New Research Discovers Skin Boosting Effects of Botox

Botox, or onabutulinum toxin A is something most people will have heard of by now. Even if you've never tried the anti-wrinkle injection that is the No. 1 aesthetic treatment worldwide, you probably do know it by reputation. 

The latest research has shown that Botox treatments have some surprising side effects. 

Doctors in Canada show that Botox has skin pliability and elasticity effects

Win A FREE Botox or Juvederm Dermal Filler Treatment

Christmas 2014 Giveaway 

In the spirit of the festive season, I'd like to give away one free treatment of either Botox for Upper Face (worth RM2,000) or one syringe of Juvederm dermal fillers (worth RM2,200) to one lucky winner. Both Botox and Juvederm are premium products from Allergan, one of the most reputable companies in the medical aesthetic field.

Botox, or Botulinum toxin A, is a proprietary product that works by disrupting the signals from the brain that communicate with your muscles. It can help you improve the appearance of your frown lines, crow's feet and other dynamic wrinkles - the wrinkles and lines that you see when you move your muscles. Botox also helps to restore facial symmetry - such as when you have one eyebrow higher than the other - and reduces hyperactive muscular activity. Examples include unconscious frown lines (so called number 11's between the eyebrows), and enlarged jaw muscles that develop due to constant chewing. 

Just one quick session of Botox can help you look younger and better rested. The treatment is very quick, and the fine needles and pain-relief methods we use make this treatment even less uncomfortable than an ant bite. You will see effects of the treatment within 4 days, and they will last approximately 4 - 6 months. 

If you are concerned about the effects of Botox treatments, rest assured that properly trained Botox experts are skilled in giving results that are harmonious and natural looking. No doctor wants their patients to experience the 'frozen' or 'fake' look so often associated with Botox. 

In general, you will retain your normal facial expressions post-treatment, but look relaxed, happier and younger. It is very rare for patients to experience any side effects of the Botox treatment, besides an occasional bruise. More often, patients will return to me within the week to ask for more of the magical treatment! 

With over 12 years of experience administering Botox, I have been officially recognized by Allergan Malaysia to conduct training modules for doctors who aren't familiar with Botox and its specialized injection techniques. 

Juvederm is a dermal filler made from hyaluronic acid, a natural component of healthy skin. Where Botox helps to prevent the movement of muscles, Juvederm volumises or fills in hollows, lines and depressions to restore the look of a youthful face. A face loses its youthfulness when fatty deposits and skin elasticity are reduced.

Fillers such as Juvederm are often used for anti-aging effect in the forehead lines, corw's feet, under-eye area or around the mouth. It can also be used to improve facial contours by augmenting nasal height and shape, volumising the lips or adding length to an inadequate chin.

Juvederm injections can last about 1 -2 years after each session, and the effects can be as subtle or dramatic as the patient requests. As an offical Juvederm trainer, I have a lot of experience in the assessment and treatment of different facial conditions, to help patients achieve their aesthetic and anti-aging goals.

If you'd like the chance to try out either of these great aesthetic treatments for yourself, all you have to do is:

1. Like my Facebook Page 
2. Fill out this short survey 

Terms and conditions:
1. Contest closes at midnight on the 24th December, 2014. 
2. Only Malaysian residents aged 18 and above are eligible to win.
3. Prize must be redeemed within 60 days.
4. Prize is non-transferable, and cannot be exchanged for cash or other treatments / products.
5. Doctor's discretion is advised in adminstration of treatment.
6. Any additional units of Botox or Juvederm desired will be charged at the normal rate. 


Update: 25th December 00:00 **** This competition is now CLOSED ****
Winners' names will be announced on my Facebook Page. 

--- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 15 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. 

To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page, visit Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre's website at http://www.beverlywilshiremedical.com or drop him an email at cosmedmd@gmail.com

Getting Botox or Fillers From A Salon or Spa? Here's what you should consider..

