use of a well-established medicine – Botox.

Migraines are thought to be caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the head. When dilated, these blood vessels tug at the nearby nerve receptors causing incredible pain. Migraines tend to involve not only a headache but result in sensitivity to light and colors, nausea, dizziness and more.

According to Dr. Drew Ordon, Botox is an increasingly popular treatment because it can be targeted to treat the specific muscles that are overused. Botox is injected into the muscles, not the nerves, and it works by impairing the muscle’s ability to flex. The patient is able to work with the doctor, specifically identifying the areas that they believe are the origin of the migraines. The Botox may be slightly dilated and is then injected into the muscle. The physician will often massage the injection site to ensure proper dispersion of the medication.

Dr. Ordon also says that it only takes about 20 minutes for a treatment and it usually takes effect in a few days. Patients report relief for about 4 months and are generally pleased with the results.

As with any procedure, speak to your doctor about its safety and whether or not it is right for you. Also, use of Botox for headaches is currently an off-label use of the drug and has not been approved by the FDA. When seeking a physician regarding Botox treatment for your migraines, make sure to ask not only if they’re familiar with Botox injections, but if they’re familiar with Botox for migraines specifically.

Botox Patient: Botox brings relief to migraine sufferers is a post from: Botox Patient

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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

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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

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Taking a prescription drug for a cosmetic side effect — at the risk of other side effects — may seem risky. But it’s a risk that many Americans, mostly women, have shown themselves happy to take.

Latisse, originally a glaucoma drug marketed under the name Lumigan, was approved separately at the end of last year for its
eyelash-enhancing purposes, and its maker, Allergan, has reported sales of $47.7 million thus far. The company says 2009 sales could reach $70 million, exceeding projections of $30 million to $50 million. The national advertising campaign featuring model and actress Brooke Shields hasn’t hurt.

The success of Latisse, however, concerns some ophthalmologists –
albeit medically conservative ones, who say it’s important to see an
eye doctor before taking any eye medication, especially if you’ve never
had a full eye exam. As increasing numbers of dermatologists, plastic
surgeons and medical-spa physicians prescribe the drug, the desire for
pretty eyelashes seems to be taking precedence over eye health, they
say.

Besides stimulating lash growth, the drug can cause eye redness,
itchiness, irritation, infection, darkening of the skin around the
application area. It may even cause a change in eye color, especially
in people who have any amount of brown pigment in their eyes.

“As it is, most Americans don’t get basic routine eye exams, and it’s
really important that people get a baseline eye exam before they
consider using a drug like Latisse,” says Andrew Iwach, the executive
director of the Glaucoma Center in San Francisco and a spokesman for
the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “The eyes are a delicate tissue.
And if someone is thinking about Latisse, they need to see if there are
any contraindications or underlying problems they aren’t aware of.”

Such contraindications, or conditions precluding the use of the drug,
include pregnancy, breast feeding, cataract surgery and ocular
inflammation. “Use Latisse as an opportunity to look good but to see
well too,” Iwach said.

There simply is no long-term data on Latisse, he points out. The
original version, Lumigan, wasn’t even approved for glaucoma until
2001. “We have data for using this type of medication as an eye drop,”
he said. “But we don’t know if this will have a cumulative risk with
topical application over time.”

To many, the gamble is a small one — and well worth taking. 

Continue article

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New info surfaces about former beauty queen Solange Magnano’s death….

(CNN) — When Argentine beauty queen Solange Magnano approached Dr. Guillermo Blugerman in 2004 about helping her achieve a flatter stomach, the plastic surgeon says, he obliged with liposuction. But when she returned five years later requesting silicone injections for a higher, firmer rear end, he turned her away.

“I said this was not allowed to be done in Argentina,” Blugerman said on the telephone from his Buenos Aires office.

Blugerman, the president of the Argentina Association of Medicine and Cosmetic Surgery said he believes Magnano then went in search of someone who would give her the injections she wanted.

“She found someone else to do this with this forbidden material,” he said.

The former Miss Argentina died November 29, reportedly of a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot that blocks blood supply to the lungs. Embolisms are known complications of silicone injections though they can occur — rarely — after any surgery. It’s still not clear Miss Argentina was given a silicone injection, which is not an approved procedure for “butt lifts” in Argentina or the United States.

Read more about Solange Magnano’s death

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The latest kind of recycling has nothing to do with soda bottles. It entails liposuctioning fat from thighs or buttocks and injecting it into breasts to augment them. After being condemned in the early ’90s, this procedure is generating newfound excitement among the handful of doctors nationwide who offer it and patients keen to enlarge their breasts without resorting to implants.

Almost 20 years ago, the association now known as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons issued a warning to its member doctors to not inject suctioned fat into patients’ breasts, for fear that mammograms would be misread. Since some injected fat dies and calcifies, the thinking was that radiologists would not be able to distinguish between those calcifications (or calcium deposits) and suspicious ones that may indicate breast cancer.

A second concern was that too little injected fat survived being transplanted, because techniques for harvesting, refining and placing fat were not advanced enough. Even today, the success of fat grafting to the breast, as the procedure is also known, depends on the physician.

But this year, the plastic surgery society reversed its former position. A report from its task force reviewed the limited research on fat grafting to the breast and concluded that it “can be considered a safe method of augmentation.” On the issue of mammography, the report said fat grafting “could potentially interfere with breast cancer detection; however no evidence was found that strongly suggests this interference.” Thus, the task force’s statement turned a red stoplight into a yellow one, signaling to plastic surgeons: Proceed with caution.

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The editors of Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery are gazing into the crystal ball once again to see what’s in store for 2010.

Even More Botox-Like Products Will Come to Market.

First there was Botox Cosmetic; then 2009 brought the Botox alternative Dysport. In 2010, expect to see a few more Botox rivals, including a topical form of the popular wrinkle relaxer and at least one more injectable. A couple of injectable Botox cousins are in development, but PurTox will likely be the next to get a nod from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The main difference in these injectables seems to be how long the results last and how quickly the products start to work on your crow’s feet.

Fat Injections to the Breast Will Be Used Cosmetically.

After being condemned by plastic surgery associations, fat injections to the breast were deemed OK for “touch-ups” after breast reconstruction in 2008. But these once controversial injections may soon play a role in cosmetic breast augmentation. Taking fat from a part of the body where there is too much (your thighs or butt, for example) and injecting it into your breasts where there is too little, may replace the need for breast implants when done in conjunction with a breast lift. Some kinks still need to be worked out, but fat injections to the breast are likely here to stay.

Surgeons Will Invent – and Perfect – Body Contouring Surgeries to Follow Massive Weight Loss.

