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In 2012, there were over 6 million BOTOX procedures, in the U.S. As evidenced, all around the world, BOTOX remains the #1 non-invasive cosmetic procedure for frown lines, creases in the forehead and, with its recent FDA approval, for crow’s feet around the eyes. No wonder BOTOX L.A. and BOTOX Beverly Hills has maintained its popularity.

However, as we noted in several other articles, there are more than 90 patents or patents pending for other important medical uses of the drug. According to manufacturer, Allergan, in addition to the FDA’s approval for BOTOX in the treatment of migraine headaches, future approvals may be coming in the treatment of muscle spasms, excessive sweating, swallowing difficulties, benign enlarged prostate, stroke-related impediments and many other medical conditions.

Most recently, January, 2013, BOTOX was FDA-approved in the treatment of an overactive bladder. While both men and women may experience this condition, also known as “incontinence,” it reportedly affects one out of five older women. Simply stated, an overactive bladder occurs when the bladder muscle contracts, on its own, without warning.

The BOTOX injections are given, with anesthesia, directly into the bladder wall to relax the bladder muscle and prevent the involuntary contractions from occurring. In clinical studies, it was shown that BOTOX bladder treatments are as effective as daily oral medication, have resulted in up to 50% fewer “accidents” a day.

As with any medical procedure, there could be side effects, such as some difficulty in urinating or an occasional bladder infection, depending upon the individual.

Urinary incontinence is a serious medical condition and BOTOX might be a welcome choice for reducing the problem.

“Male skin care is one of the beauty industry’s fastest growing sectors,” according to a Wall Street Journal article, April, 2012. In fact, studies show that more than 1,000,000 men received cosmetic dermatology procedures last year.

However, the motivation for men to look younger, more vital and more energetic, than their biological age, is a bit different than it is for women. Women do it for themselves and their desire to look good. Men do it for their careers.

Not surprisingly, BOTOX is the #1 treatment of choice, for the greatest number of male patients. And for the same reasons as for the women: affordable price, lack of discomfort and fast-resolving side-effects, if any. It’s an easy procedure and within a few days, they look refreshed and revived.

But, perhaps, the greatest advance in men’s skin care, is the increase in the more advanced non-invasive procedures. Due mostly to hormonal differences, men’s skin and skin problems are not quite the same as the concerns of women.

Men’s skin is thicker, with less fat and more sweat and oil production. Therefore, they don’t wrinkle as easily as women. But less fat, combined with more prominent facial bone structure, makes men lose volume faster and they are more prone to the haggard, hollow look. So the derma fillers are quickly gaining in social acceptance and the resulting popularity among men in the 45 – 55 age range.

Often exposed more to the sun, through outdoor hobbies and jobs, men are also more susceptible to sun or age spots, which are well-treated by chemical peels and laser skin procedures.

And laser hair removal is also one of the most popular non-surgical procedures for men, primarily for the back, arms or chest.

Last week, we talked about one of the newest beauty products to be approved by the FDA, Voluma. But it’s important to note that Voluma is not the first product to evolve from the popular “derma fillers,” like Restylane, Juvederm et al, as a “volumizer.” Appropriately, it’s called Sculptra.

In August, 2004, Sculptra was approved by the FDA for restoring volume to areas of the face that have lost fat, due to either the aging process or from losing a substantial amount of weight. This loss of volume usually appears at the temple, under the eyes, around the mouth or in the lower cheek areas. Keep in mind that a rounder, fuller contour is associated with a younger appearance while this loss of volume “flattens out” the face, creating shadows, hollows and other distinctive signs of age.

Like Voluma, Sculptra is injected into the sunken areas to plump them up and “re-sculpt” the facial contours. By adding volume, the volumizers also lift sagging areas and erase lines and wrinkles.

And, like Voluma, Sculptra is extremely long-lasting and often the results are maintained for up to two years. But there are also some very distinct differences between the two drugs.

Voluma contains hyaluronic acid, which effects are visible immediately. Sculptra, when injected into the deeper layers of the skin, interacts with the body’s own creation of collagen and the results emerge over a period of time. Several treatments are the protocol and as the Sculptra causes the body to produce more and more collagen, the volume increases, slowly and naturally.

The side-effects are similar, for both products, and are usually minor and disappear quickly. And the cost is also comparable, although higher, than for the shorter-lasting derma fillers.

Ultimately, the most important and exciting “take-away” information that has been created by Sculptra and Voluma, in the cosmetic dermatology industry – for both patients and practitioners – is that many years of aging may now be erased, without surgery. And the effects, while still called “temporary,” may last for years.

Manufactured by the Allergan pharmaceutical company, a long-awaited product has just received FDA approval: Juvederm Voluma XC. Voluma is the first approved drug for adding volume to the cheek area.

While the drug had already been approved in 72 countries, cosmetic dermatologists, in the U.S., have waited 5 years to offer this anti-aging, non-invasive treatment to their patients. And the U.S. is known for the most rigorous research and testing to insure its approved products are safe and effective.

As the name implies, loss of volume is one of the most common and visible signs of aging or, perhaps, simply of fast weight-loss. Usually most noticeable under the eyes or in the hollows of the lower cheeks, the effect is a drawn, tired appearance. Adding back some fullness and rounder contours definitely creates a youthful, more radiant look.

Voluma offers, what is often described as, a “liquid facelift.” It is injected using very fine needles, contains an anesthetic element of Lidocaine for optimum comfort, has a very fine consistency and is based on hyaluronic acid, which is already produced by the body and, therefore, does not require allergy testing.

But, perhaps, the two most highly-celebrated aspects of Voluma are its immediate and natural-looking effects and its longevity. Voluma will last between 18 – 24 months, depending upon the individual’s age, lifestyle and other personal characteristics. That’s about 3 times as long as the popular sister products like Juvederm and Restylane.

Sometimes, amidst all the “latest and greatest” advances in modern cosmetic dermatology, it’s easy to forget the basics. The “basics” are all the everyday, simple to do, do-it-yourself, very affordable and convenient beauty treatments you can enjoy at home. And best of all – they are effective in creating and maintaining your beautiful skin. A clear, radiant, smoother and more youthful-looking complexion.

Of course, BOTOX and the fillers and peels and laser therapies are fabulous technologies to provide instant and dramatic results for specific anti-aging procedures. But a few minutes a day, devoted to your own beauty care, is still a necessity.

Perhaps the most important element to obtaining the greatest benefits from your personal skin care regimen, is to select the best products you can buy. The VIVITÉ® range of skin care products will be an excellent choice, for two very particular reasons.

First and foremost, VIVITÉ® products are infused with a glycolic compound that is up to six times the concentration of most drug and department store products. Second, VIVITÉ® is also formulated with antioxidants, which, combined with glycolic acid help rejuvenate the signs of premature aging.

By the way, in case you find all the medical and scientific terms and definitions confusing (and most of us, do), simply stated, “glycolic acid” has proven to be one of the most active and beneficial ingredients for cosmetic application. With the smallest molecule structure, glycolic acid has the ability for the deepest penetration into the skin for improving fine lines and wrinkles. And “antioxidants” help stop cellular damage, to the skin, caused by “free radicals.”

Your Laser Skin Care Centers are proud to be a provider of the VIVITÉ® products which include hydrating and exfoliating cleansers, moisturizers, firming and plumping lotions, brightening and revitalizing creams and serums and every product you need to protect, replenish and perfect the appearance of your skin.

This December, will be the five-year anniversary since the FDA approved the drug for cosmetic use in eyelash enhancement. Today, Latisse is still the only one to attain such approval. People often ask, “Just what does that approval mean and why does that make Latisse the most desirable of all the lash lengtheners?” It’s a good question. And the answer is even better.

Firstly, and most importantly, FDA approval not only means arduous, in-depth research but also extensive testing. When the FDA is considering to approve a drug for popular public consumption, they are putting the full face and force of the United States government behind that product. It has to be safe and it has to be effective. It has to be prescribed and it has to be packaged with full disclosures and directions.

Latisse fills the bill on all counts.

By the way, it’s quite remarkable to note that the benefits of Latisse were discovered the same way as BOTOX was found to have a cosmetic use in addition to its medical beginnings. BOTOX was originally used in the treatment of an eye condition commonly known as “crossed-eyes.” Simply stated, it was used to relax the muscles that created the condition. In time, the doctors noticed that while the drug was successful in relieving the muscle disorder, the patients were also showing a marked lessening of wrinkles and frown lines around their eyes.

Likewise, Latisse was used in the treatment of an eye condition known as glaucoma. Once again, through experience, the doctors noticed that while the eye drops were, successfully, treating the disease, their patients were growing longer, darker and fuller eyelashes, as well.

So why not start the Season of gift-giving with a nice little gift for yourself? Long, luxurious lashes can still be yours in time for the happy Holidays, if you start right now.

While opening the door for so many other non-invasive anti-aging treatments, BOTOX remains the country’s most popular cosmetic procedure with an estimated $1.3 Billion in sales, annually.

But that’s just the beginning for this revolutionary drug. As one of the most studied and researched drugs in modern medicine, there have been a slew of additional uses for BOTOX, since 2002. Among the most prevalent medical, rather than beauty, uses are for severe Migraine headaches (FDA-approved in 2010 for people suffering 15 days, or more, a month), excessive sweating, bladder control, swallowing and chewing difficulties, muscle spasms and some stroke-related symptoms, as well.

However, today, there have been more cosmetic applications of BOTOX that are rapidly gaining in popularity and offering even more possibilities for BOTOX LOS ANGELES, BOTOX BEVERLY HILLS and BOTOX around the world! Here is an update on a few of them.

For over ten years, BOTOX has been used for the frown lines, between the eyebrows. But, as of September, 2013, the FDA has approved the drug to remove the “crow’s feet” at the corner of your eyes. Caused by squinting, frowning or heredity, these tiny lines have been the source of adding years to an otherwise clear appearance. Often combining treatment of the brow frown lines along with the “crow’s feet,” the eye area can be dramatically smoother and more youthful-looking quickly, relatively pain-free and most affordably.

Surprisingly, “gummy” smile is not a result of gums that are too large or teeth that are too small. Often it’s because facial muscles are too tight and lift the top lip too high. Injections along the lip line will help correct this effect.

At last report, Allergan, the company that produces BOTOX, had more than 90 patent-pending uses awaiting approval by the FDA. And more are added on a regular basis.