The plastic surgery and cosmetic industry has reached a new milestone this week after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its approval to market BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) for the temporarily treatment of moderate to severe crow’s feet lines on the face.
One of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the nation, millions of men and women have turned to Botox to look and feel younger. A minimally invasive and non-permanent procedure, Botox is injected into the muscles around the face or on other areas of the body and works by blocking nerve impulses in the treated areas. The decreased muscle activity reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines without radically changing the patient’s facial features. Patients don’t have to worry about taking any time off work because Botox requires no downtime. In fact, one treatment can be as quick as just 15 minutes and patients can resume their normal activities right away.
Manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Allergan, Inc., Botox has already been approved for the improvement of glabellar lines (frown lines between the brows) in the U.S. since 2002 and the latest approval for the treatment of crow’s feet, fine lines which form around the corner of the eyes, were performed further demonstrates the medication’s sheer versatility.
For the latest FDA approval, two clinical trials on the safety and efficacy of Botox as a treatment for crow’s feet. Using 833 subjects, researchers divided the group into two smaller groups, treating one group with a placebo and the other with Botox injections. The trial successfully demonstrated a significant improvement in the crow’s feet lines for the group that was administered the injections.
Crow’s feet, known scientifically as canthal lines, are a problem for many adults here in New York. Dr. David Shafer, NYC plastic surgeon at Shafer Plastic Surgery and Allergan partner, performs Botox injections on patients for a number of reasons. Aside from its many aesthetic benefits, Botox is also widely used as a therapeutic agent, and has been approved for the treatment of several conditions such as strabismus (crossed eyes), blepharospasm (uncontrolled spasm of the eye lid), and hemifacial spasm, a neuromuscular disease characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, in patients over 12 years of age.
Most recently, Botox has also been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Chronic Migraines. It is the only FDA-approved treatment that has been scientifically proven to reduce the number of migraine headaches suffered by patients each month. Botox has even been used to reduce underarm sweating. The possibilities of this revolutionary medication are truly endless.
But while Botox is a minimally invasive treatment and does not require any incisions or major surgery, injections should be administered by a licensed and trained healthcare professional. Dr. Shafer is a double board certified plastic surgeon in NYC and has been treating patients with Botox for well-over a decade and even wrote a chapter and produced an instructional DVD on the medication.
If you would like to diminish the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet with Botox or have considered treating migraines or excessive sweating with Botox injections, schedule an appointment with NYC plastic surgeon Dr. David Shafer today.
