“Botax” Expected to Raise $5 Billion Over Next Ten Years

A new Senate bill introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev now includes a 5 percent tax on elective cosmetic surgery.

Millions of Americans who set their sights on procedures such as Botox, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, hair transplants and breast augmentation will now be responsible for paying this cosmetic surgery tax, now known as “botax” on every procedure.

According to WebCPA.com, the cosmetic surgery tax will raise $5 billion over the next decade, and the bill will also include an increase in the Medicare payroll tax for couples earning more than $250,000 a year and for individuals earning over $200,000 – an increase of .5 percent.

Nova Cosmetic Center, a cosmetic and aesthetic center in Orlando, claims that the excise tax is actually a discriminatory tax because “this will not have considerable consequences on the wealthiest patients, but, as usual, affects the middle class. Working women, soccer moms and scores of others who carefully save and budget to improve their appearance and self esteem will be penalized for doing so.”

Dr. Angela Cuzalina, a cosmetic surgeon based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the president-elect of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery also points out out that “You’d be surprised how price sensitive people are to this…It’s a tax against women and the baby boomer generation having these procedures.”  (Source: KaiserHealthNews.com)

Many plastic surgeons say that this will be a “devastating” move because many practices are only just beginning to recover from the effects of the recession. Some cosmetic surgeons and industry professionals are urging patients to contact their State Senator and fight for no government interference in medical care.

Procedures that will be affected by the “botax” include aesthetic treatments such as teeth whitening, Botox and dermal filler injections, some skin tightening treatments, face lifts, hair transplants, and all cosmetic surgery procedures.

St. Louis Law Firm Files Lawsuit Over Botox Overdose

A St. Louis resident experienced partial respiratory paralysis after receiving an overdose of Botox at the St. Louis University Hospital recently. He was being treated for muscle spasticity, and Botox was being used for one of its off-label purposes in this particular case.

The patient Richard Hart suffers from a medical condition that affects his neck, and reportedly received 300 units of Botox on August 20, 2007, 200 units on September 20, 2007 and 400 units on October 5, 2007. By the middle of October that same year, Hart reported breathing problems and difficulty swallowing. The effects continued, and resulted in blurred vision, muscle weakness and the partial paralysis of his respiratory muscles.

The lawsuit alleges that the doctor who administered the drug was negligent and did not accurately monitor Hart’s Botox doses. If the doctor had maintained the recommended dosage schedule, Richard Hart may not have experienced any of the side effects or had to deal with the eventual partial failure of his respiratory system.

Mr. Hart’s case is being represented by the Lowe Law Firm based in St. Louis, a firm that handles a variety of personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability and commercial cases throughout the United States. According to Jeff Lowe, one of the attorneys representing Dr. Hart, “Botulism is one of the most toxic substances known to man. My client suffers from botulism poisoning, a painful and terminal illness.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has already taken a stand on the potential risks and dangers of Botox, requiring that a warning is added to the packaging of all botulinum toxin products. The FDA requires that the Botox warning label explains that toxins can spread from the injection site to other areas of the body, and that they may also be the cause of many symptoms associated with botulism.

(Source: MedicalNewsToday)

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.

More Cosmetic Procedures Now Available at the Strip Mall

Cosmetic procedures such as Botox, collagen injections and skin resurfacing treatments that were once reserved for the doctor’s office are now appearing in strip malls across America. As long as the practitioner is licensed, there are few rules and regulations regarding the presence of a ‘Botox shop’ in the local mall or shopping plaza.

Many quick-fix procedures can be performed in under 30 minutes, making them a valuable option for anyone who wants to get their treatment over lunch break. Procedures available at strip malls and the local mall are typically licensed by the state as electrology facilities and not health care clinics, so if you experience any complications with the procedure, you may need to go elsewhere to receive the care you need.

Many simple procedures such as Botox and skin resurfacing procedures do present some risks, even though they can be performed in a relatively short period of time. Botox and other injections may cause some redness and swelling, but these effects typically subside after a few hours. Collagen injections can cause an adverse allergic reaction in some people, so the practitioner may require a test injection before the complete procedure can be administered. Skin resurfacing procedures do run the risk of severe skin burns, and may require several days of recovery.

Strip mall procedures are on the rise as more people look for affordable, quick-fix procedures outside of the traditional medical spa setting. However, experts say that it’s still important for consumers to do some research about the practice or facility before considering undergoing skin treatments, getting Botox, or undergoing laser hair removal at a strip mall. Only state-certified practitioners are allowed to perform procedures such as laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation and collagen injections. Electrologists are permitted to perform laser hair removal under the direct supervision of a physician on staff.

