Botox, Botox Cosmetic, Latisse, Fillers, Peels and other Facial Rejuvenation issues

A Tax on Botox!

2009-11-20T10:35:00.000-08:00

Last July, word has surfaced that President Obama may consider taxing elective cosmetic procedures as a way to fund healthcare. That will include everything from Botox, Fillers like Restylane and Juvederm, facelifts, breast implants and tummy tucks to hair transplants.

The Senate health care bill now includes a 5% tax on such procedures, and is drawing opposition from cosmetic surgeons and pharmaceutical companies that sell cosmetic surgery products.

Allergan, the seller of Botox and Juvederm, takes the stand that such a tax is discriminatory, as 86% of cosmetic surgery patients are working women age 35-50. Medicis, the seller of Dysport and Restylane, is wondering if soon people are taxed for coloring their hair.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery was surprised to see the provision in the Senate bill this week, because it had already surfaced and sank in July. The tax is not in the House bill.

The CBO says it would raise about $5 billion over the next decade.

Halloween Skin Care Tips!

2009-10-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

If heavy makeup is a part of your Halloween costume, do not forget to take care of your skin:

Wash your face with a gentle non-soap liquid cleanser; do not use any soap that dries out your skin. As a protective barrier, apply a primer before the make-up. Also, purchase ‘non-comedogenic’ make-up as it is less likely to clog your pores and lead to blackheads and breakouts.

After the festivities, be sure to use a good make-up removing cleanser or a clay cleanser with lukewarm water. Use gentle circular motions, do not scrub and rub your skin. Once all make-up is removed, place a warm towel on your face (dampen and microwave for 1-2 minutes until warm, not hot) and relax for 1-3 minutes. This will open your pores and loosen any remaining makeup. Gently cleanse your skin a second time. Pat your skin dry, and then apply your favorite facial moisturizer. To hydrate your skin, drink plenty of water.

These simple steps will ensure that you are as scary as you can be on Halloween, yet beautiful for the holidays.

Happy Halloween!

Botox without injections? Anti-Wrinkle Gel shows promise.

2009-10-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

Doctors are testing a Botox-like gel that is effective on crow's feet wrinkles. While it does not have the same impact like Botox, a study shows that a statistically significant number of patients experienced less intense wrinkles around their eyes.

However, the gel is currently not without problems. It is undergoing improvement processes in particular with the delivery process of botulinum ingredients to the skin as well as its assurance that the gel stays in the place of application. Patients' eyebrows were also raised by the treatment, but that could be an added benefit or a problem, depending on the patient.

The gel is also being tested for use to stop underarm sweating.

The treatment is still in clinical trials, which means that FDA approval remains far in the future. Once approved, patients can achieve meaningful aesthetic results with a simple, painless procedure.

A Night for Enhanced Beauties

2009-10-14T11:56:00.000-07:00

It is an open secret that many Miss America contestants enjoy enhancements through cosmetic or plastic surgery, but China and Hungary have gone one step further. While China introduced the 'Miss Plastic Surgery' contest in 2004, the first ‘Miss Plastic Hungary’ pageant has taken place in Budapest on October 9, 2009.

While the pageant was fertile ground for controversy, plastic surgeon Dr. Tamas Rozsos said the pageant also meant that cosmetic corrections did not necessarily have to be about oversized breasts, bulbous lips and skin stretched to near tearing point: "This is about restoring harmony… eliminating asymmetries and giving women the opportunity to have normal features."

Reka Urban, a 22 year-old hostess, won an apartment in Budapest. The runners-up were given a new car and jewelry in the amount of $10,000. The winners’ plastic surgeons also received awards.

Dannii Minogue used Botox to Help her Cope

2009-09-24T14:24:00.001-07:00

Australian Singer Dannii Minogue used Botox injections to help her cope with her sister’s battle to fight breast cancer.
Dannii, 37, admits she fell into a depression after here pop star sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. She turned to Botox to feel better about her appearance.
"My sister was sick, then my best friend died soon after - I felt I'd been hit by a wave,'' she told UK tabloid The Sun. "I couldn't deal with the stress. I couldn't deal with having to look at my face. It was a personal thing of having to get through a lot of sadness. "

New hope for skin cancer patients

2009-09-24T14:04:00.000-07:00

Swiss hospitals have developed a ‘combination therapy’ against advanced skin cancer. The cancer could be reduced in 20% of the 62 test patients through a combination of two different cancer drugs. Conventional skin cancer treatments achieve a 10-12% of tumor reduction. The study, recently presented at the cancer congress in Berlin, also showed a success rate of 58% in tumor stabilization.