It is getting quite common for beauty salons and spas to offer injectable treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers to customers who frequent their premises. They also have special events that they organize to attract their customers to a Botox party or event to which a doctor may be invited. If you are tempted to try a discounted session of Botox or fillers at a beauty salon or spa, here are some things you must consider beforehand:

Is Skincare Enough? The Truth About Skin Care and Aging

The amount of skin care products available on the market is staggering, with existing brands releasing new ranges all the time, and new brands coming on to the market everyday. They are marketed for acne-prone, mature age, pigmented, oily, sensitive, combination skin, in too many varieties to count, each marketing a special ingredient or function. I know that when my wife visits the cosmetics and skin care counters, I'd better get a comfortable place to sit because it will be a long wait as she goes through her many options!

As an aesthetic practitioner, skin care is my expertise, so it is not unusual that I am asked this question: If I take care of my skin and have a good skin care regimen, am I doing enough for my skin to help it age well?

Botox and You Infographic

Here is an interesting infographic produced by the American Academy of Procedural Medicine (AAOPM) that explains about the many applications of Botox, and what to expect during a treatment.

How To Avoid Botox - Prevent Wrinkles With A Healthy Lifestyle

Can skincare help you avoid Botox? Not as much as lifestyle choices

I was recently asked to contribute some quotes for a local magazine, and one of the questions the reporter asked was, 'how early in age would women have to begin using anti-aging skin products so they could avoid the need for treatments such as Botox.' I think this question is very interesting, because it shows that many people are unaware of the ongoing effects of environment and lifestyle choices on their skin.

Many people only start worrying about wrinkles in their thirties, when the stresses of hectic, active or unhealthy lifestyles start showing up in the form of dull skin or fine lines on previously pristine complexions. By their forties, the damage would have worsened enough that indeed, Botox, lasers and skin tightening therapies would be a god-send. Applying anti-aging products at that stage may not be enough to reverse or delay the damage that was already done. 

Should women be using anti-aging skincare in their teens and twenties to prevent effects of aging in later years? Anti-aging creams and lotions have certainly improved vastly in previous years, and many have proven skin smoothing and tightening qualities, but most are designed to replenish and boost insufficient collagen production, which is not a concern in such a young age. Others contain retinoids, which work by encouraging the rate of exfoliation and skin renewal, also not a concern when the skin is young and healthy and able to renew itself naturally. These anti-aging skin products are mainly focused at the 30s to 40s age group, when natural skin rejuvenation qualities of the skin have been compromised or decreased as part of the aging process.

Skincare products can be helpful but should not be the key focus when the goal is to prevent signs of premature aging. Aging is a process that begins as early as birth, and some scientists even argue it is a process that commences at the moment of conception. The key building block of healthy skin, collagen, declines at a rate of about 1% per year, so a 30 year old woman will have lost about 30% of her collagen, although these factors, as outlined below, may cause that rate of deterioration to be accelerated. 

Survey Shows Botox Patients Look 5 - 6 Years Younger After Treatment

A recent study done by Allergan, the company that markets Botox, surveyed patients who received Botox treatments and asked them to assess themselves for improvement in their appearance. 

In most clinical studies, doctors are the ones who assess the results of treatments, but this study focused on the self-perception of age (SPA) of patients. The questionnaire was given to participants both just before their treatment, and one month after one Botox session. Patients were asked to describe their features in terms of looking their current age, younger than their current age, or older than their current age.

At the follow-up, most of the 249 patients surveyed felt they looked an average 5 - 6 years younger than they did before their treatment. The study also found that patients who received Botox in more than one area felt they looked better overall, as stress shows on many areas of the face, such as the forehead, eyes, frown lines and lines around the mouth. 

In my practice, I often recommend patients to allow treatment not just in areas where their wrinkles are deep and obvious, but I also suggest adding a few tiny injections all over the forehead and other areas. This tends to give a subtle, undefined gentle lifting effect, that is more harmonious and acceptable to the patient. 

If you have had Botox treatments, did your doctor treat your wrinkles specifically, and did the outcome meet your expectations? Do you think your Botox treatment met your desired anti-aging goals?

- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

Botox Prices Around The World

The price of Botox treatments vary greatly from country to country, so out of curiosity, I decided to do a price comparison to find out how much patients are paying for Botox treatments in different countries. You can see the graphic I created below, with price ranges of Botox injections for each country.

