Bellevue Salon Owner Convicted for Administering Fake Botox

The wave of Botox scams continue to appear across medical spas and cosmetic surgery centers around the country.

Administering counterfeit Botox is a federal offense, and many salon owners have lost their license and are looking at jail time and fees when they choose to use artificial products on their clients. Recently, Xin He, owner of a Bellevue beauty salon, was found guilty for injecting clients with counterfeit Botox and Restylane.

Prosecutors found evidence that the salon owner had falsely claimed that she was licensed to administer injectable treatments, and had been advertising the salon in the local Vietnamese-language newspaper. According to the story in the Komon News, two women suffered severe side effects from the unlicensed treatments they received at the salon, and one left with permanent scars and large lumps under the skin.

After further investigation, prosecutors found that the salon owner had also been administering other treatments that caused severe side effects. He had also been administering counterfeit Restyalne injections, another anti-aging dermal filler designed to correct fine lines and wrinkles. Investigators found evidence of counterfeit Botox on the property and the salon owner was eventually caught by an undercover agent. Investigators also searched the salon for evidence of any other drugs, and found several vials of drugs that have not been FDA-approved.

The sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2009 and the salon owner will be facing about three years in prison and will need to pay a $10,000 fine.

In order to avoid Botox scams and counterfeit products, the American Society of Plastic Surgery urges consumers to verify the track record of salon owners and medical professionals who may be administering a treatment, and to look for evidence that the salon or center is licensed to perform certain procedures.

The average price of Botox is about $300 to $400+ per injection depending on the location, so any extreme discounts on Botox should raise a red flag.

Botox Boutique Opens in Tampa Mall

Shoppers heading to the International Plaza in Tampa for their retail fix may soon be able to enjoy a quick Botox treatment between shopping rounds, thanks to the opening of the Venus Mini Med Spa.

This small boutique is designed to ‘do for Botox what LensCrafters did for glasses’, according to Bill Clarke, owner of the Venus Mini Med Spa boutiques. The med-spa will be tucked inside the mall for anyone who wants to get Botox injections without the hassle of booking a consultation, or even making an appointment.

Venus Mini Med Spa will be accepting walk-ins throughout the day, and offering free consultations for patients who simply want to learn more about their options for wrinkle removal. According to Bill Clarke, the Botox treatment takes only about 10 minutes, while other fillers will take about 20 minutes. The med spa in Tampa will be offering Botox injections for $200 per treatment, along with competitively priced dermal fillers.

One of the Venus Mini Med Spa locations has already opened in the Westfield Southgate Mall in Sarasota, and the owner reports that this particular location attracts an average of 18 clients per day. (Source: Tampa Bay Online) In addition to Botox and fillers, this location also offers Latisse eyelash enhancers, a topical treatment designed to speed up eyelash growth and create the appearance of thicker, fuller lashes.

The recession has encouraged many consumers to forego pricey wrinkle-fighting procedures such as facelifts, laser skin resurfacing and skin tightening treatments in favor of quick and affordable treatments such as Botox and dermal filler injections. Boutique med spas and even day spas that are rolling out Botox and Latisse at affordable prices give budget-conscious consumers a chance to enjoy immediate results without the hefty pricetag.

The Venus Mini Med Spa is scheduled to open by the beginning of October 2009.

Doctor Says Botox Warnings Are Over-Sensationalized

Botox safety concerns have been in the media lately as dozens of patients report Botox abuse and the effects of bad Botox procedures from unqualified surgeons. While Botox is responsible for causing allergic reactions and adverse reactions in some people, it has been approved as a safe and effective treatment by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and does not intrinsically pose any major health risks.

Dr. Jean D. Carruthers, clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada explains that while there has been some recent animal research and cases reported about the negative effects of Botox, the injectable is still relatively safe when used for cosmetic procedures by a qualified professional.

The negative publicity that Botox has received is, according to Dr. Carruthers, minimal when you consider that thousands of men and women are still booking up procedures in major cities across the country in the midst of the ‘scare.’

Patients are advised to do some researcha bout the doctor or medical spa that will be administering the injection so they can trust they are receiving an authentic product, and not a Botox knock off.

Still, it can be difficult to determine if a knock-off product will be administered. Surgeons and nurses have been in the news lately for hiding information about the  actual product they have administered, and even promoting the Botox brand and label but switching the product at the last minute.

While these are among the rare cases of Botox abuse, Dr. Carruthers believe that these types of stories get their fair share of the media spotlight, but the negative press and warnings about Botox may be over-sensationalized.

Researchers have published several studies that show that the injections are still safe to use on humans at their prescribed doses. Dr. Carruthers and her husband Alastair Carruthers, M.D. have been reviewing 851 Botox treatment sessions in 50 subjects as part of their own safety study, and are used to seeing only transient complications.

(Source: ModernMedicine.com)

Azzalure Deemed ‘Baby Botox’ for Subtle Lines

While many men and women run to the plastic surgeon’s office to get a much-needed Botox injection upon the arrival of a few wrinkles on the forehead, others are choosing a milder version for a more natural look.