More and more people are undergoing bariatric surgery to lose weight, only to be left with hanging fat and flab in highly visible areas. As plastic surgeons put on their thinking caps to better address these issues, expect to hear about many new procedures, including the corset trunkplasty. This new surgery targets above-the-belly-button flab, to recreate an hourglass silhouette in formerly obese women and get rid of love handles in men who have lost massive amounts of weight. This area has been ignored by many traditional body contouring procedures that target the lower abs, buttocks and/or thighs. We will hear more about corset trunkplasty and other innovative body contouring procedures in 2010.

Fat Freezing Heats Up in 2010.

Fat freezing (or cryolipolysis) may give liposuction a run for its money in the coming years. This technology works by freezing fat cells and breaking them down. Zeltiq is in clinical trials now, and results look promising. Stay tuned.

Cohesive Gel Breast Implants Receive FDA Approval.

These so-called “gummy bear implants” have been making their way down the pike for some time, and they just may get the long-awaited FDA nod in 2010. Filled with cohesive silicone gel, these leak-resistant implants – used in Europe and Brazil – are being studied in the United States. Gummy bear implants have the positive attributes of silicone gel, but the gel doesn’t migrate. This is a good thing, because if the shell should fail, the gel wouldn’t leak into surrounding tissue.

Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures Experience Rebirth.

As our economy starts to show signs of life again, more people may opt for cosmetic surgery procedures, reversing the steep decline of the last two years. Don’t expect the numbers to reach their record highs anytime soon, though. There will likely be a slight increase in plastic surgery procedures – especially minimally invasive ones such as injectables that allow people to put off more invasive (and expensive) procedures like face lifts until they really need them (and can better afford them).

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Discount Medspa shut down for selling beauty drugs without a prescription.

stevendepolo

Even before a December 2009 ABC 20/20 report on self-injectable facial drugs including Botox, Restylin and Dysport, the company Discount Medspa had been shut down for selling these types of products to consumers without prescriptions for them.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott charged Laurie D’Alleva of Tarrant County, TX of illegally offering prescription drugs without a license on November 24, 2009 and gained a temporary restraining order barring her company from continuing to sell the drugs online. She is also charged with fraudulently claiming membership in Texas Medical Council, which doesn’t even exist, and using this claim as a basis to say she can legitimately sell these products online.

DiscountMedSpa.com and OntarioMedSpa.com, which is also affiliated with the company, are both currently offline. A temporary injunction hearing for Ms. D’Alleva is set for Dec. 7

via examiner.com

What are people thinking? Injecting yourself with a neurotoxin is idiotic.

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FDA approved Botox back in 2004 to treat severe and excessive underarm sweating known as primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

The hyperhidrosis procedure was at first meant for those who’s excessive sweating cannot be managed by strong topical agents (treatments that are applied to the surface of the skin) such as prescription antiperspirants. Botox for hyperhidrosis involves the injection of about 20-25 drops of Botox directly into the skin where the sweating problem occurs. Often times, in the span of 48 hours after the hyperhidrosis treatment, some people have shown remarkable results of up to an 80% decrease in excessive sweating in the sweating problem area. In the span of a week later, the sweating problem maybe resolved in a sizeable percentage of the people. Bad odor coming from excessive sweating of course also disappears as the two are like the conjoined twins of the sweating world. Cutting one sweating problem away will invariably lead to the death of the other in most cases.

The hyperhidrosis treatment has a few killer drawbacks. It is cost prohibitive as the procedure is quite a bit more then the average person can afford. Furthermore, to add to the cost, Botox for hyperhidrosis, is a temporary fix. Yes, you read that correctly. The hyperhidrosis procedure has to be repeated in 6-12 months for the maintenance of the sweating problem. There have also been heavier sweating in other areas after the treatment for excessive sweating. This sweating ‘karma effect’ has been reported often by patients of the hyperhidrosis procedure.

Another limitation of the Botox is that it can only really be applied to the armpits or underarm area as a solution for sweating. For example, with palm sweating or palmar hyperhidrosis, Botox is really too painful of a procedure to be practical. The discomfort of the process of the hyperhidrosis treatment in other areas of the body confines the procedure to the armpit area. So painful is it in other areas, most doctors will not even list it as an option for other areas of the body that excessively sweat.

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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 ‘superactivate’ 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 toxin’s paralyzing effect. In laboratory studies, the researchers found that this ‘superactivator’ 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.)

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Istockphoto

From Health magazine

Watch for these red-flag phrases that suggest your “skin-care specialist” is subpar, says San Francisco ophthalmologist Krista Ramonas, MD, who has treated medical and aesthetic patients for six years.

“You’ll look 20 years younger.”
Beware the cosmetic doctor who overpromises, Ramonas says. Instead of flattering you, he should be discussing what you can reasonably expect from the procedure and addressing possible side effects.

“I’m an artist.”
The prima donna who tosses this phrase around may value her vision over standard operating procedures. “There is a little bit of art to it,” Ramonas points out, “but there’s a lot more science. We have certain parameters we all have to follow.”

“I’m so good, I’ve never seen complications.”
That may be code for “not very experienced,” Ramonas says. “Medicine is always about being prepared for complications.” You need a doctor who can handle the unexpected.

Of these, the greatest is the ‘Artist’.

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So while there are still a number of people posting on how much the love Laurie D’Alleva and her videos touting the benefits of do it yourself Botox, there are a growing number of people who still have a non-paralyzed thought or two that are coming forward to talk about the problems you might have pumping fillers into your face. Perhaps the do it yourself Botox crew are also attracted to Trepanation.

Here’s a story from ABC:

Some consumers are ordering prescription-only cosmetic products online and injecting themselves at home. One woman who self-injected her face with filler said it caused bags and lumps under her eyes, and a hard, infected pustule on her cheek.

For millions of Americans, the solution to crow’s feet, thin lips, and frown lines is at the end of a syringe, or in a bottle. A quick trip to a medical spa, dermatologist or plastic surgeon for a Botox injection, lip augmentation or chemical peel offers the promise of a youthful look.

But these cosmetic procedures — and the medical expertise that comes with them — don’t come cheap. For a single treatment of Botox, doctors charge about $380; for lip-plumping injections, over $500; and for a chemical peel, a whopping $700.

These high prices are enough for some consumers to take their business away from medical professionals, and go instead to the Web. They are “doing it themselves,” ordering prescription-only products online, and injecting themselves at home.

Laurie D’Alleva, of Mansfield, Texas, is a big fan of “DIY” beauty injections and treatments. She is the face of a DiscountMedSpa.com, a website stocked with what she claims are pharmaceutical-grade cosmetics, similar to Botox, Restylane, and Retin-A. 

