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Can Botox’s Smoothing Effect Be Socially Hazardous? Experts Disagree

A study carried out in the US by psychologist David Havas and colleagues from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Arizona State University and the University of Chicago has had UK newspapers crying out that Botox injections will cause friendships to fail. The study’s conclusions suggest that using Botox procedures to effectively “freeze” the muscles that cause lined foreheads and crow’s feet will make users’ faces respond more slowly to bad news, giving the impression that they are indifferent or lacking in sympathy. Yet according to leading UK health website the study may be flawed and its conclusions should not give consumers cause to worry that Botox will destroy their relationships.

The study consisted of recruiting 41 women from cosmetic surgery clinics to participate in a test that involved reading 60 sentences on a computer screen. The women, who received $50 towards the cost of their procedures as compensation, took two tests–one just before their Botox treatment, and the second two weeks afterwards. Both times they read 20 happy, 20 sad and 20 angry sentences, pressing a key on the keyboard to indicate when they had finished reading each sentence.

Analytical techniques such as regression analysis were used to cancel out the effects the position of the questions in the tests, the emotions they were designed to express, and possible anxiety about the Botox procedures. The overall result of the study was the finding that although the time for reading the happy sentences remained unchanged, participants took approximately 0.2 to 0.3 seconds longer to read the sad and angry sentences after their Botox treatments. Drawing on earlier research on both animals and humans, the study’s conclusion was that Botox’s paralysing effect on facial muscles was hindering emotional processing, particularly if the paralysed muscles were the ones usually used to express the emotion in question.

NHS commenters have pointed to several flaws in the study, including the small size of the sample and the fact that previous studies have not shown for certain that reading time is an indicator of the effectiveness of emotional processing. In addition, no research was done to assess the popularity and/or sociability of the study participants, or to independently assess their facial expressions as they read the questions. It seems likely, therefore, that UK newspapers were jumping to unwarranted conclusions when they deduced that Botox use could ruin friendships.

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Smooth Away Wrinkles While You Shop – A Department Store First

In February 2010 Debenhams, the high street department store shoppers usually associate with fashions and furniture, became the first chain to banish customers wrinkles by selling Botox jabs to its customers. For a flat fee starting at £170, shoppers can spend their lunchtime improving their looks with a Botox procedure that generally takes around 45 minutes, including a total of 10 minutes for the jabs and a consultation with a physician in a private consulting room.

The Mediskin Cosmetic Laser Clinic was first rolled out in the Newcastle store. With the use of Botox for cosmetic enhancement in the UK up 2,500 percent in a three-year period, Debenhams is planning to make the clinics available nationwide in the near future. In addition to Botox, the clinics will offer other popular cosmetic treatments such as dermal fillers, age and sun spot reduction, and removal of thread veins.

Botox works by blocking the signals from the brain that cause muscles to contract and move. Tiny injections into the sites where lines and wrinkles appear effectively freeze the muscles, causing a noticeable smoothing effect within three days. The effect lasts for three to four months for the first treatment, and up to six months for subsequent procedures.

Botox treatment has become wildly popular for eliminating crow’s feet and worry lines on the forehead, and gossip columns are rife with stories of celebrities such as Simon Cowell, Victoria Beckham and pop singer Fergie having Botox injections. It’s no wonder that ordinary British men and women are turning to the needle to get a quick and relatively cheap shot of youthfulness. Although some dermatologists warn against the long-term side effects of Botox, the injections have been used for 20 years to prevent eye squinting and it is clear from Debenhams’ move that consumers have come to regard Botox enhancements as a routine cosmetic procedure.

With the UK market estimated at over 100,000 Botox users a year, the Debenhams initiative may be the first sign of a rush to take advantage of the fastest-growing beauty lift in the cosmetic industry. Debenhams spokeswoman Ruth Attridge stressed the advantages to customers of being able to have the procedure done as part of their regular day, while stressing that the Botox jabs will be “all under the guidance of medical practitioners.”

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Botox Misconceptions

From the time Botox was introduced into the market, the number of patients requesting Botox injections has rapidly increased. The popularity of the Botox injection reflects not just its effectiveness, but its versatility and safety in treating several aesthetic and medical conditions. Botox is a protein mostly known for its ability to minimize the appearance of wrinkles, but Botox injections are commonly used to treat hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes excessive sweating in the palms, feet and underarms, strabismus, eyelid spasms, and to reduce neck pain and stiffness. Botulinum neurotoxin, known to the public as Botox, is produced solely by the pharmaceutical company Allergan, and although its name includes the word toxin, there are no toxic side effects from using Botox.

Misconception: Botox injections are highly toxic

A common misconception about Botox is that it is toxic. In fact, Botox has no none permanent side effects. All side effects related to Botox injections are minimal and temporary, and are confined to swelling, headaches and short-term allergic reactions. However, these side effects are common for a majority of drugs, including aspirin and cough syrups. Drugs that contain toxins are commonly used in medicine to treat several medical conditions. Digoxin is a toxin based drug derived from plants and it is commonly used to treat several arrhythmia inducing heart conditions. Drugs such as Lignocaine uses toxins derived from sea anemones to stop the acceleration of multiple sclerosis. It is also used to treat heart irregularities and is widely used as an effective topical drug for treating multiple forms of skin inflammation. The term toxin does not on its own imply a dangerous ingredient. It is the form and amount of toxicity in a specific drug that produces poisoning. Botox is derived from botulinum toxin which can be poisoning, but the amount used in a Botox injection is extremely low and thus does not have the ability to produce poisoning. This is very similar to the administration of vaccines. Vaccines carry an extremely low amount of pathogens or protein toxins to prevent or treat several medical infections. The injection of Botox is confined to a specific muscle and does not leak into the surrounding area. Although all drugs carry some risk, Botox has proven to be very safe. Ultimately, just like any medical treatment, Botox must be performed by a trained medical professional to ensure proper administration.

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Botox And Microdermabrasion

Botox and Microdermabraison are both said to combat the signs of aging, we delve into this frther to see the benefits of each and the suitable candidates.

Many people fear the inevitable sagging and wrinkling of the skin that comes with aging. Not only does the appearance suffer, but it’s a daily reminder that the body is no longer improving. Suddenly, after all the hard work of becoming the fully mature body we were meant to be, the body does a complete reversal and decides to decline instead. Add in the fact that the end of the slow decline is death and aging becomes less about appearance and more about terror.

It’s no surprise that many people choose to undergo cosmetic procedures to hide the hints of aging that remind us of our unpleasant decline. It makes good sense. Other excellent reasons to have procedures such as botox or Microdermabrasion include stress reduction, improved appearance, and a return to youth, if only in the mirror.

Botox

This decade old treatment lasts about six weeks and costs about £350 for one treatment. They’re considered to be safe and effective, though there are some nasty side effects that can accompany the treatment: Bruising, headaches, muscle weakness, and nausea, to name a few. Few people suffer from these side effects and there is an up side: Botox is often cited as a treatment for migraines.

Microdermabrasion

During this procedure, the top layer of dead skin is removed. This paves the way for new cells to be produced in the deeper layers of the skin. It’s not considered surgery and though treatments can be performed in a doctor’s office, they can also be performed in a salon or spa. The result is a rejuvenation of the skin and a happier person.

To describe the procedure a little further:

It takes about 20 to 30 minutes for the face to receive a microdermabrasion treatment. The face, chest, or neck can take as long as one hour. Four to eight treatments are performed, with one to three weeks between each treatment. People can pay at much as £200 for a treatment or as little as £50. It all depends on where you choose to go.

The good news is that you won’t have to go under anesthesia and you’re not going to suffer any pain during the treatments. Microdermabrasion is so harmless that it’s sometimes called a lunch-time peel. It won’t disrupt your routines or cause you to suffer for weeks. The most it will do is turn your skin pink for one to three days.

