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.
Reader Question: Fat Injections for Breasts
July 6th, 2011
Kelly writes:
So, what is the difference between the procedure of the ’80s and the procedure now? What would be the cost difference between this procedure and “traditional†breast implants? Is it dependent upon the amount of lipo done? Would it sort of be a “2 for 1″ deal?
Liposuction fat is now harvested with better survivability after placement, compared to the earlier technique. It is also injected as thin threads throughout the breast instead of a large volume in one spot. There are promising studies that indicate possible stem cell rejuvenation with fat transfer.
Positive improvements in technology include developments such as, fat graft injections interfere less than implants, increased mammogram and radiological expertise. Once the procedure is completed there are no further maintenance costs, as may often be the case with implants.
There are additional benefits of losing inches from liposuction of the hips, thighs, and/or abdomen prior to the fat transfer. The cost is not a “two-fer,†it is more like a one-and-a-half-er! Prices will vary according to the location of metropolitan area. Liposuction recovery may take up to 6 weeks depending on volume removed, whereas complete healing for the breast fat grafting is upwards from about 9 months to a year. The results are permanent. The procedure is sometimes referred to as a natural breast enhancement.
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