Okay, so baby Botox is technically not Botox for actual babies, although that subject is surprisingly less than fictional.  Julian McMahon’s character on Nip/Tuck recently faced the moral dilemma of whether he should inject dermal fillers into the lips of an infant model.  Okay, so that’s still technically fictional, but check out this site and a clip of a young “Toddlers and Tiaras” type of girl who desperately wants plastic surgery because “I love my mommy.”  Huh?

Baby Botox actually refers to a less-is-more approach to injecting Botox Cosmetic that aims to simply soften fine lines and wrinkles without creating the cliche “frozen face” or perpetually quizzical look.  Baby Botox is becoming more popular especially among younger women in their 20′s and early 30′s (Jessica Simpson was having regular Botox injections and lip fillers as early as 25!).

The New York Daily News printed an interesting and related article this week on anti-aging skin care for teenagers, stating that “a third of women under 25 years old regularly apply anti-aging products meant for the 40-plus crowd.”

Some British dermatologists have spoken out about this trend and it’s potentially negative effects for the youth-obsessed teens: “cosmetic products that boast of maintaining youthful skin contain high concentrations of retinoids and AHAs, which can actually accelerate the aging process for those with vibrant skin.” These retinoids and AHAs (alpha hydroxyacids) can stimulate cellular renewal in those with more mature skin. However, in the young, the dermatologists contend, they can lead to redness, irritation, itchiness and a greater susceptibility to sun damage and hyperpigmentation, especially if the teenagers are not wearing sunscreen.

So how young is too young?  Unless the teenager has an acne problem, we recommend keeping skin care simple.  It is a great time to learn proper skin care basics and to create routines that will hopefully last a lifetime, including daily cleansing, hydration and, most importantly, sun protection.  Botox will always eventually wear off.  However, sun damage is not an easy problem to fix.

If you’re planning a Hawaiian vacation, you might want to think about showering first!  Two Honolulu city council members are proposing a ban on “odors that unreasonably disturb others or interfere with their use of the transit system.”  Stinky offenders could be fined up to $500!

Underarm Botox, anyone?

Source: Honolulu Advertiser

Federal officials in Washington State indicted three beauty salon proprieters this week for administering phony Botox and for trying to bribe an officer to overlook an unauthorized laser device.

In the first instance, Xin “Faith” He of Natural Beauty in Bellvue, WA told clients she was injecting Botox and the hyaluronic acid dermal filler Restylane when in fact she was injecting counterfeit substances. Her actions led to at least two reported negative reactions since 2004 that required a dermatologist’s or plastic surgeon’s care.  One victim (pictured above), who wished to remain anonymous, remarked, “My face looked like Frankenstein’s.”

In the second case, the two owners of Crystal Nails in Burien are charged with offering an official an $800 bribe to overlook a dangerous and unapproved radiation-emitting laser treatment they had imported.

In the quest for beauty, always be cautious.  Botox is a safe and effective treatment that should only be administered by a licensed doctor, and preferably one who specializes in the face (such as Dr. Silich at Shizuka New York Medical Spa).  Beware of cheap Botox knockoffs.  Botox is an FDA approved substance manufactured in the US by Allergan.  In addition, laser facial treatments should only be performed by highly trained skin care technicians.  Don’t be afraid to ask your aesthetician questions about the treatment and equipment they are using.

If you have questions about Botox Cosmetic or laser facial rejuvenation, please feel free to schedule a free consultation with Shizuka, or email your question to blog@shizukany.com.

Source: Seattle Times
Photo Source: KOMO News

Uh-oh!  It looks like years of excessive sun, drinking, and smoking can catch up to even the most beautiful among us!

British supermodel Kate Moss learned this the hard way when she saw pictures of a recent St. Tropez vacation posted online.  35-year-old Kate was shocked to see that her skin had seriously aged.

According to a Daily Mail source:

“Kate didn’t like seeing pictures of the state of her skin while she was on holiday. She knows it’s down to her lifestyle, so she is deciding to try a particular health plan to help regain a fresh look.”

As a result of seeing her deep forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and blemishes, Kate has decided to turn over a new leaf and lead a healthier lifestyle by cutting down on the drinking and smoking, revising her diet, and upping her water intake.

