When Botox first hit the scene, like many trends, you may have been a bit leery. After all the shoulder-pad fad didn’t end so well for you in the early 90s. So why jump on another bandwagon that could lead to more embarrassing photos? But, as time progressed and you noticed that other people in your office seemed to be erasing the signs of aging from their faces, you decided to set up your first appointment and now you’re hooked. Suddenly, worrying about lines and wrinkles became a thing of the past. So if one product can give such great results than why not start injecting it in other places, right? Wrong.
In a scurry to be the first to come up with a great new use for Botox, some doctors have been injecting the drug into other problem areas without the proper research or approvals. There has been talk recently about using Botox as an alternative to getting a breast life, or using it to fix an upwards point on the tip of the nose. But as is often the case, when something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Gene Rubinstein M.D. of the Dermatology and Laser Centre of Studio City advises that before getting any Botox procedure you should be aware of the risks, the history of the technique and the experience of the doctor injecting you. A popular request made by many Botox users is to have injections in the bands of their neck to reduce sagging. But because the muscles in the neck are much larger than in the upper face, where Botox is approved for use, not enough research has been done to assure the public that the procedure is safe. Dr. Rubinstein warns that it is just too new and dangerous.
These procedures are so new that if you do decide on getting your crooked smile fixed with Botox, you may have a hard time finding a doctor who will comply with your request. And if you do find the rare and willing doctor, be sure that he is safe. Before going to any doctor, gather enough information about him that you feel completely confident in his hands, recommends Dr. Rubinstein. This means getting dozens of referrals, researching he education history, finding out what organizations he belongs to and how long he has been successfully doing the procedure in question.
In an effort to stop the use of Botox in unapproved areas, many states have begun to create stricter laws limiting the use. And in April 2009, the FDA announced that it would be placing a black box label warning — the FDA’s strongest — on Botox to alert users of rare but potentially life-threatening complications when the effects of the toxin spread far beyond the injection site.
While no cases of the complications were reported by people who use Botox for cosmetic procedures, it is an attempt by the FDA to open people’s eyes to the dangers of using the product on unapproved and under researched locations.
This doesn’t mean though that in the future the FDA won’t approve other uses for Botox. There are alternative areas to the face to use Botox that have been deemed suitable. Many have found relief from excessive sweating after having Botox injected under their arms or on their palms and soles. And Botox has also been found to relieve the severity of persistent migraines.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
