Dr Anjana Bhana : What's been happening in 2015

Dr Anjana Bhana is a wife, mom and extremely hard-working and ambitious individual. Her passions are people, beauty and health.

She graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2005, taking the SADA Medal for leadership (for her role as Dental Student Council President as well as other leadership roles) as well as The Maxillo Facial Department’s Research award for her study on Rhinocerebral Mucomycosis in a Ketoacidotic Diabetic. Socially and academically she excelled at University.

She also has a love for aesthetics that lead her to start learning and developing her skills in Aesthetic and Anti-aging Medicine. She constantly updates her knowledge with various courses, workshops and conferences as well as doing an Advanced Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine . Currently she is also an independent trainer for the Restylane (Galderma) range of Tissue Fillers as well as a trainer Perfectha (Genop). She has also recently completed a train the trainer masterclass with Dr Fredrik Berne, a world-renowned Swedish Plastic Surgeon and  Dr Sabine Zenker (9 May).

She always goes the extra mile for her patients and offers them a boutique, customized service.

Dr Anjana Bhana has completed the only South African registered post graduate course in Aesthetic Medicine -the Advanced Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine with Distinction/Cum Laude (84%) . Aesthetic Medicine is her passion and she takes every opportunity to study and grow her skills. She has also completed a course on Maxillofacial orthopaedics and orthodontics and has developed an interest in interceptive orthodontics.

She is also on the SAACD – South African Association of Cosmetic Doctor’s EXCO and recently delivered a lecture to members at a scientific meeting – Lifting , contouring and volumizing – which fillers where? She has given a lecture at the AMCSA 2015 ( the Art of a Beautiful Smile) as well as asked to speak at the upcoming Cosmedica 2015 ( Botox Complications and peri-oral anatomy as well as a demo on lip fillers).

Peri-oral wrinkles : A challenging area to treat

So many people have this problem of barcode lines (sometimes called Smoker’s lines)
Smoker's lines or lip wrinkles need combination treatment because the cause is a combination of factors - loss of volume, muscle hyperactivity, smoking and habits such as lip biting . Multiple treatments over a long period may be necessary before achieving the desired result.- this is especially true in severe cases
Despite what many people believe, smoker's lines or vertical lines above the upper lip are quite common regardless of whether or not someone smokes. This muscle is quite strong and constricts the lips - appearence of tightly pursed lips. I usually recommend a treatment plan that combines more than one modality. Using small doses of Botox will help relax one aspect of the underlying problem--an overactive muscle
Using cosmetic dermal fillers is a nice option with or without Botox and offers more longevity. An excellent filler to use is the iconic Restylane Vital Pen Injector. The technique for fillers above the vermillion border is important to provide a natural, appealing appearance. Chemical Peels as well as Medical micro needling is also an excellent treatment to improve the texture of the skin. This area benefits from combination treatment.


Also it is important to restore volume to the actual lip and peri-oral area using dermal fillers such as Restylane and Perlane

Some Questions on anti-aging

Kavita from http://diamondringsandotherthings.blogspot.com/  had two questions for me .

1)

Q: Hi Dr Bhana.. I have a question regarding botox. If one gets botox done in their forehead, specifically for their frown lines, will they still be able to move their eyebrows and create expression using their eyebrows or is the muscle movement lost? (not sure if I'm using the right lingo but hope you understand what I'm asking)

Hi Kavita - if done properly with a good understanding of art , technique , dosage, muscle movement and anatomy your eyebrows should still be able to move and you should be able to create expression. The aim is to be natural and to avoid the "frozen look". Also each patient needs an individualized treatment plan - there is no 1 size fits all and it also depends on what they want but very few want a "stiff look" . The aim with non-surgical aesthetics is to keep people guessing - to look great and rejuvenated without looking " done". I hope that answers the question?

 2) 

Q:I also have another question regarding anti-againg products. Many of them are quite pricey so if we're gonna be spending money on them it should be worth it. What are your views on anti-aging creams/products and to what extent do they 'work' or not work and at what age should a person start with anti-aging products.

One of the most important topical anti- aging measures you can employ is the religious,daily use of a broad spectrum (UVA plus UVB ) sunscreen with an SPF of  at least 30 . A bonus is if the Sunscreen product also has anti-oxidant ( such as Vitamin C, Astaxanthin ,pycnogenol)

Ingredients to look out for in anti-aging creams include Peptides, Epidermal Growth Factor , Hyaluronic acid , Retinoids, topical anti-oxidants and alpha -hydroxy acids.Topical skincare is important in your anti-aging arsenal and supports in-salon/spa treatments but not always the most expensive is the best. What age can you start -Between the age of 25 and 30. 

Avoid skin care lines with outrageous claims that tout near instant results. 

Not all anti-aging creams are created equal

Will this really Boost your Botox?

There's been a bit of a buzz lately about this - Zytaze (www.zytaze.com)- a supplement to boost the effects of Botox.

ZYTAZE® is licensed to OCuSOFT, Inc., an ophthalmic company. 

It has been noted by many medics over the years since we have been using botulinum toxin for both medical and cosmetic indications that some patients simply don’t achieve the responses to the drug that others can, leading to increased dose requirements and more frequent treatments, particularly in older patients. It was from this observation that researchers started to look at the zinc levels of patients and consider the concept of supplementation.

Each capsule of the patent pending ZYTAZE supplement contains 25mg of zinc citrate and 1500mg of phytase as the primary active ingredients. Phytase is an enzyme which effectively breaks down phytates which are a group of compounds found in certain foods such as whole grain breads, whole wheat cereals, beans, corns, nuts, rice and other foods such as peas and peanuts many of which are zinc-rich as well.  Phytates prevent zinc absorption by the body by tightly binding themselves with any zinc they find in the intestinal tract. By introducing an enzyme which destroys any phytates, it’s expected that zinc absorption would no longer be impaired and the maximum zinc levels could be achieved.

A recent, modified double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study * of 44 patients (average age of 65 years, with 75% women) conducted by researchers at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, lead by Oculoplastic Surgeon Dr. Charles Soparkar (he developed the supplement), used ZYTAZE to increase zinc levels for 4 days before botulinum toxin injections in the treatment of blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm (4 patients) and cosmetic procedures for wrinkles (10 patients).

2 patients were treated with Myobloc® (Neurobloc®) for blepharospasm, 3 were treated with Dysport® for cosmetic indications and the remaining 39 were treated with Botox® for various indications.

Patients were given one of following for 4 days before their botulinum toxin treatment; either a lactulose placebo, 10mg zinc gluconate or 50mg zinc citrate and 3,000mg of phytase (the ZYTAZE® supplement). Patients were then asked to keep a daily log of their self-perceived toxin effect, and the degree of effect was then rated on a scale and compared with their pre-study experience. The duration of effect was recorded as a ratio of their usual effect duration, i.e. compared to established treatment intervals before they participated in the trial. This is a very subjective way of recording results, and the study sample is so small. I don't think there is enough clinical data to really prove anything.

The patient-specific change in the duration of the botulinum toxin effect (irrespective of the individual brand used) was compared. When given ZYTAZE a 23.6% change in the duration of action was observed which surprised the researchers, who as yet are unsure of exactly the precise method of action of the zinc supplementation.

They concluded that this study suggests that using ZYTAZE may lead to fewer botulinum toxin injections at a lower dose and with less treatment-to-treatment variability in effect.

The findings are currently under review.

Don't sweat the small stuff

 Hyperhidrosis is a term describing an excessive production of sweat in the skin’s sweat glands. The most common type is a localised, symmetric form, affecting for example the palms, soles and/or armpits. There are millions suffering with this problem worldwide. While there are some cases of excessive sweating caused by an underlying problem such as a hyperactivity of the thyroid gland (Grave’s disease), most cases don’t suffer with any underlying condition and the cause remains unknown (thought to be genetic in some cases). These idiopathic cases are examples of Primary Hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis can have a detrimental effect on your social life and drastically decrease his quality of life. It affects your activities and dictates the type of clothes you wear. It’s extremely uncomfortable to endure. Most people have tried numerous ways of trying to manage the problem with various topically applied formulations.

In addition, there are also certain prescription drugs that can be tried such as propantheline tablets, glycopyrrolate tablets or topical glycopyrrolate solution. Another type of treatment, which is usually very well tolerated and works particularly well for hands and/or feet is Iontophoresis. Iontophoresis is a method of passing a tiny electric current through the skin while your hands or feet are soaking in water).  This sometimes works well for hands or feet but not armpits (axillae).

However, for the armpits there is another treatment method available, which achieves truly incredible results that are life-changing for the sufferer. This treatment involves injecting botulinum toxin (Botox™) which blocks the nerves that activate eccrine sweat glands in the skin. After application of a topical numbing cream (so that you won’t feel the injections), very small amounts of the botulinum toxin solution are administered into the affected skin area. The sweat blocking effect is quite astonishing and the best thing is that it lasts about six to nine months, before the treatment has to be repeated. It’s wonderful to hear how happy patients are after the treatment and it’s fantastic to make such a positive difference in a patient’s life.

Parkhurst 4th Avenue : Part Two.SO Nice I had to blog about it twice(So Cheesy , I know). Quaint , holiday vibe

So we loved Nice so much we decided to go there again! Taking my best friend and hubby along (they are serious foodies and love trying new places as well as giving good advice on places having great noms). It was their last day (18/12/11) before closing up for December so it was much quieter than the first time we went . Also the owner remembered us and asked do we mind sitting inside (outside was full) since we sat outside the last time - we went there over a month previously. Seriously impressed!

Nice's Book Store



We decided to take a walk along the avenue and came across this lovely shop





Hah! A plastic surgeon injects here hey ! And a Botox sticker on the door
and "These people in my area " - I know who they are - had a complaint against me that I used the word Botox in my ads.
Now I have to say anti-wrinkle injections. #annoyed.




We ended up here for midday drinks




We thought these bunnies were Retro-kitsch




My hubby's cousin behind the "draughty' size beer




Minted Raspberry Colada: Cuban Rum Shaken with coconut infused sugar,
fresh mint, raspberries and pineapple juice. I just couldn't finish it



The lighter side of Botox

Just thought I'd inject a bit of humour into the blog :)

Cosmedica 2011

Okay , I should have blogged this ages ago (just after I attended Cosmedica).

This year was only the second year of its existence but what a well-put together conference it was. With diverse international (Europe, The States and Asia) and local experts it was both exciting and  . Worldwide opinion leaders who are experts in the field of  Botulinum toxin treatments, dermal fillers, lasers, chemical peels, spider vein sclerotherapy and anti-ageing medicine congregated to share their wealth of experience as well as teaching skills.

It was great to meet docs there with the same interests and some old friends from medical school as well.

Gala Dinner - Melrose Arch, Moyo

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Dr Jamuna Pai

I was actually more excited about this than the whole Dr Rey thing . Way back when I was in High School I used to read the Indian addition of Femina and religiously read her column. I was so excited to actually see her in person.

 Her history : A medical graduate from Nair Hospital Mumbai, Dr. Jamuna Pai made the switch to cosmetic medicine in 1994 following her lifelong passion for beauty. After completing her training in the United Kingdom and with acclaimed dermatologists from all over the world, Dr. Pai has perfected her well honed skills and has gone on to become a brand in herself. Being Indias leading cosmetic physician for over 15 years, Dr. Pai has always had the first mover advantage in the skin care industry. She constantly updates her techniques and extensive knowledge of the subject by attending training workshops and seminars. She is credited to have pioneered and introduced various skin treatments and techniques over the years such as Fraxel, Thermage, skin lightening peels and filler injections thus giving her the title of being the Pioneer of Cosmetology in India by many. Dr. Pai introduced Botox to India in the year 2000 and has become the single largest injector in India ever since.

Can you believe she is in her 60s?

Dr Robert Rey . I'd have to admit that yes I used to watch Dr 90210 but he was acting crazy at the conference. At the Gala dinner he failed to show up to speak and said he had a sore throat but on twitter he was tweeting topless pics of himself  with girls in his LingeREY at SET night club in Rosebank.  He also took off his shirt in the exhibitor stands area. Not sure if South Africa is really ready for him.

