Botox ® More than Wrinkle Eraser
July 28th, 2011
Botox ® has been approved for limited use since the 1980’s to treat many muscle related problems. The botulinum toxin was first used in a non-cosmetic clinical setting. As with many new drugs, alternate uses have been discovered and treating facial wrinkles has certainly proved to be a big one. Botox continues to provide substantial medical benefits aside from the most common cosmetic uses.
Botox is effective in treating a variety of conditions, usually involving muscles. They include, blepharospasm and strabismus, which are neurological movement disorders affecting the face. It is also used to treat muscles that are hypertonic, lacking the ability for active lengthening.
The first example of an FDA approved non-muscular use is for the treatment of over-active sweat glands. Sweat glands under the arm are injected and a reduction of excessive sweating may last up to 6 months. However, this can be quite an uncomfortable procedure, as the armpit has lots of nerve endings and is particularly sensitive.
Clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate use for migraines, where injections into the head and neck muscles may reduce the onset of migraines. This new usage offers the potential to improve the quality of life for people who suffer from chronic migraines.
Is Elfin Ear Surgery Safe?
July 26th, 2011
A procedure to make “Elf Ears†has become popular among body modification artists. While they are not prohibited from performing this type of procedure, they are not allowed to use any anesthesia or provide any pain medication for their client. This unusual “cartilage sculpting†continues to gain popularity amongst sci-fi enthusiasts, but it is very risky surgery. The cartilage is cut, re-shaped and sewn back together to make the pointy tip. It has been called cosmetic surgery, but it clearly lies outside the practice of licensed medical doctors. Risks of this basically irreversible procedure include infection and deformity of the ear, which is often caused by poor technique or poor healing.
The procedure only costs about $600, but the price to deal with serious complications may have a long lasting impact that will require more than money to fix.
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