Celebrities and Botox

2009-03-12T21:06:00.000-07:00

The former MTV host and playboy beauty Jenny McCarthy has revealed her beauty secret: Botox!

In a recent interview with the Michigan Avenue magazine, which features a six-page spread with stunning photos, Jenny McCarthy revealed that a combination of Botox and Bikram yoga make her look refreshed and glamorous.

"I love Botox, I absolutely love it," she said. "I really do think it’s a savior."

Botox has become so common that many Hollywood celebrities don’t bother disputing the fact that they're using it.

So the question shouldn't be, "Who in Hollywood has had Botox?" but "Who in Hollywood hasn't?"

12 more celebrities have recently admitted to the use of Botox (People Magazine, November 24, 2008 edition):

Sharon Osbourne
Vanessa Williams
Jennie Garth
Daisy Fuentes
Brook Shields
Annie Potts
Simon Cowell
David Hasselhoff
Linda Evangelista
Janice Dickinson
Lisa Rinna
Lori Loughlin

New at the DermaSmooth Clinic: Latisse™ – For Longer, Fuller and Darker Eye Lashes

2009-02-15T21:31:00.000-08:00

Allergan, the makers of Botox Cosmetic and Juvederm, have released a new winner in their line of beauty enhancement products: LATISSE ™ (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%.

LATISSE ™ for longer, fuller and darker eye lashes that enhance your beauty!

LATISSE ™ is a safe and effective daily application that gradually will enhance the lashes of your eyes by prolonging its growth cycle. You will see results within 4 weeks, with the fullest benefit after 16 weeks.

LATISSE ™ is the only FDA approved application for eye lash enhancement and differs from the over-the-counter products. This means that the FDA has tested this product for effect, results and safety.

We understand that you have questions regarding this new treatment. Also, LATISSE ™ requires a prescription and can only be obtained through a medical office like the DermaSmooth Clinic. Call now (949.509.6503) to book a short, free consultation. Dr. Susan Davoodifar's evaluation will ensure that LATISSE ™ is right for you and applied to your fullest benefit with maximum comfort and results.

Self-injecting Botox? Think again!

2009-01-17T16:07:00.000-08:00

A seller from Texas offers 100 units of Allergan’s Botox Cosmetic on eBay, an offering that is not only illegal but dangerous. The online auction site e-Bay is currently struggling to remove such illegal offerings of medical drugs on their auction site.

The seller markets their item by explaining that self-injecting Botox is easy and a money saver:

"When having this treatment at the Spa, I started to think that it wasn't that hard to do after watching the girl at the MedSpa do mine, and started talking with her about options of doing it at home. She was able to obtain quantities of the products they use at the Spa for me to use at home and share with my friends (mostly other Mom). I am just a real person who wants to share my amazing find and perhaps make a little money in the process."

Botox experts like Dr. Susan Davoodifar of the DermaSmooth Clinic are quick to warn patients from receiving Botox treatments (and any other medical facial rejuvenation treatments like Restylane or Juvederm) from unqualified individuals. While Botox injections may look easy, they are medical procedures not without danger if applied by a non-trained and non-experienced person. The most qualified provider is one who uses their medical expertise and experience to achieve a safe treatment with desired results.

Dr. Susan Davoodifar stresses that what looks easy really is a very skillful application: "The perfect administration of Botox, like Restylane and Juvederm, is a skill hard to master. Unfortunately such providers are hard to find. We continue to be surprised by the high percentage of our patients who are complaining about treatments and treatment results they have received by other Botox providers".

Botox is not just a simple injection, it is a combination of a doctor's skill, dedication, medical knowledge and artistic integrity.

Source: RealSelf.com

Botox treatments for excessive sweating

2008-09-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

The DermaSmooth Clinic has launched Botox ® treatments for excessive sweating.

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably. Sweating is a wide spread problem that affects millions of people with limited options of current remedies and can cause a variety of life changing problems, from body odor to stained clothing to social and intimate embarrassment.

Botox ® has been proven to be a valid alternative to other available treatments. A great majority of patients experience dramatic sweat reduction or elimination for up to 6 to 12 months.

Botox ® blocks the nerve endings of the nervous system that dictates sweat production and thereby controls excessive sweating. Botox ® is currently approved by the FDA to combat underarm sweating, but has proven helpful for other areas of the body also.
The following sweat areas can be treated with Botox ®:

Underarm sweating

Palm/Hands sweating

Face/Head sweating

Chest sweating

Feet sweating

If you are looking for relief from sweating, call the DermaSmooth Clinic today (949-509-6503) for a consultation or visit our hyperhidrosis website for more information.