Botox injections can deliver an ‘instant facelift’ and get rid of deep expression lines and furrows in one simple treatment. Researchers report that Botox can also improve your mood, give you more self-confidence and increase your chances of landing that dream job.

However, Botox injections can also create an artificial, ‘surprised’ look that makes it obvious that cosmetic work has been done. While some celebrities and other Botox addicts prefer a super-smooth appearance, others would rather achieve more natural-looking results.

Many doctors in the United States and the United Kingdom are giving their patients an injectable called Azzalure as an alternative to Botox. Azzalure is designed to soften up lighter lines and wrinkles around the face, and may be more appropriate for men and women in their late 20s and 30s who only need a mild treatment.

Azzalure has been deemed the ‘baby Botox’ of our generation, and is designed to enhance existing features, not just ‘fix’ fine lines and wrinkles. The procedure involves a small series of pinpricks (rather than a single injection), and the filler is injected into specific muscles around the forehead to create a smooth, natural appearance.

Results last approximately the same as a Botox treatment, and prices vary depending on the doctor and amount needed. According to Dr. Aamer Khan of the Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic in London, “[Using Azzalure] is a balancing act…but administered in tiny quantities with an aesthetic eye the results can be stunning.” (Source: The UK Telegraph)

Azzalure has been approved in the UK for aesthetic use and is manufactured by Ipsen, the same company that has introduced the injectable Dysport to the U.S. market.

Australian Doctors Host Botox Parties to Stimulate Business

While many people are steering clear of cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures during the economic recession, others are looking for innovative ways to combat the signs of aging and achieve a more youthful look without paying a premium price. According to a recent article in Australia’s Herald Sun, Tupperware-style Botox parties are becoming a popular social trend throughout Melbourne and other cities in Australia.

Women are getting together for champagne, gossip, and a Botox jab in a fun social setting, and the events are often hosted by leading physicians. Botox has become increasingly popular in Melbourne in recent months because of a celebrity endorsement by Dancing with the Stars host Sonia Kruger. Women between the ages of 20 and 50 are heading off to a Botox party to get their fix, and bring a group of friends along to enjoy a treatment as well.

Critics of this growing trend say that patients should not be given Botox injections in this type of environment, and that all patients need to meet certain criteria to ensure they truly are good patients for this type of procedure. Some people are not psychologically ready for cosmetic changes, and their level of readiness can only be determined by a doctor who meets with them in a private, one-on-one setting. Botox parties may be responsible for fueling a ‘Botox addiction’ where the patient feels they need to keep getting injections just to feel better about themselves. For others, this type of themed event is just another social outlet.

Botox parties are also prevalent throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. However, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons warns that these events may not always be safe, and that prospective patients should take the time to do some research about the doctor and event operator before they sit down for their injection.

South Carolina Plastic Surgery Firm Under Investigation for Administering Bad Botox

A plastic surgery firm in South Carolina is under investigation for administering cheaper versions of Botox that have not been approved the U.S. Food and Drug Administration into 41 patients. According to an indictment filed in early July 2009, the company purchased approximately 10 vials of the Botox knock-off from an Arizona research center in 2004. The firm misled many patients by convincing them that the Botox alternative was safe, and were able to offer patients a substantially-cheaper treatment than the conventional Botox treatment.

Southeastern Plastic Surgery of South Carolina has been charged with dispensing an imitation Botox product and also for relabeling the product in order to intentionally mislead patients. The company must now forfeit over $15,000 in proceeds from the revenue generated from the Botox-alternative treatments.

Anyone interested in getting Botox injections must make sure that the injection will be administered in a medically-supervised setting, and that the medical spa or cosmetic surgery center has a strong track record. Some medical spas and day spas that offer deep discounts on Botox and other injectables are often using lower-quality products or in some cases, imitation products. It’s important to understand that Botox and other injectables cannot be discounted excessively, and that the average price (with discounts) around the United States ranges from $300 to $450+ per injection.

In the case of the Southeastern Plastic Surgery, it may have been difficult to determine whether the company was dispensing legitimate Botox or the knock-offs. The plastic surgery firm’s website is very professional, and promotes itself as a “state-of-the-art AAAA surgical suite for your comfort, safety and privacy.” The company also encourages patients to “trust our board-certified surgeons and their team of highly skilled clinical aestheticians to create a more youthful appearance” on its skin rejuvenation section that lists Botox. The red flag for patients who underwent this procedure could have been the very low price of the injections.

Allergan Sending Out Rebates to Botox Consumers

For the average consumer, every dollar saved counts in the midst of a recession. Recent statistics show that many people are foregoing pricey plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures in order to save money, but some are still opting for more affordable treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers to maintain their youthful looks.

Allergan, the company that makes Botox Cosmetic, has recently launched a rebate campaign to stimulate even more interest and sales for the popular dermal filler.

The rebate program is part of a ‘Botox stimulus’ plan through September 30, 2009. Botox patients can get $50 cash back when they spend at least $200 on Botox and receive their injection between June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009.

In order to receive the rebate, the patient must send in an itemized receipt of their treatment, the special redemption code listed on the rebate form, the Botox vial lot number, indicate their date of treatment, and also include the doctor’s name and signature as proof that the injection was administered on that specific time and date.

Allergan encourages patients to get their Botox injection every 3 months, so patients who do go in for a second treatment during the rebate program period will qualify for another $50 rebate. They will need to complete all rebate forms and provide the same information as their first treatment, and include details about the date and time of their second treatment.

Botox costs approximately $300 – $400+ per injection in the United States, depending on the medical spa or cosmetic surgery center. The injectable filler has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and continues to the most sought-after minimally-invasive procedure for men and women in the United States. The rebate program may help Botox capture some budget-conscious consumers and generate more interest in this popular anti-aging treatment.

Botox May Help Treat Overactive Bladder

Botox is now one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures in the United States, and offers several benefits for those who want to get rid of wrinkles and improve their looks without surgery. However, Botox has also been used for many medicinal purposes over the past few decades. Botulinum toxin has been used to treat excessive underarm sweating and also to reduce migraine. A recent study now suggests that Botox can be used to treat an overactive bladder.

Researchers in Great Britain have found that Botox injections improved the symptoms of 34 patients with overactive bladders, and also improved their quality of life for up to six months. Results of the study were published in the BJU International Journal, and research was conducted at King’s College in London.

Patients received a series of 20 injections through the bladder wall to help immobilize various bladder muscles. Botox works by paralyzing the muscle it is injected into, and in cases of an overactive bladder, can help to reduce muscle spasms that trigger common symptoms. By combining Botox injections with natural treatments such as bladder training and pelvic floor exercises, some patients may be able to enjoy a better lifestyle and decrease anxiety and stress related to their condition.

In the United States, Botox is available for off-market use so researchers may go forth with testing Botox for overactive bladder problems.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Botox only for cosmetic use in the United States, but many physicians do administer Botox to treat other conditions, and are licensed to do so.  However, there is no guarantee that this is 100 percent safe, as short term and long-term side effects of Botox for uses outside of cosmetic procedures have not been documented or studied extensively.

(Source: Reuters)

Study Shows Patients Not Afraid to Admit to Dermal Filler Treatments

Going to the plastic surgeon’s office or medical spa was once considered a taboo subject, and only some people would readily disclose the facts and details about their visits to friends and family. However, times have changed, especially when it comes to minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers.

A survey conducted by the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation shows that of 687 patients who received Botox Cosmetic or hyaluronic acid dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Perlane, Evolence, Restylane, Prevelle Silk, Captique or Hylaform, 87% say they had confided in close friends or family members about the procedure.

More than 70% of those who said they shared the details about their dermal filler treatment found that friends and family members had been supportive about their decision, while the remaining 12% received a more critical response.

Botox continues to be the most sought-after minimally invasive procedure in the United States, and millions of injections are administered by licensed doctors and medical aestheticians every year.

Dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane and Evolence are now used in ‘liquid’ facelift procedures where the surgeon can target certain areas of the face to create a lifted appearance. Some fillers are also used for lip augmentation, and to reduce deep wrinkles in the forehead. These fillers do have some mild side effects in some people, but all must be administered by a licensed professional in order to avoid migration of the compounds, and to ensure that the injection site does not become infected.

Dermal fillers are a convenient, and even affordable option for many people looking for a quick and effective anti-aging fix. Most people who want to maintain results must receive touch-up treatments at least every four to six months. Results are immediate, so in most cases, friends and family members are bound to notice that something has been done.

NY Pastor Accused of Stealing Church Funds for Botox Procedure

Botox injections, club membership and a set of clothes may have been high on the priority list of one Staten Island pastor who is being accused of paying for his luxuries with parish funds.

A recent report by the Staten Island Advocate indicates that Reverand William Blasingame resigned from the St. Paul’s Memorial Episcopal Church in January 2009, is accused of stealing over $80,000 over the course of three years, and is now being charged with second-degree grand larceny and second-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

The pastor may also be facing up to 15 years in prison.

Church officials say the pastor led a strange life at this church, and used to hoard material possessions frequently. Plastic surgery and Botox injections turned out to be high on his to-do list, and he may have used church funds to pay for all of his procedures.

The church’s senior warden and treasurer, Richard Mingoia says that he would not give anyone access to two of his accounts. The former reverend had set up two separate funds to help maintain the church grounds and provide stipends to parishioners. Investigators say he ‘used the discretionary fund as a personal piggy bank’ by writing checks to himself and keeping the accounts under his sole control. Payments went towards his car, expensive clothes, plastic surgery and even club memberships.

The first red flag for the church occurred when the bookkeeping accounts did not match the bank statements. The church’s bank information was stored online, and Mingoia came across records that indicated Father Blasingame had written checks to himself over several occasions.

The reverend resigned for medical reasons at the beginning of the year and started receiving a disability pension. The Staten Island District Attorney is currently investigating the case, and the reverand’s lawyers contend that the allegations are a ‘mistake.’ (Source: Silive.com)