from the Winter 2004 issue
With the explosion of new products and treatment devices in the field of cosmetic dermatology over the past few years, there has arisen confusion in many consumers’ minds about the best options to choose to address their problems. Just the sheer number of new treatments on the market causes some of this confusion. However, the media and, in some cases, the advertisers also have contributed to the puzzlement. For example, there is a widely advertised wrinkle cream that claims it’s “better than Botox®.” Based on published medical research, dermatologists know when we read or see these ads that there is no wrinkle cream on the market today, including the prescription ones, that is “better than Botox.” Obviously, part of the reason for these advertised comparisons is the hope of riding the coattails of Botox’s success.
Another example of the confusion is the buzz about the newly FDA-approved injectable filler called Restylane®. I’ve had patients ask me about the new wrinkle treatment that’s “going to replace Botox.” Once again, we have to set the record straight. Restylane is a great wrinkle treatment, and so is Botox. Still, they work in very different ways to treat wrinkles. Neither one can totally replace the other. In fact, they are often complementary, and can be used together to maximize results for many individuals.
Because patients often have more than one skin-care issue, skin rejuvenation is usually a multi-faceted process. In these cases, we get better results if we use multiple modalities to attack the problem. Each patient’s needs are unique, and different problems have different solutions, so we tailor a treatment plan to an individual’s specific situation. For example, if a patient has many facial spider veins on his or her cheeks and nose, a deep frown line between their eyebrows, and the beginnings of vertical wrinkles on the upper lip, we might suggest a series of FotoFacials™ to reduce the facial veins, Botox for the frown line, and collagen or Restylane in the lips and frown line.
Everyone can benefit from a good skin-care regimen. Again, depending on what skin issues exist, we can suggest a program for your specific circumstances. We can pick the most effective products from our knowledge of prescription, over-the-counter, and cosmeceutical products. For example, if a patient has melasma (blotchy pigmentation) and acne, we might suggest the Obagi regimen combined with topical and oral antibiotics. Of course, the cornerstone of good skin care is strict sun protection. We recommend a variety of sunscreens that provide the best UVA and UVB protection on the market.
If you’re considering a particular procedure and want more information, we suggest you set up a consultation or attend one of our free Saturday seminars. At the seminars, we go into detail about the pros and cons of various procedures and show before-and-after photos to demonstrate the changes you can expect. Both are excellent ways to become more informed about your options. Our experience shows that a more informed patient is usually a more satisfied patient.
As an overview to help you understand what options are available for various problems, see Options for Skin Care.
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