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FDA approves Botox for the treatment of crow’s feet

September 11 witnessed new legislation for the use of Botox in the US – it is now legal to administer it to the fine lines around the eyes.

Up to now the Food and Drug Administration had only approved the cosmetic use of Botox for lines across the forehead and between the brows, however doctors have been using Botox in the treatment of lines around the eyes for a number of years.

The approval came after a study led by Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox, into its efficacy as an anti-ageing injectable. In a controlled group of 833 adults one half received Botox injections to the eye area and the other half received placebo injections to the same area. The group that received Botox displayed the most sign of a reduction of wrinkles.

Although Botox was being used by doctors ‘off-record’ in this way, the approval will mean better safeguards and guidelines. Dr Marco Harmaty, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, told CBSnews.com that Botox has been used not only for crow’s feet for a number of years but also other unapproved parts of the face including creases by the side of the nose. However he also added:

“(It) does give you an added benefit and safety of saying that I’m not doing anything illegal or potentially harmful.”

The FDA approved Botox use for lines on the forehead in 2002.

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Botox as treatment for a chronic eye condition needs more specialist training

It is little known that one of Botox’s original medical uses was for an eye condition called blepharospasm, which causes continuous eye twitches or excessive blinking.

It was discovered that the injection could help control the muscles in the eyelids that were responsible for producing so much movement, the results of which led those administering it to realise its potential to eradicate fine lines.

Botox has become far better known as a beauty measure in the fight against wrinkles and ageing, and as a result this can mean far more practitioners who train to administer Botox as a cosmetic procedure than for other medical purposes. Opthalmologists at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London have described the lack of specific training in this area, even though its use as a treatment for blepharospasm pre-dates its cosmetic use.

Doctors at the specialist hospital successfully treat 95% of their patients with the condition but are aware that those who seek treatment for the condition elsewhere either don’t receive Botox as a treatment or they do but with far less success. They attribute this to the lack of numbers who train in this specific area of opthalmology.

The condition can cause a great deal of distress to the sufferer, as constant twitching or blinking dries out the eye and causes irritation and discomfort. In some cases the eye can shut together for some time, leading some sufferers of the condition to be registered as visually impaired. When Botox is injected in to the area it needs to target very specific muscles in the eyelids, which is why it can be difficult to get it right without the right training.

Though the condition is made manageable through regular Botox treatments there is nonetheless no outright cure, as well as no full understanding of the cause of the condition. It’s believed that genetic factors may be at play, as well as already-existing susceptibility to dry eyes.

Cosmetic Courses offer training in Botox and other aesthetic treatments to medical professionals throughout the UK. For information on any of our training courses, please contact the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected].

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Could the protein that Botox targets be the answer to diabetes cure?

Scientists at Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University are attempting to understand the proteins that may be responsible for the development of Type 2 diabetes.

It is the same SNARE proteins that Botox treatment targets, as they are responsible for muscle contraction. Botox targets these proteins and effectively freezes them, therefore halting muscle contraction.

As well as in other areas of the body these proteins, called SNARE, reside in the beta-cells within the pancreas. Researchers are using molecular microscopic techniques to determine exactly what happens with these cells and insulin release.

The steady release of insulin made by these cells helps to control glucose levels in the body. When there is a consistently high level of glucose production in the body, which is what happens in obese patients, this process stops functioning properly and leads to Type 2 diabetes.

These SNARE proteins, which are the equivalent to the size of ten-thousandth of a human hair, will be observed by Dr Colin Rickman and his team of researchers. They hope that this will help to understand exactly how the beta-cells produce insulin and therefore what happens when they stop functioning. The intention is that these findings will help find a cure to the chronic condition.

The number of people with Type 2 diabetes in the UK rose by 1.5 million between 1996 and 2012, and it’s predicted that the number of sufferers will hit 5 million by the year 2025. This recent and projected growth in number is due to the rising numbers of those who are overweight and obese.

Cosmetic Courses offer aesthetic training to medical professionals throughout the UK. If you would like information on any of our training courses, please call us on 01844 390110 or email [email protected].

 

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Pharmaceutical giant in hot water for alleged improper marketing of Botox

Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has come under fire in China for allegedly marketing Botox through improper practices, as well as being investigated for possible tax and invoice fraud.

The Wall Street Journal earlier this week reported that investigations are being carried out on the corporate behemoth for possible bribery and corruption, in a planned marketing strategy to boost sales in the emerging market. They claim to have seen evidence of emails targeted at 48 doctors which include cash and other incentives as a reward for prescribing Botox for therapeutic reasons.