Allergan Sues FDA for Free Speech Violation

Allergan, the makers of BOTOX Cosmetic and other skin rejuvenation products, has filed a complaint in federal court in Washington against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for violation of First Amendment rights.

A recent report in the New York Times indicates that the Food and Drug Administration has imposed restrictions on Allergan’s ability to promote the unapproved uses of Botox for certain medical conditions. Allergan contends that they are not able to speak freely and truthfully with doctors and distributors about their drug products because of FDA requirements.

According to Jeffrey N. Gibbs, a lawyer in Washington that specializes in food and drug law, “this is the broadest attack on the constitutionality of FDA restrictions on speech brought by an individual drug company. It’s a precedent-setting case…They [Allergan] is seeking relief which would invalidate a number of the F.D.A regulations which restrict the promotion of drugs.”

Allergan is most concerned about Botox, an injectable toxin that has been formally approved by the FDA to treat deep wrinkles in the forehead. However, it is well-known that Botox also has a variety of medical uses including the treatment of excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) and can also be used to treat muscle spasms. The lawsuit was filed shortly after the FDA required Allergan to warn all doctors and patients about the risk of complications associated with Botox which can include difficulty swallowing and breathing.

Under federal laws, drug makers such as Allergan are allowed to promote products to doctors and consumers after the product has received FDA approval, but they are not allowed to promote unapproved uses of the drug. In this situation, Allergan is not permitted to promote the fact that Botox can be used to treat more than just forehead wrinkles. In order for the company to be able to promote this fact, they would need to receive FDA approval for Botox as a drug that treats each condition.

Rhinoplasty and Botox Most Sought-After Procedures in India

Typical Western traits such as a pointed nose, flat abs and large breasts are among the most-coveted characteristics in countries like India, and plastic surgeons overseas are finding that the demand for rhinoplasty and Botox is especially high in the urban cities of Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata. More men and women from the upper middle class group are turning to plastic surgery to improve their chances of a good marriage, increasing self-confidence and securing a steady job.

There are currently no registries or organizations that track the number of cosmetic and non-surgical procedures performed in India, and but consultants and medical professionals at the major hospitals are able to track the number of procedures performed at their clinic.

According to a recent press release from New Delhi, Dr. Rakesh Khazanchi, a senior consultant in the Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery at the Sir Gangaram Hospital has found that demand for rhinoplasty, liposuction and abdominoplasty has increased approximately 150 percent in the last 5 years in India.

In addition to the surgical procedures, Dr. Khazanchi has found that many men and women in India are also turning to non-surgical procedures such as Botox and microdermabrasion to appear younger. Botox helps to eliminate deeper wrinkles and lines on the forehead and around the eyes, while microdermabrasion helps eliminate or reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth, nose and jaw areas. Microdermabrasion also helps the skin look healthier by removing the dry, dead layer of skin cells and increasing collagen production deep under the skin’s surface.

India is among several countries in the Far East that are growing in the fields of plastic and cosmetic surgery, and many citizens are opting for procedures that give them a more ‘Westernized’ appearance. According to Dr. Rajeev B. Ahuja, Chairman of IPRAS 2009 (15^th World Congress of International Confederation for Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery), “Peer pressure and advertisements promising ‘picture perfect’ looks post –surgery, drive most men and women to undergo cosmetic surgeries.” (Source: IndiaPRWire.com)

Allergan Spends Over $1 Million to Sponsor Botox Training

With the emergence of Dysport, the new competitor of Botox in the United States, the makers of Botox have been stepping things up with a media campaign offering Botox ‘rebates’ to customer who purchased Botox in certain months in 2009. They have also been offering all-expenses-paid trips to doctors and nurses for a company-sponsored medical conference that educates professionals about the wrinkle-fighting drug.

In a recent story in The Daily Telegraph, Allergan spent approximately $1 million educating – and entertaining – doctors and nurses who may use Botox in their practice, putting them up in five-star hotels and providing meals at premium restaurants in the area over the length of the conference.

In Australia, Botox is the most requested treatment in 91 percent of clinics, and Internet searches on Google for Botox treatments in Australia have been up about 200 percent over the past year. In the United States, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that Botox is still the most sought-after minimally invasive procedure. Dysport, the new Botox rival, has yet to make its mark with multi-million dollar sales that Allergan has reported over the years. Allergan reported total product net sales at $1,118.7 million on June 30, 2009, and has also presented to the FDA results from its two Phase III studies on the use of Botox for treating headaches and migraines this summer.

For the full year of 2009, Allergan estimates that total product net sales will be $4,200 million and $4,300 million. This includes sales of Botox (expected to be $1,200 million to $1,220 million), and Latisse (expected to reach $60 million by the end of 2009). (Source: Reuters.com)

Still, Allergan is willing to spend the money towards training and education of its doctors and nurses, and will be rolling out various educational programs for medical practitioners over the next few years.

