Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Ask Dr. Man- Botox Parties

Dear Dr. Man, My friend is having a Botox party at her house and I’m very tempted to go. My face is starting to show its age. Can you give me more information about Botox?

Botox Cosmetic has become a very popular means of reducing certain facial wrinkles, including frown lines of the forehead and crows feet around the eyes. Frown lines are the vertical lines caused by contraction of the muscles of the eyebrows. Injecting Botox next to the muscles of the eyebrows and forehead causes the muscles to relax, smoothing out the vertical lines. Botox has become very popular with both men and women, in order to regain a more youthful appearance.

Botox Cosmetic has become so popular lately that some people are even hosting Botox parties. Usually these parties involve several people gathering together for cocktails and wrinkle-reducing injections. Please be advised that the FDA has issued statements warning of the possible hazards of "Botox parties." Botox injection is a medical procedure that should be performed in a controlled medical environment. According to the FDA, administering this treatment during a cocktail party greatly diminishes the gravity of this medical procedure. There is always a risk of adverse reactions or side effects after a Botox injection; so patients need to be in a medical setting that is equipped to handle an emergency situation. In addition, the ingestion of alcohol at or around the time of injection could worsen any bruising at the injection site.

Also, beware of places that offer “bargain Botox injections,” as they may dilute the concentration of Botox in each injection, which can make the results of the treatment less effective.

That being said, let’s talk more about what Botox is. Botox, a therapeutic muscle relaxer, is a by-product of botulinum toxin A (it is not a toxin itself). It acts directly on the nerves of the muscles, preventing the muscles and nerves from receiving electrical impulses. Botox is applied via injections, using a very fine needle. The procedure is relatively painless and takes only several minutes.

Botox has been used safely for over 20 years and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for cosmetic use in April 2002. There are minimal side effects, although some complications, such as allergic reactions or swelling, can occur. Patients who are on antibiotics or other drugs should advise their doctor in advance, as these drugs may act to increase or reduce the potency of the injections. The results of Botox last about four to six months, depending on the patient, and should be repeated as necessary.

Botox is also used to treat some medical conditions. It is used to help decrease hyperhydrosis (excess sweating). Botox can also be effective for severe migraine or cluster headaches that don’t respond to other methods of treatment. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these problems, to see if Botox injections are the right course of treatment for you.

If you’re considering Botox or any other treatment or procedure, visit a board-certified plastic surgeon to see what is right for you.

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Dr. Man


Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. He has a successful private practice in Boca Raton, FL. For more information about Dr. Man, visit www.drman.com.

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