Botox Reduces Pain From Postmastectomy Reconstruction

Botulinum toxin A (Botox) has a new off-label role in significantly reducing the postoperative pain that has discouraged many women from accepting silicone implant breast reconstruction following mastectomy.

Allen Gabriel, MD, assistant professor of surgery at Loma Linda University in California, has demonstrated in a small but hypothesis-driven randomized clinical trial that botulinum effectively addresses the sources of severe pain associated with the procedure. He presented his findings here at the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 20th Biennial Congress.

Silicone breast implantation often involves the positioning of a temporary expander implant between layers of the pectoralis major chest muscle, which is filled with water serially to create a pocket where a permanent implant will reside. The muscle often contracts and spasms in response to the expansion, causing pain, Dr. Gabriel noted.

He and collaborator G. Patrick Maxwell, MD, who also practices at Loma Linda, theorized that injections of botulinum could offer relief by temporarily paralyzing the muscle, causing it to remain flaccid. That way, fewer spasms would occur and less pain would arise.

Thirty consecutive breast cancer patients scheduled for mastectomy with silicone gel implant breast reconstruction were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: 40 units of botulinum injected into each pectoralis major through 4 serial injections in 0.5 cc increments; or the same routine procedure using saline solution as a placebo. Procedures were performed at the Southwest Washington Medical Center, in Vancouver, where Dr. Gabriel is also chief of plastic surgery. Read more

Teens using Botox are upsetting but rare

Teens in the United States got about 12,000 Botox treatments last year.

It’s a disturbing statistic, but not as upsetting as it seems at first glance, although the New York Times cited “outrage” after 18-year-old celebrity, Charice, recently had a Botox treatment, which apparently was for both cosmetic and medical reasons. Even celebrity watcher Perez Hilton called that treatment “sick.”

As a wrinkle-fighting drug, Botox seemingly makes little sense except for older faces. But some cosmetic doctors disagree.  For example, plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Bivens of Newport Beach said that, with Botox injections, the area between the eyebrows “of the teenage face will certainly benefit from muscle relaxation and improvement of frown lines.”

“The use of Botox in teenagers is a growing phenomenon,” he said. “We are certainly getting many more inquiries into the use of Botox by teenagers, mostly girls. Much of this is due to the fact that the mothers and fathers of the teens are using the product in greater and greater numbers.”

His observation is more believable than the semi-accurate report by ABC News that “more teens than ever before are getting Botox injections.”  The basis for ABC’s statement is shaky — an estimated 2 percent increase from 2008 to 2009 in the number of Botox treatments for patients aged 13 to 19, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The society calculated that increase from surveys that are accurate to within plus or minus 4 percent, so it would be more valid to say that the change in teens’ Botox use from 2008 to 2009 might be anywhere from a 2 percent drop to a 6 percent increase. Read more

Botox Training with the IAPAM can help Physicians Boost Profits

As the demand for minimally-invasive treatments continues to rise, specifically the demand for Botox and other cosmetic injectables, physicians who are expertly trained through accredited multi-day training programs like the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine’s (IAPAM’s) Aesthetic Medicine Symposium, can capture the lion’s share of this growing market and greatly benefit their bottom lines.

As reported by the IAPAM and other aesthetic medicine associations, there were 11 million cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures performed in 2009, an increase of 1% over 2008, and an astounding increase of 99% over the course of the first decade of this millennium. Surgical procedures declined by 20% over this same 9 year period. Office-based cosmetic procedures were up 6%, and the top non-invasive modalities were reported to be: botulinum toxin type A, soft tissue fillers, chemical peels, medical microdermabrasion, and laser hair removal. Equally, Allergan reported a 36% surge in profit for the second quarter 2010. This profit was partially due to higher sales of Botox. In fact, Botox sales were up 7% over last year.

The IAPAM confirms this trend, noting that each of their Aesthetic Medicine Symposiums has sold out in the first half of 2010, and their September event is expected to sell out any day.  Furthermore, while Botox training is still very popular, more and more physicians are also appreciating that the key to a successful and profitable aesthetic practice is not just offering Botox Cosmetic treatments, but also other skin rejuvenation procedures including: chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and IPL skin rejuvenation.   Read more

Cosmetic Facial Injectables – Making Sense of the Options

Botox, Artecoll, Juvaderm, Restylane – the list goes on an on. We’ve all heard of them but many people considering a cosmetic procedure don’t fully understand the basics of these products. In recent years, minimally invasive procedures have become increasingly popular within the fields of cosmetic surgery and cosmetic medicine. Most popular amongst these non-surgical treatments are cosmetic facial injectables.

Cosmetic injectables can be classified as filling agents and relaxing agents, both of which are generally used to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, creases, or furrows.

Filling agents (“fillers”) include Restylane, Juvaderm, Radiesse, and Artecoll and work by injection of a volume of these gel-like products under or within a targeted skin region such as a wrinkle, literally filling it in and making it less noticeable. Most fillers provide a result that lasts for a year or two while Artecoll may be permanent. The duration that the filler lasts however, should not be the only consideration in choosing a filler product and your doctor will take into account several factors such as the location of the wrinkle, skin quality, and physician preference when advising you on which filler will work best. Read more

Botox Treatments Staying Strong Despite Economy

It’s interesting to read the most recent dermatology and plastic surgery statistics, where they all show Botox injections being in decline, but Allergan reported a 36% surge in profit for the second quarter. This profit was partially due to higher sales of  Botox. In fact Botox sales were up 7% over last year. The IAPAM confirms this trend with each of their aesthetic medicine symposiums selling out for the first half of 2010, and the September event is expected to sell out any day.

When unemployment is high, competition for jobs is also high, with many people wanting a more youthful look. The most economical way to do this is with non-invasive aesthetic treatments like Botox, Chemical Peels, and microdermabrasion. These treatments in combination give both men and women a youthful, rejuvenated look for typically under $900. Read more

IAPAM Enhances “Resources” Section with the Latest Cosmetic Laser and Skin Rejuvenation Advancements

The IAPAM has just added two new sections to its globally-respected website (http://www.iapam.com/resources). This new web content focuses on Laser & Light Devices and Skin Resurfacing.  As part of the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine’s website, the Resources Sections provide doctors around the world with treatment-focused content and timely intelligence on the aesthetic medicine industry’s leading procedures, such as Botox and medical weight loss. 

The IAPAM’s Resources Pages include clinical overviews of the most popular minimally-invasive technologies, including Botox and other neurotoxins, dermal fillers (such as Perlane, Restylane, Juvederm, etc.), body shaping technologies (from laser assisted liposuction to cryo-lipolysis), and hCG and Medical Weight Loss Management.  The IAPAM’s Resources Section also includes articles by IAPAM faculty and staff on topics ranging from cutting edge “trends” in aesthetic medicine to caffeine in beauty products.

Today, the IAPAM announces the launch of two NEW sections of the Resources area:  Laser & Light Based Devices (http://www.iapam.com/resources/lasers-and-light-based-devices) and Skin Rejuvenation: Medical Microdermabrasion & Chemical Peels (http://www.iapam.com/resources/skin-rejuveniation-microdermabrasion-and-chemical-peels).

Providing physicians and their staff with DYNAMIC CONTENT is the mission of the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine. Read more

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