Botox Patient » Botox from Canada

Common Botox Safety Concerns

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

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

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

BOTOX = BOtulinum TOXin

Let us now deal with the 2 main words involved:

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

Bacterium. Poison.

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

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

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

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

*definition from merriam-webster online

Common Botox Safety Concerns is a post from: Botox Patient

The Truth About How Botox Works

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

What exactly does Botox do?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ah, the confusion.

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

On that note, let the research resume…

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

Botox vs Dysport

Botox Patient — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 02:35:53 +0000

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

Botox Patient: Looking into the crystal ball for 2010

Botox Patient — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:05:18 +0000

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).

Botox Patient: Looking into the crystal ball for 2010 is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox from Canada

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

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

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

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

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

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

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Botox from Canada is a post from: Botox Patient

Botox + Dysport

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About MedicalSpaRX.com

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

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Botox + Dysport is a post from: Botox Patient

Medical Spa RX: Botox from Canada

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

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

Botox around the world

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Botox around the world is a post from: Botox Patient

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other women describe mishaps with over-injecting the drug.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

via medicalspamd.com

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

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

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

Do it yourself Botox: People are injecting themselves with fake Botox.

Botox Patient — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:15:12 +0000

People are risking death or serious injury by using an illegal Botox equivalent without prescription, a CBD cosmetic doctor warns.

Dr Mario Soteriou, of Cosmetic Image Clinics, said self-administering the goods obtained at a new US-based online store was equivalent to playing “Russian roulette”.

He said neither the Botox equivalent nor the dermal filler sold on the website was approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, which also decrees the products must only be administered under medical prescription.

The website also sells needles and an instructional DVD to enable buyers to self-administer the do-it-yourself Botox equivalent, with the promise of wrinkle free skin.

The dermal filler is also being marketed with a DIY guide for plump lips.

Dr Soteriou, who has specialised in cosmetic medicine since 2000, said he was “severely shocked” by the shonky website.

He said injectable treatments such as Botox and dermal filler should only be administered by qualified practitioners.

“The big problem with these drugs is that we don’t know what they are made of and they can’t guarantee you safety or results,” Dr Soteriou said. “Self-administering them is essentially like making a life decision without putting any thought into it.

“I wouldn’t even advocate for doctors and nurses to be injecting themselves.

“You are also risking your own death if you have an adverse or severe allergic reaction to the drugs.”

Dr Soteriou believes the website is a “money grab” and fuels people’s desperate desires for quick-fix anti-ageing products.

“I’ve never heard of these products before and I attend a lot of medical conferences to ensure I’m up-to-date with the latest in facial rejuvenation techniques,” he said.

via Medical Spa MD: Fake Botox or not, Discount Medspa is going to jail!

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Do it yourself Botox: People are injecting themselves with fake Botox. is a post from: Botox Patient

Dysport: The New Botox?

Botox Patient — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:13:54 +0000

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

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

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

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

via Medical Spa RX: Dysport

Botox Patient: Posted from Laser Treatment MD

Dysport: The New Botox? is a post from: Botox Patient