Treatment of Melanoma Cancer – a scientific breakthrough?

2008-06-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

In a recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, there is a report of a promising treatment against melenoma cancer cells involving immune-priming.

When caught early, melanomas can be easily treated by surgically removing the cancerous patch of skin. But once it has spread, basically nothing works.

But recently, a new option has emerged: helping the body’s immune system. Scientists focused on specific helper T cells of the body’s own immune system to lock onto the cancer cell and guide killer cells to their cancer target.

Blood is drawn from the patient, from which the special helper cells are isolated and multiplied in the laboratory. The cells are then infused back into the patient with no need for chemotherapy or other harsh drugs.

Dr. Louis Weiner, director of the cancer center at Georgetown University, stresses: "It's a simpler and less toxic approach to melanoma than had been previously employed."

It is the hope of the scientists and researchers that the treatment spurred the patient's immune system to expand its cancer-fighting ability in new ways.

One patient was successfully cured from their melanoma cancer with this new methodology without any harmful side effects.

However, these findings are at an early stage and the experiments have yet to yield a consistent therapy.

About 62,000 news cases of melanomas are diagnosed in the United States each year, causing about 8,000 melanoma deaths.

Read Dr. Davoodifar's skin care newsletter about skin cancer prevention.

Platinum Beauty Club Reward Points

2008-04-16T23:48:00.000-07:00

As a 'Thank you' to its loyal customers, the DermaSmooth Clinic has launched its Platinum Beauty Club Rewards Program.

Each Botox, Restylane, Perlane, Cosmelane and Peel treatment at the DermaSmooth Clinic will earn points for the patient, which can then be redeemed for great gifts, DermaSmooth Clinic gift certificates and/or free treatments by Dr. Susan Davoodifar.

There is no annual fee, membership or contract. Just become a DermaSmooth Clinic client and you are automatically enrolled and eligible for the rewards.

Sign up for your free consultation with Dr. Davoodifar now (click here).

Reloxin® FDA approval delayed

2008-04-07T21:37:00.000-07:00

The FDA approval of Reloxin®, a potential competitor product of Botox® Cosmetics, was denied due to an incomplete application on January 31, 2008.

Medicis, the maker of wrinkle-fillers and other cosmetic products including Reloxin, reported that the FDA “only addressed administrative deficiencies in the application and did not reference any substantive deficiencies”. Medicis still believed its application was "strong," and it would continue to work with the FDA to address these administrative issues.

Studies have shown that Reloxin® is very favorable when compared to Botox®, and may even surpass it in a few aspects due to its lesser protein load which makes the treatment less antigenic. Therefore Reloxin may lead to a long lasting effect. (source http://www.glgroup.com)

The Arizona-based Medicis is a specialty pharmaceutical company focusing primarily on dermatological and aesthetic treatment applications. The company's products include the prescription brands RESTYLANE, PERLANE, DYNACIN, LOPROX and PLEXION.

New Botox Study and the Media Hype

2008-04-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

Researches of the Italian National Research Council's Institute of Neuroscience recently observed that botulinum toxin injected into rats whisker muscles moved away from the site of the injection and could be detected just days later in brain stem cells. While this has started a feeding frenzy for media headlines, the findings of the study need to be placed into perspective:

A laboratory preparation of botulinum toxin was used in the study, not the popular anti-wrinkle drug Botox Cosmetics sold by Allergan. Data suggests that different preparations react differently in laboratories and clinical practice.

The anatomy of rats is very different from the anatomy of humans and the findings can not be directly translated.

Millions of Botox treatments have been administered since 1987 without any known long term side effects.

The study is not conclusive and contradicts previous findings, but as a medical doctor I always support additional research to get conclusive research data.

Botox at the DermaSmooth Clinic

The DermaSmooth Clinic is following a very strict patient safety policy. Our number one priority is the safety and well being of our patients. We only use drugs and products that have proven safe and affective through extensive research and years of clinical administration. In addition, our clients are only treated by highly trained and experienced medical doctors.

