Can BOTOX Put a Smile on Your Face -- in More Ways Than One?OMAHA Omaha, city, United States Omaha (ō`məhä, –hô), city (1990 pop. 335,795), seat of Douglas co., E Nebr., on the west bank of the Missouri River; inc. 1857. , Neb. -- Turning that frown upside down just might help ease depression. That's the theory, say researchers in Maryland, who link BOTOX(R) injections for smoothing facial wrinkles with improvement of depression in their study participants. "I have noted frequently that my patients who receive BOTOX seem happier," said Joel Schlessinger, M.D., President-elect, American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery aesthetic surgery n. Plastic or cosmetic surgery. and President of LovelySkin.com. "This was a very brief and uncontrolled study, so it is difficult to say whether the improvement in 9 of the 10 patients was due to the drug or simply because they thought they felt better," he said. BOTOX has been FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. approved to treat excessive sweating, twitchy twitch·y adj. twitch·i·er, twitch·i·est 1. Characterized by jerky or spasmodic motion: the twitchy whiskers of a cat. 2. Nervous; jittery. or crossed eyes crossed eyes n. See esotropia. , and muscle spasms. But its most frequent use has been to smooth frown lines on the forehead and crow's feet. Injections of BOTOX block chemicals that cause muscles to contract and create a frown or worry lines. "You've heard the expression, 'If you're happy, tell your face,'" Dr. Schlessinger said. "In this case, your face becomes happy after the injections, and if you look good, you might feel good too. So the improvement in depressive mood may be due, ultimately, to a happier looking face, which results in positive biofeedback biofeedback, method for learning to increase one's ability to control biological responses, such as blood pressure, muscle tension, and heart rate. Sophisticated instruments are often used to measure physiological responses and make them apparent to the patient, who to the brain." Is there a scientific connection? You decide. Even the scientist Charles Darwin made early observations about facial expressions and emotion in animals Emotion in animals considers the question of whether non-human animals feel emotions, in the sense that humans understand it. Different answers have been suggested throughout human history, by animal lovers, scientists, philosophers, and others who interact with animals, but and humans in his early work on evolution. "There is no doubt that BOTOX improves the way our patients look and feel," Dr. Schlessinger said. "Studies such as this may be showing the power of the mind/body connection." He cautions, however, that people should see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment of clinical depression. Dr. Joel Schlessinger is a Board Certified Dermatologist and Board Certified General Cosmetic Surgeon. He is President of LovelySkin.com, the number one online source for dermatologist-recommended skin care products. LovelySkin.com features over 2,000 products and 70 product lines useful for wrinkles, acne, lip plumping and other niche skin care needs. Sign up for a free monthly e-letter at www.LovelySkin.com. For interviews, contact Dr. Schlessinger directly at skindoc@LovelySkin.com or 402-690-0995. |
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