Skincare-News.com on Botox Safety: Skin Care Expert Dr. Nelson Lee Novick Responds to Botox Controversy
March 1st, 2008Skincare-News.com asks Dr. Novick to respond to the recent reports questioning Botox’s safety, which was put out by Public Citizen, a health advocacy group.
Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) February 16, 2008 — A shocking series of Botox-related deaths lead to new safety concerns, as reported in a recent article in the New York Times. Skincare-News.com’s recently spoke with Dr. Nelson Lee Novick about the request for a “black box” label - the most serious FDA warning-to appear on Botox. Should the public be wary of Botox and similar fillers? http://www.skincare-news.com/experts.php?ExpID=5
Prior to its FDA-approval in 2002 for cosmetic use, botulinum toxin, type A, Botox, earned FDA-approval for use in humans nearly a quarter of a century ago. In 2006, four million injections of Botox were given in United States alone for purely esthetic reasons, and millions more have been treated in numerous countries worldwide.
Recently, concern has been raised about the safety of Botox in light of the fact that 180 adverse reactions were reported in patients receiving Botox for various conditions, with 16 deaths occurring among this group, according to a New York Times article by Gardiner Harris. The issue was raised about the ability of Botox to spread outside of the intended treatment sites into areas that may affect respiration, leading to serious or fatal consequences.
Dr. Nelson Lee Novick investigates these safety concerns, and mentions that reports of adverse reactions while a person is on any given therapy do not prove a causal effect. All that can be said with certainty is that there remains the possibility that the particular drug or treatment MAY be related to the problem.
Additionally, Dr. Novick stresses that the amounts and concentrations of Botox used for treating the medical conditions mentioned above tend to be considerably higher than those needed to deal with cosmetic problems. Typically microdroplets of relatively dilute material are needed to handle the wrinkles of expression, whereas large amounts of concentrated solutions are required to work on the thick muscles of the neck or back. And the more material injected, the greater the possibility that some may migrate to regions outside of the treatment sites.
It would also be of interest to examine the level of experience of the injectors in these reported cases, Dr. Novick responds. Injections of Botox for any indication, particularly in the neck region, should be left to the hands of experienced physician injectors to ensure that the appropriate dilutions and technique are employed to maximize patient safety, he reports.
Dr. Novick counters these safety concerns, and believes that the safety profile of Botox, especially when used for cosmetic purposes, is quite remarkable, if one takes into account the huge numbers of individuals undergoing treatment with it every year throughout the world. Any adverse reaction to any substance is of course regrettable and alertness to this possibility, no matter how rare, is certainly warranted. Panic is not, however. “I believe that such type of severe warnings in the face of the relative infrequency of serious reactions to Botox is not warranted and simply contributes to needless anxiety on the part of the public. Botox has proven itself over the decades to be a safe and highly effective treatment for a variety of conditions, and I predict that its use and indications will continue to grow well into the future,” Dr. Novick says.
Note: Dr. Novick discloses no financial interests in Botox or Allergen, its manufacturer.
Skincare-News.com covers all skincare and beauty topics from head to toe. Check out these latest articles:
Botox-related Deaths Lead to Request for New Safety Warnings
http://www.skincare-news.com/beauty.php?BtyID=58
A shocking series of Botox-related deaths leads to new safety concerns. In an article for the New York Times, Gardiner Harris reports that Botox, a neurotoxin used to relax muscles, and a similar injected drug called Myobloc were associated with 16 deaths.
Dr. Nelson Lee Novick on Skin Care and His Work
http://www.skincare-news.com/experts.php?ExpID=4
Leading skin care expert, clinical professor and bestselling author Dr. Nelson Lee Novick talks candidly about skin care myths and misconceptions and the do’s and don’ts for healthy, younger-looking skin. Learn what Dr. Nelson loves about working as a dermatologist and the many innovative treatments offered at his private practice on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Dr. Kaufman Presents the Fraxel® Laser: the Latest in Anti-Aging and Skin Care
http://www.skincare-news.com/experts.php?ExpID=3
For years men and women alike have sought cosmetic procedures to help battle against the signs of aging, correct skin disorders, as well as treat acne-scarred skin. The Fraxel® Laser is pushing aside traditional laser resurfacing techniques for a quicker, less invasive approach. Dr. Kaufman sits down with skincare expert Dania Mallette to talk about this latest cosmetic sensation.
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Skincare-News.com is the online source for consumers seeking intelligent beauty and skin care news, advice, tips and articles. Founded in 2005, SkinCare-News.com features articles, news items and frequently asked questions on skincare and beauty related issues. SkinCare-News.com is located in Sacramento, California, but receives visitors from all around the world. For more information, visit http://www.skincare-news.com.
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