The Next "Botox" is Almost Here....

Xeomin (pronounced "Zee-o-men") has just been FDA-approved for use here in the States.  Xeomin is a new botulinum toxin from Merz, the company that makes Radiesse (a collagen-stimulator, wrinkle filler) and Asclara (for spider veins).

We don't know exactly how Xeomin will stack up against Botox and Dysport, but we do know that Xeomin is supposed to be a "purer" form of the botulinum toxin protein, and we know it doesn't have to be refrigerated, so it has a longer shelf-life.  We don't yet know if it will last longer than Botox or Dysport, or how it will work for areas other than the "11s" between the brows, which is presently the only area it's FDA-approved to treat.  And we don't yet know about it's cost.



As with many products, Europe has been using Xeomin for awhile now, even though it just became available here in the States.  In Europe, it's called Bocouture....which brings me to the issue of names for these wrinkle-reducers.


Why are all the names so unappealing??  "Botox" sounds like a poison. "Dysport" sounds dys-functional.  Xeomin, well, I had to figure out how to pronounce it!  Europe got the good name for Dysport (it's Reloxin over there", and they got the good name for Xeomin (Bocouture).  Not sure why we're getting all the bad names over here.

What do you think--will you try Xeomin as soon as it's available, or will you wait until it's more "tried and true" here?

Botox results for less $$?? Who wouldn't want that?!

A new study has confirmed what we've long-suspected in my practice:  people who use Botox regularly can eventually use it LESS often and still get the same great results!  So if you've been wanting to try Botox, but have been worried about needing to do it every 3 months to keep up your results, this is great news!

The study found that women aged 30-50 who have Botox every 3 months for about 2 years can then start using it only twice a year (every 6 months) and see no change in their lines and wrinkles.

Have a great weekend!

To Your Health and Beauty,
Dr. Carmen Kavali

Botox as "Push Present"?

Apparently, Push Presents have become all the rage over the past few years: a present a new Dad gives a New Mom around the time of the baby's birth. I think it's a sweet idea, something to make Mom feel honored, respected, and maybe even a little glamorous after all she's been through during pregnancy and childbirth.

There are plenty of opinions regarding Push Presents: some people think the baby is present enough, and others think it's just a sweet gesture. And there are plenty of ideas for Push Presents--of course the jewelry industry hopes Dad will choose a true bauble for Mom. Fortunoff even has a Push Present registry!

But I just had an expectant mom tell me that she wants Botox and some Fotofacial skin care treatments as her Push Present! Nothing like a little wrinkle reduction and skin smoothing to make a mom feel a little more confident and gorgeous, I say. And, you know, if Mama's happy....