ShareThisBy MARIE KUECHEL and ROBERT SINGER
newbeauty.com
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
In addition to cosmetic applications, namely to treatment of frown lines, Botox is also approved for excessive sweating, and its off-label uses have grown exponentially. Physicians currently use Botox for a wide variety of aesthetic and medical treatments --from alleviating headaches to softening banding under the neck that comes with age -- and new uses continue to be discovered.
But how necessary is it to address those minor imperfections such as little dimples in the chin that are only apparent when puckering up? Some patients start to see other little imperfections when everything else is looking great.
These innovative uses for Botox are best left to experienced injectors, since they are extremely technique-dependent and there is a higher risk of adverse effects. An expert injector is a physician who is trained in aesthetics -- a plastic surgeon, dermatologist, facial plastic surgeon or ophthalmic plastic surgeon who regularly injects more than Botox, and can offer you pictures of results achieved by the injection techniques recommended for you.
To smooth the lower eyelids: Experienced practitioners are injecting just below the lash line to eliminate creasing and crinkling on the lower eyelids. But a word of caution: If injected improperly, it can cause temporary blindness, so it's imperative to select a provider with experience using Botox in this manner.
To make the eyes bigger: Botox injected below the lower lash line can also prevent the upward motion of the lower lid to create the illusion of larger eyes. It can also be injected into the upper eyelid to actually open it more, especially if there is drooping of the upper eyelids that makes the eyes appear small.
Lifting the tip of the nose: Strategically placed Botox injections can visibly lift a turned-down nasal tip. Fillers can also be used in the nose to fine-tune the profile and other aspects of this prominent facial feature, and results of this "injectable nose job" can last upwards of a year due to the lack of muscle movement in the area.
Around the mouth: In the past, many injectors were reluctant to use Botox in the area around the mouth because of the frequent movement of the area. But many physicians are more comfortable using Botox in this area to treat expression-related creases and to increase the longevity of filler treatments around the mouth. Botox used alone can work well for wrinkles around the mouth that are seen mostly when expressions are made. Used alone, however, it won't have nearly as dramatic an effect on the creases that are visible when the face is at rest. When Botox is used in combination with various fillers around the mouth and lips, one can achieve the most impressive results.
Paige Herman is an editor at New Beauty, a semi-annual magazine about cosmetic enhancement. Robert Goldstein is a medical doctor. Reach them at editors (at)newbeauty.com. For more columns visit www.scrippsnews.com
