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Monthly Archives: July 2010
Posted by Medical Staff Writers on July 31, 2010
 Men and women who frequently suffer from migraine pain and severe headaches may be able to get some relief from Botox injections. Dr. William Binder discovered the benefits of Botox for migraine relief in the early 1990’s, and medical professionals have been using Botox to treat a number of conditions, including migraine headaches as an “off label” treatment.
Even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved Botox for the treatment of migraines, it is still available as a treatment option for many migraine sufferers in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries.
For many people who suffer from migraines, traditional medication and over-the-counter remedies don’t always work. Even prescription drugs designed for migraine relief only ease the pain temporarily and do not slow down the frequency of the migraine pain. Some medications also have unwanted side effects which can have a negative impact on the person’s overall health and well-being.
Migraines are typically triggered by stress, anxiety or be the side effect of certain health conditions, and once they begin they can become severely debilitating. Botox works by paralyzing the muscles around the forehead and can help to relieve much of the stress and tension that builds up around the face during a migraine episode. Migraine sufferers may need to undergo a series of treatments in order to get rid of the pain for the long-term.
Surgeons and medical professionals will typically require a consultation to make sure the patient is a good candidate for treatment. Some people may have an adverse reaction to Botox and will not be eligible to receive treatment. Still, those that are good candidates for the procedure will not only be able to relieve migraine pain, but can also benefit from Botox’s ability to smooth out wrinkles and create a more youthful appearance.
Posted by Medical Staff Writers on July 30, 2010
 Even though Hollywood typically presents the “ideal beauty” as women with flawless skin, perfect teeth and fit bodies, today’s casting directors and filmmakers are starting to look for actors and actresses who have a more natural, relatable look. According to a recent story in Voice of America News, actors and actresses who choose not to get plastic or cosmetic surgery still have a good chance of being cast in a role they want.
Some casting directors and film industry experts believe that getting Botox, breast implants, liposuction and other popular procedures can actually hurt the actor or actress’s career, because it distances them from the audience. Casting director Keith Wolfe states that “puffy lips are the worst”, and he doesn’t like to see actors and actresses who have swollen or puffy lips from injectables such as Restylane, Juvederm and other popular dermal fillers.
Other casting directors prefer not to select actors and actresses who have a “cookie cutter” appearance, and would prefer that those they cast haven’t gone to extremes with plastic surgery.
Still, many acting professionals choose to go under the knife to meet certain beauty standards and fit the criteria for various roles. They invest a lot of money and time into changing or updating their appearance, but some still fall short when it comes to auditioning for particular roles. In these situations, some acting professionals can fall into a vicious cycle of undergoing several plastic surgery procedures in an attempt to “fix” their appearance and snag the next role. Unfortunately, this strategy can soon become a fight for survival.
Acting and modeling is a highly competitive field that often puts a lot of pressure on individuals to look a certain way. While cosmetic and plastic surgery are the answer for some professionals, many casting directors are looking for less than perfection and will cast actors and actresses with a more natural appearance.
Posted by Medical Staff Writers on July 28, 2010
People selling Botox injections on the black market may now be easier to catch thanks to new monitoring technologies and equipment that are designed to protect people from bioterrorism and other terrorist attacks. Universal Detection Technology has developed a set of bioweapons detection kits to seek out fake versions of Botox that have made their way out onto the black market, and these tools may make it easier for law enforcement personnel to control and regulate the production and distribution of counterfeit Botox around the United States.
According to Jacques Tizabi, CEO of Universal Detection Technology, “The growing black market for counterfeit Botox, while a consumer protection issue, should be a major red flag for our national security. Universal Detection Technology is prepared to equip law enforcement, military, special forces and customs agents with the tools necessary to easily detect the lethal bioagent botulinum toxin, as well as a host of other deadly biohazards.” (Source: MedicalNewsToday.com)
The Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement agencies can now use Universal Detection Technolgoy’s tools to detect lethal bioagents and fake botulinum toxins, along with a number of other biohazards that are frequently imported to and distributed around the United States.
