FDA Approves Botox Competitor Dysport / Reloxin!

BIG news in the plastic surgery field. The FDA approved the drug Dysport (otherwise known as Reloxin) today for the treatment of fine lines in the glabella (between the brows). This is the first bona-fide competitor to Botox, as it is also a Botulinum Toxin Type A.

I've mentioned Reloxin in this blog before, as well as on the Rachael Ray show a couple months ago. Plastic surgeons (and patients) hope that this can act as an economic bailout for the 4 million Americans who pay several hundreds of dollars for each Botox treatment. I think we would all welcome a price war between Allergan (makers of Botox) and Medicis (makers of Dysport).

How does Dysport compare to Botox? Other than the fact that they are both Botulinum Toxin Type A, it's difficult to tell. However, if Dysport is priced competitively with Botox and has similar efficacy, we may see a multi-billion dollar product reaching your plastic surgeons' offices in the next 30-60 days. Stay tuned!

Source: Globe Newswire

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Stars Admitting to Botox

A recent article in People Magazine has compiled a number of celebrities who have gone on record to having Botox injections. Most of them like what the treatments do, and there is an estimate that 75% of stars over the age of 35 receive Botox injections! Here is a list of the stars who get or have gotten Botox:
Brooke Shields
Vanessa Williams
Lisa Rinna
Lori Loughlin
Daisy Fuentes
Jenny McCarthy (yes to Botox, but no to vaccines?)
Jennie Garth
David Hasselhoff (ha!)
Simon Cowell
Linda Evangelista
Janice Dickinson (no surprise there)
Courteney Cox
Teri Hatcher

If the star's name is highlighted, you can click on it to visit one of my previous blog entries on their Botox.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Botox for Breast Augmentation?

Will its applications never end? Some doctors have found a new use for Botox: Breast Augmentation. According to nbc10.com, some plastic surgeons are injecting Botox into the muscles of the chest in an attempt to straighten a woman's posture and thereby enhance her bust line. Click here for the article.

I've never performed this procedure before, but I bet that the before-and-after photos are not very impressive. I would think that the doctor would need to use huge amounts of Botox to weaken the muscles of the chest, which are quite large. Time will tell on this one...

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Botox Safety Article in Allure Magazine

Allure magazine has a very well-written article on the recent controversy regarding Botox safety. The media has recently focused on a study from Italy showing botulinum toxin being found in parts of the brain fluid in mice who had it injected near their whiskers. Allure's Joan Kron (a very well-respected journalist) has written "Botox on the Brain," addressing the recent controversy. I always find her articles well-written, well-researched, and very objective. Click here for the article.

She has also written on fat melting injections in the past. Click here for my post on this topic.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.: