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Medical Minute #2- Botox

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(Brazil Offers Free Botox and Chemical Skin Peels to Its Poorest) Good or Bad Idea?

Want free Botox? You'll have to move to a favela to get it. The Associated Press reports from Rio de Janeiro that Brazilians who make less than $250 (or appoximately 555 Brazil reais) are now being offered free Botox injections, laser hair or acne removal treatments and chemical skin peels, all thanks to the Brazilian Society of Esthetic Medicine. (On the plus side, nutritional counseling is offered gratis as well.)

According to the organization's spokeswoman, Isabel Alvarez, some 10,000 brasileiros have already been treated. Alvarez explains to the AP that this program is a win-win situation for everyone, because doctors-in-training can get extra practice on cosmetic procedures while their nation's poorest people can enjoy treatments that they could otherwise never afford.

While that all sounds very well-intentioned, has anyone in Brazil examined why free Botox for low-income citizens might be a not-so-great or say, psychologically damaging, idea? And here's a thought for U.S. doctors--we're in a recession, and 20% of our country's population already lives in poverty. Why didn't we think of this first? (Kidding...sort of).

Readers, what do you think of Brazil's free Botox plan? Is it a symbol of how cosmetic procedures have run amok (particularly in Latin America? Or is it just a nice way of providing accessible treatments for those who want it?

Here is an Intro to Botox

BOTOX® (Botulinum Toxin Type A) Purified Neurotoxin Complex is a sterile, vacuum-dried purified botulinum toxin type A, produced from fermentation of Hall strain Clostridium botulinum type A grown in a medium containing casein hydrolysate, glucose and yeast extract. It is purified from the culture solution by dialysis and a series of acid precipitations to a complex consisting of the neurotoxin, and several accessory proteins. The complex is dissolved in sterile sodium chloride solution containing Albumin (Human) and is sterile filtered (0.2 microns) prior to filling and vacuum-drying.Botox works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles at the site of injection.

The History of Botox®

Botulinum toxins were first researched in the late 1960s to treat neurological disorders. otox was first approved by the FDA in 1989 to treat eye muscle disorders (blepharospasm, uncontrollable blinking, and strabismus, crossed eyes). In 2000, it was approved to treat cervical dystonia (a disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder contractions). As an unusual side effect of the eye disorder treatment, doctors observed that Botox® softened the frown lines between the eyebrow.


Side Effects of Botox
Anxiety; back pain; dizziness; drowsiness; dry eyes; dry mouth; eye irritation; facial pain; flu-like symptoms; headache; inability to focus eyes; increased cough; nausea; neck pain; pain, redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site; runny nose; sensitivity to light; sweating; upset stomach; weakness of the muscles at or near the injection site.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Botox Cosmetic:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bleeding at the injection site; chest pain; difficulty swallowing; drooping of the upper eyelid; eyelid swelling; fever; irregular heartbeat; paralysis; pneumonia; seizures; shortness or breath; speech changes or problems; unusual weakness; vision changes.The reactions announced by the FDA Friday resembled botulism, a rare but potentially deadly paralyzing illness caused by botulinum toxin in tainted food, the agency said in what it called "an early communication about an ongoing safety review" of Botox, Botox Cosmetic and Myobloc, the three brands sold in the USA.

The products' labeling already warns of the "rare potential" for serious problems — such as difficulty swallowing and breathing — far from the site of the injection in patients with neuromuscular disorders. The label also describes the possibility of adverse side effects near the injection site, such as drooping eyelids after injections for frown lines.

Tags: botox, medical, minute, sugar

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CLEM Comment by CLEM on November 14, 2008 at 10:31am
Free Botox?!
she-who-rocks Comment by she-who-rocks on November 14, 2008 at 12:33pm
Has anyone not seen teh womn that use this stuff regularly? I will age gracefully, fighting it just makes you look hideous for real!
Siren Comment by Siren on November 14, 2008 at 12:43pm
Let these chicks keep it up with botox and all this other mess...their face are going to start deteriorating and they are going to have face cancer and ish....NOT ME! Besides Good Black don't crack!
jus_jazzie Comment by jus_jazzie on November 14, 2008 at 1:14pm
This is a disaster to all the poor people in Brazil. What happens when they get a side effect that has to be treated this is sooo sad. I have to agree with Siren I will age gracefully. Also I work for and oncologist and Cancer is out of control in regards to how many people are getting it by recieving such beauty services..Trust me you guys it is atonishing....to say the least.
Cougar $pice Comment by Cougar $pice on November 14, 2008 at 1:20pm
The lurkers will love this. They on the next flight to Brazil. LMAO
I'll age gracefully. LOL
Stephbaby Comment by Stephbaby on November 14, 2008 at 2:38pm
Botox works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles at the site of injection. And the side effects....O no, not the kid! Just give yourself a facial damnit!

Great post Sug!

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