Danni Minogue Claims Botox Addiction Triggered by Depression

Danni Minogue, sister of Kylie Minogue and one of the judges on the British show ‘X Factor’, recently revealed she has a Botox addiction.

The star claims that her obsession with Botox was triggered by a series of events including her sister Kylie being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and one of he close friends passing away. Ms. Minogue says that taking steps to improve her looks was a way of coping with the stress and difficult times she was facing.

Danni recently told The Sun that she is now free from the addiction, and that “I don’t need Botox now and I don’t want it. Life is so different now. I’m in such an incredible place.” In a recent report by Ireland Online Entertainment, the 38-year old star gave up Botox after falling in love with model Kris Smith.

A psychologist and plastic surgeon published research results about ‘Boto x addiction’ back in 2006 after finding that four in ten people who use Botox often develop a compulsion to become habitual users and maintain their youthful appearance.  (Source: ConsumerAffairs.com)

Since the treatment wears off after a few months, getting Botox injections can be a cycle that some people never really come off. Botox ‘addicts’ may demand more injections, or continue to get injections before the previous treatment has worn off completely. Most Botox treatments last about four to six months.

ConsumerAffairs.com reports that doctors can look for warning signs of a Botox addiction. While there are no reported negative effects of using Botox on a regular basis, but there have been no studies of possible side effects, either.

Individuals suffering from a Botox addiction may need to see a psychologist or counselor to find out what triggered the compulsion to look younger and use Botox regularly. Underlying causes may include depression, fear, anxiety or boredom.

(Picture credit: Herald.ie)

ASPS Vice President Reports Increase in Demand for Lasers, Botox

The slowing economy has taken its toll on plastic surgeons across the country, but many surgeons are reporting a shift in consumer behavior, as more people seek ways to either finance their procedure, or select from more affordable services.

A recent story in the Poughkeepsie Journal reports that many plastic surgeons are finding people who are under pressure to look young and feel confident at work are looking for ways to cover their costs of surgery. The trend now is towards procedures that are easy on the wallet, and require little to no downtime.

Botox and laser skin rejuvenation treatments are among the most sought-after procedures during the economic downturn, because these procedures are relatively affordable and promise little to no downtime. Botox costs about $400 per injection (though it’s typically sold by the unit), and patients can return to work or other activities immediately after the treatment. Laser skin resurfacing treatments can cost up to $800 or more, and the patient will need a few days off work to heal. Still, the results can be significant enough to warrant a ‘splurge’ expenditure when compared to facelift surgery or dermabrasion.

Minimally invasive procedures have also become more widely available, and many medical spas that once only offered treatments such as medical-grade facials, microdermabrasion and laser hair removal, are beefing up their menus of services to include a lineup of injectable fillers, cellulite reduction treatments, Fraxel laser skin resurfacing, and even skin tightening treatments. Medical spas are filling the need for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging procedures, and cosmetic surgeons that add common medical spa services to their treatment schedules are tapping into this growing market.

For many people, these procedures are less of a luxury and more of an investment during these tough economic times. For some people, the boost of self-confidence from losing a few years from their appearance may help them secure their job during these tough economic times.

Botox Bootcamp Training Offered by International Association of Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine

An increasing number of physicians and medical spa directors are adding Botox and dermal fillers to their treatment menus to attract more patients, but these fillers can only be administered by a licensed physician or medical professional.

The International Association of Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM)  is now offering a Botox training workshop for any physicians that want to add Botox to their practice. The program is designed for the specific needs of physician’s offices, and allows participants to learn best practices for administering and marketing Botox, and also get some industry insider information from a panel of dermatologists.

The IAPAM is adding Botox training as part of its Aesthetic Medicine Symposium, and will include instruction for the top five minimally-invasive procedures to ensure all participating physicians have the knowledge and training they need to offer these treatments to patients. The top five minimally-invasive procedures are dermal fillers, Botox, microdermabrasion, chemical peels and laser hair removal. The training will allow faculty members of IAPAM to work directly with physicians to conduct sample aesthetic patient consultations, review facial anatomy, and prepare Botox and Dysport for administration. Doctors will also learn about pain management, risk and post-treatment issues commonly associated with these fillers.

In addition to the standard training, IAPAM will be offering Advance Botox Training, or ‘Botox Bootcamp’, a two-day event that will be the most intensive hands-on cosmetic injectable training available in the United States. This will also teach physicians about industry best practices, and give physicians a chance to work with 10 to 14 live patients and receive over six hours of hands-on Botox and filler training each day. All attendees will be awarded a certificate of completion.

The Botox and dermal filler bootcamp will be taking place October 24 and 25 in Toronto, Canada. More information about the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM) can be found here.