The marketing strategy even took the name of a Russian World War II sniper, ‘Vasily’, after Vasily Zaytsev, with communication regarding the incentives supposedly sent to and from the private email addresses of GSK’s sales personnel.

GlaxoSmithKline have responded by announcing their own internal investigation and say initial findings show there has been no improper sales and marketing conduct carried out by sales staff at their organisation. A spokesperson for GSK in London announced:

“…we are investigating these new claims. However, our inquiries to date have found no evidence of bribery or corruption in relation to our sales and marketing of therapeutic Botox in China”

“GSK has some of the toughest compliance procedures in the sector. We are proud of our high standards and operate in accordance with them.”

GSK’s distribution of Botox in China is for therapeutic use (such as facial spasms) rather than cosmetic use ie. for the treatment of wrinkles.

Cosmetic Courses offer a wide range of aesthetic training courses to medical professionals. For information on any of our courses, contact the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected].

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The Apprentice result – good for Botox’s reputation or bad?

Lord Alan Sugar selected his business partner-cum-reality TV winner last week and will be backing a chain of Botox and skin clinics to appear on British high streets.

The businesswoman/winner is 24-year-old doctor, Leah Totton, who impressed the business impresario with her ideas and her business acumen, despite having no previous experience within industry, having only worked in medicine prior to appearing on the BBC show.

Totton said that she hopes to increase the quality of non-invasive procedures such as Botox and fillers that are available on the market, and says she is well-placed to do so, given her medical credentials. However the industry itself has been quick respond to her claims, instead suggesting that her lack of sector-specific training will actually do more damage to the reputation of the industry than good.

Spokesperson for BAAPS and consultant plastic surgeon James McDiarmid said:

“Having Leah Totton running Botox clinics is like saying that someone, aged 17, who has just passed their driving test can be a Formula One driver.”

He also lambasted the BBC for the apparent “trivialisation” of cosmetic surgery.

The plans for the clinics are to offer non-invasive procedures such as Botox, chemical peels and fillers.

Cosmetic Courses offer a wide range of aesthetic training courses to medical professionals looking to enter the cosmetic industry.

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Is Botox safe during pregnancy?

Kim Kardashian’s latest media circus involves speculation that she is still undergoing regular Botox treatments despite being 7 months into her pregnancy. Though the American socialite has neither confirmed or denied the reports that are circulating throughout US and now global tabloids, the question on many people’s lips is – if true, will this do harm to her unborn baby?

Whilst we can’t comment on the validity of the claims and therefore offer no opinion on this specific case, it is worth visiting the subject on a general basis. There is no evidence that Botox travels beyond the area in which it is injected, and in theory this would extend to meaning it would not reach an unborn baby via the placenta. That said, there is no conclusive evidence that it does not, given that it would be impossible to test this on pregnant mothers and their unborn babies.

Corroborative evidence would suggest that it is safe and indeed prescription Botox is sometimes carried out on expectant mothers suffering from other conditions that require it, such as chronic migraines or cervical dystonia (problems with posture and movement, usually in the neck and shoulders). Currently doctors are allowed to continue with Botox treatment in these cases.

There are also no regulations that prevent practitioners from offering Botox for cosmetic reasons to pregnant women. That said, most who administer it will not offer it to pregnant women for cosmetic reasons alone. This is because the reason for the Botox is seen as non-essential, and therefore the safety of the unborn foetus is given greater precedence.

Cosmetic Courses are one of the UK’s most established medical aesthetic training providers. For information on our Botox training, or any of our other aesthetic courses, contact the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected] for more information on any of our training courses.

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The ‘new Botox’ – or Frotox – arrives in the UK

One London clinic is now offering a Californian-produced alternative to Botox which promises the same results minus the toxins, which may come as welcome news to those who are interested in the results of the treatment but uncomfortable with the thought of what is in it.

iovera has been dubbed ‘Frotox’ due to its use of cryotherapy, effectively freezing, to produce the same results as Botox. Its results are said to be instantaneous as opposed to the few days that it can take for Botox to take effect. However its lifespan is slighter shorter lasting a maximum duration of four months.

Developed by medical technology group myoscience, it currently tackles forehead lines (running vertically or horizontally) through administering the treatment to either temple. A device filled with liquid nitrogen is placed next to the nerves which freezes the muscles used to control particular wrinkles. Advocates suggest that the accuracy of the nerve targeting is such that it still allows movement in the muscle.

