Untreated Twin
Treated Twin
(NC)-More Canadians are embracing the benefits of Botox Cosmetic each year, and now it seems Botox may have the potential to become part of the anti-aging skin-care routine early on.
A recent study published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery compared identical twins over a period of 13 years and found that long-term, consistent treatment with Botox may prevent the development of imprinted facial lines.
"This report is very exciting. Now we can assess wrinkle formation over time in identical twins with similar facial anatomies," said Dr. William J. Binder, the study's author and a facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California. "It is clear that the twin who received regular Botox treatments had no visible lines in her forehead or between her eyebrows when her muscles were at rest."
One twin received Botox injections in her forehead and between her eyebrows 2-3 times per year, beginning at age 25. She also received two treatments in her crow's feet area. Her sister received only two Botox treatments in her forehead and eyebrows during the same 13-year period. The "treated" twin had less visible crow's feet and no visible lines in her forehead or between her eyebrows, while the untreated twin did. No adverse effects were reported in either twin.
"We already know that a single Botox injection into a target muscle can inhibit muscle contraction and reduce the appearance of some wrinkles for several months," says Dr. Jean Carruthers, Clinical Professor, University of British Columbia and Medical Director, Carruthers Cosmetic Surgery. "But what is interesting is Botox's potential role in the prevention of wrinkles in the forehead or between the eyebrows."
Botox Cosmetic is currently approved by Health Canada for the treatment of forehead wrinkles, "crow's feet" and glabellar lines (wrinkles between the eyebrows).
Credit: www.newscanada.com