Avoid Common Botox Mistake

The use of Botox has exploded with 2.5 million injections now being given each year. Botox, which is a neurotoxin that's injected to relax muscles, is the nation's favorite nonsurgical procedure to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. But it also has a multitude of other uses in the body. "There's a whole spectrum of uses that go from the top of the body to the bottom," says Dr. Kenneth Beer, one of the nation's top dermatologists who teaches dermatology at the University of Miami.

The most popular use of Botox is to relax wrinkles in the face. "Botox works best for wrinkles that are caused by muscles opening and closing, such as frown lines in the forehead, wrinkles around the eyes � anything that's an expressive wrinkle," says Beer. "When we administer it, we use tiny needles to minimize discomfort as well as topical creams to numb the skin."

Although Botox is often given in a party-like atmosphere, Beer says that's a bad idea. "You wouldn't get any other medical procedure in a party environment," he says. Some of the problems include making sure the environment is sterile and keeping proper records. Often, alcohol is served at "Botox parties." "I don't think any of that is conducive to a good outcome," he says.

When administered by a physician in a medical environment, Botox is safe and effective, Beer says."I've been injecting Botox for 10 years, and I've only seen one person it didn't work for," he said. "Botox injections always work if you're getting the right product � that is to say, if you're actually getting Botox. Some companies dilute it to the point that you're basically getting water."

Dr. Beer strives to give patients good aesthetic results. "We try to make sure people still look like themselves and not mask-like, and that they still retain some muscle activity."

In addition to Botox, there are newer alternatives such as Dysport and Xromin which are similar to Botox.

Botox has many other medical uses. "The list of medical uses for Botox is actually longer than that for the cosmetic ones," he says. "Botox can be used to treat everything from migraine headaches to urinary bladder spasms."

While it isn't covered by insurance for aesthetic reasons, Botox used for spasms, and sometimes for headaches, can be covered by insurance, says Beer. "It depends."

For more information about Dr. Beer's practice or his line of skin care products, go to: palmbeachcosmetic.com or scientificskin.com.

Dr. Beer: Botox Works Particularly Well on 'Expressive' Wrinkles

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