FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Donna Stein
(847) 330-0101,ext.341
E-mail: [email protected]
BOTOX: NONSURGICAL WRINKLE REMOVER OF THE FUTURE?
SAN FRANCISCO (March 21, 1997) - The past two decades have witnessed an
increase of new options for reversing the effects of aging skin.
Dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons have been instrumental in
developing and refining techniques that have become widely accepted by
an eager population.
Speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology's 55th Annual Meeting,
Nicholas J. Lowe, M.D., Clinical Professor of Dermatology at UCLA, Santa
Monica, California, spoke today about the use of botulinum toxic type A
(Botox) in the treatment of hyperkinetic facial lines.
Botox, is a purified form of one of the most potent toxins known to man.
In high doses it can cause the clinical disease botulism. However, in
carefully administered low doses, it is very useful for treating
hyperkinetic facial lines.
The structure and function of botulinum toxin
was originally determined at Fort Derrick, Maryland from work which
began during World War II in an attempt to understand and develop
antitoxins to potential agents of biological warfare.
"Structurally,
the toxin is composed of a heavy chain and a light chain, joined
together by two disulfide bonds. The active neurotoxin is formed by
'nicking' of one of these disulfide bonds. Of clinical relevance is
that botulinum toxin type A has been shown not to cross the blood-brain
barrier and has no systemic risk at the amounts used," Dr. Lowe
explained.
Local injections of botox have been used successfully to treat
strabismus, blepharospasm and other hyperkinetic movement disorders.
The active toxins work by causing a reversible muscle paralysis by
blocking acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular function.
The 'ideal' patients for this treatment have upper facial expression
lines, like forehead lines, frown lines and crows feet which are caused
by the use of small muscles in the face. Botox was injected using an
electromyography (EMG) instrument connected to the delivery needle.
"The injections are in an upward and lateral direction from the middle
inter-eyebrow area. These instruments are a very effective means of
assuring the botox is delivered accurately into the body of the
muscles," explained Dr. Lowe.
Patients injected with the drug had significant improvement in facial
lines. Some patients improved for up to one year after treatments. Side
effects are rare, and can be minimalized by the upward and lateral
technique. Additionally, botox decreases the patient's ability to frown
or squint, which prevents the progressive worsening of these lines
overtime. Therefore, the method can be considered both corrective and
preventive.
"Botulinum toxin type A appears to be safe and effective for the
treatment of glabellar frown lines. Botox may be combined with collagen
and skinrejuvenation lasers. Studies are currently underway for
treating other hyperkinetic facial lines," Dr. Lowe said.
The American Academy of Dermatology is the largest medical society
representing physicians who specialize in treating hair, skin and nail
conditions.
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