As minimally invasive procedures such as Botox and Dysport are becoming more widespread, clinics are popping up everywhere that advertise quick, cheap cosmetic procedures. However, not all medical practices are created equal, and some patients are finding that out the hard way. Some discount clinics are providing turning out low-quality procedures with a focus on maximizing the number of patients they see.

The consequences of these “in-and-out” cosmetic facilities range from a longer healing time to excessive scarring or worse. Patients may find inadequate consultations, with a focus on being “sold” a procedure, and less than ideal procedures for post-treatment recovery issues. Because doctors in such clinics see patients at such a high volume, it’s difficult to discuss pre-existing health problems or make accurate recommendations for post-surgical care.

If you are considering a cosmetic procedure, we recommend that you treat it like any other medical service and do your research. Verify that the clinic and physician you are going to are well-qualified to deliver high quality care. At Zimmet Vein & Dermatology, we are happy to meet with you to discuss concerns, pre- and post-procedure care, and Dr. Zimmet’s experience and background.

Are you interested in softening your wrinkles but can’t stand the thought of needles? Revance Therapeutics is currently developing a topically applied botulinum toxin type A, which may provide a painless alternative to Botox® and Dysport®

The new product, if approved by the FDA, works by “pulling” the large neurotoxin molecules through the skin by attracting them to a lysine chain. As the molecules are pulled through, they act the same way Botox does: by disabling the nerve impulses that cause muscles to contract in a way that creates wrinkles. So far, the gel has been successful in reducing the appearance of crow’s feet in the trial’s subjects.

As always, Dr. Zimmet recommends not using a product until it is approved for use by the FDA. Until the topical gel is authorized, Botox or Dysport administered through a needle are peer-reviewed and FDA-approved methods of rejuvenating skin.

A new alternative to Botox and Dysport will be showing up in dermatologists’ offices soon, as the FDA recently approved the use of Xeomin. Xeomin is an injection that, like Botox, consists of the botulinum toxin. After two separate trials testing the drug or a placebo on over 500 participants, the FDA decided that Xeomin was a safe, effective temporary treatment for forehead wrinkles.

Though Xeomin injections are new to the US, they have been approved and used in several European countries. There are only minor distinctions between the new product and Botox: for example, Xeomin doesn’t require refrigeration. Also, Xeomin lacks a protein coating that Botox has. A small number of patients develop antibodies to the protein, so for those individuals, Xeomin will be a more effective treatment.

The effect that Xeomin will have on Botox and Dysport remains to be seen. Since Botox is a more trusted name in cosmetic dermatology, Xeomin will have to prove itself as an inexpensive, effective, and long-lasting treatment. To discuss cosmetic dermatology options, contact Dr. Zimmet today.

Botox has been used off-label to treat several non-cosmetic medical issues, migraines being the most popular. And now, evidence is piling up that it could be used to treat another type of chronic pain: vulvodynia, or sexual pain in women.

Vulvodynia affects about 16 percent of women. It is characterized by chronic pain in the genital region brought on by sex or tampon insertion. Because so little is known about vulvodynia, it is generally diagnosed by exclusion; that is, it is usually the diagnosis made for specific genital pain that isn’t otherwise diagnosed by a blood test, biopsy, or STI screening.

Though Botox hasn’t been proven to work for every woman suffering from vulvodynia, several patients of renowned dermatologists have found that it eases–and in some cases, eliminates–the pain. The cause is unknown, but experts guess that the Botox injection blocks the nerve endings from transmitting pain signals, in the same way Botox typically blocks neurotransmitters from traveling across nerves to facial muscles.

Though Botox is not an FDA-approved treatment for vulvodynia yet, it is clear that it relieves genital pain in some women. If you’re interested in using Botox to relieve non-cosmetic pain, contact Dr. Zimmet to schedule an appointment.

When most people think of being wrinkle-free, their main concern is aesthetics. However, new research show that more wrinkles can be an indication of poor bone density.

The study, part of the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study, measured the amount and depth of wrinkles in certain areas of the body, and compared them with the bone density of the patients studied. The result was a noticeable association between fewer wrinkles and healthier bones. A lower bone density puts individuals at a higher risk for fractures and osteoporosis.

The researchers did not identify the cause of the relationship between wrinkles and bone density, though they suspect it has to do with levels of collagen proteins in the body. While the utility of the results is disputed, perhaps the results of the study will encourage more patients to get their bone densities checked.