Self-injecting botulinum toxin might sound dangerous, but D’Alleva, 39, tries to put her customers at ease with informational videos, complete with tips and pointers on how, and where, to inject. “It doesn’t hurt… It’s easy,” D’Alleva claims in one video, as she stands in front of a mirror and injects her face repeatedly.

Watch the investigation on “20/20″ TONIGHT at 10 p.m. ET

Disaster isn’t what “Alex,” a paramedic, had in mind when she visited DiscountMedSpa.com a few months ago. In her 40s and dating, she just wanted to improve her look, and save some money. She asked ABC News not to disclose her identity.

After viewing “every one” of the instructional self-injection videos on D’Alleva’s site, Alex was convinced she could do it herself, since using needles was part of her job.

“Why should I pay somebody else that got a few hours of training to do something I think I can do pretty easily?” she said she thought at the time.

Alex paid $450 for a DiscountMedSpa.com products including an injectable facial filler. She says she injected the products under her eyes and alongside her mouth.

But “the next morning, I woke up horrified by what I saw,” she said. “Literally, my heart started pounding, and I thought, ‘What have I done, what am I going to do?’”

DiscountMedSpa.com isn’t the only website selling treatments normally reserved for a doctor’s office. Chemical peels are readily obtainable from dozens of Web sites, and like Alex, the people who buy them don’t always know what they are getting.

Alex said the injections caused bags and lumps under her eyes, and a hard, infected pustule on her cheek. Desperate, she turned to Dr. Jerome Potozkin for help.

“I had an ‘Oh-my-God’ moment,” Potozkin said, “when I looked at her and I saw this huge abscess on her cheek. Then she told me it was from a filler that she ordered from an Internet Web site and injected into herself.”

Although Alex’s condition was serious, it could have been worse. Potozkin told “20/20” that if she had gone just a few millimeters in the wrong direction, she could have “literally punctured an eyeball,” or hit a blood vessel — potentially causing blindness.

The product Alex ordered from DiscountMedSpa.com was labeled “Vitalift,” but there is no such product on the list of FDA-approved pharmaceuticals.

Other products for sale included injectables “Restylin” and “Artefil,” and a “chemical peel” whose description included a “mystery” ingredient.

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Your plastic surgeon of dermatologist may be asking for your help to fight the Botox Botax shortly. Here’s what the ASDS (American Society for Dermatologic Surgery) is giving it’s members to solicit the support of Botox consumers:

The U.S. Senate health care reform bill  (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) contains a proposed 5 percent tax on “elective cosmetic medical procedures.”  While this may look like an attractive option to Senators looking for ways to pay for health care reform, we know that:

• Cosmetic medical procedures taxes are an unreliable and risky revenue source, which has proved to be a failure at the state level;
• A tax on cosmetic surgery discriminates against working women;
• The definition of cosmetic procedures is arbitrary and almost impossible to administer; and
• enforcement would necessitate review of patient medical records by tax collectors, a clear invasion of privacy.

Please enter your zip code below to be connected to an automatic email system which allows you to send a quick message to your Senator asking him/her to vote against this tax.

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Via Tyler Cowen, it turns out that the proposed tax on cosmetic surgeries (like Botox) might be highly regressive:

… look around. See that cosmetic surgeon down the street? The walk-in Botox clinic next door? That’s because cosmetic surgery spread from the rich and famous to the rest of us because of increasing access to credit. That’s right- the deregulation of banking that happened in the 1980s meant more and more Americans were taking out credit- either on credit cards or with medical credit companies like GE’s “CareCredit.”

What this means is that cosmetic surgery is now primarily consumed not by the rich, but by the working and lower-middle classes, sometimes even by the poor. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), about 1/3 of cosmetic surgery is consumed by people who make less than $30,000 a year. About 70% of it is consumed by people who make less than $60,000 a year. It is mostly women (90%) and mostly white, middle-aged women (80% and between 35-55 years old).

It would be interesting to know if these trends vary depending on the procedure. I would suspect, for instance, that nose jobs and facelifts are common among the affluent and highly-educated, whereas breast implants, which still carry something of a class-based stigma, are a more heavily downscale phenomenon. And I would imagine there are interesting regional variations as well. (Perhaps some of these questions are addressed in the forthcoming book from the author of the post quoted above.)

Riffing on the data, Tyler writes that “cosmetic surgery is not just a zero-sum game but rather it leads to better matches, more matches, and more people who are happy with their looks or with the looks of their partner(s).” I would go halfway with him, and say that it’s certainly a rational response to a culture where airbrushed images of perfect beauty flood the airwaves and supermarket aisles, where male instincts about sex are increasingly influenced by the siliconed imagery of hard-core pornography, and where high divorce rates (which are especially high among the working class) ensure that large numbers of women find themselves re-entering the dating pool in middle age. Whether it’s something to be welcomed, though, is another question entirely.

Question: Should Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, liposuction and cosmetic surgery be taxed like you luxury car?

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A general practitioner who performed a botched breast reduction that left a woman disfigured learnt how to do cosmetic surgery by reading text- books, attending meetings and assisting other surgeons.

Dr Christiaan Botha, who is not qualified to perform plastic and reconstructive surgery, yesterday admitted that he started performing cosmetic surgery after 10 years of “self-study” and assisting qualified surgeons.

He faced charges of unprofessional conduct before the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) relating to a breast reduction procedure performed on a patient in July 2007.

He pleaded guilty yesterday.

In July 2007 Zelna Venter went to Botha to have a breast reduction because her breasts were causing neck and back pain.But the operation left her scarred – one of her nipples fell off and both areolas had to be removed – after an infection set in and the wound began to smell soon after the procedure.

Follow-up visits to Botha saw Venter being put on two courses of antibiotics and having the wound restitched several time before a second opinion was sought, and Venter was sent for an emergency operation.

It was during this operation that Venter’s areolas and a chunk of skin were finally removed.

Venter’s husband last night barred her from speaking to the media and said they had gone through great trauma in the past two years.

The HPCSA accused Botha of practising outside his scope and failing to recognise complications that arose from the surgery, and of failing to refer Venter to a plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

The council also accused him of treating Venter’s complications in a negligent or incompetent manner.

HPCSA spokeswoman Bertha Peters-Scheepers confirmed they were still investigating other complaints against Botha.

In his plea explanation, Botha said he had trained himself to become a cosmetic surgeon and that when he started performing the surgery, the understanding in the medical fraternity at the time was that GPs like him could do the procedure “with adequate training and experience”.

“Following my entry into private practice I developed an interest in cosmetic surgery. In consequence I acquired and studied textbooks on the subject and commenced assisting plastic and reconstructive surgeons in the performance of cosmetic surgery.

“After about 10 years of self-study, I commenced performing cosmetic surgery, limited however to breast augmentation surgery, breast reduction and abdominoplasty.”

Botha said that as a registered GP he believed he was permitted to perform the procedures.

“Neither I nor other members of the general medical fraternity believed it necessary, on the strength of the ethical rules, that a formal postgraduate qualification in plastic and reconstructive surgery was required.”

Cliff Nkuna, legal adviser for the HPCSA, argued that Botha did not manage Venter’s complications properly due to inadequate training and that he had put her life at risk.

But Botha’s lawyer, Steven Farrell, disagreed.

“There are no facts that Dr Botha put the patient’s life at risk. You do not have before you a medical practitioner who just takes a scalpel and starts a procedure. He developed an interest in the field.”

Farrell said that when Botha became aware of the HPCSA ruling that GPs were barred from performing plastic and reconstructive surgery, and that only specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeons could, he wound down his cosmetic surgery activities.

Botha stopped performing cosmetic surgery two months ago.

However, Peters-Scheepers said the HPCSA ruling was made in April last year, and they had sent a newsletter to all the doctors.

The matter has been postponed to May 4 for sentencing. Botha could be struck off the roll and could also be slapped with a fine.

Via: The Star

Plastic Surgery, Botched Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Problems

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Photos: Above, recent online photos of Rachel Uchitel. (Photos courtesy of Gala.de and TheImproper.com) Below, Rachel Uchitel yesterday in Los Angeles. (AP photo)

Plastic surgeons and celebrity watchers gave party hostess Rachel Uchitel a once-over as soon as the tabloids thrust her into the spotlight last week as the alleged mistress of golfing great Tiger Woods.

She flatly denies the allegation, but Uchitel’s photos on the Web have provided evidence for cosmetic doctors to analyze. For example, plastic surgeon and blogger Dr. John Di Saia of San Clemente and Huntington Beach wrote:

[Her photos] show her to be an attractive woman who has probably seen the inside of a plastic surgeon’s office before. She seems to have had breast implants at the least from the images we have seen.

The online Plastic Surgery Channel commented on the uncertainties surrounding Uchitel:

Her lips do suggest lip injections, (perhaps Botox) and her chest suggests breast augmentation. Uchitel would likely deny rumors of plastic surgery, just as she has denied other rumors. But, in all cases, she may be telling the truth.

skin clinic, plastic surgery, Botox

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The next time you’re at the medical spa don’t be surprised if you see a bunch of men in the waiting room.  We’re told men are showing up in increasing numbers for everything from Botox to liposuction.  But it’s not necessarily about vanity.

A medical spa is a place where you picture women being pampered and pricked to smooth out wrinkles, but now men are showing up by the dozens.

Andy Osborne, a sales executive for a hotel group, attends a spa.

“I just turned 40 this year so I wanted to do something to make myself a little younger,” he said.

The trip to the medical spa is a first for Osborne.

“I felt a little strange making the call but they put me right at ease saying it was typical.  They are seeing more and more men,” Osborne said.

But Dr. Bill Johnson says while women go after ideals, modeling ourselves off what we see in magazines, men book appointments for very different reasons.

“It’s a competition for the guys,” Johnson said.

“There are a lot of people who are younger, getting into hotel sales so anything I can do to make myself look a little younger, be more competitive,” Osborne said.

And with more people finding themselves out of work, the competition to find that perfect job is intense.
And it’s not just Botox.  More men are giving liposuction a try.

Osborne hopes rolling back time will help bring in the sales.

by Bobby Sisk / NewsChannel 36

Botox, Botox Injections

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A 38-year-old former Miss Argentina died after complications arising from plastic surgery on her buttocks, according to media report Wednesday.

Solange Magnano, the 1994 winner and a mother of 8-year-old twins, died of pulmonary embolism Sunday three days after having a gluteoplasty, a procedure that involves placing implants to enhance firmness. Officials said the injected liquid went into her lungs and brain.    

News of her death shocked her fans. The cause of her death was under investigation, the authorities said.

In the past half decade, the number of people seeking plastic surgery in Argentina has soared by 60 percent, to around 50,000. Estimates say that 1 in 30 Argentines has gone under the knife, making plastic surgeons here some of the most experienced on the globe, attracting large number of medical tourists.

Medical tourism in Argentina has seen a huge jump over the past decade, and is projected to be a 100 billion dollar global industry by 2010, according to the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, a U.S. research center focused on trends in the health care system.

Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, Plastic Surgeon, Gluteoplasty

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Before it became a popular anti-wrinkle treatment, Botox was used to treat crossed eyes and eyelid spasms.

Today, Botox is being used to help many other conditions. While Botox is commonly used for relaxing fine facial lines and wrinkles, it is becoming a popular treatment for conditions ranging from migraine headaches, bladder control and excessive sweating to multiple sclerosis and even cerebral palsy in children.

• HEADACHES: Botox is injected into the affected muscles of the head and neck to help people with migraines, post-traumatic headaches and tension headaches.  
• NECK PAIN: It is believed that Botox blocks the transmission of nerve impulses, permitting injected muscles to relax, diminishing transmission of pain signals in people suffering from dystonia torticollis, whiplash and disc degenerative disease causing muscle spasms.
• HYPERHIDROSIS: Excessive sweating, even when temperatures are cold or the person is resting. Botox stops the nerve impulse from reaching the sweat gland, effectively stopping sweat production.
• DYSTONIA: A neurological disorder leading to involuntary muscle contractions that cause abnormal movements or postures.
• OVERACTIVE BLADDER: Botox is injected into the bladder to curtail the organ’s excessive squeezing.
• ENLARGED PROSTATE: Botox is injected through an ultrasound probe into the prostate to help prevent frequent urinating in men.
• ALOPECIA: Doctors believe Botox may be effective in helping some forms of balding.
• CEREBRAL PALSY: A new study shows Botox may be effective as a treatment for muscle stiffness in children with cerebral palsy. 

Botox: FDA approvals.

Botox therapy initially was approved by the Federal Drug Administration in 1989 for treatment of crossed eyes and uncontrollable eye blinking associated with dystonia for patients age 12 and older. It was used for cosmetic purposes when patients with spastic eye disorder discovered the wrinkles near their eyes disappeared. By 2000, Botox was approved to treat cervical dystonia in adults to decrease the severity of abnormal head positions and neck pain. And in 2004, the drug received approval for hyperhidrosis, excessive underarm and palm sweating.

Additional Botox studies.

Since then, studies also indicate Botox successfully treats depression, bladder control problems, enlarged prostate and headaches.

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Restylane, Juverderm and filler injections tips for physicians running medical spas and laser clinics.

The following is from a string of emails that were circulating among some of Medical Spa MDs Members. I’ve edited this somewhat to make it readable and get rid of all the extraneous copies. I’m also not displaying the identity or email addresses of the physicians in this thread.

