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XEOMIN is the latest botulinum toxin type A product to be approved by the FDA, after Botox and  Dysport. A product of Merz Pharmaceuticals, XEOMIN has been approved for therapeutic treatment of adults with cervical dystonia or blepharospasm.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines dystonias as movement disorders in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. Focal dystonia, which includes cervical dystonia (twisting of the neck and sometimes the shoulders) and blepharospasm (excessive eyelid spasm), affects about 295 people out of one million in the U.S., according to a study conducted in Rochester, Minnesota.

The approval of XEOMIN comes after two U.S. clinical trials. The Journal of Neurological Sciences cited a study on the efficacy and safety of XEOMIN, in which XEOMIN showed “non-inferiority” to Botox when used to treat cervical dystonia. XEOMIN “is a safe and effective treatment for CD [cervical dystonia]” it concluded.

Xeomin, according to Merz, is the only botulinum toxin that doesn’t require refrigeration prior to reconstitution. Merz believes this may simplify product distribution and storage and help ensure product integrity at the time of injection.

Merz had announced earlier this year that it was acquiring BioForm Medical, a leader in the U.S. and European dermal filler markets with its Radiesse dermal filler. Merz will be renamed “Merz Aesthetics” after the acquisiton is complete.

The Allergan “Switch Up” campaign is intended to educate women on the impact of small appearance changes, providing tips on how to keep your look fresh with non-invasive cosmetic enhancements like Juvederm injectable gel.

The campaign is led by television personality Dayna Devon, who says “In my 30s, I began receiving treatment with a dermal filler when I noticed these deep lines starting to form around my nose and mouth that looked like two parentheses and couldn’t be filled in with the creams I was using.”

The FDA just granted clearance last week to a new wrinkle filler called Juvederm Ultra XC – prepared in advance with 0.3 % lidocaine.

In the company press release (and on Juvederm.com) the manufacturer cites results of a clinical trial demonstrating a significant improvement in comfort with the new filler: over 90 percent of 72 subjects in the trial said they experienced less pain with Juvederm XC.

Don’t expect physicians to abandon existing methods of pain management, but they may use the new filler within a comprehensive treatment plan for comfortable dermal filler injection. We’ll know more about Juvederm XC if/when it is available in Maple Valley.

People sound plenty optimistic about the economy this week, but competition on the job market is still really fierce.  We’ve had more than a few patients at our Maple Valley location say they suspect that their age, or appearance is affecting their job prospects to some extent.

When you’re competing with young adults just out of college, who often accept a much lower wage, you need to present yourself in the best possible light.  To improve their chances, many job seekers have turned to a talented hair stylist for a new look, or their local surgeon for Botox or Dysport wrinkle injections.

Botox is the most popular non- invasive cosmetic procedure in the United States.  According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 5 million treatments were done last year. The cost of a single treatment is relatively low, but will vary, and it definitely pays to keep an eye out for monthly specials and events.

If you are going for treatments prior to a job interview, give yourself at least 7 days to heal and let the results take effect. Remember, doing well on an interview is not only about how you look, but whether you exude confidence about yourself and your ability to do the job.

Ask about our special Botox and Juvéderm rebate programs today!

Some of us in the industry remember the early 80s, when collagen first received FDA approval. During that time, people considering it were hopeful about looking better, but most were scared about allergic reactions, painful injections, and swelling. In 2009, we have a variety of safe and effective dermal fillers to choose from. They can be injected into the lines that travel from your nose to each side of your mouth or fill-in areas that have lost volume, such as thin lips and those deep furrows between your brows. Having any of these areas injected can take years off the face. It may even allow you to postpone cosmetic surgery for a while.

But the question always asked remains: “Which one should I choose?”

Below is a list and brief description of 5 popular dermal fillers that are available from medical practitioners. Just to be clear: because of their exceptional safety and efficacy, our office carries only Radiesse and Juvederm.

1. Restylane – a hyaluronic acid based filler touted as “the world’s best-selling dermal filler.” It is used for correcting moderate facial wrinkles and folds.
2. Perlane – very similar to Restylane, it is designed primarily for treating deeper and more severe wrinkles and folds.
3. Radiesse – this thick compound is made with (natural, biocompatible) calcium based microspheres in water based gel.
4. Prevelle Silk – this hyaluronic acid gel filler is commonly used for lip augmentation treatments.
5. Juvederm – Like Perlane, this popular filler is designed for treating deeper wrinkles and restoring volume to the face. It’s been called the “liquid facelift” treatment.
6. Evolence – one of the newer injectables on the market, Evolence is made with purified pig collagen. It helps create plumper cheeks and lips, and is said to provide quick results and minimal bruising.

If you’re pursuing a treatment of this type, you should choose a physician you trust – one that makes you feel comfortable. If you want more information about fillers, or need help choosing the proper brand, contact us at Dr. Stacy Cosmetic.

Questionnaires sent out by researchers from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) have given us some insight about why patients choose wrinkle treatments. Researchers sent the surveys out last March to 687 patients who had received Botox and/or dermal filler treatment. 

The following statistics illustrate the opinions of the ‘typical’ patient. Who is the ‘typical’ patient?  According to the results, she is “a married, working mother between 41-55 years of age with a household income of under $100,000.”

• Roughly 70 percent of the respondents claimed that Botox and dermal fillers play an important role in their cosmetic routine.  About the same number of respondents said they used both Botox and wrinkle fillers.  
• When asked what their motivation was for pursuing Botox treatment, 34 percent said their appearance looked “stressed” or “angry”. Others said that a friend, family member, or their physician had recommended it, or they were preparing for a social event.
• 66 percent said they received Botox treatment 2-3 times per year. 72 percent of the respondents chose Botox to treat glabellar lines – the vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows.  
• When asked about their motivation to use hyaluronic acid fillers, the majority (63 percent) of patients reported a desire to remove facial wrinkles and folds – mostly the nasolabial folds that travel from the nose to each side of the mouth.

A full summary of the results is available (in MS Word) here.

Dr. Stacy Cosmetic now has Elevess, the filler recently brought to market by Artes Medical, who also makes Artefill.

Artefill is the first and only injectable filler designed to last at least five years. It is used primarily for the nasolabial folds, or “smile lines.”

Elevess is a new hyaluronic acid filler, similar to Restylane and Juvederm. Elevess has lidocaine included in the product to make the injection process more comfortable.