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Wine, cheese, hors d’oeuvres, and Botox. This is not your mother’s Tupperware party.

Doctors are using Botox parties as marketing tools to attract clients. Some even send out invitations. But Botox isn’t for everyone. Whatever happened to the doctor-patient relationship?

“A casual social activity for the purpose of administering [Botox] is an inappropriate and a potentially dangerous setting for performing medical procedures of any kind,” said Fred F. Castrow, II, MD, speaking on behalf of the American Academy of Dermatology.

“Some people may not be good candidates for Botox,” cautioned Rod Rohrich, MD, Chairman of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. “So it’s important that each potential patient be evaluated individually and informed by a physician of the risks involved before having the procedure done. Providing alcohol to potential patients before having Botox injections is not recommended either,” he said.

Dr. Castrow said mixing alcohol with this procedure is a bad idea because it could intensify bruising.

“This procedure is not like applying anti-wrinkle cream,” said Dr. Rohrich. “There is a potential for complications, such as drooping eyelids and asymmetry of facial features.”

Botox is derived from one of the most potent poisons in the world. In high doses, it can cause botulism, a paralyzing and often fatal disease. But when carefully injected by dermatologists in very low doses, the toxin blocks the signal that causes the muscle to contract. “This is how Botox helps smooth out wrinkles around the eyes, forehead and mouth,” said Dr. Rohrich. “One treatment generally lasts from three to four months.”

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Botox procedures are number one nonsurgical cosmetic procedure done in the U.S.

Botox treatments can cost hundreds of dollars. Dr. Rohrich advises to be on the lookout for unscrupulous businesses that may dilute the Botox and sell treatments for as low as $100. The results will not last long.

For some people, though, Botox is a miracle drug when used to control excessive underarm sweating. In a simple outpatient procedure, Botox is injected to treat palms and armpits. It takes effect within 3 to 5 days and can last 5 to 10 months. And Botox shows promise as a treatment for a variety of urinary tract problems, including overactive bladder, all types of headache including migraine, and muscle spasms deep within the body.

Interview the doctor before your next cosmetic surgery procedure

Whether it’s a hair transplant, Botox injections to soften wrinkles, or a chemical peel, you want to choose a qualified physician for cosmetic surgery.

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests you ask the doctor these questions and expect the following responses:

• What are your credentials? “Dermatologists are surgeons who have received extensive education and training,” said Darrell S. Rigel, MD, past President of the American Academy of Dermatology and Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical Center. Education and training involves at least 4 years of postgraduate residency in an accredited program. Postgraduate surgical fellowships last 1 to 2 years. Beyond this, almost every state requires a minimum number of hours of continuing medical education. If you don’t know how much training your doctor has, ask.
  
• How many of these cosmetic surgery procedures have you performed? “Dermatologic surgeons perform thousands of cosmetic surgery treatments successfully each year,” according to Dr. Rigel.
  
• What results can be expected? “With any cosmetic surgery, the results achieved largely depend not only on the skill and experience of the physician, but also on a patient’s age, general health, overall skin texture, healing capacity, and the specific skin problem,” said Dr. Rigel. A patient’s realistic expectations also help contribute to a positive outcome.
  
• What are the risks? “The risks involved in most cosmetic surgery procedures are minimal,” Dr. Rigel said. “However, there are inherent risks associated with any type of surgery, and these should be discussed with your physician.”
  
• Where is the cosmetic surgery usually performed? “Because most cosmetic dermatologic procedures do not require general anesthesia, cosmetic surgery procedures are most often effectively and efficiently performed safely in the surgeon’s office, surgical suite, or outpatient surgical center,” said Dr. Rigel.
  
• What is the cost? “As with any medical procedure, the cost will vary depending on the nature of the treatment,” said Dr. Rigel. It is important that you ask up front how much the procedure will cost and how payment is required.