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Consider the wrinkles in Botox

When used appropriately, it can give a lift to self-image, but there are risks.

By Dr. Tedd Mitchell

Not only is Botox expensive, but it's also a medical treatment with potential complications.

For Father's Day this year, my wife had all of our family videos transferred to DVD (a great gift idea, by the way). We spent that evening strolling down memory lane with our kids.

The journey revealed not only my children's rapid growth, but also a few signs of aging in ol' Dad, including a few wrinkles around the eyes. Subtle, for sure, but visible nonetheless. Don't get me wrong -- I feel great, exercise regularly and don't consider myself old by any means. It's just that in spite of efforts to keep our skin young, time takes its toll.

So what do we do? Our parents didn't worry much about it -- they just "aged gracefully." But don't expect that from us. We're the baby boomers and Gen-eration X. We're going to fight this aging process tooth and nail. We want to look young and feel young, and that includes our skin. In an effort to do so, we've developed what amounts to a dermatologic arsenal over the past generation.

One of the most popular weapons has become Botox. I'll admit that the first time I heard about Botox treatment for wrinkles, I was a little incredulous. As a physician, the thought of injecting the bacterial toxin responsible for a potentially fatal type of food poisoning into facial muscles in order to paralyze them and look younger seemed -- well, let's just say, a tad narcissistic. Years later, my opinion has changed. No, I've never had Botox. But I've seen the lift it gives self-image when used appropriately in properly selected patients. The Food and Drug Administration first gave the go-ahead for Botox to be used in treating wrinkles in 2002. Since then, it has become the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure in the country. Here's how it works:

Toxin from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum is injected directly into muscles underlying the skin in different facial areas, paralyzing them. Once it takes effect, the muscles become incapable of contracting, making the overlying skin appear smoother. This paralysis, however, is not permanent. Over time, the muscles regain their tone, which means the wrinkles reappear. The cosmetic effect can last for several months, after which time treatment needs to be repeated. The FDA recommends that Botox be given no more frequently than every three months. Who's an ideal candidate for Botox? It's approved for use in people ages 18 to 65. But those interested in getting Botox need to do their homework. Not only is it expensive (a single injection is several hundred dollars), but it is also a medical treatment with potential complications (which means those popular "Botox parties" are a definite no-no).

Problems range from mild (eyelid droop) to major (botulism, which can cause paralysis of arms, legs and even diaphragm). Cosmetic therapies for treating wrinkles can help improve a person's outlook on life. In my practice, this can make the right person more receptive to recommendations on exercise and good nutrition, which I believe has to do with the old adage that if you look good, you feel good. Making sure you understand the pros and cons of Botox is, therefore, imperative for those of you who want your stroll down memory lane to be more wrinkle-free.

Tedd Mitchell, president and medical director of Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes HealthSmart every week.