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Botox:Not Just for Celebrities Anymore

Botox injections, once a shameful secret among celebrities, is now becoming commonplace. In fact, it’s not just the elite or mega-wealthy who opt for specialty beauty treatments these days. In an article for the Yorkshire Post, Dr Paul Charlson, who works as the medical director of a specialist clinic near Brough, in Elloughton, was quoted as saying “Over the past year I’ve seen a marked increase in the number of people asking for this treatment. ” He goes on to say that “it’s not just image-conscious women who want to enhance their looks and turn back the clock by appearing younger in this way, men are keen to do the same.”

According to Charlson, clients who seek these treatments have high profile careers, or work in the public eye. These everyday celebrities are people like judges, members of the clergy, reporters, comics, public speakers and even people who give a lot of presentations at work. What began as a medical treatment to help puff up droopy eyelids that interfered with a patient’s vision, to stop abnormal muscle twitches or spasms or to prevent excessive sweating is now a common way to hide from mother nature and turn the clock back a few years.

One apprehensive patient was pleased that the procedure involved no bruising and that she left the office with nothing but teeny pinprick marks where the needles entered her skin. Thanks to a topical anaesthesia, however, she didn’t feel the injections at all. The Botox works slowly in the body, full effects are visible 3-5 days after the procedure. The results generally last a few months, but can last longer since clients may be able to retrain themselves to not use facial expressions that are making them wrinkle.

Some people are concerned about the safety of the procedure. Be sure to select a practitioner who is a member in good standing of the BACD. The British Association of Cosmetic Doctors ensures that its members are all registered with the General Medical Council and that they maintain ongoing education, to be sure they’re always working with the latest safety standards and scientific discoveries.

In addition to hiring a professional practitioner, patients should be sure that their caregiver discusses the procedure with them ahead of time and that they know what to expect every step of the way. Understanding what’s going to happen can prevent unhappy results down the line.

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Botox Largely Unregulated in UK

For over 5 years, the Expert Working Group on Cosmetic Surgery has been recommending to the Healthcare Commission that Botox use be more closely monitored. As Botox procedures become increasingly popular, greater numbers of patients are exposed to health risks by accepting shoddy, low-cost treatments from fly-by-night operations that don’t care what happens once the money is in their pockets and patient is out the door.

The government doesn’t accept that patient risk should be any of their concern. They have continued to decline the recommendation and instead ask cosmetic surgeons to regulate themselves. Under the current system, absolutely anyone can set up an office and administer the injections of Botox. Botox is a diluted form of deadly toxin produced by botulism-causing bacteria. The toxin tightens muscles under the face, paralyzing them. This has the side effect of reducing wrinkles.

Dr. Andrew Vallance-Owen, chairman of the Independent Healthcare Advisory Services’ Wirjung Group on Cosmetic Surgery and medical director of BUPA confirmed that cosmetic surgeons urged Parliament to bring regulation to the Botox industry.

Vallence-Owen stressed the importance of regulation. “We are talking about invasive procedures,” he said. “Botox is a prescription-only medicine and patient safety should be paramount.” He continued, “If things go wrong, some patients could be left scarred physically or psychologically for life.”

Vallence-Owen, for one, isn’t going to step back and let the procedure go unregulated. “Self-reulation is better than no regulation,” he said. “If we want the sector to maintain its success, we must retain patient confidence.” He maintains that if the industry doesn’t step up, then “these procedures will be less-regulated than ear-piercing.”

Health Minister Lord Hunt announced the UK plan for self-regulation of the Botox industry. “Cosmetic surgery providers have shown real commitment to improving levels of quality and safety in this area, and so, I have decided to ask the industry to take the lead in further improving standards.” Lord Hunt admits that the most the British government intends to do is keep open the possibility introducing “statutory regulation should it become necessary in the future.”

The Independent Healthcare Advisory Services have been given the responsibility in producing a set of standards for the industry. Sally Taber, speaking for the group, said they were ready for the task, but not willing, as nothing they could do compares to statutory regulation.

Jenny Driscoll, a health campaigner, concurs with the popular sentiment. “The government needs to step in now because, left to regulate itself, it’d be all too easy for the industry to focus on introducing multiple codes that will just end up confusing people.”