Other voices to the study:

"There is no chance that this could happen to a human. Botox is a poison and a single unit of botulism is a 50 per cent lethal dose for a white mouse, but it is very different for human beings. The doses [used for cosmetic application] are relatively much smaller and it has much more local effects.
If used appropriately, Botox is a wonderful drug, and you are much more likely to encounter problems from injecting it into the wrong area than from it migrating anywhere."
Dr Douglas McGeorge
President of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
(source: independent.co.uk)

"The idea that there could be some transmission of this to the central nervous system needs to be followed up. But this treatment has been used on millions of people for years."
Mathew Avram
Director of Massachusetts General Hospital's Dermatology, Laser and Cosmetic Center, in Boston
(source: my13la.com)

"The new findings should not deter any physicians, nor should patients be discouraged. Botox is important for treating many diseases. From a basic science point of view, this has more relevance for studying the transport of proteins."
J. Oliver Dolly,
Director of the International Centre for Neurotherapeutics at Dublin City University in Ireland,
(source: sciencenews.org)

"Botox has been used for more than 25 years with very few complications, unless you overdose. ... I don't think fear is warranted." He adds that the toxin's ability to spread might have an upside, allowing doctors to treat brain-based disorders such as epilepsy."
Christopher von Bartheld, Neuroscientist
University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno.
(source: sciencemag.com)

Botox ® Prices on the Rise

2008-01-17T17:31:00.000-08:00

Botox ®, and therefore Botox ® treatments, are getting more expensive.

Allergan, the maker of Botox ® and Botox Cosmetic ®, has raised it's pricing, forcing many providers to roll this hike into the overall cost of the treatment.

Compared to today’s 2008 pricing, the increase is as follows:

Base year 2007: 3.96 %
Base year 2005: 12.67 %

While there are efforts by various drug companies to develop a drug rivaling Botox ®, no such product is currently available. While Allergan has not announced any further price hikes, its current monopoly on the market and its price hike history makes us expect additional price increases.

Consumer Report ranks Facial Cleansers

2007-10-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

The good news: All tested cleansers evaluated by Consumer Report did the job just fine.

Cleansers are often chosen over soap because they are milder and often moisturizing, preventing the skin from feeling dry.

The winners in the Creams/Foams/Liquids category are:

1. La Prairie Foam Cleanser ($70)
2. Estee Lauder Perfectly clean Splash Away Foaming Cleanser ($19)
3. Lancome Mousse Clarte Self-Foaming Mousse Cleanser ($27)

The winners in the Pads/Wipes category are:
1. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Cleansing Pads ($7)
2. Olay Daily Facials ($7)
3. Biore Pore Perfect ($7)

Botox ® unfurrowed - LA Times Article

2007-10-06T09:16:00.000-07:00

The recent L.A. times article "Botox ® Unfurrowed" addresses why we see so many bad Botox ® treatment results.
The article strongly supports the high quality treatment philosophy of the Dermasmooth Clinic, where each treatment is customized to each individual patient.

The article states that the conversation has shifted towards fine-tuning the injection technique, as "it's become clear that not all injectors (or patients) are the same".

Botox is often administered by a "one-size-fits-all approach by non-specialists who may not have intimate knowledge of facial anatomy. That shortcoming is complicated by the discovery that Botox diffuses throughout the muscles surrounding the injection point. "Frozen" faces, droopy eyelids and limited treatment effects are always disappointing, even embarrassing for the consumer.

Dr. Susan Davoodifar has long been an advocate of ethical treatments that are customized to each individual patient according to their expectations and facial anatomy to achieve a younger, more refreshed, natural looked.

Dr. Davoodifar emphasizes that Botox Cosmetic ® injections should never be a one-size-fits-all solution. "It takes medical expertise, experience and even artistic talent to match the right treatment to a particular facial structure."

Dr. Davoodifar has dedicated an entire Podcast titled "How to find a quality Botox provider" and has established a "Facial Rejuvenation Guide" on her website. We highly recommend following the discussed guidelines as a first step to great treatment results.

Consumer Report Rankes Sunscreens

2007-09-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

Consumer Report ranked various sun screens in their July 07 issue.

And the winners are...

Water resistant claim:
Overall winner: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 45 (Cost per fl.oz = $4.33)
CR best buy: No-Ad sun block Lotion Maximum SPF 45 (Cost per fl.oz = $0.63)

Non-water resistant claim:
Overall winner: Keys Solar RX SPF 30+ (Cost per fl.oz = $8.10)

While quality sunscreen is important, research indicates that most people may be getting less than half of the protection against sunburn, skin cancer and wrinkles because they do not apply enough. So how can you get the best protection?

Choose a quality sunscreen with maximum protection:
SPF of at least 30
Water resistant or waterproof
Use 2-3 tablespoons of sunscreen
Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming

It is always recommended to protect your skin by avoiding exposure to direct sunlight. Always seek shady areas where possible, wear protective clothing, hats and plenty of sunscreen.