Health & Medicine
FDA Approves Botox to Treat Crow's Feet, but is it Safe?
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Sep 11, 2013 03:17 PM EDT
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sings the praise of Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) via a statement it made Wednesday regarding those looking to improve the appearance of nasty eye wrinkles known as crow's feet. At this time, it's the only FDA approved drug treatment option for lateral canthal lines, according to the administration.
The FDA had previously approved the use of Botox Cosmetic in 2002 for the temporary improvement of glabellar lines, also known as wrinkles between the eyebrows, or frown lines.
The product works to prevent muscles from tightening so that wrinkles are less prominent. Some scientists even believe that the regular use of Botox Cosmetic over time could help permanently reduce the appearance of wrinkles by the constant paralysis of the muscles used to create them.
"This additional indication will provide people with a new FDA approved treatment option for those seeking a smoother appearance by temporarily minimizing the appearance of crow's feet at the sides of the eyes," Susan Walker said via the FDA, M.D., director of the Division of Dermatology and Dental Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
The product is administered via intramuscular injections and several areas can be treated during one sitting, according to the administration.
The FDA notes the following regarding the product, via their website: "Botox Cosmetic's safety and effectiveness for treating lateral canthal lines were established in two clinical efficacy and safety studies. The studies enrolled 833 adult participants with moderate to severe lateral canthal lines who were randomly assigned to receive Botox or placebo. Results showed that those treated with Botox had greater improvement compared to placebo in the appearance of lateral canthal lines."
However, Botox Cosmetic is not without its side-effects. For treatment of lateral canthal lines, eyelid edema, a condition in which the eyelids are swollen and contain excessive fluid, can occur shortly following the procedure.
However, the Mayo Clinic notes that more severe reactions have been linked to Botox use in rare cases, including the following: all over muscle weakness, vision problems, trouble speaking or swallowing or trouble breathing, and loss of bladder control.
For anyone considering the cosmetic procedure, it's important to do some background research in order to determine if this is really the right option for you.
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First Posted: Sep 11, 2013 03:17 PM EDT
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sings the praise of Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) via a statement it made Wednesday regarding those looking to improve the appearance of nasty eye wrinkles known as crow's feet. At this time, it's the only FDA approved drug treatment option for lateral canthal lines, according to the administration.
The FDA had previously approved the use of Botox Cosmetic in 2002 for the temporary improvement of glabellar lines, also known as wrinkles between the eyebrows, or frown lines.
The product works to prevent muscles from tightening so that wrinkles are less prominent. Some scientists even believe that the regular use of Botox Cosmetic over time could help permanently reduce the appearance of wrinkles by the constant paralysis of the muscles used to create them.
"This additional indication will provide people with a new FDA approved treatment option for those seeking a smoother appearance by temporarily minimizing the appearance of crow's feet at the sides of the eyes," Susan Walker said via the FDA, M.D., director of the Division of Dermatology and Dental Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
The product is administered via intramuscular injections and several areas can be treated during one sitting, according to the administration.
The FDA notes the following regarding the product, via their website: "Botox Cosmetic's safety and effectiveness for treating lateral canthal lines were established in two clinical efficacy and safety studies. The studies enrolled 833 adult participants with moderate to severe lateral canthal lines who were randomly assigned to receive Botox or placebo. Results showed that those treated with Botox had greater improvement compared to placebo in the appearance of lateral canthal lines."
However, Botox Cosmetic is not without its side-effects. For treatment of lateral canthal lines, eyelid edema, a condition in which the eyelids are swollen and contain excessive fluid, can occur shortly following the procedure.
However, the Mayo Clinic notes that more severe reactions have been linked to Botox use in rare cases, including the following: all over muscle weakness, vision problems, trouble speaking or swallowing or trouble breathing, and loss of bladder control.
For anyone considering the cosmetic procedure, it's important to do some background research in order to determine if this is really the right option for you.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone