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American Morning

Last Month's FDA Approval of Botox Injections as Way to Remove Frown Lines Made Headlines Everywhere

Aired May 13, 2002 - 08:41   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Last month's FDA approval of Botox injections as a way to remove frown lines made headlines everywhere. Today, we'll start to see the first round of television advertising for Botox. It's the same poison that causes botulism, but used this way for wrinkles, it's perfectly safe, we're told.

For today's house call, we're joined now by CNN medical correspondent Rhonda Rowland in Atlanta.

Good morning, Rhonda.

RHONDA ROWLAND, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Jack.

And if you think you've already heard a lot about Botox, you're going to be hearing even more with these new ads. And you need to remember that Botox is nothing new, that dermatologists and plastic surgeons have been offering it to their patients for some years now. If they want to reduce the signs of aging, because it's been FDA approved for some medical conditions.

But now with the FDA approval specifically to smooth out those facial lines, the company can now run start running ads, and we have one of these ads to show you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow. Worried about losing your wow? Ask your dermatologist or plastic surgeon about Botox cosmetic, or call for the name of a doctor in your area. It's not magic, it's Botox cosmetic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLAND: So we'll see how many people go out to their doctors now to get that Botox. In addition to this, the company Allergen can now start teaching doctors how to use it properly. There's kind of an art to using this.

Another phenomenon that we've seen pop up in the last month are some Botox parties. We've seen these come up in Los Angeles and New York, where they're kind of almost like tupperware parties. People go in and talk to people who have had Botox, find out more about it. They learn it is actually this poison, that when used in small amounts can actually paralyze some of the facial muscles, so it can eliminate the furrow between your eyebrows and smooth out the lines in your forehead. It can be used to kind of limit the crow's feet around your ice, and some dermatologist will also put it around the mouth to try to limit the little furrows that form in that area.

And again with this, this is nothing permanent. Again, as the ad says, it's not magic. It lasts maybe three to six months. And if you get it and end up not liking it, you can just stop, because it's not permanent.

So, Jack, are you ready to go and sign on for this?

CAFFERTY: You know, I was interested in that commercial you ran. There were no guys in there. Do you think I would benefit from Botox? Tell the truth, Rhonda.

ROWLAND: Well, I don't want to comment on that, but men can definitely go out and get it. And in fact, in some of these parties, men are showing up, and there are a lot of men who are going out there and getting these various cosmetic procedures, and one thing that's very appealing about Botox is that it's fast. You go in, you get the injections. It only takes about two minutes, and the pain just lasts during the time of the injections, and then it really goes away.

CAFFERTY: Is it expensive?

ROWLAND: It is expensive. It can cost between $200 and $500 or $600 a time. And so, if you get this four times a year, it can add up. But now with the FDA approval, more doctors using it, perhaps market forces will drive down the cost.

CAFFERTY: Well, time will tell. Rhonda, thank you, and thanks for the diplomatic answer to my question. I need that stuff in a drum, are you kidding me? All right.

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