by Dr. Joseph Grzeskiewicz

There was a time when BOTOX® Cosmetic was the only botulinum toxin product, but no longer. BOTOX® came on the market in the 1980s. Since then, it has been injected into literally millions of patients. Over time, we have come to use the name “Botox” to refer to any botulinum toxin treatment, much like we speak of “Kleenex” for facial tissues or “Xerox” for copies.

Now two comparable products are available in the United States for the treatment of facial wrinkles: Dysport® and the newest product release Xeomin®. All three products are not dermal fillers, like Juvéderm® or Restylane®. They are neurotoxins.

Actual LJCSC Patient

When it comes to relaxing wrinkles in the face, Botox® Cosmetic has long had the corner on the market. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), Botox is the number one cosmetic procedure for women and men.  In April, 2009, the FDA gave the go ahead for Dysport, a product similar to Botox. Although new to the U.S., Dysport has been used overseas for many years.

Dr. Johan Brahme

A recent snippet from the Fashion section of New York Magazine proclaimed that “BOTOX® may actually give you wrinkles.” As with so many sensationalist headlines in the blogosphere these days, you have to investigate where these peculiar statements come from.

This latest one seems to have come from some offhand musings printed in the British online tabloid “The Daily Mail.” In other words, there is absolutely no scientific evidence that BOTOX® Cosmetic can give you wrinkles. The statement was made by some practitioner that “if you paralyze some muscles with BOTOX®, maybe the adjacent, un-injected muscles may become overactive.” Again, there is no evidence of this in the scientific literature or in anyone’s clinical experience.

There seems to be a point when the face or body in the mirror feels out of sync with inner feelings or desires. Julie remembers experiencing those exact emotions. “I’m realistic. I wasn’t wanting to look 20 years younger, but I knew that my face wasn’t representing the real me.”

Like many patients, several years after her first laser procedure, Julie decided that tightening the skin on her face would enhance her appearance. She didn’t have to go far to find the perfect plastic surgeon for her surgery. Julie consulted with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Grzeskiewicz (“Dr. G”).