Dr Rey - Much ado about nothing





Dr Anushka Reddy with Dr Des Fernandes (Founder of
Environ)

http://www.vineyard.co.za/ - Absolutely beautiful place in Newlands , Cape town. I once attended a conference here in third year. I was exhibiting and speaking about on an oral microbiology research project (IADR)

Taking into account the demand of the public for SAFE therapies to look and feel better and younger, Cosmedica 2012 has prepared an important program of educational sessions combining SAFE anti-ageing practice with non-invasive aesthetic techniques. A highlight of this years program is the facial cadaver dissection with international experts which will be broadcast LIVE from the University of Cape Town’s anatomy department. This is an important session for doctors who want to learn how to administer injectables safely.

A new addition to this year’s congress are the expert teaching courses. This will include the ‘Spider Vein Sclerotherapy’ course and the ‘Basic Surgical Procedures for General Practitioners’ course.

So if you interested in Aesthetics I suggest you check it out, it's well worth it and seems to be getting better every year.

 

Botox Video - Learn more about this popular drug

Botulinum Toxin A Linurase® by Prollenium

Prollenium Medical Technologies was opened in 2002 with a team of researchers and directors with over 25 years of experience in the medical aesthetic industry.

Prollenium Medical Technologies is in the process of commencing additional clinical studies on its proprietary Botulinum Toxin Type A.
That's all I have for now. So another possible competitor that may take on Allergan's "super-power" Botox, Ipsen's Dysport and Merz's newly FDA-approved Xeomin.

Revance - possible topical "Botox"

Revance Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing products that will change the way that drugs are delivered. The company's lead investigational product is a topically applied botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) with a broad pipeline of indications. It has the potential to provide a painless alternative to treatment with one of the world's most recognized drugs

REVANCE THERAPEUTICS ANNOUNCES CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS OF RT001 TOPICAL GEL PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY

NEWARK, Calif. - October 22, 2010 - Revance Therapeutics, Inc. ("Revance") today announced that the results of two Phase 2b clinical trials on RT001, a topical botulinim toxin type A which is under investigation for the treatment of lateral canthal lines (crow's feet wrinkles) were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery in Chicago. Both multi-center, double-blind, randomized, controlled studies showed that RT001 was well tolerated and demonstrated statistically significant efficacy versus controls. Adverse events were unrelated to study treatment as rated by investigators and generally mild or moderate, and transient. There was no evidence of spread or diffusion away from the target muscle observed.

The first study enrolled 90 subjects and utilized a primary composite endpoint that included ratings by both investigator and the patient on validated wrinkle severity scales. To be a responder, each subject had to demonstrate a ≥2-point improvement on both sides of the face as graded by the investigator's assessment and the patient's self-assessment. RT001 met the primary endpoint and all secondary endpoints with p≤0.0001. "A treatment that shows such promising results should appeal to a wide variety of new patients, many of whom do not like having a needle so close to their eyes and have been hesitant to come in for a cosmetic procedure," said Fredric Brandt, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in New York and Miami and the principal investigator of the study.

The second study had 180 subjects and was designed to compare the individual components comprising RT001. These components include botulinum toxin type A, the proprietary peptide carrier and the vehicle. RT001 met the primary endpoint of ≥2-point improvement in lateral canthal line severity on both sides of the face as measured by the investigator. The results were statistically significant (p<0.0001) compared to each component of RT001 individually and all the components combined. RT001 also met the more stringent composite endpoint of ≥2-point improvement on both the investigator assessment and the patient's self assessment compared to controls (p<0.0001) These results suggest that the peptide carrier is necessary for topically applied botulinum toxin to achieve positive results.

"The results of this study are very exciting," said Robert Weiss, MD, Director of the Maryland Laser, Skin & Vein Institute and Associate Professor of Dermatology at Johns Hopkins who was one of the investigators who presented data today. "These data confirm that large proteins such as botulinum toxin type A don't have the ability to cross skin by themselves."

Gary Monheit, MD, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Alabama also presented the overall results of the Phase 2 program in a session dedicated to "Advances in Botulinum Toxins".

Revance has done extensive development work on RT001 for lateral canthal lines and has completed 11 clinical trials and treated more than 550 subjects. The company was originally scheduled for an end-of-phase 2 meeting with the FDA earlier this month. The meeting did not take place as the Agency continues the review of the end-of-phase 2 briefing package submitted in September.

