A doctor in India, Dr. Vijay Sharma states in a news story that Botox is a fraud.
He is quoted as saying “In the case of frequent use, the damage to the muscles may force a patient to undergo a face-lift at an early age. This scam allows for doctors and dermatologists to set themselves up for a steady income from their patients.”
We would like your response to Dr. Sharma which will be used in RealSelf.com news section. Thank you.
Botox is mainly used for the upper 1/3 of the face. So if the doctor's rational was correct he would imply browlifting. However, in a relatively young patient in their 30's, 40's and sometimes 50's, Botox can help improve the wrinkles associated with muscle overactivity. Yes, down the road a browlift may be better, but most of these people do not need a full browlift until may years later.
Tom,
Dr. Vijay Sharma's statements sound more like sensationalism for himself and have no scientific merit. In fact, it seems to me that Botox has actually lowered the number of facial cosmetic procedures performed - although this is just my observation.
It certainly has lowered the amount of forehead surgery such as brow lifts. Additionally, in general, Botox is used in the periorbital region and above (forehead, glabella).
Facelifts address the lower face, an area where Botox is not typically used. Botox or not, people continue to age. So, if there is any correlation between Botox and facelifts, it would be that Botox patients already are familiar with plastic surgeons and, when it comes time for them to have a facelift, they have one.
Dear Tom,
1) Botox has an excellent safety profile.
2) Botox is extremely effective at temporary facial improvement ( lifting the eyebrows, lifting the corners of the mouth, relaxing neck bands, erasing wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes, etc. ).
3) There is absolutely no evidence that using Botox will cause patients to need earlier facelifts. In fact, the opposite is true.
Contact the doctor
