Botox 'may cause new wrinkles'

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Botox 'may cause new wrinkles'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2772263.stm

 

Botox injections are becoming increasingly popular

 

People who have botox injections may develop new wrinkles as a result of the

treatment, it has been claimed.

A leading expert has suggested people unconsciously recreate facial

expressions in the area where the facial muscles have been paralysed.

 

This can sometimes cause other nearby muscles to compensate, which in turn

can create new wrinkles.

 

This treatment has been proven safe and effective by multiple clinical

studies

 

 

 

Allergan spokeswoman

 

Dr David Becker, an assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell

Medical College in New York, said doctors and patients should be aware of

these risks when starting treatment.

 

Surgery risks

 

He highlighted the risks of having botox injected between the eyebrows,

which is one of the most popular areas for treatment.

 

" In this case, following treatment, muscles in the upper nose, middle

eyebrow and eyelid may try to recreate the expression of a scowl.

Repetitions of this action cause new wrinkles, " he said.

 

He stressed that Botox had been proven to be a safe and effective treatment

for wrinkles and any new lines were usually less prominent.

 

But he said if they did develop, the patient and their doctor would need to

decide whether to discontinue treatment or use Botox elsewhere.

 

Botox, which is derived from the botulinum toxin A, is injected into the

skin and works by temporarily paralysing muscles.

 

Injections take effect about three to seven days after treatment and the

effect lasts three or four months.

 

A treatment costs roughly £200. With repeated treatments, atrophy or

thinning of the muscles occurs, which produces longer lasting results.

 

Botox was licensed for use in cosmetic operations by the US Food and Drugs

Administration last year.

 

It is not yet licensed for such use in the UK, which means doctors are free

to use it but must be personally responsible for any ill-effects.

 

A spokeswoman for Allergan, which manufactures botox, said the treatment was

safe.

 

" This treatment has been proven safe and effective by multiple clinical

studies, " she said.

 

The study is published in the journal Cosmetic Dermatology, which is the

official publication of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and

Aesthetic Surgery.