The United States FDA last week approved Botox, the anti-wrinkle shot from Allergan, as a treatment to prevent chronic migraines.  This came after the company agreed last month to pay $600 million to settle allegations that it had marketed the drug for off-label uses for years.

The FDA�s decision endorses doctors� use of Botox to treat patients who suffer from a severe form of migraine involving headaches at least 15 days a month. Botox is already approved by the FDA to treat blepharospasm, strabismus, hyperhydrosis, cervical dystonia, and muscle spasticity in the upper extremities. It is widely known as the most popular wrinkle smoother on the planet and is approved for cosmetic purposes to treat glabellar furrows between the eyebrows.  Interestingly, Allergan projects that sales of Botox for chronic migraine and other medical uses would soon exceed sales of the drug as a wrinkle smoother... but I'm not so sure of that. Often insurance companies do not pay for medical uses (including treatment of migraines), and the out of pocket expenses can be quite high. Cosmetic patients expect such treatments to be an out of pocket expense and can typically afford it.
A Botox migraine treatment generally involves a total of 31 injections in seven areas � including the forehead, temples, the occipital area, the neck and shoulders. To treat chronic migraine headaches, injections are given about every three months.  There was some question about whether the FDA would want more medical evidence because one of two studies used to bolster Allergan's migraine application failed its main goal. Allergan said that the FDA was most interested the secondary goal of reducing headache days, however, where that study showed success was in treating migraine pain episodes.

Adverse reactions for patients in those studies included headaches, migraines, eyelid drooping, muscle weakness and some other conditions.

Allergan said the effects of Botox for migraine treatment last up to three months per treatment, about the same for other uses such as wrinkle ablation by injecting between the brows. It is great that there is now another approved treatment for such a debilitating condition as migraine headache, but I truly doubt that Botox for medical usage such as this one will ever eclipse the sales and usage of it for treatment of wrinkles given its enormous popularity in our desire for the fountain of youth!

I was flipping through the channels and guess who I see on Fox and Friends? Dr. Walden! She was on Fox discussing top medical news. The segment I found most interesting was about a dermatologist who claimed that Botox helped regrow hair when he injected a patient for the treatment of migraines (an off-label use of Botox)! Wow! I am actually a big fan of Botox. I'm only 26 now and I haven't used it but I certainly see using it in the future. But using Botox to grow hair?? Hmmm. Lets see, most women use Botox on their foreheads, the glabella (aka the 11 between the eyes) and crow's feet (those pesky little lines around the eyes) and if Botox helps regenerate hair growth, imagine how many women in the world would be sporting "unibrows" and peach fuzz! But like the saying goes...Don't believe the hype.....Botox has not been shown to cure or prevent baldness in any randomized, controlled clinical trials. Botox Cosmetic (Allergan, Irvine, CA) is approved by the United States FDA for improving and relaxing frown lines in the area between the eyes an and has been used successfully in more than half a million patients since 2002. It blocks a neurotransmitter from being released at the junction between nerves, inhibiting the impulse that causes muscle contraction. It is also used for blepharospasm (twitching eyelids), strabismus, and hyperhydrosis (sweaty palms and armpits). Oh well, I guess its back to the Rogaine and a little volumizing conditioner!

If you are like me and have always had a bottle of Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion on your counter since you were fifteen, check out this article in today's
Dallas/ Fort Worth Star Telegram (yee haw!):
"Late last year, cosmetics company Clinique and pharmaceuticals company Allergan announced a new line of skin-care products, Clinique Medical. The new Optimizing Regimen products are designed to be used before and after in-office nonsurgical cosmetic procedures such as laser treatments and chemical peels. The venture is part of a trend toward cosmetics companies and healthcare companies joining forces to offer "medical-grade" skin-care products.

Dr. Jennifer Walden, a New York City plastic surgeon who grew up in Texas and attended medical school in Galveston, says the term "medical-grade skin-care products" is not just an advertising gimmick.

These are products that are similar to those available in department stores, but the active ingredients are present at a greater strength than the Food and Drug Administration allows to be sold over the counter. Sometimes products are available in doctors� offices and other times by prescription only.

Clinique�s Optimizing Regimen contains a probiotic cleanser; a skin-conditioning treatment intended to encourage cell turnover before a laser/peel treatment; a recovery-week complex with hydrocortisone that�s intended to reduce redness after treatment; an optimizing treatment cream with a complex of ingredients that�s awaiting a patent; and a sunscreen with an SPF 38.

"These products help even out skin tone and post-procedure redness/inflammation," Walden says. Check with dermatologists or cosmetic surgeons for products. "

� Cathy Frisinger

The Night of Beauty at the W New York Hotel was a success (see release on ReutersNewswire)! With a turnout of over a hundred people interested in health and beauty, we had such a blast. Metamorphosis Spa provided services like back and shoulder massages as well as gift cards for facials, Beach Bum tanning provided mini- facial spray tans and dental whitening, and MAC Cosmetics provided complimentary makeovers. It Cosmetics provided lip gloss and a "My Beautiful Breasts" body makeup kit as well.




Food, wine and champagne topped off the reception while ladies lined up for the services. Dr911, a concierge medical service that Dr. Walden partners with was there, as well as Allergan Medical Aesthetics to provide the latest information on breast implants, Botox, and soft tissue fillers like Juvederm.


The second hour of the event was devoted to an educational talk by Dr. Walden and Nurse Sarah going over rumors and trumors about breast surgery, silicone and saline implants, breast cancer and preventative measures such as mammography given that October is breast health awareness month. The night was concluded by live injections: a longtime patient of Dr. Walden received Botox in order to help educate the crowd on this safe cosmetic treatment.

Now we all know Katy Couric gets her fair share of Botox!







Some have accused Nicole Kidman of having too much Botox. On celebritybodygossip.com Dr. Martin Braun, is quoted saying, "She looks like a bat with too much of an (outer) brow lift. The middle of the brow�s been dropped. She�s crying when she accepts her Oscar, but nothing is moving.�



Simon Cowell admits to having Botox treatments. Simon discusses the vanity of all TV stars in an article in Us Magazine. "To be honest with you, I can't think of one person who is on TV who isn't vain. It's the nature of the beast. If you are on TV then you have a vanity, for sure. Just admit it! Why not?�

Vanessa Williams has also admitted to Barbara Walters in an ABC interview that she receives Botox. She is quoted, "I certainly do Botox, which I definitely think that almost every woman that I know has [done]," she said. "And it's a miracle drug, no cutting, nothing..."


Botox can help reduce wrinkles by relaxing the muscles of the face that create those wrinkles. Common areas treated are the forehead, glabella (or between the eyes) and crow's feet. Botox has been widely tested and used for over 20 years. It is also FDA approved to treat axillary hyperhidrosis, strabismus, blepharospasm and cervical dystonia.