Note: Some of the comments below might be out of order from the original thread. Emails’ somewhat difficult to follow as a thread but you’ll get the gist.

Filler Injection Discussion & Tips: Restylane | Juevederm | Evolence

1. When I use the “push ahead” technique, I feel that I get better “plumping” per cc of filler.  I learned this from Kevin (thanks Kevin).

2. When I use the “push ahead” technique, the filler fills a few millimeters in front of the needle tip.  You need to realize this to be able to put the material exactly where you want it.  Sometimes you have to “feel” the injection because you can’t “see” the plumping.

3. I mix 0.1 cc of lidocaine with epinephrine with my Juvederm.  This helps with bruising (epinephrine) and when the lidocaine goes away and the Juvederm attracts water, the two effects cancel each other and there is not as much enhancement after the injection due to the hydrophilic nature of the Juvederm.

4. I use Juvederm Ultra under the eye and above the lip.  I use Juvederm UltraPlus everywhere else.

5. I constantly complain to my Juvederm Rep about the 0.8 cc syringes.  I use lots of Radiesse because you get almost twice as much material for the same price.  Volume, volume, volume.  Please complain to your rep, maybe we can get them to change.

6. I hear the Evolence is very good.  We will be getting trained and start using it next month.

Thanks for the filler tips.Can you explain how you get the Lido with epi mixed into the Juvederm syringe? –PD

Fluid Dispensing Connector from Braun Medical Inc (you can get from PSS)

BD 1 ml Luer-Lok Syringe

This syringe allows you to get very precise amount of lidocaine (swish back and forth 20 times).

I use this syringe to put exaclty 1 cc of saline in my Botox Bottle. When I reconstitute the Botox (this gives it full strength per unit). The chances of intravascular injection might be lower with push ahead because the material will push the vessels out of the way as you advance –  Jeff

Hi Jeff,–I agree w/ #6.  I seem to get good augmentation, less redness, swelling and bruising with Evolence.  I use it for deeper fills in cheeks, NLF, etc.  Don’t use it for lips or under eyes.  I do same with Lido w/ epi.  I tend to use Juvederm in lips.  Perlane / Restylane for other areas.  I agree w/ why Allergan uses 0.8 cc syringes. I’ve moved away from Radiesse.  I feel that the duration is not that much longer than a good correction with the HA’s.  Besides, I believe a fair amount of the volume of Radiesse is a gel carrier, thus needing touch-ups at 2-3 months.  Perhaps that’s why the went to the larger syringes? — Don

The push ahead technique also moves small blood vessels out of the way, so you may notice less ecchymosis is overall pts. — Greg

Jeff: –”Push ahead” has a higher risk of vessel cannulation & potential for vascular effects – skin necrosis in glabella, even potential for retro-grade flow to eye (causing visual loss).  I wouldn’t recommend that technique for the periorbital area.

Restylane is recommended for the tear troughs;  it’s less hydrophilic than juvederm – which means less post-treatment swelling.–Tom  –  [note from Jeff:  Tom is a plastic surgeon]

I would not use push ahead around the eye, I agree with Tom’s comments. It works great for NLF. I was actually taught this by a PS — Greg

Thanks Jeff for your kind comments. However I must make a few points in regards to fillers:

1) There are some areas that one has to still do the retrograde injection either b/c the purpose was to make a straight line (eyebrow lift and vermillion border and the bow-tie (the vertical lines connecting the base of nose and the upper lip border) AND when injecting the most inner 1/3 of the tear-trough to avoid risk of filler getting into the orbital space due to its close proximity to the orbital rim.

2) On the glabellar injection, it is best to first push and pull the needle thru the space underneath to break up the tissue before actually injecting the filler both in an anterograde and retrograde pattern

3) I ONLY use the 1/2 inch needles in all my injections

4) One can inject even Radiesse and/or Perlane via an 1/2 inch 30 gage needle. Why is this noteworthy to mention?? When I work on the lips and Marrionette’s lines, I ususally first build the Vermillion border with Radiesse or Perlane (I get the best “lifting outcome” with heavier filler). I push the 1/2inch needle all the way forward then slowly and steadily inject while withdrawing (retrograde method). Then I re-evaluate how much of a correction I already get of the Marrionette’ line and lifting up of the lip body. My next step is to inject into the most lateral lip section (about 1 cm distance) starting at the corner (using Perlane or Restylane or Juverderm). This time I inject slowly as I push forward (anterograde). Often I ended up correcting about 50% of the marrionette’s line by going after the lip’s border and most lateral body. Besides, the patient loveto see that they now could see their lip body all the way to the corner and more “smiley shape”. The last step is the trickiest one, I use either Radiesse or Perlane on an 1/2 inch 27 gage needle. First placing my left thumb at the patient’s lower half NLF’s I retract the skin upward (about 2-3cm upward) then I approach my needle in an upward (vertical) position at about one centimeter lateral and one cm below the mouth corner of that same side. Then I aim diagonally toward the corner and start injecting anterograde just 1-2 mm below the imaginary horizontal line of the mouth corner (about 0.2 cc), then I withdraw the needle and reaim straight up and inject just below the horizonal line (0.2cc) then I do it one more time aiming diagonally outward (0.2cc). What was I attempting to do?? I was laying down a new flooring along the imaginary horizontal line. After the injection, release the left thumb. You will be surprised to see the retracted portion just rest right along this new floor, thus the Marrionette’line has been corrected. This is different from the common fanning technique of using the filler to “blow up” around the Marrionette’s line. If you look carefully at those company’s issued photos, the area around the Marrionette’s line now appeared very swollen and puffed up. It is aesthetically unpleasant. It looked like the patient was beat up below the mouth. It reduced the profile of the chin.

5) For those of you that use fillers on the highly vascularized and shallow areas such as the temporal, crow’s feet, undereye area lateral to the submalar area and along the lateral border of the cheek prominence (especially in those older skinny Caucasian ladies with much excessive very thin skin) I now emulate the same technique used in the hand. I would pinch to levitate the skin itself above the bony structure, then I bolus Restylane into the empty space. Then I massage it down. This elimates the risks of injecting into the vessels and nodules.

Interesting discussion.  So Kevin, how do you account for the difference in that anterograde injection you need less filler than in retrograde injections, assuming all else being equal?

Second, I am understanding one group claims anterograde injection carries a higher risk of vessel cannulation and possible intravascular injection, while another group claims that anterograde injection “pushes away” blood vessels, thus decreasing the risk. Not sure how anterograde increases risk of intravascular injection any more than retrograde.  If you push the needle ahead, transfixing a vessel, then begin injection, you can still conceivably deposit some material intravascularly, can you not?  Am I missing something here?