"We are pleased by the results generated in the RT001 clinical program," said Dan Browne, President and CEO of Revance. "We developed a robust testing program and RT001 continues to exceed our expectations. We will continue to provide information as the Agency requests in a timely manner as we move forward with the program."

About RT001
RT001, Botulinum Toxin Type A, Topical Gel, an investigational product whose first aesthetic indication is designed to reduce crow's feet wrinkles by temporarily relaxing the muscle around the eye. Unlike other procedures that require several injections in the sensitive periorbital area, RT001 gel is applied by the physician and then wiped off using a simple proprietary cleansing procedure. Revance's goal is to expand the market beyond other injectable treatments, which despite their popularity, have only captured about 10% of the potential market. The Company believes that offering a safe, efficacious and painless procedure could appeal to many of consumer who have considered treatment but are uncomfortable with the pain and bruising associated with injectables. RT001 is currently being studied for the treatment of lateral canthal lines (crow's feet) and the therapeutic indication of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

I must note that this topical BoNT-A seems to be effective where only superficial injections of Botox is effective (peri-orbital) and in hyperhidrosis. What about the Glabella, or lifting the nose tip, bunny lines, the dimpled chin and facial sculpting (masseter) ?

Trust me it really is not that bad

Microdroplet Botox or Meso-Botox

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, M.D., Inc. has been issued a rare patent (US 7,846,457 B2) by The United States Patent and Trademark Office for the invention of a breakthrough method for administering cosmetic botulinum toxin. The patent for Microdroplet™ botulinum toxin, a nonsurgical cosmetic facial treatment that improves upon standard BOTOX® treatments, was officially approved on December 7, 2010. The patent holder and inventor is Dr. Kenneth D. Steinsapir, a cosmetic surgeon in Los Angeles specializing in surgery and minimally invasive treatments that enhance facial features with natural-looking results.

Microdroplet™ BOTOX® utilizes tiny microdroplet volumes of botulinum toxin injected into the facial skin at a precise depth and positioning. This controlled placement balances the "tug of war" between the muscles that elevate and pull down the eyebrows. The treatment avoids side effects like BOTOX® "drift" and "forehead freeze."

Dr. Steinsapir reports, "I have been treating patients with BOTOX® since 1988, and early on I recognized the need for an improved approach to cosmetic treatment by carefully listening to the concerns of my patients." This vast experience crystallized into the Microdroplet™ botulinum toxin method in 2006, which is the basis for the U.S. Patent.

"Natural outcomes are vital to a successful and satisfying cosmetic treatment experience," says Dr. Steinsapir. "Microdroplet BOTOX can improve the appearance because it works on select muscles to attain and improve overall facial balance. It's an important option for individuals who seek cosmetic improvement without surgery and an essential alternative to current treatment methods."

Is it super concentrated so it doesn't diffuse much? Is it just another way of saying Baby Botox or Meso-Botox?

Groupon and Reading between the | Frown | Lines

Groupon has invaded South Africa and like in the other countries it has a grip on, aesthetic medicine is a firm favourite among the daily deals. Most people are familiar with this daily coupon deal site. Whether it is legal or not for use in the medical profession is still a grey area. In France and the UK Breast Augmentation, Rhinoplasty and Blepharoplasty are on offer at discounted rates.

Open the daily email to read the product write-up, which is quirky, bizarre and often preposterous. A "Botox" deal was described as “Isaac Newton discovered gravity not when cranially assaulted by a falling apple but upon noticing his sagging jowls while examining the forehead bruise in the mirror. Help reverse the Newtonian burden with today’s Groupon . . .”

The write-up is usually followed by an afterthought which is completely off-kilter and absurd. After the write-up of a pizza deal the following was offered “Food for thought: In the remote villages of Italy, old pizzas are used as Frisbees. When the children run out of amusing foods to throw at each other, they sit and stare at the bus station.”

In terms of marketing medicine there are many restrictions and you cannot directly market a schedule 4 drug like BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA). You can say things like anti-wrinkle injections, cosmetic injections and a whole host of euphemisms. Which some savvy doctors have cottoned on to and avoid using the word Botox in their Groupon adverts (Groupon describes it as Botox in the subject line though). Here is one that popped into my mail box a while ago.

