In today’s world, there are so many ways to fight the lines of time. But by far, one of the most popular is Botox.

Botox is basically a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum.  It was originally used to treat muscle spasms — but in 1997 it earned FDA approval for cosmetic treatment.  The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported that there were more than 2.8 million procedures performed with Botox in 2008.  (Just more proof about how wildly popular this anti-wrinkle treatment is.)

A Botox Cosmetic injection can do a few things. It can help soften the overall look of your face and reduce the animation in some of the muscles in the upper part of the face. (This results in a younger, more youthful appearance.) It can also treat facial lines caused by repetitive muscle movement, which we frequently do in my practice. We also use Botox to help prevent new lines from forming. Common injection sites for erasing wrinkles and lines include:

• Glabella (region between eyebrows)
• Forehead
• Outer corners of eyes (crow’s feet)
• Either side of mid-chin, for down-turned mouth
• Neck, for neck bands or visible chords

We also use Botox to treat:

• Facial asymmetry or other facial conditions that result from muscle action; this is called “facial shaping”
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive perspiration); common injection sites are underarms, palms, scalp and soles of feet

Remember — An experienced injector makes all the difference

Today, people often take the wrong shortcuts when seeking facial rejuvenation with Botox and other injectables. If the injector administers too little Botox Cosmetic, the results will not be fully visible. However if the injector injects too much, the appearance can be a frozen or stunned look. On occasion there may be some unevenness, meaning that one brow is higher or lower than the other. This is easily corrected with a touch-up or the patient can wait for the toxin to lose its effect. Usually the patient will look better within a few weeks.

Keys to successful Botox Cosmetic treatment include going to a doctor that injects regularly.  Also, it is important to articulate to the physician your exact goals. For example, if you want your eyes to be more open, to look less tired or to raise your brows, be specific. It is always my advice to seek a more natural look and have some animation.

Alternatives?

In the battle against aging, there are several alternatives to Botox Cosmetic.  One such option is GFX, a radiofrequency procedure that lasts approximately 1 year or more. This is due to ablation of the nerves which cause muscular contraction of the glabella — more commonly known as the region between the eyebrows.  Other options include Reloxin and Puretox — neither of which is FDA approved.

http://www.fda.gov/WOMENS/getthefacts/botox.html

Dr. Neil Sadick is one of the most renowned dermatologists and researchers whose multiple discoveries have strongly influenced and transformed the future of dermatology. He is a Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and President of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is author, or co-author, of more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters of medical books. Read more at www.sadickdermatology.com.

Many of my patients come in for the same common skin concerns. They are typically unaware of what their problem is called or how easily it can be treated. The four most common include Poikiloderma, melasma, broken capillaries or ingrown hairs. 

Poikiloderma is basically a combination of blood vessels, redness and discolorations that commonly occur secondary to sun exposure either on the face, neck or chest areas. This extra pigmentation of the skin is usually displayed in a variety of shades and associated with widened capillaries in the affected area.  Effective treatment methods include intense pulsed lights/IPL and fractional laser technologies.  

Melasma, another frequent problem, is a skin condition presented as brown patches on the face. In many cases, both sides of the face are affected and most often seen on the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead, and upper lip. Unfortunately for women, melasma occurs mainly in females, as only about 10 percent of men are affected. This condition is also more prevalent among Hispanics, Asians, Indians, and people from the Middle East and Africa.

Also known as the “mask of pregnancy,” melasma can be secondary to pregnancy, or in women who are genetically predisposed and go on hormone therapy.  While it is made worse by excessive sunlight exposure, it can be treated in the dermatologist’s office using Retin-A, hydroquinone compounds, superficial chemical peels or new-generation Q-switched and fractional laser technologies.  It is most important to be sure to protect yourself everyday using a broad-spectrum sunblock when you go out because this condition will recur if you do not use adequate sun protection. 

Broken blood vessels are a common problem on the face, nose, chest and arms.  They usually occur either on a genetic or a sun-induced basis. New generation pulsed dye and KTP lasers can easily and painlessly remove these unwanted vessels in a single session and are cost effective.

Finally, we come to ingrown hairs. From women who get ingrown hairs in the bikini area or on their chin, to African-American men who are more susceptible to ingrown hairs – this condition plagues many individuals. The bright side is that these ingrown hairs, and the subsequent inflammation, can be treated by combinations of topical antibiotics and hydrocortisone lotion derivatives. 

If it is a recurrent problem, new generation advanced hair removal laser technologies including at-home laser technologies such as the no!-no! or Tria and Silk’n™ can also be very effective to decrease the inflammation. Keeping your face and body moisturized and exfoliated can help to dramatically reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs, as well as using specialized soothing products such as Barc Skincare’s Barc Bump Down.

Although a high percentage of the population is affected by these common skin problems, we are fortunate to live in a time where there are so many advanced alternatives to treat them.

Dr. Neil Sadick is one of the most renowned dermatologists and researchers whose multiple discoveries have strongly influenced and transformed the future of dermatology. He is a Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and President of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is author, or co-author, of more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters of medical books. Read more at www.sadickdermatology.com.

As we know, SPF gives you a relative scale of protection for how long you can stay out in the sun without becoming sunburned versus the time it would take you to burn without using sunscreen.  Sunscreens are graded from SPF 2 to SPF 70.  The question is when is it necessary to use a higher numbered blocker versus a lower numbered blocker and are higher numbered blockers actually that more efficacious to justify the higher cost?

For example, if it takes you three minutes to burn and you use an SPF 15, it would take you 45 minutes to develop a burn.  SPF 15 gives you 15 times the sun protection.  It is generally recommended that most individuals will benefit from using a sunscreen in 30-to-45 range.  The minimal sun protection factor that is recommended would be SPF 15.  However, for those individuals who are very fair-skinned, for example of Irish-American descent or those that have a history of skin cancer – then higher numbered sun protection factors such as 45 to 70 would be indicated in those individuals. 

It is felt from scientific studies that higher SPFs do give you better sun protection; however, how much more protection they give you is still a controversial point. The general consensus is that if you are fair-skinned or if you have a history of skin cancer then higher SPFs are indicated. 

It is very important to use a sunscreen that has both UVB shortwave and UVA longwave coverage.  The SPF only measures the UVB coverage.  There is a new grading system that has been passed by the FDA which will grade UVA coverage from one to four stars based on its capability to protect against longwave UVA irradiation and that should be released in the next few years.  In terms of skin care products, many cosmeceuticals state they have sun protection factors or SPFs in them.  However, in my opinion, usually by themselves they are not sufficient enough to protect your skin from harmful irradiation because of their dilution with other ingredients.

Remember when you swim or sweat any sunscreen will be removed from the skin so it is necessary on very hot days or when you swim or have excessive sweating to reapply suncsreen every two to three hours to be sure you have adequate protection.  Sunscreens keep your skin healthy and protect against the risk of skin cancer and photoaging.  Always wear a sunscreenof SPF 15 or higher – even under clothes – for optimal protection.

Dr. Neil Sadick is one of the most renowned dermatologists and researchers whose multiple discoveries have strongly influenced and transformed the future of dermatology. He is a Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and President of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is author, or co-author, of more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters of medical books. Read more at www.sadickdermatology.com