Beyond Botox? Read this first

During an afternoon of facials and fun at a spa-themed party, Mike Herbert, 29, of Lynchburg, first encountered Botox.

“The esthetician at the party asked anyone if they wanted to try Botox,” Herbert said. “I decided to give it a try.”

After receiving injections around his eyes and forehead, Herbert was pleased with the results. “It did the things I thought it would do. I got a good six months out of that treatment.”

Injecting a neurotoxin — Botox — that paralyzes muscles in the face’s skin is becoming increasingly popular. In 2010, 5.4 million single injections of Botox were pumped into Americans, according to a report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

An injection of Botox, or OnabotulinumtoxinA, is the No. 1 elective cosmetic procedure in the United States.

That’s true at Plastic Surgery Associates in Lynchburg, too. “Botox is the most common procedure in our office, also,” said Dr. Henry Wilson, M.D., F.A.C.S.

The main ingredient in Botox comes from the toxin that is found in the Botulism bacteria. The bacteria can cause Botulism poisoning, which has symptoms that can include paralysis. But when people use Botox for cosmetic purposes, that’s exactly what they’re hoping for.

Botox paralyzes the muscles around a wrinkle or a fine line. The skin will then soften and then relax and the wrinkle or line will diminish or disappear. The results can be seen anywhere from 3-10 days after treatment and can last three to four months, according to a website for board-certified plastic surgeons.

While Botox is considered a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, it still carries risks and side effects. Botox’s website lists those side effects as: dry mouth, tiredness, headache, neck pain and eye problems, such as double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, dry eyes and allergic reactions.

Although rare, an serious side effect of Botox is when the drug travels from the injection site to other places throughout the body. This can cause symptoms which mimic botulism and can include loss of strength and muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing and trouble swallowing.

The use of Botox has skyrocketed in the past decade, up 584 percent since 2000, according to the ASPS. While the majority of these treatments are for cosmetic purposes, Botox is being used for more than just wrinkles.

In October 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Botox for the treatment of migraines. Before that, Botox had been FDA-approved to treat cervical dystonia (head tilting, neck pain and neck muscle spasms), crossed eyes and eyelid spasms.

Although this hasn’t been approved by the FDA, doctors at the Mayo Clinic have used Botox to treat incontinence.

In Lynchburg, patients no longer need to seek out a plastic surgeon to receive a round of Botox. In the offices of dermatologists, ophthalmologists, and ear, nose, and throat doctors, patients can receive the injections during their lunch hour. Estheticians can administer a dose of Botox at a spa or at a so-called “Botox party.”

Wherever Botox is injected, the recipient should be comfortable with the person administering the injections. Patients should ask for referrals from other patients and ask to see photos of other work their doctor has done.

“It is important to be able to ask questions, and get a good answer,” Herbert said.

Botox Alternatives

Not ready to go under the knife or inject a drug into your skin to improve your looks? Some alternatives can cost less and have fewer side effects than plastic surgery or Botox.

•  Injectable dermal fillers – cosmetic treatments using hyaluronic acid. This acid is a naturally-occurring substance in humans, leaving less of a chance for allergic reactions. Used to fill wrinkles and lines.  Results last for several months.
•  Microdermabrasion – taking off the top layer of epidermis to remove dead skin cells and stimulate new skin growth.  A minimally abrasive instrument is used to remove the outer layer of skin. The least costly cosmetic procedure.
•  Vitamin C serum – vitamin C contains ascorbic acid and has been shown in studies to stimulate collagen, decrease wrinkle depth, and lightening effects. Available over the counter and from cosmetic companies.
•  Light chemical peel – after cleansing, a chemical solution is brushed onto the skin and left on for up to 10 minutes.  The chemical is then washed off. Removes the outer layer of skin and will provide subtle results. Can be repeated once a week for six weeks and gives skin a healthy glow.
•  Thermage – uses radio frequency technology to heat the deep layers of skin while cooling the surface of the skin. This stimulates the skin renewal process. Tightens existing collagen and forms new collagen to reduce wrinkles and sagging.

Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons; Thermage; Natural Skin Care Information.