         Save up to 60% on rejuvenating Botulinum Toxin treatments at Dr *not going to say*

“Similar to those concentric rings on tree trunks, the lines on your face are pretty good at broadcasting your age to all and sundry. They’re also really good at telling stories about your life, whether it’s a permanently furrowed brow that says you’re a deep thinker or other fine lines that chronicle late nights and possibly embarrassing circumstances. Silence facials informers and save up to 60% on rejuvenating facial treatments at Dr *No Name*.

• Pay R210 for ten units of Botulinum Toxin, valued at R500 (save 58%)
• Pay R210 for a 20% chemical peel, valued at R500 (58%)
• Pay R399 for both treatments, valued at R1000 (save 60%)

Dr *name omitted*specialises in prettification procedures and helping faces to achieve their full potential. Using minimally invasive procedures to sculpt countenances, today’s Groupon holders can rest assured that they’re in safe, skilled and remarkably soft hands.

Using ten units of Botulinum Toxin, Dr *name omitted* can indulge in inverted frown lines, smoothened forehead wrinkles or crow’s feet shooed from the windowsills of their soul. Unlike reading the messages in your significant others inbox while they sleep, Botulinum Toxin is mostly non-invasive and eases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, consisting of quick injections that hurt less than most things that are painful. Bonus points because you don’t have to worry about recovery time.

The other face-rejuvenating solution for shooing away cosmetic nuisances is the 20% glycolic acid chemical peel, because many skin problems are associated with the build-up of clingy dead cells that just don’t know how to let go. This can lead to complexions rougher than a hillbilly hit-man and duller than a beige pantsuit and, working down to the dermis, or living layer, of your skin, the peel stimulates collagen production which is effective in the thickening and re-elasticising of your skin, leaving you with improved skin texture and a dermis feeling smoother than a playboy’s pick-up line.”

What many people don't realize is that 10 units is not going to say hello to glabella frown lines (on average you need at least 25 units), so the rest of the units you need you pay full price for - a luring trick and false advertising! Also the price is well below cost and people may not know but Groupon actually take 50-60% of the voucher value – a practise called fee splitting that is unethical.

I have treated patients that have previously used the Groupon deals and many complain of unsatisfactory results and poor service.

Why feel like just a number and often end up paying more than you bargained for? We offer a comprehensive, value-centred service and it is important to us that all our patients receive individualized treatments that they need and will give them the best results that truly make a difference to the way they look and feel . We only use FDA approved products with extensive clinical data to back up their claims. So don’t put yourself at risk - make an appointment with one of the best .

Freeze Frame : Botox Alternative? No Such Thing

This product was recently launched in South Africa as a Botox alternative. So far nothing really beats the amazing effects of Botulinum toxin, besides being great for Crow's feet , Glabellar lines, forehead lines and snarling "bunny lines" in the upper face it can lift the corners of your mouth , reduce a gummy smile, tip your nose tip up and sculpt your masseters.

http://www.freeze-frame.com.au/ - You can have a look at the website here. Freezeframe is a product intended for use around the eyes and on the forehead. Within minutes, it claims to smoothes wrinkles almost completely - this is an instant, short term effect. It works on these muscles - the frontalis and obicularis oculi beacuse they are superficially situated.

What makes this product work? It contains a peptide called Argireline (Acetyl hexapeptide 3) which they have combined with other proteins and called Inhibox.GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid) is another active ingredient This amino acid  occurs naturally in our bodies where it inhibits neurotransmitters. Snap-8 , an octopeptide is also in there that supposedly is more pwerful than Argireline by 13.3%.Argireline is the trademark name of the molecule acetyl hexapeptide-3. Argireline is manufactured by the Spanish company Lipotec and is one of the hot new ingredients in anti aging skin care products. When applied topically, Argireline seems to have an effect similar to that of BOTOX® injections on the muscles of the face.

What is Argireline or acetyl hexapeptide -3?

Peptides are small fragments of proteins. Proteins are the main building blocks of nearly all living tissues. Argireline, acetyl hexapeptide-3, is a chain of six amino acids that are attached to the residue of acetic acid.

 In vitro Argireline works well on superficial muscle but in real life (in Vivo) when it has to get through skin to reach to muscle that the results are less than satisfactory. More on Argireline in up coming posts.