President of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, when asked for a statement, said that the self-regulation mandate was “total nonsense.”

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Allergan, Inc.’s Botox®/Vistabel® Product Licenced for Glabellar Lines in France

The Agence Francaise de Securite Sanitaire des Produits de Sante (AFSSAPS) first approved Allergan, Inc.’s Botox® product, botulinum toxin type A, for treatment of glabellar lines in 2003. Allergan, Inc. markets its Botox® product in France under the product name Vistabel®, which was licenced for the same use in the U.K. in March 2006. At the time, France became the nineteenth country to licence Allergan, Inc.’s Botox® product.

Glabellar lines are the vertical frown lines between the eyes, generated by emotions of stress and anger. Over time, the lines can become permanent, giving a perpetual appearance of stress or anger. Botox® / Vistabel® relaxes the muscles causing frown lines, smoothing the skin between the eyebrows. It works by temporarily preventing facial nerve endings, which receive a signal from the brain to display a particular emotion, from releasing acetycholine. The temporary failed release lasts several months, preventing the nerve endings from controlling the facial muscles. The procedure is quick and easy, and minimally invasive, requiring only a few small injections into the skin. Results are nearly instantaneous.

The product has been proven safe and effective in clinical trials. More than eighty per cent of patients involved in the clinical studies saw the maximum effect from the drug. The side effects included headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Patients who experience any hypersensitivity to specific ingredients in the product should not receive Botox® / Vistabel® treatments. The product is available by prescription only, and Allergan, Inc. does recommend that Botox® / Vistabel® treatments be administered by a qualified and experienced physician who specializes in cosmetic treatments, and it should be administered in an appropriate medical facility.

Allergan manufactures its Botox® / Vistabel® product, generically called Clostridium botulinum type – A neurotoxin complex, from a naturally occurring protein called purified type – A neurotoxin, which is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The drug is now approved in more than seventy countries for a variety of uses beyond treatment of glabellar lines. The United Kingdom in particular has approved the product for treatment of blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, cervical dystonia, severe hyperhidrosis of the axillae, dynamic equines foot deformity in children with cerebral palsy, and for wrist and hand disability caused by adult stroke.

Allergan, Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, California. The company has successfully marketed its Botox® and Vistabel® products worldwide, advancing its corporate mission of improving patients’ lives.

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Botox is Becoming More Popular

Botox is a highly successful, non-invasive cosmetic treatment to treat wrinkles. This affordable treatment is great for smoothing away crows feet, fine wrinkles around the mouth, as well as frown lines in order to achieve more youthful skin. The proven results make it one of the most sought after beauty treatments worldwide.

Botox is the abbreviated name for Botulllinum Toxin Type A. This non-surgical procedure involves injecting protein into the skin to soften the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines; it is completely safe and only takes minutes. The needle used for this procedure is so fine that many patients do not feel any discomfort. Given the simplicity of this procedure, many women opt to have it done on their lunch breaks!

The procedure works by temporarily paralyzing wrinkles and preventing the line from creasing with normal facial expressions. While it will not completely cure some deeper wrinkles, it is great for softening the overall look of aging skin. Treatments are recommended every three to four months; patients generally have more noticeable results over a period of several treatments.

Doctors do warn that Botox should be done in moderation as to many treatments can cause the face to lack expression. Another temporary side effect of Botox is slight bruising or swelling on or around the treated area; this generally diminishes within the first few days following treatment.

Botox is a relatively inexpensive cosmetic treatment. The cost of treatment depends on the area that is being treated. If lines are deeper then they generally call for more treatments than finer lines do. Treatments, on average, cost between £200 and £400 to treat fine wrinkles; prices go up from there to treat more extreme wrinkles. Do not be embarrassed to ask for a free consultation before treatment in order to avoid an unexpected bill.

Given the great results in such a small amount of time most women now opt for Botox as it allows for an affordable solution to aging skin. It is such a popular procedure that in 2001 more than 1.6 million people received injections which was an increase of 46 percent over the previous year. Botox has become more popular than breast enhancement surgery and is regarded by some as the ultimate fountain of youth.