I also found an interesting idea of sub q bolus technique in areas of thin skin, ie crowsfeet, etc.  Anyone else try this method? ~ Don

Tom:

I do agree with you about those risks with anterograde injection. The key is always the skills in doing it, be it retrograde or anterograde. One always has to be very carefully doing anything around the eyes. However, the anterograde techinique has been advocated some of the best known experts such as Arnold Klein, MD and Kent Remington, MD. I also believed that the filler amount used was critical. It takes much more amount to get the same result with the often taught retrograde technique compared with the anterograde one. For example, I almost never required more than one full syringe in correcting bilateral NLF’s vs what was typically used ( 2 syringes) by most others. I attached the before and after of a case wherein I used Readiesse to correct her NLF’s and Marrionette’s lines with anterograde technique. The after photo was taken right after. You can still see some of needle marks. I used one full 1.3 cc syringe, 1/2inch 30g for the Vermillion border and 1/2inch for NLF’s and Marrionette’s line. Notice also there was no “puffy/swollen look” medial to the Marrionette’s line often seen with retrograde and fanning technique used by most others. ~ Kevin

All interesting comments.  The only place, I use “push ahead” is in the cheeks when doing them via the intra-oral route. (Apparently Radiesse is no longer teaching this method because may practitioners couldn’t get the hang of it but it works for me.)  I might try it in the “safe” areas such as NL folds.  We use only Radiesse and Juvederm and  I find that neither filler lasts as long as advertised in “first-timers”.  I’ve also had disappointing longevity in my older patients (>65) with both types fillers despite using numerous syringes.  I’m sure this has to do with their inability to generate collagen around the filler once the carrier gel is gone.  Does anyone know the age range of patients done in the filler studies? ~ SD

I came across this old thread way down in my inbox and read it again.  I’m not sure who wrote #4 below.  It sounds interesting but I’m having a hard time visualizing it.  Do you steadily move the needle forward  toward the lip edge as you are injecting or do you hold it in place while the area fills?  I’d love to see a drawing on where you start.  ~ SD

SD: I wrote those threads. The techniques that I described were similar to what you could see watching the video instruction on www.thederm.org by Kent Remington and his colleagues (lower face injection portion) THe only thing new from my thread was when fixing the Marrionette’s line, his doctor (Nowell Solish) injection upward and anterograde from the lower part toward the lip corner only one time vs what I now do is I do the same thing but with a fanning pattern where (with the skin lifted about 1-2cm upward with the other thumb) I laid down “three such “anchoring points” along an imaginary horizontal floor starting from the lip corner going laterally for about 3-5cm long. Here I used something firmer such as Radiesse or Perlane. Having done this, you would release the thumb letting the skin go back down. Often you will see the Marrionetter’s line is much improved because “part of that Marrionette’s line” now is positioned along the horizontal flooring that you just created. ~ Kevin

PS: It is hard for me to send over some graphic illustration but I will attempt to do this in the future

Something worth knowing. How is your plastic surgeon or dermatologist communicating with other physicians to keep abreast of the latest information about treatments?

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Active FX laser skin resurfacing is gaining popularity at medical spas, laser clinics and plastic surgery centers. It’s main competitors are Thermage, Fraxel, and other skin tightening or laser skin resurfacing treatments.

Here’s an overview of Active FX and some links to more information.

The goal of laser skin resurfacing is simple: replace damaged skin with new, fresh skin. Techniques for skin resurfacing have made enormous advances, allowing nearly everyone to achieve close to flawless complexions. Many systems allow for light, moderate or deep laser resurfacing. The primary targets of laser skin resurfacing include:

• Fine lines and wrinkles of the face, especially around the upper lip, cheeks and forehead
• Loose eyelid skin
• Crow’s feet around the eyes
• Pucker marks (smoker’s lines) and frown lines
• Brown spots and splotchy, uneven skin tone
• Scars, especially acne scars
• Loose skin around the neck and jowls

How it Works

The gold standard of laser resurfacing systems, the UltraPulse® CO2 laser delivers thousands of tiny laser pulses in a pattern over the skin. Each pulse heats a column of tissue eliminating pigment discolorations at the surface and creating a zone of heating deep in the tissue. Unique to the UltraPulse Encore, these zones of heating shrink collagen and tighten the skin immediately*. The CO2 laser also offers the benefits of heating deeper layers of skin tissue, thereby stimulating collagen remodeling, tightening* the skin further. Patients can select from a range of treatments depending on the needs of your skin and lifestyle.

What is ActiveFX “fractional” laser resurfacing?

ActiveFX is a fractional laser procedure performed in a single treatment with minimal patient downtime. During the procedure, a high-energy beam of laser light is used to smooth out lines, wrinkles and scars, remove brown spots and other irregularities, and tighten the skin. It also stimulates formation of new underlying collagen to continue improvement over time. With fractional laser treatment, only a fraction of the skin’s surface is treated by the laser, leaving small “bridges” of untouched skin. This technique makes the healing process much faster and enables you to get back to normal activities sooner.

Is ActiveFX right for you?

Treated areas should be washed twice a day with cool water and a mild soap. Use our lotion twice daily to treated areas for 3 to 5 days or until healing is complete. Treated areas should be protected from direct exposure to sunlight. Sunscreen with SPF greater than 15 should be used at all times on the treated areas.

ActiveFX is ideal for you if you:

• Have a busy lifestyle or cannot be away from work for a long time
• Want noticeable results with minimal downtime
• Want to treat dyschromia, fine lines, wrinkles and skin laxity*

What you can expect from ActiveFX

Most physicians perform the procedure in the office with a topical anesthetic cream that is applied 30-40 minutes before the ActiveFX procedure begins. There is little to no pain associated with the procedure – most patients say they feel warmth similar to sunburn. You can drive yourself home after the procedure. With a gentle washing and moisturizing regimen, your photodamaged skin will begin to flake off within 2 days. After about 3-5 days, your doctor will probably let you wear make-up. Pinkness should be gone in about a week.

ActiveFX benefits

ActiveFX treatment produces a dramatic effect on the skin:

• Causes immediate skin tightening*
• Reduces wrinkles and fine lines, and softens deeper frown lines
• Noticeably improves skin tone and texture
• Stimulates new collagen formation and plumps the skin

The results of ActiveFX laser treatment are long-term and, with proper sun protection, can persist for many years. Most effects of treatment become visible right away, whereas others – such as new collagen formation, which leads to continued inner tightening – build up gradually and become more evident over time. Therefore, most people look even better 3-5 months after the procedure.