Strangely people say that this peptide is a "safe" alternative to Botox. With over 20 million treatments (Cosmetic) worldwide I'm sure that it is quite clear that Botox is safe. It is one of the most used drugs in the world!

"Freezeframe® with INHIBOX is an instant alternative that immediately erases expression wrinkles within minutes of application and if that's not enough it has
the added benefit of relaxing wrinkles in the long-term.

Get your instant face lift with an application of Freeze Frame – No needles,
no doctors, no pain. " - that's what they say

A pic from Poppy's Blog (Poppy from 5FM)

 It's available from Dischem, Stuttafords and selected Edgars stores for R799. Consider that Botox for the forehead is around R680-R900 and for the crow's feet for around R900- R1200 so I'm not convinced that an OTC product can compare. Let's see.

Another Terrible Child Botox Story!



From The SUN newspaper



Ouch! Threading your eyebrows are bad enough but this!
Picture from The SUN newspaper

Markings? How strange are these injection sites? One wrong move and she'll hit her Zygomaticus major!
Pictures From the SUN Newspaper

10 year old Willow Smith

Seven year old Bree Evans is another victim in the crazy world of child pageants.The primary age schoolgirl is injected with “Botox ”  and Fillers by her mother Sharon every two months as well as her eyebrows enhanced with tattoo ink.

The single mum, 33, uses the dangerous (in untrained hands) cosmetic procedures because she is desperate for her daughter to be famous.

She wants her to be as successful as chart-topping American child actress Willow Smith, ten - daughter of Hollywood couple Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. They’re absolutely obsessed with Willow Smith!

Sharon, who took a beautician's course several years ago, buys the Botox and fillers online and injects them into Bree's face herself. She tattooed on her daughter's eyebrows after learning how to do it from an ex-boyfriend who was a professional tattooist (yes and cosmetic tattoo ink is different from normal tattoo ink you daft woman!).

"To be a superstar you have to be different and highly styled. That is why I am doing this. She is my child and this is my decision - it will help shape her for the rest of her life." So says this British mum

Alarmingly, Sharon - who now lives with Bree in San Diego, California - claims giving girls as young as seven Botox and fillers is "all the rage" in America.

"Take Willow Smith - she always looks camera ready, wears designer clothes, has a stylist and wears make-up and hair extensions. It's got her global stardom. Bree is going to be bigger and more successful than Willow.” OMW! "It will also save her money on make-up and cosmetic procedures in the future."

Sharon got the idea to give Bree the procedures last year, after hearing other mothers talking about it at castings for beauty pageants and modelling jobs for their daughters. "I heard some parents gossiping about giving their daughters Botox instead of putting layers of make-up on them. They said it made their kids' skin look more radiant and it saved them a fortune in make-up products. “

Sharon contacted 15 doctors to inject Bree with Botox. They all refused but told her there was no law stopping her doing it, as she had previously trained as a beautician. Botox and fillers are self-regulated in Britain and in the States, which means it is not illegal to inject them into someone so young. She soon discovered that she could easily buy Botox and fillers via the internet. Sharon says: "I bought three 2ml vials of Botox solution, clean syringes and three filler injections for £250.I also went online and bought a starter Botox kit for £150.” Allergan would never sell Botox online! Ipsen and Galderma wouldn’t sell Dysport online coe to think of it. You get loads of fake ,dangerous products online! Is this woman crazy ?

"I had done a 12-week beautician's course four years ago so that knowledge helped. But I also read up on the internet about injecting fillers and Botox through forums and websites."  Twelve weeks! The Somotology course is 3-4 years!

"Then I told her what I was going to do and that if she wanted to be like Willow Smith she'd have to get noticed. Although she was scared she was also very excited about looking like a star.” What is this thing with Willow Smith? Bree says: "I love my eyebrows and having Botox. Some of the girls at school say it's wrong but they are just stupid and jealous. Most of my friends think it's really cool and want it done too. They know that I'm going to be a superstar, like Willow Smith."

Sharon, an office manager, plans to increase Bree's beauty regime to the next level in a year's time - by tattooing a thin, pink line around her young daughter's lips.

Read The full story here!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3565711/Mum-injects-her-girl-7-with-Botox.html