New Alternatives to Botox

Botox®, Xeomin® and Dysport® lead the pack when it comes to non-invasive cosmetic procedures to smooth wrinkles and lines on the face. A new group of minimally invasive technologies is here to produce the same results, and keep those results for far longer than injectables. Dr. Jason Pozner of Boca Raton discusses three devices he thinks are great alternatives for patients who are weary of receiving injectables multiple times a year to keep their results.

By: Jason Pozner, MD
and Adam McMillon
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com

Botox! Botox! Botox!

Injectable wrinkle-reducers and line-erasers are all the rage in cosmetic surgery, and for good reason. Their ability to remove age with a few simple injections has led many patients into plastic surgeon offices that may not be interested in a face-lift procedure. The only drawback is how long they last.

New advancements in cosmetic surgery technology have been developed to possibly solve that problem. “There are a couple of devices coming that are toxin alternatives,” says Dr. Pozner. “There are some people who don’t want to get Botox every few months, and some who don’t get the results they used to get. With these new devices, results can last as long as two years.”

Radio Frequency… Cold Therapy… What are these devices?

The devices looking to be alternatives to Botox utilize different methods of energy to eliminate wrinkles, or, more technically, to stun the nerves that cause wrinkles to be so noticeable. The energy delivery methods fall into two categories: radio frequency and cold therapy.

Radio Frequency Devices

• THERMiRF™ from ThermiAesthetics
• neuBELLE™ from Serene Medical

“Both of these devices use a radio frequency probe done under local anesthesia where you insert a fine little needle into the area above the eyebrow,” says Pozner. “Basically, it stuns the nerve that controls frowning or raising your brow. The results smooth out your wrinkles and can last upwards of 2 years.”

The third device utilizes a different form of energy, called cold therapy, to achieve the same result. myoscience’s iovera° technology uses a device to freeze the nerves associated with frowning, instead of stunning them. ‘The downside to iovera° is that the results may not last as long as the radio frequency devices, but it is still very promising,” says Pozner.

Are These Devices Right for Me?

Many patients see the problems age has caused every time they look in the mirror and wonder, “What can I do about it?” Botox is so popular in the media that many go into the nearest office that offers it, hoping to get the great results that they see in media. The best way to ensure great results, whether it be from Botox or these new device alternatives, is to spend the extra time to seek out a board certified plastic surgeon to consult with, such as Dr. Pozner.

During a consult, board certified plastic surgeons are most skilled at:

a. determining the right course of action, and

b. providing the greatest result

Maybe THERMiRF sounds great to you, but perhaps Botox may be the better course of action to achieve the results you want. The best news for patients everywhere is the growing toolbox plastic surgeons have to achieve longer, better results than ever before.