Additional Information on ActiveFX

http://www.aesthetic.lumenis.com/wt/page/activefx

http://www.lumenis.com/wt/page/pr_1170434066

http://www.skinandhealth.com/details/wrinkles_treatment#wrinkles_co2

Redness after IPL & Laser Treatments: DeepFX & ActiveFX

Reliant UltraPulse Fractional CO2 Laser

Active FX: Physician User Group ~ Medical Spa MD

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Breast lift plastic surgery coming to a medical spa near you.

Bras are an often uncomfortable but necessary evil for the majority of women.

But if you’ve got serious bra issues and can’t be bothered with a different strap arrangement for every occasion, plastic surgery now has the answer.

Israeli plastic surgeon Eyal Gur has invented the Cup & Up bra and there’s no straps to be worried with… on the outside at least.

In fact, the invention is an alternative to breast implants and promises perky breasts for years without any of the drawbacks of implants.

The first guinea pig has already had her internal bra fitted and surgeons say it was a huge success.

Avi Cohen, managing director of Orbix Medical, the company helping to develop the bra, told the Daily Mail: “The operation went really well and the woman, who is in her 30s, has made a good recovery.

“The bra has given her the lift she wanted. Her breasts look natural and she is happy with the result. The surgeons have done a fantastic job.”

The Cup & Up involves a kind of internal silicon bra. The ‘straps’ are attached to the ribs with titanium screws, stitched to silicon ‘cups’ and then it’s all tightened into place.

As gruesome and unpleasant as that sounds, those of you in need of a lift can be in and out of hospital in a morning as the keyhole operation takes just 40 minutes.

Mr Cohen believes the internal bra will become widely available throughout Europe within the next 18 months.

“We have enough women volunteers in the trial and we will be doing our second patient just before Christmas.

“In a year’s time we will have enough evidence that it works. Then we will be able to get the green light from the European medical licensing authorities.”

Call us cautious, but we think we might wait a little longer.

via rubyroom.aol.co.uk

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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

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Cosmetic surgery can carry risks as well as benefits

Several newspapers have reported the dangers associated with cosmetic surgery, including a lack of regulation in some areas of the industry. The reports also feature warnings from Nigel Mercer, the president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, who voiced his views as part of a series of medical articles on cosmetic surgery.  Mr Mercer called for tighter regulation and testing of drugs, procedures and implants to offer more protection to patients.

The Times reported that the number of cosmetic surgical operations conducted by “audited members of the profession” has more than tripled to 34,000 since 2003, but that many additional procedures are being carried out on the black market. The newspaper says that these are “fuelled by internet promotions, magazine advertising and aggressive discounting”.

 

What is the basis for these news reports?

The reports were based on a special edition of the journal Clinical Risk, which featured several articles on the issues surrounding cosmetic surgery. These issues include the potential for physical and psychological harm, and the need for tighter regulation of the industry, better training programms for surgeons and measures to improve patient experience.

Nigel Mercer, president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, wrote an accompanying editorial arguing that the availability of consumer credit and a change in public attitudes has led to an explosion in cosmetic surgery in recent years. According to Mercer, this growth, combined with increasing public expectation and media hype, has resulted in “the perfect storm in the cosmetic surgical market”.

 

What is cosmetic surgery?

Cosmetic surgery, sometimes called aesthetic surgery, was described by a doctor in the journal Clinical Risk as being “purely elective, a lifestyle choice undertaken to enhance physical appearance, improve self-esteem and boost confidence”. Another doctor says that it differs from all other forms of surgery in that it is a treatment for “want” rather than for “need”.

In the 2005 Regulation of Cosmetic Surgery report, published by the Department of Health, cosmetic surgeries are defined as “operations and other procedures that revise or change the appearance, color, texture, structure or position of bodily features, which most would consider otherwise to be within the broad range of ‘normal’ for that person”.

Cosmetic surgery differs from plastic surgery, which is generally surgery to repair or reconstruct tissue or skin damaged by congenital (inherited) disease, injuries or burns. The primary role of plastic surgery is to restore function, and aesthetic improvement is secondary.

 

How is cosmetic surgery currently regulated in the UK?

At present, there are measures and standards to help regulate the industry but some cosmetic surgeons operate outside these regulations. Some treatments and procedures are unlicensed for cosmetic use, but can be given the discretion of doctors, or “off license”, by some clinics.

Surgical practice in the UK is regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC) and practicing surgeons should be enrolled on its specialist register. However, some concessions are made for private cosmetic surgeons who have been practicing since before April 2002. By satisfying certain criteria, these doctors can practice without the need to be on the specialist register.

Invasive cosmetic surgery and laser treatments are also regulated under the Care Standards Act 2000. The Healthcare Commission inspects all registered establishments that carry out invasive procedures and laser surgery in the UK, and has the power to revoke practice licenses and to take enforcement action.

Some cosmetic surgical procedures are not covered by current regulations, such as Botox injections and injections of aesthetic fillers. Botox is not licensed for cosmetic use, but it can be prescribed “off license”, in which circumstances the doctor assumes liability for its use. Most fillers are tested in the UK as “devices” rather than as drugs. This means that they are regulated based on the standard of their production and not on whether the treatment works.

The Department of Health report concluded that the regulatory situation for cosmetic surgery was not satisfactory because of the group of doctors who can practise without being on the GMC specialist register and the lack of clarity around the definition of “fillers”. Although practitioners of cosmetic surgery must demonstrate certain competencies, these may not be the equivalent standard of NHS consultants.

 

What do these journal articles say about cosmetic surgery?

The authors of these articles have argued several opinions, including that:

• Patient psychology should be considered by clinical staff as issues of mental health and body image may be behind the desire for cosmetic changes. These could also arise in people who feel disappointed or upset by the results of their surgery.
• Surgeons should keep records detailing their patients’ expectations and provide them with guidance on whether these are realistic.
• There are risks associated with any type of surgery and patients should be informed of these and their surgeon’s success rates when considering procedures.
• It is important that patients are given time to consider their options. Doctors should also inform patients about alternative treatments that may be available.
• Before procedures are carried out, it should be clear who will be financially liable for the correction of any complications.
• There may be some merits to adopting a regulation system similar to that in France. Under this system, patients must be given information on costs, risks and the surgeon’s qualifications to perform their selected procedures.
• The way that cosmetic surgery is marketed should also be regulated.

What is the problem with plastic surgery marketing?

Mercer says that cosmetic procedures are often marketed using special offers, including vouchers, two-for-one deals and surgery holidays, and that these practices contribute to an “unregulated mess”. 

The articles also feature a call to ban advertising of cosmetic procedures, stating that, like tobacco, there should perhaps be a Europe-wide ban on advertising all cosmetic surgical procedures, including on internet search engines. While advertising can be powerful, says Mercer, it is often misused by the cosmetic surgery industry and misinterpreted by those it is aimed at.

