ReZoom

Botox, which is currently America's most popular cosmetic procedure, is celebrating its fifth anniversary since being approved by the FDA to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows by paralyzing the muscles under those lines.

Its catchy name, along with the controversies that have swirled around a product that's used to make us look younger, have made Botox a current topic of banter among us. The stressed-less looking image is so on-trend that newspaper and magazine stories are reporting that even the young want to look younger, going under the needle at the first sign of lines in their twenties and thirties. Even men are getting the treatments, with physicians reporting they make up about ten percent of their Botox Cosmetic clients.

Chances are we know someone who has used it – 3.3 million people in the US had the procedure done in 2005. Or, at least we know someone who knows someone who swears by it. As we stare into the faces of old friends or acquaintances who appear to be aging particularly gracefully, the question "does she/he or doesn't she/he," no longer refers to hair coloring, but rather to whether or not they use Botox.

For ReZoomers who are interested in staying in the know about what has proven to be an effective and relatively harmless non-surgical procedure, staying up-to-date on the topic, at least for conversation's sake, is probably a good thing.

Botox Trends

What's new about the use of Botox is that it works as a "preventative" along with skincare and sunscreen. "Besides relaxing the muscles that create those frown lines, it also helps keep them from forming," says Ava T.Shamban, M.D, the Santa Monica dermatologist and a faculty member of the National Education Faculty, who trains other physicians to become advanced injectors. "What patients may not be aware of, is that it can also help maintain the brow line and keep the corners of the mouth from turning down," says Dr. Shamban, describing procedures which are considered "off label," to be done at a doctor's own medical discretion.

Because the injections are a medical treatment, they are technique-sensitive and must be precise for the best results. Dr. Shamban recommends asking a physician if they have experience treating the lower face, if you think that area of your face needs attention.

Spotting another trend, the doctor who has been featured on television's "Extreme Makeover" and "Oprah," says people are coming in asking to look relaxed rather than overdone.

Many aesthetic specialty physicians are noting that many of their patients no longer feel the need to use cosmetic treatments to look significantly younger, they just want to look like the best version of themselves — refreshed, relaxed and less tired, says Allergan spokesperson (the maker of FDA approved Botox Cosmetic), Leslie Bryant.

Botox Tips

To avoid getting the unnaturally smooth, expressionless look that has frightened many away from the idea of using Botox as beauty intervention, Dr. Shamban suggests discussing fears and desired results with the doctor. "Moderation is everything. You can always go back for more. At around two weeks you can see the full effect (of the injections).

"Men especially, come in wanting to be sure they won't look like something has been done." They should probably stick with just easing up the frown lines, Dr. Shambam suggests, as men who do too much can end up looking feminine. "The only real dangers with Botox are from poor technique by the injector and in getting too much." She recommends using Allergan's online physician referral system for finding trained injectors. "I say it's the safest thing I do in my office all day."

To avoid further safety issues, it's important to know that the procedure will run from around $300-$500. If you're getting too much of a deal, question it. Allergan puts a distinctive hologram on every bottle to insure that it's the real thing. You can ask to see the bottle and look for that hologram, if you have any doubts.

For a Rezoomer interested in using Botox, know that the procedure will have to be repeated to continue having a sharper image. The injections need to be done around three times per year or the lines will eventually return. Just like hair color, and other impermanent things we do for the sake of looking good, you need to decide what price you're willing to pay for keeping a more youthful appearance — but then, you can always change your mind!