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April
30, 2005
The Aesthetic
Surgery Education & Research Foundation (ASERF), a research
branch of the ASAPS, did the survey. The two-page questionnaire
was mailed to more than 1,600 doctors who are members of
the ASAPS; 1,048 surveys were processed.
Surprising Botox Results
"The results of this survey may come as a surprise to some people," says
Leroy Young, MD, in a news release. Young is the chairman of
the ASAPS' committee on nonsurgical procedures and has also
led the ASERF's research committee.
"Many are under the assumption that Botox is used mostly by
models, movie stars, and the extremely wealthy," he continues. "The
reality is that the majority of users are working mothers who
are juggling their career and family, and are just as likely
to be administrative or clerical staff as managers."
Botox Basics
Botox is the brand name of botulinum toxin type A. It's made from a very small
dose of the toxin. Botox is injected with a fine needle into specific muscles,
blocking nerve signals to those muscles and preventing them from contracting.
That makes wrinkles relax and soften.
Botox is approved for the "temporary improvement in moderate to severe frown
lines between the brows in people 18 to 65 years of age," says the web site of
Allergan, the company that makes Botox.
In the ASAPS' survey, just over half of respondents (51 percent) said their injections
lasted four to six months. An additional 38 percent said the shots wore off after
one to three months.
Survey's
Participants
Virtually all survey participants were women (97 percent). Most were in their
40s and early 50s. The age breakdown was:
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41-45 years: 19 percent
—
45-50 years: 19 percent
—
51-55 years: 18 percent
—
36-40 years: 13 percent
—
55-60 years: 13 percent
Most had two children (33 percent). Twenty-six percent did not have children.
Seventeen percent had three children. Seventeen percent had one child, and 7
percent had four or more kids.
Most were married or had a life partner (67 percent), 12 percent were divorced,
12 percent were single, 7 percent were in a committed relationship, and 2 percent
were widowed.
Occupations included professionals (22 percent), homemakers (12 percent), proprietor/business
owners
(12 percent), administrative & clerical support staff (10 percent), and managers
(10 percent).
Survey's Results: Reasons, Feedback
When asked why they started
using Botox, the top three reasons were:
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To look more relaxed, less stressed (30 percent)
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To look less angry or stern (17 percent)
—
To look more attractive (13 percent)
Asked about their emotions after a Botox treatment, 47 percent said they felt
more attractive, 33 percent said they felt more confident, and 29 percent said
they felt less stressed and more relaxed.
In terms of satisfaction, 79 percent
said they were "definitely" satisfied with Botox. Regarding side effects, 75
percent said they had not had any side effects or complications. Botox was considered "safe" by
74 percent of people taking the survey.
Survey's Results: Cost
Most people said they paid several hundred dollars per treatment. The majority
(64 percent) said a Botox treatment cost them $250-$500. Fifteen percent reported
paying $501-$750
per treatment, and 17 percent said they paid less than $250.
Allergan's web site says any authorized health care provider can administer Botox,
but it suggests finding a doctor with experience in the procedure. Patients should
tell their
doctor about any medications they're taking, the drug company adds.
Botox Side
Effects
Side effects can include headache, respiratory infection, flu-like symptoms,
droopy eyelids, and nausea. A few patients (less than 3 percent) may have more
severe reactions, such as facial pain, redness at the injection site, and muscle
weakness. Symptoms are usually brief but could last several months.
Women should not use Botox if they are pregnant, breastfeeding, think they might
be pregnant,
or are planning to become pregnant, says Allergan.
Botox should not be used by patients with allergies to Botox's ingredients or
infections in the targeted
areas, says Allergan.
By Miranda
Hitti, reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD
SOURCES: Aesthetic
Surgery Education & Research Foundation, "2005 Botox(r) Cosmetic
Survey." News release, Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research
Foundation. Allergan: "Botox(r) Cosmetic."
WebMD
Medical Reference provided in collaboration with The Cleveland
Clinic
© 2005 WebMD Inc.
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