The detection kits are designed to identify up to five separate threats using a single device. These kits are capable of detecting anthrax, rice, Y.pestis, Botox and Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB). The total detection time is typically less than three minutes, and is a simple, easy-to-use device that provides rapid onsite detection. Results of a study conducted by Monterey Institute’s James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies were published in the June issue of Scientific American¸ and indicate that the counterfeit products can pose a serious health threat because botulinum toxin is so toxic.
Posted by Medical Staff Writers on July 24, 2010
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst have been studying the evolution of wrinkles in a recent dermatological study, and have published several papers in the current issue of Physical Review Letters about their findings. Scientists are attempting to understand the formation of wrinkles in biological tissue, and looked at how wrinkles in a sheet adapt to an edge that tends to be flat.
In a related study, researchers looked at the transition from soft wrinkles to sharper folds, and proved that folds in the tissue, like the edges of a neatly made bed, strain the sheet and help to smooth out wrinkles.
Physicists are looking primarily at the superficial causes and effects of wrinkle formation, but for many years, researchers have also taken a close look at the effects of toxins in the environment, the role of antioxidants in the diet, and the effects of various skin care products in the formation of wrinkles. Many experts suggest that wrinkle formation is largely the result of genetics and lifestyle factors, such as smoking, diet and exercise. Wrinkle treatments such as laser skin resurfacing and skin rejuvenation procedures can help to reverse many of the signs of aging.
Individuals who spend a lot of time in the sun do increase their risk of getting wrinkles because UV rays can break down collagen in the skin which makes the skin weaker. Overexposure to the sun can cause premature wrinkles around the eyes, mouth and nose, and also increase the chances of skin cancer.
Some experts suggest that a balanced diet that contains a high concentration of antioxidant-rich foods can also ward off wrinkles and improve the skin’s appearance. Foods that are high in antioxidants may help to increase the firmness of the skin and increase skin elasticity. Some foods that are high in antioxidants and also contain iron can help bring oxygen to the skin and prevent premature aging.
Posted by Medical Staff Writers on July 23, 2010
 Individuals suffering from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) experience extreme anxiety about a perceived flaw in their appearance or body part. These individuals are often excessively concerned with or extremely dissatisfied with their appearance, and may experience a level of anxiety that reduces their quality of life. According to recent research from scientists at the Fernand-Seguin Research Centre of Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital, those who have body dysmorphic disorder may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy so that they become less-fixated on their perceived flaws.
Researchers have found that many patients with BDD experience depressive symptoms, and that many also seek out plastic surgery in an effort to fix their flaws. However, therapy may provide more benefits than any type of plastic surgery, especially if the individual has become reluctant to go out in public. Approximately 1 to 2 percent of the general population is affected by body dysmorphic disorder, but many cases simply go unreported. Recent statistics show that the disease affects over 350,000 Canadians, and many suffer from persistent fears that turn into rituals, and also turn to cosmetic procedures in order to avoid the true nature of their illness.
Preliminary findings of the study at the University of Montreal show that those who underwent specialized therapy for 20 weeks had an average reduction of 46 percent in appearance-related fixations, and an average reduction of 53 percent in ritualized behaviors such as picking the skin, applying makeup and looking in the mirror. Those who completed the therapy sessions also experienced an average reduction of 34 percent in associated depressive symptoms.
Plastic and cosmetic surgeons can detect signs and symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder during the initial consultation. Patients who appear to be mentally unstable and fixated on a particular body part or their appearance may not be suitable candidates for the procedure, and may be referred to a counselor or therapist before they are permitted to undergo treatment.
Posted by Medical Staff Writers on July 22, 2010
 The same technology used to create high-performance aircraft is now being used to create 3-D models for the replacement of facial bones that are often lost during cancer surgery, an accident or other types of trauma. Researchers published the results of a recent project in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in early July 2010. The research was completed at the Ohio State University research center, in collaboration with the University of Illinois.
