Happy 20th Birthday, Botox! Twenty years ago yesterday, Health Canada approved Botox (botulinum toxin type A) as a treatment for strabismus and blepharospasm. Since March 14, 1990, Botox has also been approved for the treatment of several other conditions, including cervical dystonia, hyperhidrosis, and focal spasticity, as well as to erase forehead wrinkles, glabellar lines and crow’s feet (for aesthetic conditions, the same product is labeled as Botox Cosmetic).

Botox is known worldwide, treating patients in about 80 countries. Part of the reason the product is so popular is due to its ability to achieve predictable and measurable results through a relatively simple treatment that requires no surgery. Results are temporary. Can you imagine the world if Botox did not exist? Honestly, it has really revolutionized the way wrinkles are treated.

The makers of Botox, Allergan, have continued to study the purified protein and its beneficial effects on other medical and aesthetic conditions. It is currently seeking approval from the FDA for the treatment of chronic migraines.

In the news recently, Trista Joy Lathern, a woman in Texas, has been arrested for stealing $10,000(US) from her family and friends. The woman, now being held on bail, told her family and friends that she had breast cancer and needed money to cover treatment, part of which included chemotherapy and breast augmentation. Ms. Lathern even shaved her head to appear as if she had undergone chemotherapy.

Family and friends, obviously concerned for her well being, held a benefit to raise funds for her. She was finally caught when no mention of breast cancer was made during her pre-surgery consultation and police investigated.

Can you believe this woman? There are some things you just shouldn’t do, and weaving a web of lies and deception is one of them.

If you aren’t financially capable of covering the cost for breast augmentation, consider waiting when you’re financial situation improves. You may also take advantage financing, available through Medicard and Credit Medical Corporation. Talk to us to find out what your payment options are at 416-221-5554.

Big news right now: the Canadian government has revised the federal budget, eliminating the eligibility of cosmetic surgery as a medical tax credit. Up to last year, Canadians who paid for breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, injectable fillers and other medical treatments solely designed to improve the aesthetic appearance of an individual were able to claim the costs for a medical tax credit. However, Jim Flaherty, the Finance Minister, has put an end to that this year (like the US did a while ago). This is unfortunate for the thousands of people across Toronto and the country who pay for cosmetic surgical procedures every year. Doing this will save the government an estimated $40 million.

Costs related to reconstructive procedures that repair congenital defects and problems resulting from trauma are still eligible.

This is bad news for Toronto based cosmetic surgery patients, since the HST is also going to inflate the final bill of treatments starting in June.

Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, recently sent a message to women in the country warning them about the dangers of cosmetic surgery, when performed by unlicensed doctors. The medical field does require cosmetic physicians to be licensed and have proper credentials to perform in their field, however there is little enforcement of set regulations. With lax standards, the country is rife with dubious doctors.

The Prime Minister directed his message to women who have unrealistic expectations of cosmetic surgery and are unaware of the risks and complications related to treatments.

Cosmetic surgery is big business in the country, where treatments such as breast augmentation and rhinoplasty are performed on thousands of men and women every year. Many Cambodian women turn to plastic surgery in the hopes that it will make them appear more like foreign celebrities. Prices tend to be significantly less than the standard in other countries, making Cambodia a popular medical tourist destination for people living in places as far away as Europe.

In Canada, the medical field is strictly monitored to protect the welfare of the population. Cosmetic surgery in Toronto should always be performed by a physician licensed by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

Most of us would love to look like a hot celeb, but this girl may be going a little too far.

A 21 year old Chinese female, referred to by the press as Xiaoqing, is hoping that cosmetic surgery will transform her into a replica of Jessica Alba, television and film actress extraordinaire – because she wants her Jessica Alba-obsessed boyfriend back. Apparently, the relationship blossomed only because Xiaoqing looked like the star when made up. They broke up after a fight, when she refused to wear a blond wig in public.

Unfortunately, the 21 year old doesn’t have the funds for surgery and has asked for a cosmetic surgery clinic to donate their services. She posted her plea for free cosmetic surgery on a popular Chinese public forum, which has already received over 160,000 clicks since first being published about a month ago.

We think that this story probably won’t have a fairy tale ending, but you never know!

Cosmetic surgery is getting popular with the politicians in China.

According to the Telegraph, a UK based newspaper, over 500 government officials every year are going under the knife to get nipped and tucked – supporting an over $2.5 billion CA industry. The types of cosmetic surgical procedures, performed at the Plastic Surgery Hospital at Beijing’s Union Medical College, include eyelid lift surgery (aka blepharoplasty) as the most popular, an assortment of other facial contouring treatments to rejuvenate the face, Botox, and dermal fillers. Dr. Chen, one of the doctors who has performed the procedures, state that cosmetic surgery may be popular with the politicians because it helps them, “have the strong features that government officials are supposed to have.”

Surgery, as well as admittance and discharge, are all performed quite secretly for officials at the senior level.

news source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/