Given the statistics just released by the ASPS, their success shouldn’t be all that surprising. According to the society, minimally invasive procedures have increased an incredible 99 percent since 2000.  Topping the list are wrinkle fillers and botulinum toxin injections, two treatments in which plastic surgeons will likely reach for an Allergan product.

Image courtesy of the ASPS

For Allergan, being on the cutting-edge of aesthetic medicine also doesn’t hurt. New products like Juvederm Ultra XC and Latisse are getting plenty of attention right now, which should only increase consumer demand for these cosmetic procedures.

They specified that Botox treatment should not be considered a substitute for physical therapy or the “usual standard of care rehabilitation regimens.”

It seems that treatment applications for Botox are continually expanding. While Botox is best known for cosmetic usage — typically the treatment of forehead wrinkles or “frown lines” –there are several therapeutic treatments now being offered by physicians today. Excessive sweating, cervical dystonia and muscle spasm are just a few of those alternative treatments.

• Botox in Munster, Indiana
• More information from the FDA

Doctors use Botox to treat headaches, and their basic procedures are very similar to wrinkle treatment. It hasn’t been explained just how the Botulinum toxin provides relief; it may work to inhibit certain pain-transmitting nerves. Nonetheless, many people suffer from fewer headaches after being treated with Botox.

Last March, the New York Times published a story on the off-label use of Botox to help those who have suffered a stroke and have trouble relaxing certain muscles. According to the experts, “only about 5 percent of the stroke patients who could benefit from its use ever get it.”

As reported in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers from Allergan Inc. conducted surveys about sweating, revealing that almost 3 percent of the U.S. population (7.8 million people) believe their sweating to be excessive. At the time of the survey (in 2004), less than half of the respondents had sought medical help for the problem. Botox blocks the localized release of a specific chemical that stimulates sweating, and so the FDA approved it for this use years ago.

Aside from these therapies, surgeons and dermatologists are finding even more cosmetic uses for Botox. Dr. Lawrence Reed recently told an ABC news affiliate that “we’re at the tip of the iceberg where Botox is going to be used.” Reed has apparently been pioneering some interesting new cosmetic applications.

For acne, Dr. Reed injects Botox just below the skin: “It decreases the muscle pump and blocks the production of oils, so we use it for acne,” he claims. Other patients of Dr. Reed found success using Botox to relax certain muscles and actually make their eyes appear larger, and to supplement laser skin resurfacing.

Just a few words of caution: If you’re considering Botox for any off-label use, make sure you choose a qualified physician. Despite the optimism surrounding Botox as a ‘wonder drug’, there have been complications and side effects associated with off-label use and inexperienced providers.

The following statistics illustrate the opinions of the ‘typical’ patient. Who is the ‘typical’ patient?  According to surveyors, she’s “a married, working mother between 41-55 years of age with a household income of under $100,000.”

70 percent of the respondents claimed that Botox and dermal fillers play an important role in their cosmetic routine and about the same number of patients said they had combined the two.

When asked what their motivation was for pursuing Botox treatment, 34 percent said their appearance looked “stressed” or “angry”. Others said that a friend, family member, or their physician had recommended it, or they were preparing for a social event. 66 percent said they received Botox treatment 2-3 times per year. 72 percent of the respondents chose Botox to treat glabellar lines – the vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows.  

When asked about their motivation to use hyaluronic acid fillers, the majority (63 percent) of patients reported a desire to remove facial wrinkles and folds – mostly the nasolabial folds that travel from the nose to each side of the mouth.

A full summary of the results is available (in MS Word) here.

Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery

The FDA has given clearance for the drug, and it should become available very soon.  Dysport is being introduced by Medicis with the hope that it will be a direct competitor to Botox – a product that allowed Allergan Inc. to net $1.3 billion in revenue last year.

A dermatologist out of California who participated in the study commented to Bloomberg news, saying “the side effects are the same as Botox” and “many of our patients liked it even better.”

The active ingredients in Botox and Dysport are very similar; they each contain a particular ‘botulinum toxin’ that has been proven to relax the muscles that cause wrinkles in the face.

Few people may realize that Dysport has been sold overseas for years.  Nonetheless, Botox has claimed over 80 percent of the worldwide market.  One market analyst speculates that “[Dysport] may be priced 15 percent lower than Botox” which could allow it to take a significant share of that market.

When consulting with Dr. David Robinson, he can help you decide on a practical approach to using BOTOX® Cosmetic for your aesthetic appearance.

Below are photos of examples of the before and after results of using Botox Cosmetic. Dr. Robinson serves the Valaparaiso, Schererville, Merrillville and Chesterton, Indiana areas. Please call for your FREE consultation today. (866) 613-2100