I was very surprised to find that the cost of Botox injections in Malaysia (USD4.90 - USD6.60 per unit) is cheaper even than Indonesia (USD7 - USD9 per unit), Thailand (USD7 - USD12 per unit) and the Philippines (USD8 - USD12 per unit)! Botox is also surprisingly affordable in Europe (USD5 - 12 per unit) and Russia (USD5 - USD10 per unit) , although it seems to be a very premium product in Japan (USD12 - USD25 per unit).

Just as a point of reference, I have also made another graphic which lists the amount of Botox generally needed for different treatment points around the face. 

These infographics refer to the proprietary Botox product by Allergan. Dysport, or abobotulinum toxin A, is another neurotoxin product that is often used in place of Botox, but can be much cheaper. Dysport is also used in different dilutions to Botox, so the number of units needed for each procedure may vary. While these are the only two products available in Malaysia currently, there are other products including Xeomin. Dysport is also marketed under the brand name Reloxin and Azzalure.

- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

Botox or Fillers? For Best Results, You May Need Both

A growing trend in aesthetic medicine is for a combination therapy approach to rejuvenation and correction, and botox and fillers are one such winning combination. The latest research has found that the two procedures have equal applications, but together, they can produce a synergistic effect that last longer and looks better.

Botox, or neurotoxins, work on the underlying muscle structures under the skin. The muscles not only provide movement, but affect our facial positioning and expressions. Certain large muscles such as those in the jawline, around the lips and eyes, as well as the forehead areas, can change the entire facial structure noticeably. Deep frown lines can make a person look permanently angry, while pronounced jaw muscles can give someone a belligerent or argumentative demeanor. Proper usage of botox not only relaxes the facial expression, but also can give a more pleasant, uplifted look.

Dermal fillers work hand in hand with botox to restore fullness to areas that are sunken or lined, and also helps to reshape and redefine the overall facial structure. By combining fillers with botox, the volume of both substances can be reduced to achieve a more natural, harmonious look.

Many patients find that in areas of the face that are in constant motion, such as in the mouth area, fillers do not last very long, as the muscle motion works to break up the fillers faster. A combination treatment including botox decreases muscle activity, so that the fillers are not broken down so quickly.

A combination of botox and fillers can relax and fill out deep frown lines
even better than either product can do alone.

The synergistic effect of botox and fillers is such that the combination of both is better than either treatment alone, and it has been theorized that effects of this dual-treatment lasts longer because the collagen production stimulated by fillers help the skin to form correctly in a way that muscle movement would have disturbed.


- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

The Eyes Have It - Younger Eyes Nonsurgically

When you look at a person's face, the eyes are always the focal point. Sadness, joy, delight, disgust, anger, fear, outrage or indifference, the eyes show us emotions, expressions and are a pivotal clue to our body language.

The eyes are not just a window to your soul, but  also  an indicator of your health, stress level and physical well-being

The eye area is also very easily affected by stress, whether from illness, fatigue, emotions or environmental factors. This stress, combined with the constant movements of the muscles surrounding the eyes contributes to wrinkles, crepe-like skin, crow's feet, eye bags and under-eye circles.

Effects of aging and stress on the eye area - 

Addressing the problem - The Madonna Eyelift

The Madonna Eyelift is named after the famous pop star, who had the procedure done to improve her eye area. The results are very dramatic, giving you years off your age, and refreshing and brightening your looks.

Can you believe Madonna is 54 years of age?
Her eyes don't give her age away.

The technique involves a fractional laser procedure in the upper and lower eyelid areas, which leaves skin tightened, lifted and smoothened. The procedure takes only 10 minutes to do both eyes, and about 3 -5 sessions may be necessary for optimal results.

Just as fractional lasers help to restore collagen, smoothen skin surfaces, and erase fine lines on the facial area, it works in the same way on the eye area. It is important to note that the technique has only been proven on certain fractional lasers, and specialized training is required for any doctor who is doing the procedure.





Watch Dr. Bruce Katz, the pioneer of the Madonna Eyelift, do this procedure -

The Madonna Eyelift is a minimally-invasive, low downtime procedure that gives you a refreshed, brightened eye area, with results that are very rarely seen with topical creams and serums, for example.  Botox, fillers, thread lifts and surgery can be used in conjunction with the Madonna Eyelift in severe cases.

Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

Instant Youth - Non-surgical and Minimally Painful Liquid Face Lifts

Most people know what a face lift is, and they know for sure what they are getting when they ask for one. But many don't realise that you can boost and lift your facial areas to give a youthful, refreshed look without surgery. With a liquid face lift, also known as an injectable face lift, you can see and vet the results as the procedure is being done, and the pain is barely worse than getting your pimples popped or brows tweezed at the beauty salon. And the best part is you can walk out of the doctor's office looking years younger in as little as 30 minutes.

A liquid face lift is a combination of botox and injectable dermal fillers and can be used in conjunction with newer techniques such as platelet-rich plasma or thread lifting for more dramatic results. Dermal fillers, specialised gel-like materials that a qualified physician injects to plump up sunken areas, fill in deep hollows and furrows, and can also be used to shape and sculpt facial contours to give you plumper lips, a higher nose or more youthful facial contours. Botox is then given to erase fine lines, relax tense muscles and correct imbalances in facial symmetry and contour.

There are many dermal fillers available on the market, most for specialised uses, and it is up to a skilled practitioner to know the best one for your intended result. Softer materials spread out over an area, but thicker, more viscous dermal fillers are more suitable for a more defined result - for a defined nasal bridge, perhaps.

To lift and enhance youthfulness of facial features, these are some commonly treated areas -

• Tear troughs - the tear trough deformity is a groove that extends from the cheekbone or zygoma and extends out towards the sides of the face. It is especially obvious in advanced age, as the skin is pulled downwards by gravity and fat pads atrophy due to aging. Fillers can easily plump out the line, restoring the look of fullness to the lower eye area.

Before and after tear trough fillers

• Fuller cheeks - a youthful face is characterized by full, rounded cheeks, that are high up on the face, with little to no bony areas obviously seen. As the face ages and sags the contours of the face are flattened and become lax and pouchy. This can be explained by what cosmetic doctors refer to as the triangle of youth and pyramid of aging -the uplifted contours of the firm cheeks of a youthful person forms a triangle, which becomes inverted, a pyramid shape, as the process of aging causes sagging and downwards mobility of facial fat to the lower jaw areas.

Fillers can greatly help to address the loss of volume in the upper facial area, and restore the appearance of youthful fullness to the cheek areas.

• Shadows and lines - We can recognise the youthfulness of a person's face at a single glance, as we subconsciously register the shadows and lines especially in the temple, lower eye and mouth areas. This picture shows how light reflects off a youthful face, areas that can be augmented by botox and  fillers to enhance the youthfulness of your looks. 

Light reflecting from the brows, nose, cheekbones, upper lip,  chin and earlobes is one way we subconsciously examine the age of a person's face

This woman's before picture shows deep under-eye hollows and reduced fat in the cheeks and temples. A liquid face lift has improved the light reflections so she has the facial profile of a younger person

• Erasing fine lines and correcting muscle tension - Cares and worries as well as the constant use of facial expressions over the years leave their mark on your face that is as telling as a yellowed birth certificate.  Botox owes its amazing popularity and success tot he fact that it is the quickest, simplest, most reliable way of immediately turning back the clock. The frown lines, crow's feet and brow lines are some of the most common areas that give the best instant results.

Some of the areas where botox can be used to best effect to restore a youthful look

This woman's frown lines, crow's feet and smile lines give her an aged appearance that can be effectively and nonsurgically treated with Botox and fillers 

For dramatic results, a surgical face lift is still the gold standard, especially for those of advanced age from 50 and above. Nonsurgical methods are a good alternative for those who aren't yet in need of a face lift, or who would like to have milder, less invasive procedures that improve in moderation, giving you results that are impossible to achieve in a bottle or facial. For the best of both worlds, a nonsurgical, liquid face lift can lighten and energize your look, and the results look natural, not overdone.  

- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

It's true - vitamins can make you look younger!