The U.S. Department of Defense has declared its interest in improving facial reconstruction by establishing the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine in 2008. Currently, plastic surgeons and facial reconstruction surgeons uses various plastic surgery techniques that use the patient’s own bone to restore the bone structure.
The difference between conventional facial reconstruction procedures and the high-performance engineering techniques is that the new engineering techniques can create a patient-specific design, instead of just a generic shape. Researchers used a special 3D computational modeling system and the same processes used to create multifunctional, high-performance materials used in aircraft such as space shuttles.
According to Alok Sutradhar, a postdoctoral researcher in plastic surgery at Ohio State who was trained as an engineer, “The purpose is to find the most optimized macrostructure to replace the missing bone. It would contain the minimum amount of tissue positioned in three-dimensional space and supported upon remaining uninjured portions of the facial skeleton.”
In addition to remodeling the bone structures, researchers were able to review and create soft tissues for transplantation. Many plastic surgeons have been looking for ways to grow new bone tissue and find ways to assimilate the bone and soft tissues into the skeletal system. The current research provides new opportunities and options for bone reconstruction specialists, and is supported by a National Science Foundation grant from the Early-concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) program.
(Source: Ohio State University)
Posted by Medical Staff Writers on July 21, 2010
 AmStem is one of the world’s leading providers of cosmetic stem cell products, and is currently conducting several stem cell research tests and trials to create treatments for skin rejuvenation and for correcting several skin problems. The company recently conducted a study for SteMixx, a product that helps to improve the look and appearance of the skin, creates a more seven skin tone, and also helps reduce the signs of aging.
According to David Stark, President of AmStem International, Inc., “During the first few days, we asked participants of our initial consumer study of SteMixx™ for their initial impressions. We were not surprised but certainly pleased at how positively they responded.” Participants reported a number of positive effects, including the reduction of hyperpigmentation, less skin redness, clearer skin, tighter and less puffy skin, and a softer, more youthful complexion.
Twenty one women participated in the SteMixx™ study, and were asked not to use any other type of facial skin care products during the study period. Participants were permitted to use cleanser and sunscreen. The SteMixx™ product will now be available for retail consumers in the United States, and is currently being investigated by the Scottsdale Institute for Cosmetic Dermatology.
According to Dr. Shelly Friedman of the Scottsdale Institute for Cosmetic Dermatology, “This study will provide information to help decide what claims we will make in our labeling and advertising of SteMixx™”.
The SteMixx™ skin rejuvenation product and other cosmeceutical products from AmStem were developed by Dr. Han Hoon, CEO of Histostem, Ltd., in Seoul, Korea. The company operates one of the largest cord blood banks in the world. The SteMixx™ cream has been approved by the FDA in Korea for the treatment of facial skin disfiguration, including the signs of aging. The cream has not been reviewed by the FDA in the United States.
(Source: AmStem Press Release)
Posted by Medical Staff Writers on July 20, 2010
 While many women are good candidates for procedures including breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift surgery and rhinoplasty, not all patients are mentally ready to go under the knife.
A recent study by a UK cosmetic treatment review website found that 34 percent of women that have had some type of cosmetic or plastic surgery do go back for another procedure. Most of these women say that they want to get additional procedures to boost their confidence and 31 percent blame ‘vanity’ for going under the knife again.
1,218 women were surveyed for this study, and the results reveal that many have become “addicted” to changing their appearance through cosmetic or plastic surgery. More than 1 in 10 admitted that they were indeed “addicted” to cosmetic procedures.
Experts say some women may be influenced by the media, while others simply want to look like their favorite celebrity, or want more self-esteem. The UK’s Good Surgeon Guide commissioned this study, and also took a close look at the top celebrities that they think may be setting the “cosmetic surgery addiction trend”. According to their research, celebrities that may be addicted to cosmetic and plastic surgery include Katie Price, Heidi Montag, Dannii Minogue, Pamela Anderson and Sharon Osbourne.
