Schedule AnAppointment
CEENTA oculoplastic specialist Dr. Catherine Cuite appeared on WCNC's Charlotte Today on October 21st, 2021 to discuss toxin treatments like BOTOX and Dysport to treat fine lines, wrinkles, and crow's feet.
Mia Atkins: Do you look like you're always frowning? If so, our next guest is here to talk about ways to remove those frown lines, wrinkles and crow's feet. We welcome Dr. Catherine Cuite from Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates. Thank you so much for being here today.
Dr. Catherine Cuite: Thanks for having me.
Mia: So, all of those things I just mentioned, those are definitely signs of aging. We do not like to see those, and you're saying BOTOX or other injectables can help with that? Let's talk about that.
Dr. Cuite: They sure can. So, BOTOX is a brand name for a purified component from botulinum toxin, so it can safely be injected and it modifies how our muscles move in the face. So, when we're frowning but we don't mean to be frowning injections with that product can really help.
Mia: Okay, let's talk about what makes that different from other things that you might use.
Dr. Cuite: So, there are lots of facial injectables that can help us be our best self. Botulinum toxin products like BOTOX or Dysport change how we move our face that's different than the filler which is changing the shape of the face.
Mia: Okay, so it just kind of does different things to the appearance of the face.
Dr. Cuite: It's going to change how you move, so when you kind of absent-mindedly or without realizing it or frowning, it's gonna soften that.
Mia: Okay, what are some other injection options for patients?
Dr. Cuite: So, I always recommend that people do start with the toxin injection. It's the most comfortable, completely reversible so it's a great first-time cosmetic step, and there are about seven million injections with neurotoxin in the states every year. So this is a pretty safe product. It was approved by FDA for cosmetic use in 2002 so we're coming up on our 20-year anniversary for using BOTOX and Dysport in that way.
Mia: Oh wow, that's incredible!
Dr. Cuite: It's a pretty good safety history.
Mia: That really is, and that's I'm sure so helpful for people to hear to know this is a safe thing for us to do, right?
Dr. Cuite: After the pandemic, I think we're all really up for something safe.
Mia: Yes, I think so we all want to make sure that whatever we're using on our bodies is going to be good for us and so it's comforting to hear something like that. So, what are some other ways that toxins can be used that might be kind of surprising?
Dr. Cuite: There are some interesting ways, I think many people by now have heard that injections with toxin can really help migraine patients, it can reduce the frequency and the severity of your migraines that's super helpful. A couple other neat ways BOTOX can be used for excessive sweating. It's actually FDA approved for that and that's very helpful for people who struggle with that problem. It can be used for people who grind their teeth, and my partners at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat even use it for disorders of the vocal cords.
Mia: How does that work then? Isn't that crazy?
Dr. Cuite: That's crazy, so people don't think about it but the vocal cord is a muscular structure, and so the way that it moves influences our speech. And so, for people who have problems with speech, my ENT partners use it in a totally different way than I do but still very valuable.
Mia: Well, let's talk about maintenance really quick as we wrap up here. How often are people going to need to get this done?
Dr. Cuite: You don't have to get your injections just because you started. So, I tell people it's a little like hair color: once you start coloring your hair, you might be partial to it but there's no obligation to keep it up. I would say it's great at a minimum to do it two or three times a year. I have patients with facial movement disorders who are sure to do it every 91 days. It's filling a different need for that patient. But for a cosmetic use, three times a year is a pretty good estimate.
Mia: Okay, well thank you so much for being here today. It was just a pleasure.
Dr. Cuite: Thank you, Mia
Mia: And Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates has locations in and around the Charlote area and you can find Dr. Cuite at their SouthPark office. You can also visit their website WeJustMakeSense.com. Thanks again for being here.
Dr. Cuite: Thank you.
Learn more about our toxin treatment options and schedule your next appointment with Catherine Cuite, MD at our SouthPark office today!
Have you ever been curious about ophthalmology? Explore the world of eye care with this exciting opportunity to become an ophthalmic apprentice or a contact lens apprentice.
The Charlotte Checkers took a moment to interview CEENTA CEO Jag Gill, ScD, about their continued partnership.
Do you feel like you keep losing your voice? Learn more about the different types of spasmodic dysphonia and how you can treat them.