Botox Efficacy Improved By Zinc Supplementation

More reasons to hit the vitamin shelves - a recent study has shown that zinc supplements can help to boost the effectiveness of botox injections, not just in cosmetic applications such as wrinkle treatments, but also in medical treatments such as for eye spasms, migraines and bladder incontinence.

Oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Charles Soparkar showed that the duration and efficacy of a botox treatment was improved by up to 30% when a  mix of zinc and phytase was given in addition to normal botox injections. The result has been less frequent botox re-injections, and better effects from each treatment session, meaning patients save more in the long run. 

Botulinum toxin A is very highly dependent on the availability of zinc for it to work properly. It has been shown that botox injections do not work very well in low zinc conditions. However, many people are zinc deficient, due to zinc binding substances in our food. The addition of phytase works to inhibit the activity of these zinc binders, or phytates, so it helps the zinc to be better absorbed by the body. 

A new zinc supplement, Zytaze (USD60 - 80 per box) has been introduced in the US, specifically to be used in conjunction with Botox injections. Will it be available here in Asia? We will have to wait and see. 

Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

Looking Younger without Surgery

Nobody enjoys the process of growing old, and it is especially distressful when external factors such as sun, pollution, stress, poor sleep habits and so forth cause premature aging of our skin. Fortunately science can lend a helping hand and erase or minimize the damage. From wrinkles, to lax skin, pigmentation and deepening lines, the signs of aging are thankfully very easily dealt with, even if you are hesitant to undergo surgery. If you're looking to improve the ravages of time on your complexion, here is a short list of some of the most popular non-surgical options available out there.

1. Botox
Botox is the most popular anti-aging treatment available, and for good reason. Just one session with your doctor will give you 6 - 9 months free of wrinkles and lines, and at about the same price as a set of branded anti-aging skin care products. It is quick, about as painful as a paper cut, and can make you look 5-10 years younger in a matter of days.
Botox has always suffered from a poor reputation as some people have had bad experiences, but in the hands of a trained professional, the results you get will amaze you. Some people are concerned about getting 'addicted' to Botox, but I find it comparable to a maintenance regime not unlike having a regular facial or haircut. Botox is also useful in the treatment of headaches, neck and back pain, muscle spasms and bladder disorders, which is always helpful when age starts to create more physical concerns in areas other than the face.


2. Fillers
Fillers and botox are almost like husband and wife; they complement each other and work together to create a harmonious effect. Botox works to relax muscles and smooth out wrinkles while fillers work by volumizing deep facial furrows such as the naso-labial folds and deep glabellar lines (frown lines). Fillers are also effective in increasing the fat pads on the cheeks and the sides of the forehead, to reverse the effects of gravity. Fillers can also be used to reduce lines around the lips, volumize the lips, plump up sunken under-eye areas, and have been used to replace lost fatty deposits in areas such as the breast and buttocks. There are too many filler brands to count, such as Radiesse, Juvederm, Restylane, Esthelis, Macrolane and many more. Different fillers are indicated for different uses, but in general are all very successful at volumizing lines, wrinkles and sunken areas. Sculptra is one that is especially designed for long-term re-volumizing, and helps to boost collagen production as well as fill in sunken areas.


3. Skin Tightening & Lifting Therapies
Skin tightening and lifting is important as gravity and collagen loss create the sunken areas and deep lines that are seen on aging faces. While a face-lift will always provide the most dramatic results, a range of non-surgical therapies such as Thermage, Ultherapy and Exilis are available.
Thermage burst onto the scene about 6 years ago with its promise of non-surgical, non-invasive skin tightening, with a single treatment, no less. Since then, Thermage has become a brand icon, and it has expanded its range from lifting skin on the face, neck and eyes to upper-arms, hands, abdomens, buttocks and thighs.
Thermage works by using radiofrequency waves to heat up the collagen in the skin and produce a rejuvenating, tightening effect. Results are not immediate, but the treatment gives a progressive uplifting effect as the collagen remodels over the next few months. Some patients report an improvement in their facial wrinkling and overall condition of the complexion as a pleasant side effect of the treatment.
Exilis is another therapy that utilizes radiofrequency (RF) to target collagen deposits and boost their production. Commonly used in the facial, neck, decolletage, abdomen, thighs and buttock areas, Exilis is also effective in spot fat reduction. A typical course is 4-6 sessions, and is a quick and painless way to more youthful, tighter skin.
Ultherapy uses ultrasound waves to similarly heat up and remodel collagen, helping to tighten brow lines, smoothen skin on the cheeks, lift sagging eyelids and refresh the overall look of the face, results which are visible from the second or third treatment.
While these skin tightening therapies are not indicated for the elderly where collagen is very minimal, or for those who are severely saggy due to extreme age or weight loss, they can restore youthful tone and give a refreshing uplift for those who are just starting to notice the ill-effects of aging and poor skin care.

4. Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing modules work by damaging the top most layers of the skin to remove fine wrinkles, pigmentation and scars. Fractional laser resurfacing means that instead of treating all of the skin surface at once, only a fraction of the surface is treated, so pain is manageable and healing is faster. Examples of these treatments are Fraxel, Pixel, ProFractional and Mosaic, which all work in the same way to remove the top-most problematic layer, and allows the growth of younger, healthier skin in its place. A further benefit of this treatment is that skin texture and tone will also improve.

Fraxel - Before and After

5. Platelet Rich Plasma
Plaetelet Rich Plasma therapy involves the use of a patient's own blood, from which platelets are extracted and re-injected into facial areas to boost collagen production. Generally, treated areas include the cheeks, peri-ocular (around the eyes), neck, decolletage, jaw line and back of hands. Results include improved skin texture, tone and overall appearance. Platelet-rich plasma is an established medical procedure which has been used in long-term pain management, joint healing and a proven record in facilitating healing.

5. Stem Cell Therapy
As stem cells are the body's own healing components, stem cell therapy has been hailed for its ability to improve the body's overall condition. Promised results include a better complexion, thicker hair, brighter eyes, improved memory and libido, greater energy and stamina and a better general well-being. There are various methods used in stem cell therapies, from stem cells extracted from a patient's own fat or bone marrow, or in some procedures, using stem cells collected from human or even animal embryos.
While scientific evidence is still contentious as to the true value of such treatments, many are convinced of their anti-aging and medicinal value. This article on USAToday.com highlights just one such satisfied customer, a baseball player who amazed his fans with his brilliant sporting performance after undergoing stem cell therapy.

- CosMed, MD

Botox: Cosmetic and Therapeutic

Botulinum toxin-A - brand names Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin -  like cosmetic fillers (or injectable fillers) and other nonsurgical aesthetic procedures such as laser hair removal, laser resurfacing, IPL (Intense Pulse Light) and chemical peels, among other treatments, has a reputation that places it firmly in the park of the beauty industry.

Little do many people know that botulinum toxin-A was first developed in the 70s as an opthalmologic treatment for strabismus (crossed-eyes). Botulinum toxin, an extremely powerful neurotoxin, works by paralysing the overactive muscles that cause the condition. Sufferers of blepharospasm (uncontrollable blinking) were also found to respond well to the treatment.

It was soon discovered that the had many applications in various conditions all over the body, relieving the muscular spasms and uncontrollable tremors of stroke patients, treating cervical dystonia, a painful neck condition, and even helps in cases of excessive sweating or hyperhydrosis.

It was only in the mid 1990s that doctors began to notice that patients receiving botulinum toxin in the eye area were also seeing a relaxation of their frown lines and wrinkles. Doctors were soon discovering the many ways in which botulinum toxin could be used for aesthetics.

Today, botulinum toxin is US FDA-approved for treatment of the glabella (between eyebrows) area, hyperhydrosis, and migraines. Off-label, it's many uses include treatment of eyelid spasms, gummy smiles, bruxism (teeth grinding), back and neck pain, facial spasms, cerebral palsy, vocal cord disorders and overactive bladders.

Botox 101: An Infographic about Botulinum Toxin Type A

Did you know that Botox ( Botolinum Toxin Type A) was first discovered in the 50s, and that frown lines and crow's feet aside, doctors are discovering medical uses for Botox including treatments for migraine, teeth grinding (bruxism) and hyperactive bladders?

Find out these and other interesting facts on this infographic by Dr. Roy Kim, a San Francisco plastic surgeon.




CosMed, MD