54 percent of women who were surveyed during this study reported that they had had Botox, and 12 percent stated that they would “never stop” getting the injectable. Only 7 percent reported that they would never have Botox again. Researchers also found that weight loss surgery comes in second to being the most “addictive” surgery, behind Botox, with approximately 23 percent of women going to the doctor’s office for a second treatment. The “least addictive” surgery, according to the Good Surgeon Guide Study, was rhinoplasty, with just one percent of those surveyed reporting that they would undergo a second nose procedure.
(Source: PRLog.org)
Posted by Medical Staff Writers on July 17, 2010
 Teenagers and many adults can suffer from acne and its side effects for several years, and severe cases of acne can cause excessive scarring and trauma to the skin. While some acne treatments at medical spas and cosmetic dermatology centers can help to keep acne under control, most acne sufferers need to maintain a healthy skin care routine to keep breakouts at bay. A recent study published in the July 2010 issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology shows that a once-daily treatment of the Retin-A Micro® Pump in the morning, along with a benzoyl peroxide treatment, can help to keep acne under control.
Researchers found that many acne sufferers need a simple skin treatment regimen in order to achieve noticeable results. The Retin-A Micro® Pump is designed for acne sufferers with busy schedules, and is a once-daily treatment that can help to reduce breakouts and keep the skin clear.
According to Richard Fried MD, PhD, Clinical Director of Yardley Dermatology Associates in Pennsylvania, “Historically, it was thought that tretinoin would degrade in the presence of light and benzoyl peroxide. Therefore, some people used it only as part of a nighttime regimen and without the simultaneous use of benzoyl peroxide…however, this concern is alleviated with the improved tretinoin formulation found in Retin-A Micro® Pump, which can now be part of simpler protocol for acne treatment.”
Results of these studies show that most patients are able to enjoy significant results by incorporating the Retin-A Micro Pump into their skin care regimen. The product is the only acne treatment to combine tretinoin, a prescription retinoid, and works by absorbing excess oil and reducing facial shine. The treatment can be combined with a benzoyl peroxide facial wash and used morning and night to treat mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris.
Posted by Medical Staff Writers on July 16, 2010
 A recent study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology shows that oxygen infusions to the skin may help reduce the formation of wrinkles and also reduce the risk of tissue damage from UVB rays. Many people who exhibit the visible signs of aging, including wrinkles and lines around the eyes, nose and mouth, and a thickening of the outer layer of the skin, have been overexposed to UVB rays.
In this study, mice who were exposed to UVB radiation and then placed in an oxygen chamber showed fewer signs of tissue damage and wrinkles than those who were exposed to UVB radiation without time in the oxygen chamber. The researchers assigned 24 hairless mice into three groups for testing, and those that were exposed to UVB radiation were placed under a special fluorescent lamp three times per week, for five weeks. Some were then placed in an oxygen chamber or two hours after each session under the lamp.
Researchers found that all of the mice exposed to UVB rays did develop wrinkles over the five week period, but those who did not spend time in the oxygen chamber showed more pronounced wrinkles and an increase in epidermal thickness. Researchers note that additional studies are required to form any conclusions, but in the meantime, it is still a good idea to avoid excessive UVB exposure by wearing sunscreen.
While many people who spend a lot of time in the sun do develop wrinkles more readily, there are several ways to protect the skin, and even reverse the wrinkle formation process. Dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen and staying out of direct sunlight or tanning bed. Skin tightening treatments such as Thermage or Titan, and skin rejuvenation procedures such as Fraxel laser skin resurfacing can effectively get rid of wrinkles for good.
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Men and women who frequently suffer from migraine pain and severe headaches may be able to get some relief from Botox injections. Dr. William Binder discovered the benefits of Botox for migraine relief in the early 1990’s, and medical professionals have been using Botox to treat a number of conditions, including migraine headaches as an “off label” treatment.
