By now, you probably know that Botox injection can effectively smooth out facial wrinkles.  Doctors once thought off-label use of the drug – that was originally developed for treating muscles spasms – would be fairly limited.  If you ask around however, you’ll find that physicians are using the drug for many other interesting purposes.

Many doctors use Botox to treat headaches, and their basic procedures are hardly different than those of wrinkle treatment.  It isn’t entirely clear how the Botulinum toxin provides relief; it may work to inhibit certain pain-transmitting nerves.  But evidently, many people suffer from fewer headaches after being treated with Botox.

As reported in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers from Allergan Inc. conducted surveys about sweating, revealing that almost 3 percent of the U.S. population (7.8 million people) believe their sweating to be excessive.  At the time of the survey (in 2004), less than half of the respondents had sought medical help for the problem.  Botox blocks the localized release of a specific chemical that stimulates sweating, and so the FDA approved it for this use years ago.

Last March, the New York Times published a story on the off-label use of Botox to help those who have suffered a stroke and have trouble relaxing certain muscles.  According to the experts, “only about 5 percent of the stroke patients who could benefit from its use ever get it.”

Patients with even more obscure conditions have found success using Botox. In Feb 2008, USA Today reported that radio personality Diane Rehm (of National Public Radio) had received routine off-label treatments of Botox for a vocal disorder called spasmodic dysphonia.

Aside from these therapies, surgeons and dermatologists are finding even more cosmetic uses for Botox. Dr. Lawrence Reed recently told an ABC news affiliate that “we’re at the tip of the iceberg where Botox is going to be used.”  Reed has apparently been pioneering some interesting new cosmetic applications.

For acne, Dr. Reed injects Botox just below the skin:  “It decreases the muscle pump and blocks the production of oils, so we use it for acne,” he claims.  Other patients of Dr. Reed found success using Botox to relax certain muscles and actually make their eyes appear larger, and to supplement laser skin resurfacing.

If you’re considering Botox for any off-label use, make sure you choose a qualified physician.  Despite the optimism surrounding Botox as a ‘wonder drug’, there have been complications and side effects associated with off-label use and inexperienced providers.  For more information on Botox in Boston, Massachusetts, see our homepage or contact us.

This video is a recent episode of ‘The Doctors’ which features Dermatologist Jessica Wu showcasing Allergan’s new eyelash enhancement drug, Latisse.

Dr. Wu claims (or rather boasts) that Latisse can give you “crazy long spidery lashes” in just 4 months. You apply Latisse to the base of upper eyelashes once each night, “just like liquid eyeliner.”  According to The Doctors, the results should yield lashes that are 25 percent longer and 100 percent thicker!

See the video for a before & after photo; it is quite impressive. If you are interested in learning more about Latisse in Boston, call 617-786-7600 or email our office.

The concept of male breasts has changed; what was once an embarrassing, rarely spoken of condition is now approaching the level of pop culture phenomenon.

Finlo Rohrer of BBC news speculates that media – especially the tabloid scrutinization of celebrities – has popularized the concept of ‘man boobs.’ Tony Blair and UK conservative party leader, David Cameron, were pictured shirtless during the summer of 2006, which led several media outlets to “comment on their moobs.”

The weblog www.manboobs.uk, which according to one reader, has “plumbed the depths of poor taste,” pokes fun at the concept, but further popularizes it.  American television sitcoms like Seinfeld and Friends have done the same.  According to Rorher, this popularity could lead to “more men making their way through the surgeon’s doors.”

So what is the deal with male breasts?  Here are a few things you might not know:

• Gynecomastia that forms breast tissue in males, is a relatively common condition that is often mistaken for simple excess fat. It can affect newborns, pubescent boys, and adults.  While it isn’t serious (unless it is a sign of something else), it can be painful and embarrasing.

• While obesity can cause a condition of excess breast tissue, real gynecomastia is caused by a hormone imbalance.  In either case, surgery can alleviate the symptoms.

• Medications, or illegal drugs like marijuana and anabolic steroids can cause gynecomastia. Particular drugs that are used during treatment for prostate cancer are to blame.

• Gynecomastia can also be caused by genetic conditions like Klinefelter’s Syndrome.

• Surgery isn’t the only option: in cases of pubertal gynecomastia, the condition will often disappear over time or when puberty is over.  Other cases have shown improvement without any interventions; one case published in the June 2008 issue of Endocrine Practices documented a rare case of bilateral gynecomastia in a 60 year old man. The patient’s examination results were normal, but he reported a daily intake of 3 qts soy milk.  Once the patient ceased his intake of soy milk, his condition improved and his hormone imbalance was resolved.

For many patients, surgery is the right choice.  It can restore the proper masculine appearance that people expect. If you are interested in learning more about male breast reduction, contact us for a consultation.

Allergan recently announced the ‘Latisse Wishes” campaign at a star-studded Hollywood charity event, featuring celebrities like Brooke Shields, Marisa Tomei and Mandy Moore. The campaign pledged support for Make-A-Wish, the non-profit organization that aims to grant wishes for suffering children.

Latisse is Allergan’s latest offering and the first drug to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of hypotrichosis, a condition characterized by inadequate eyelashes. The Latisse Wishes campaign was launched by Allergan with a $500,000 initial contribution to Make-A-Wish.

Hollywood beauty expert and participant Anastasia Soare enthusiastically expressed her support, saying “I constantly work to help make women’s beauty wishes come true, and now we can help children’s wishes come true through the LATISSEâ„¢ Wishes campaign.”

It’s no coincidence that the Make-A-Wish foundation was chosen as a beneficiary for Allergan’s campaign; the superstitious “blowing on an eyelash to make a wish come true” provides a clever marketing strategy, backed by philanthropy.

The campaign is encouraging consumers to help double the donation amount by visiting www.Latisse.com and registering their support. From now until the end of the year, Allergan will donate 5 dollars for each new registration, up to one million dollars.

Latisse is now available at our office in Boston; give us a call for more information.