 

Where can I find more information on reputable plastic surgeons?

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is a not-for-profit organization based at the Royal College of Surgeons. It was established to advance the education and practice of cosmetic surgery for public benefit. While it is not a regulatory body, it has long been involved in giving the public information on the safety of cosmetic surgery.

Its research into cosmetic surgery tourism was discussed at a recent conference and its press releases highlight a number of dangers associated with unregulated procedures, including DIY injectable treatments available over the internet.

via nhs.uk

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Botox, Restylane and Juvederm filler injections with far less pain.

Before being injected with your chosen dermal filler, you’ll probably receive local anesthesia, for which you’ll have to wait to work before you get the enhancing injection. The waiting is annoying; the pain more so. But doctors are working on new techniques that make getting an injectable treatment less painful and time-consuming.

A team at UT Southwestern has been combining 2% lidocaine with Radiesse, Restylane and other hyaluronic acid fillers. Tissue is immediately numbed and immediately treated—simultaneously—giving the patient a faster and more comfortable wrinkle-filling experience.

“There is significant time savings in not having to wait for traditional dental block anesthesia to take hold,” explains UT Southwestern plastic surgery chairman Dr. Rod Rohrich, “and the procedure is more pain-free with shorter recovery time.” His team’s findings appear in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Although the aforementioned formulas require manual mixing, manufacturers have begun offering fillers with lidocaine already built in, like Hydrelle and Prevelle.

This couldn’t come soon enough for most of the medical spas and plastic surgery offices I know. And if you’ve ever had Botox or Restylane injections you know what I mean.

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If you’re a plastic surgeon or dermatologist starting a medical spa, skin clinic, or laser center, you’ll need to have all of your ducks in a row.

Here are 9 tips to keep your medspa in the black, and your laser treatments and Botox appointments full.

1. Have sufficient funds to kee your Medical Spa open for months.
Don’t even think about opening a Medical Spa unless you have the capital needed to bring it through the startup and first year of operation. Invariably, your planning will not deal with all of the unforeseen issues that can occur in the MedSpa industry. From regulatory compliance changes and training costs, to increased marketing costs. Under-capitalization is a leading indicator of business failure. You should considering a combination of various financing strategies from leasing to working capital.

2. Talk with other doctors who have successful, operating Medical Spas
Ask them what they would do the same, and what they would do differently. We are starting to see some established Medical Spas out there, try and learn from their experiences and best practices.

3. Join associations that help new Medical Spas succeed
They are a great source of experienced MedSpa owners, who have already gone through what you will. In addition, they often have members who have specialized in the MedSpa industry, including: business planning, marketing, design, dealing with regulatory issues, insurance and finance. The International Medical Spa Association even has a mentorship program that is available for new MedSpa owners. It is invaluable to chat with someone across the country who has had the same problems you may have, especially if you know they are not a local competitor!

4. Know your strengths and weaknesses
No one is strong in all areas, you may be an expert in age management medicine, but you may be weak on the business and marketing side. That’s fine, but you are going to need to identify the areas where you are weak and compensate. Not all areas require a permanent, full-time employee, you may consider hiring a consultant who has the necessary experience.

5. Watch your medical spa’s monthly expenses
Especially during the startup phase of a MedSpa, it can be easy to see the glamour of having marble flooring, but is it really necessary? You may be better off adding another hair removal treatment room, which will generate income. Remember the old adage: “it will take twice as long and cost twice as much as you anticipated.”

6. Determine what need your Medical Spa meets.
As with any successful business, you need to meet a consumer demand. With 11,500 people joining the over 50 crowd every day, you have a great potential market. But you need to make sure you are where they can be found (i.e. medical centers, shopping centers, established communities).

7. Know your laser clinic’s monthly cash flow.
You may think financial statements are only for accountants to understand, but you need to be able to read some key financial statements. Including the cash flow statement, this lets you know where the money is coming from and where it is going. You must always know your current cash flow situation, if you cannot pay your bills, you are effectively out of business. Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, IPL, cosmetic lasers… they’re all expensive.

8. Open your medical spa because you want to.
Starting a MedSpa is going to consume two things: time and money. The profit potential of a MedSpa is huge, but if you are not doing what you really enjoy, it will show on your bottom-line! As you will probably be spending more time and money than you originally planned, you need to make sure operating a Medical Spa is what you really want to do.

9. Don’t hire family and friends
They may be able to provide you with valuable assistance during the startup phase, but they most likely will not be able to get you to that next level. This is where having an experienced MedSpa director is very important. Not only are they going to hire and train your employees, but they also will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the MedSpa. Hiring a competent MedSpa Director can allow you to run your MedSpa as a stand alone profit center; one that makes money whether you are there or not.

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They’re are a growing number of ‘home laser hair removal‘ devices appearing on the market. This article on do it yourself laser hair removal supposes that medical spas and laser clinics are feeling the heat.

Want to get rid of some unsightly hair, but don’t want to spend the big bucks for electrolysis or a laser clinic? Now, you can buy your own laser and do it yourself.

And people are.

The growth of the at-home cosmetic-device market, which includes personal lasers, has some professionals buzzing. At an annual conference hosted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Barry DiBernardo, a New Jersey plastic surgeon, delivered a talk in Seattle about the pros and cons of the DIY market on the ASPS’s “Hot Topics” panel.

“We have to make sure that the patients are getting good, safe treatments. If they are getting good, safe treatments, then whether they are doing it at home or not, I’m not as worried,” DiBernardo told Wired.com by phone. “What I’m worried about is that they are seeing things in the Skymall on the airplane and spending hundreds of dollars, thousands of dollars on something that is not going to work or is unproven.”

New cosmetic lasers and medical devices including DIY lasers (do it yourself cosmetic lasers) are expected to explode into a $1.3 billion market 2013, up from just $296 million in 2008, according to the analyst group Medical Insights.

The growth in the market appears to be coming from light-based products that claim to either remove or grow hair on the human body. The Silk’n Hair was the first at-home laser device to be approved by the FDA, in 2006, although it didn’t come on the market until early 2008.

The laser hair removers damage the hair follicles that are in their growth phase, generally leading to some permanent reductions of body hair. DiBernardo questioned whether the lasers used in the home devices were powerful enough to get the kind of results that clinics achieve.

“In general, these devices are low-powered versions of the doctor versions. We’ve been doing laser hair removal since 1998, so we know that they work and how well they do,” he said. “I think these home devices have some effect, but they legally can’t have the power of what we fire at people.”

From nother nice post from Wired:

Technorati Tags: laser hair removal, laser treatment, do it yourself laser hair removal, laser clinic, medical spa, cosmetic laser, home laser hair removal, diy laser hair removal

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