The treatment lasts for 15 minutes and is so far retailing at £300 at a Harley Street Clinic. Some detractors insist that it poses no viable alternative to Botox, which has been used for several years, until its long-term safety and capability has been demonstrated.

Cosmetic Courses are the UK’s first surgeon led Botox course provider. Contact the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected] for more information on any of our training courses.

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Keogh Review calls for qualifications for non-invasive treatments including Botox and dermal fillers

Initial findings from the Keogh Review, the committee set up to investigate the aesthetic medicine industry and its standards, have been released, the results of which show the need for greater regulation for the industry, particularly where non-invasive procedures are concerned.

Currently there is no law or industry regulation that makes qualifications to administer non-invasive procedures mandatory and this review is set to change that. It was also expected that only medical professionals (doctors, nurses and dentists) would be able to carry out the procedures however that tenet has so far not been decided upon.

In a burgeoning and ever-growing industry it’s important that standards are met and introducing regulation is one way of ensuring this will happen. It also provides the patient with an extra degree of trust and certainty, and offers better protection if things go wrong. On discussing these finding Sir Bruce Keogh said:

“All too often we hear of cases that shine a light on poor practices in the cosmetic surgery industry. I am concerned that some practitioners who are giving non-surgical treatments may not have had any appropriate training whatsoever. This leaves people exposed to unreasonable risks, and possibly permanent damage.

“Our research has shown that the public expect procedures that are so widely available to be safe, whereas they are largely unregulated.

“There is a clear need for better quality, recognised training for the people performing these operations. My review will make a number of recommendations for making sure people who choose to undergo these procedures are in safe hands.”

The review committee has also been examining possible regulation of industry advertising and how treatments and procedures are sold. This includes bulk and time-restricted deals, which encourage the patient (or customer) to buy quickly or more than they need.

BAAPS president Rajiv Grover welcomes these initial findings:

“We agree that specialised training is required and [it should be] certainly more extensive than the many widely-promoted weekend courses currently available, but aesthetic injectibles should only ever be provided by medical professionals.”

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Botox can help athletes overcome vocal chord condition

A relatively common condition for athletes can often be misdiagnosed as asthma, but if detected can be treated easily enough through a combination of treatments including Botox for the vocal chords. Although it can be brought about by stress or anxiety it is also commonly linked to increased physical exertion, hence why athletes can be at increased risk of suffering from it.

It’s believed an estimated 5% of professional athletes suffer from Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder (PVFMD) which constricts the vocal chords and can impact the ability to breathe. It also causes coughing whilst exercising and because of these symptoms, which are very similar to those caused by asthma, it can often be missed therefore remain untreated.

The two conditions are in fact often linked – 40% of asthma sufferers will also have PVFMD. What will quite regularly happen is the asthma will be detected and treated but the PVFMD won’t be, in which case the athlete will still suffer from its symptoms.

When it is diagnosed correctly treatment will usually consist of multiple solutions. These will likely include vocal chord retraining therapy and also Botox, carried out by various professionals. An ENT specialist with Botox training would be required, as well as a vocal chord therapist and possibly also a sports psychologist who would deal with the impact it has mentally.

Non-athletes who suddenly take up an increased exercise programme can also suffer from the condition.

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Nurse in Aesthetics | Working as a nurse and considering a career change?

There is an ongoing discussion within the medical industry right now about who should be able to perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox, chemical peels and fillers. PopularNurses in Aesthetics opinion amongst senior medical staff, as well as industry bodies, is that practitioners should be appropriately qualified medical professionals, Nurses in Aesthetics.

As a result, procedures such as Botox may have to be performed by a doctor, nurse or dentist. Additionally there are calls that such professionals should be qualified in the area they want to practice specifically. Due to this popular way of thinking now may be a good time for nurses to consider branching out in to the cosmetic arena.

Nurses typically make great candidates for practitioners of non-invasive cosmetic procedures. Nursing not only has a nurturing aspect to it, but relies on attention to detail and has a number of transferable skills, for example administering injections. Add to this the increasing strain on NHS nurses with tumultuous working conditions and possible pay and pension changes and a switch to the cosmetic field can be an attractive proposition.

Often such a switch will result in better working conditions, more sociable hours and possibly better pay. Because of these factors it’s possible that such a shift is already starting to happen, with more and more nurses registering for courses in medical aesthetics.

Are you a nurse considering a move into the aesthetics field? Find out more about Botox training course options for nurses.

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