Botulinum Toxin (Botox), a poison used to treat “crow’s feet”, “wrinkles”, “frown lines” and to prevent underarm sweating,  has undergone some labeling revisions and guidelines.

The warnings include the risk that the botox may spread from the areas injected to other areas of the body causing symptoms consistent with botulism. These include: [...]]]> Source:  US FDA Press Announcements

Botulinum Toxin (Botox), a poison used to treat “crow’s feet”, “wrinkles”, “frown lines” and to prevent underarm sweating,  has undergone some labeling revisions and guidelines.

The warnings include the risk that the botox may spread from the areas injected to other areas of the body causing symptoms consistent with botulism. These include: swallowing and breathing difficulties which could result in airway compromise and death.  What price vanity?

Oddly, the warnings were prompted by an off-label (unapproved) use for the drug, to treat muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy and not at the recommended dosages for the cosmetic use of botox.  FDA Approved botox products include: Botox; Botox Cosmetic; Myobloc;, and Dysport.

It may work but it is derived from poison so it’s not a terrible idea to pay attention.  Standard caveat applies: Consult your physician or aesthetician.

posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esquire

Okay, maybe not for everyone. For those of us aging (You know who you are) there are now more options than ever to not look like ourselves. Those of us intimidated by the prospect of surgery for facial rejuvination (Making your face look younger. Presumably [...]]]> Source: Various, including Dermik, makers of, you guessed it…

Okay, maybe not for everyone. For those of us aging (You know who you are) there are now more options than ever to not look like ourselves. Those of us intimidated by the prospect of surgery for facial rejuvination (Making your face look younger. Presumably the rest of you can go to hell in a handbasket), have the option of using dermal fillers! Dermal what-ers?

A history lesson. Since the dawn of time, or at least the dawn of purely cosmetic surgery in the 1980′s, doctors have been injecting substances under the skin to make it look fuller and more youthful and to get rid of lines and wrinkles. Not botox, which is poison –botulism, and works by paralyzing muscles with toxins, but other interesting substances. The first was bovine collagen (Yes, from cows!). More recently Hylauronic acids, which degrade over time requiring re-addition every 6-9 months and substances that stimulate the body to make it’s own collagen. Oh and returning to the animal kingdom, porcine collagen (From pigs, not porcupines) is said to be even more promising.

Perhaps not coincidentally, none of these treatments appear to last for more than 6-9 months and some considerably less. Draw your own conclusions there. So, if your lips aren’t full enough to resemble that of a famous Hollywood actress who has literally become a characature of herself or those stubborn cheeks of yours are still a little saggy or hollow and you don’t want to go under the knife, maybe injectable dermal fillers are the right thing for you.

The people at Dermik, Sanofi-Aventis and Johnson & Johnson sure would like you to think so.

posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esq.

The 5 year follow up study of 43,000 women with cosmetic breast implants yielded only 48 cases of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma where 53.9 cases were anticipated. What this means in layman’s [...]]]> A recent study reported in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery appears to dismiss the association between breast implants and the risk of developing lymphoma.

The 5 year follow up study of 43,000 women with cosmetic breast implants yielded only 48 cases of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma where 53.9 cases were anticipated. What this means in layman’s (non doctor’s) terms is that there is no statistically significant difference which can be directly linked to cosmetic breast implants alone. It is worth noting that the follow up study picked up on a 37 year study of the same women and necessarily, the same breasts, albeit now a little less new.

The authors conclude that, to date, there is no credible evidence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma originating in the breast of women who undergo cosmetic breast surgery with implants. Good news for all women who desire larger breasts and those who may admire them. That is not a judgment. However, as with all studies, consider the source.

posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esq.

Dr. Monica Morrow, Chief of the Breast Cancer Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NY, has raised concerns that for the past 30 years, surgery has been increasingly devoted to improving cosmetic outcomes. Her concern is that failure to demand rigorous evaluation of [...]]]> Source: British Medical Journal, 2/20/2009, Editorial: Minimally invasive surgery for breast cancer

Dr. Monica Morrow, Chief of the Breast Cancer Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NY, has raised concerns that for the past 30 years, surgery has been increasingly devoted to improving cosmetic outcomes. Her concern is that failure to demand rigorous evaluation of oncological outcomes and cosmetic ones runs the risk of losing some of the survival gains observed in the past decade.

“The local treatment of breast cancer is based on the results of numerous high quality clinical trials and is, therefore, a model for evidence based care. As we attempt to advance from good to great cosmetic outcomes, it is important that we remember this,” Dr. Morrow concludes.

posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esq.