A Botox mini-seminar was just completed several days ago at Spascape Dayspa in Scituate. The anti-aging effects of Botox were demonstrated on several patients. The injections were extremely well-tolerated and any discomfort was thought to be minimal in all patients.

With Vancouver and the Olympics on everyone’s mind right now, it is interesting to note that it was the Drs. Carruther, who still practice in Vancouver, that played a large part developing the cosmetic use of Botox. This cosmetic treatment continues to be very popular for men and women, helping to lessen wrinkles and soften features. Although the effects are not permanent, this nonsurgical treatment is a safe and effective anti-aging cosmetic treatment with almost no downtime. Botox is an extensively studied medication proven to be safe, and though originally approved as effective for use in the frown-line area, Botox is now used “off-label” and is appropriate for other facial areas as well such as the forehead, “smile lines”, the crow’s feet area around the eyes, and on wrinkles in the mid and lower face.

The use of Botox and wrinkle fillers continue to be among the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedures done today. As always, insist on an appropriately-trained medical professionals experienced in these treatments to administer them.

S. Delia, M.D.

Click here for recent Today Show segment on Botox

Now that the holidays are over, the media is once again concentrating on the proposed congressional healthcare bill. One of the components of that bill is a federal surtax on cosmetic procedures—surgical and non-surgical. This is considered a “vanity tax” which allegedly will help to pay for insuring the uninsured. The perception is that only wealthy people go to plastic or cosmetic surgeons and thus it is their responsibility somehow to partially bear the burden of insuring the uninsured millions. However, information gathered by the American Society of Plastic Surgery has revealed that not only are 91% of cosmetic patients women, but that 60% of these women earn between $30,000-$90,000 yearly. The desire to look good and feel good about oneself is hardly limited to the wealthy upper classes. New procedures, especially non-surgical procedures such as Botox and fillers, fit the budgets of many individuals and cosmetic surgery patients no longer reflect only the rich and privileged in our country.

The Society is protesting this tax primarily on the basis that it singles out one demographic in our society and places an unfair tax burden on them. With much debate going on in Washington at the moment, we will not have to wait long to learn whether this “vanity tax” on cosmetic procedures will be included in the bill or not.

After years of having only one wrinkle relaxer available for use in the U. S.—that is, Botox, the FDA has now approved a new wrinkle relaxer called Dysport. Like Botox, Dysport is FDA approved only for use in the frown line area. However, as with Botox, Dysport has shown itself to be useful in what is called in the industry “off-label uses”. In the facial area, wrinkles in the forehead, “crow’s feet” wrinkles at the corners of the eyes, and even the fine lines around the mouth—”smoker’s lines”, can be relaxed and made to appear less prominent with Dysport. However, while both Dysport and Botox are effective in reducing wrinkles, keep in mind that they may differ as to the length of time before results are seen as well as the length of time the results will last. As always, the amount of the product used should be tailored to each patient and not be administered “cookbook-style”. The amount of product needed to achieve a good response differs with each patient. Some patients need more than the recommended amount of wrinkle relaxer (for example, men often need more units than women in the same facial areas), while others can achieve a good result with less.

Dysport has been promoted as a cheaper alternative to Botox, but as always, “buyer beware”. Patients need to be careful when comparing fees as a cheaper price may simply mean using less units of the product. An inadequate dose equals an inadequate response! Cheaper is not always better and it remains to be seen if the test of time will reveal differences in performance between Dysport and Botox which will ultimately lead phyicians to choose one over the other.

One has only to turn on their TV to view Brooke Shields promoting the benefits of using Latisse.

This product has recently been approved by the FDA for treatment of thin eyelashes. Latisse has shown to increase the length and fullness of the eyelashes.

Latisse stimulates eyelash follicles in the resting stage to transition to the growth phase and keeps them in the growth phase longer. To lengthen lashes, you apply one drop of Latisse to a clean eyeliner brush and brush through the lashes. (eyeliner brushes are included with the product)

Results are apparent within four weeks. You must continue treatments on an ongoing basis to maintain results.

This product is available by prescription only. Call Dr. Delia now to make an appointment to see if you would be a candidate for this treatment.

Click here to see Latisse before and after photos