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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.