These are all great steps and we applaud Kate.  As we’ve stated in previous posts, excessive sun exposure, drinking and smoking can be serious skin-agers.  It’s so important to remember that our lifestyles directly affect the way we look on the outside.  Exposure to the sun’s UV rays leads to wrinkles, sun damage, and potentially skin cancer (also take a look at this post on tanorexia). Too much drinking can dehydrate the body and affect the quality of our regenerative sleep. Smoking robs the body and skin of essential Vitamin C and can also lead to hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.

For anyone feeling like Kate, we recommend microdermabrasion or chemical peeling procedures to even out the skin texture and Botox Cosmetic at our New York City Medical Spa to smooth forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet in addition to leading a healthier lifestyle.

Source: Daily Mail

Set in a La Jolla, CA medical spa called Changes Plastic Surgery, ATB shows that rich housewives of New York City and Orange County aren’t the only ones entitled to nip, tuck and inject Botox. They’re also not the only ones with drama.

As the New York Daily News describes it, “this workplace has more nasty conflicts than “The Office,” “30 Rock” and “Ugly Betty” put together.”

We are especially fond of the redhead, back and center in this promotional photo, who happens to be the owner of Changes.  She is quoted on Addicted to Beauty‘s official website:

How do you count procedures? Do you count botox as procedure, restylane, laser resurfacing or just going under the knife? I’ve had tons of Botox and the other non-surgical procedures. I go in every six months or more if needed for these non-surgical procedures. For the surgical procedures, I’ve had more than 5 and less than 10.

Addicted to Beauty airs Tuesdays at 10pm on Oxygen.

According to Sen. Baucus a new 10% tax on cosmetic procedures was proposed. Although far from definite, this tax would be applied to cosmetic procedures, defined by law as “any procedure which is directed at improving the patient’s appearance and does not meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease.” This could include procedures such as facelifts, breast implants, hair restoration and, of course, Botox Cosmetic injections to smooth wrinkles.

Although many states have tried to enact similar taxes on cosmetic procedures such as Botox, results have been inconsistent. New Jersey, which currently has a 6% cosmetic procedure tax, has brought in only 25% of the anticipated revenue since the tax was enacted in 2004 according to Malcolm Roth of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Needless to say, the proposed Botox tax or “Bo-Tax” has ignited the passions of many on both sides of the issue.

If you’ve seen The Real Housewives or Extreme Makeover you are probably well aware of the many uses for Botox Cosmetic.  Women and men have been using Botox injections to smooth fine lines and wrinkles for years.  However, have you heard about these more unusual, yet effective uses for Botox Cosmetic such as jaw reduction and underarm sweat reduction performed by Dr. Silich at our NYC Medical Spa?

Underarm Botox

That’s right…Botox Cosmetic in the armpits!  It’s not like many people are concerned about underarm wrinkles, so what’s the deal?  Underarm Botox is actually an FDA approved treatment for hyperhidrosis, a.k.a. excessive underarm sweat.

Injecting Botox in the armpits has long been a celebrity beauty secret for keeping dry under the bright red carpet lights.  Underarm sweat reduction with Botox is a quick and convenient procedure, and the results generally last 4-6 months.

Dr. Silich and Shizuka have also collaborated to create The Underarm Overhaul, a Botox treatment unique to our NYC medical spa that combines underarm Botox with an underarm “facial” and complimentary underarm waxing.

Botox Jaw Reduction

Botox Jaw Reduction involves injecting Botox Cosmetic into the masseter muscle (chewing muscle).  This can gradually improve the appearance of the lower face for those who wish to achieve a slimmer and less square shape to the jaw line.  Jaw Reduction with Botox is especially popular in the Asian community, but is effective for anyone with an enlarged masseter muscle (often a result of teeth grinding).

Pricing for Underarm Botox & Botox Jaw Reduction

For Botox pricing, please request a Botox price estimate online or call (212) 644-7400.

Consultations and Treatments for Underarm Botox and Jaw Reduction

You can request a consultation online with Dr. Silich or call (212) 644-7400 to schedule a consultation in our NYC medical spa. Dr. Silich’s consultation fee is applied toward any same-day Botox treatments.

In case you’re interested, you can also read PTA Mom’s original review of the Geisha Facial.

Watch the video that started all the Bird Poop Facial hype.

Here’s another very funny video in which Shizuka and an assistant perform Geisha Facials on Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb of NBC’s Today Show.