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Botox Cosmetic: A Serious Look at Looking Good

The allure of youth is potent, especially to women who feel pressured society to look a certain way. When medical procedures that could improve the appearance of frown lines between brows emerged, women all over the world clamored to be the first line. Shortly, these women became frequent customers fueling a multi-billion pound industry.

Botox Cosmetic (Botulinum Toxin Type A) contains the same toxin that causes food poisoning. Used in a clinical setting in an injectable, sterile form, the Botox blocks the release of acetylcholine, which nerve cells use to signal muscle contraction. A doctor can use the Botox to interfere selectively with the muscles’ ability to contract. The process smoothes the frown lines and, in many cases, makes them invisible within a week. This result has made Botox injections the most prevalent cosmetic procedure in the world including breast enhancement surgery.

In the US, the FDA initially approved Botox in 1989 as a treatment for misaligned eyes (strabismus) and uncontrollable blinking (blepharospasm). In 2000, this approval widened to include severe neck and shoulder contractions (cervical dystonia). It was during the treatment of strabismus and blepharospasm that doctors realized it was softening the glabellar lines between eyebrows. This vertical frown between the eyebrows is what makes people look angry, displeased or tired.

Additional clinical studies commenced and by 2002, the US’s FDA was satisfied with the evidence of Botox’s safety and ability to reduce frown lines for up to 120 days. However, the FDA approves products but does not regulate their use. This flexibility has led to a wide range of procedures in the US of which there have been no clinical evaluations and certainly no explicit demonstration of safety.

Another factor driving the popularity of Botox among women is the social aspect that has become a part of the drug’s marketing. Volume discounts are available for many types of medicines including Botox. Therefore, it has become a prevalent practice for doctors to purchase Botox in bulk and then hold gatherings for their patients. Women gather at these Botox parties for the injection at a discount, food and drink, and camaraderie. This phenomenon began in the US but has since emerged everywhere where Botox injections are legal.

Regulatory agencies around the world, such as the MHRA and FDA, have indicated increased concern over the potential for Botox abuse. The social aspect of the drug has led to unqualified technicians performing the procedure in home-based offices, retail venues, gyms, and salons. In these situations, the patient runs serious risks of inappropriate dosages and unsanitary conditions. However, this does not dissuade millions of women from repeating the process continuously, chasing that ever-elusive fountain of youth.

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Non-invasive Procedures Are on the Rise

According to a recent survey, non invasive procedures are on the rise.

A survey released by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) reveals that the number of non invasive cosmetic procedures rose 47 percent last year.

The growing trend of using non invasive procedures to look and feel refreshed is accounted for, mainly, by the state of the economy. According to 80 percent of the surgeons surveyed, many said their patients are choosing these procedures because, not only are they cheaper, they are needed to remain competitive in the workplace. According to the survey, roughly 36 percent of men and 18 percent of women report work related reasons for seeking cosmetic procedures.

According to the survey, the increase in non invasive surgeries was seen across the board with poly-l-lactic acid having the largest increase of 71 percent. Coming in close behind were chemical peels which were up 52 percent, hyaluronic acid up 48 percent and Botox up 45 percent.

Seventy-seven percent of surgeons agreed that their patients are also better educated about the different cosmetic procedures available to them. Many have done their research of the different physicians, pricing as well as recovery time in order to find the procedure best suited for their needs.

The president of the AAFPRS, Daniel Rousso said: “We are excited to see patients making educated choices. They are now open to newer, novel treatments and are making smart decisions that are tailored to their needs…the overall rise in these procedures also shows that more patients are trusting their face to facial plastic surgeons who are trained and focus solely on the face and neck. Because of this, patients are seeing better outcomes.”

Also uncovered in this survey was the fact that women are still more likely than men to undergo cosmetic procedures; women account for 84 percent of surgical as well as non-surgical cosmetic procedures. What remained unchanged, however, was the fact that the number of men and women choosing surgery for reconstructive purposes are equal.

Not surprising is the fact that, according to the AAFPRS, there has been a 91 percent increase in the number of men having Botox since 2000.

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