Never Be Seen Without Botox

This award season, the red carpet was inundated with frozen faces. Women looking younger than ever (Demi Moore, anyone)? But it's not a face lift that gives these celebrities their wrinkle-free expression, it's botox. 85% of procedures done by plastic surgeons last year were non surgical, says ASAPS. What does this mean? Well, you should never be seen without botox, that's for certain.

I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Norman Rowe, board certified plastic surgeon who has spent the last 10 years mastering the art of botox. And yes, botox is an art.

History of Botox: Botox has been on the market since the 1980's, used for people with strabismus (lazy eye). Then people started to inject it into the muscles of the forehead. In 2006 it became approved cosmetic use. Botox lasts around 5 months, men being shorter, women being longer. "Botox has 2 main effects. 1 it has a prophylactic effect - prevents wrinkles from getting worse. Therapeutic meaning it reverses some wrinkles which you may already have.
You're never too young to start botox - 30 percent of my patients are in their 20's.

Uses for Botox: "Commonly used in the area between the eyes glabella (vertical lines), forehead and a little less effectively used for crows feet." Also, you can use botox in the neck to take away vertical neck bands and reestablish a feminine jaw line, like a face lift. Use under the armpits for girls to stop sweating. Eyelid itself to enhance and open up the eye. Scalp in order to get a lift in patients who could get an eyelid droop. Gives the appearance of a larger forehead for someone who has a short forehead. Also inject in soles of feet for sweating. Pain, tmj and headaches. Lastly, facelift patients for scars to minimize scaring."

"Interestingly, there is an increase in men getting botox because there's no down time. It's the perfect alternative to facelift surgery," explains Dr. Rowe.

What to expect: Given enough botox and fillers you can delay the need for a surgical intervention and that is the future of plastic surgery. Botox cream, being tested in europe.

**Dr. Norman Rowe is a Manhattan based plastic surgeon. www. normanrowemd.com / 212-628-7300**