Most U.S. states allow dentists to administer Botox for therapeutic purposes to treat conditions such as facial pain, bruxism, and temporomandibular joint disorders, and more than 35 states allow its use for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.
And although opponents say that Botox and dermal fillers are best left to plastic surgeons and dermatologists, proponents argue that they have a place in dentistry as well. In fact, 16% to 20% of U.S. dentists now offer Botox in their practices, and it is by far the fastest-growing area of dentistry, according to Louis Malcmacher, DDS, president of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics.
Now a device invented by a Miami cosmetic physician could benefit all practitioners administering Botox and other cosmetic injectables by offering nearly pain-free treatment.
The Ouchless Needle reduces pain during cosmetic injections. Image courtesy of BellaNovus Development.The Ouchless Needle is a disposable attachment for syringes that delivers an instant vapocoolant (topical refrigerant) to the skin just prior to needle insertion. It is designed to provide doctors and other clinicians an alternative to numbing creams and ice currently used to minimize localized pain resulting from cosmetic injectables, such as hair transplants, Botox, and dermal fillers, according to Marc Salzman, MD, inventor of the device and founder and CEO of BellaNovus Development, the medical design and manufacturing company that produces the Ouchless Needle.
The Ouchless Needle works by delivering a short spray of a U.S. Food and Drug Adminitration-compliant blend of vapocoolant to the skin before it is pierced by the needle. The vapocoolant spray immediately refrigerates the skin, reducing the feeling of needle penetration and making the injection more comfortable, according to the company.
It is designed to work ergonomically with a syringe, and can be used by either right- or left-handed practitioners for single-hand injections.
Different from other numbing agents
Dr. Salzman came up with the concept because he wanted to provide his patients with more comfort when receiving needle injections and also address the needle phobia that many people suffer from.
— Marc Salzman, MD
"The Ouchless Needle is great because it makes cosmetic procedures available to anyone, regardless of their pain tolerance," he said. "As a cosmetic physician, I have seen far too many patients struggle with the pain of cosmetic injectables."
The vapocoolant sprays used in the Ouchless Needle have the same clinical efficacy as other pain-reducing methods, such as eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) creams (lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%) and melting ice, but the effect is instantaneous so patients have minimal wait time, according to Dr. Salzman.
The Ouchless Needle also minimizes postinjection numbness, swelling, and bruising with no freezing, melting, or uncomfortable blasts of cold air.
"The Ouchless Needle allows me to distinguish my practice in a competitive pricing market and differentiates me from my competitors by offering additional services for my patients," Dr. Salzman said.
3 models available
The Ouchless Needle was first introduced to the market in July 2011.
The device comes in three models: Sapphire (clear blue), meant for shorter style syringes; Emerald (clear green), compatible with Juvéderm syringes; and Topaz (clear pink), intended for basic neurotoxins and dermal injections. Each cartridge can be easily removed and attached from one syringe to the next.
Some typical uses of the Emerald and Topaz models include lidocaine and Botox injections, according to the company website. The Emerald and Sapphire models have been tested to provide 18 sprays (at 0.5 seconds of spray), on average, for up to two years, while the Topaz model has been tested to provide 19 sprays (at 0.5 seconds of spray) on average.
Each model is available in boxes of 15 devices ($285) or sample boxes of four ($82). Ouchless Needle is available only to clinicians and licensed injectors, the company noted.
