Aussie Women Beat Kiwis In Vanity Stakes

New Zealand women are less concerned than Australian women about the way they look, an ACNielsen survey revealed today.

80 per cent of Australian women say that looking youthful and feeling their best is important to them, with 54 per cent saying they would rate looking good as very important.

New Zealand women are more comfortable in their skins, with only 69 per cent saying that looking youthful and feeling their best is an important aspect of their lives. Around half that number say they would rate looking good and feeling your best as very important.

This survey coincides with the approval of BOTOX® by the Ministry of Health for the treatment of glabellar (frown) lines. The approval is based on clinical studies that show the severity of glabellar lines at maximum frown is reduced in 80 per cent of people treated with BOTOX® .

The ACNielsen survey also showed that whilst 88 per cent of New Zealand women are relatively happy with their looks for their age, nearly 40 per cent would consider a non-surgical cosmetic treatment such as BOTOX® to eliminate frown lines. An additional 23 per cent would consider non-surgical treatment if it were presented to them as a gift.

Dr Teresa Cattin, a leading Auckland cosmetic surgeon said the survey reflected the increasing demand for cosmetic treatments, such as BOTOX®, by New Zealanders of all ages.

“This survey confirms a growing trend in New Zealand towards a higher acceptance of and demand for cosmetic treatments,” says Dr. Cattin. “Whilst New Zealanders have traditionally been pretty comfortable with the way they look, they are starting to recognise that looking more youthful and feeling better for their age will increase confidence and self-esteem.”

“BOTOX® is a proven treatment to reduce wrinkles, creating a smooth and improved appearance. The beauty of BOTOX® is that it is a simple treatment that delivers dramatic results for up to four months at an affordable price,” Dr Cattin said.

In a self-evaluation conducted within the study for the treatment of glabellar (frown) lines, 89 per cent of those treated in the study noted a significant improvement in brow furrow appearancei.

BOTOX® is a natural, purified protein used for the treatment of glabellar (frown) lines. Administered through a few tiny injections, this simple, quick and minimally invasive treatment relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles to dramatically reduce stubborn lines between the brow.

BOTOX® is used and approved in 70 countries for the treatment of a broad range of medical conditions, including the treatment of children with cerebral palsy. It has been approved in New Zealand for a number of clinical uses since 1989.

The ACNielsen survey also found:

 88 per cent of New Zealand women agree with their Trans-Tasman counterparts that looking youthful and feeling your best enhances self-esteem

 88 per cent of New Zealand women are aware that the sun contributes to rapid ageing but 37 per cent say they still sunbathe in summer

 41 per cent of New Zealand women and 34 per cent of Australian women say looking youthful and feeling your best is important to help find a job. Nearly 30 per cent agree that looking youthful and feeling your best helps to advance a career

 New Zealand and Australian women agree that having a family and a secure/good relationship, as well as being fit and healthy are the most important things in life.

-ends-

Note to editors: The ACNielsen national Telephone Omnibus study was conducted nationally with 238 females aged 30 - 54 years and over, on behalf of Allergan Australia during March 2002.

Facing the facts about ageing
Society’s obsession with youth has seen a boom in medical research and the cosmetic industry over the past decade. Increasingly, New Zealand men and women want to maintain a youthful appearance and look better for their age. To do so they are opting for simple, quick and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that are relatively pain-free and involve minimal post-procedure recovery time.

What are New Zealander’s main concerns about ageing1?
A recent ACNielsen survey showed that New Zealand women (aged 30-54) are realistic when it comes to ageing with only one in ten saying they think they have more wrinkles than they should at their age. Despite this, nearly 40 per cent would consider a non-surgical cosmetic treatment to eliminate facial wrinkles. An additional 23 per cent would consider non-surgical treatment if it were given to them as a gift.

Looking youthful and feeling your best was important to most women surveyed (69 per cent). When asked why, New Zealand women overwhelmingly said looking youthful and feeling your best enhances self-esteem (88 per cent).

How women feel about ageing1
 The majority of New Zealand women are happy with their looks, with 55 per cent saying they have as many wrinkles as they would expect at their age. One in three say they have less wrinkles than they would expect
 New Zealand women are less concerned with looking youthful and feeling their best than Australian women. Interestingly, looking youthful and feeling your best becomes less important for New Zealand women over 45. This is in contrast with Australian figures which show these things are more important for Australian women as they age
 While 63 per cent of New Zealand women would accept a gift of a non-surgical cosmetic treatment, 89 per cent would NOT consider a treatment that was surgically invasive (for example a facelift, rhinoplasty etc)

What women know about ageing1
 Nearly 90 per cent of New Zealand women are aware that the sun contributes to rapid ageing but 37 per cent say they still sunbathe in summer
 New Zealand women who don’t work are more aware of the factors that contribute to ageing than working women
 Only 56 per cent identify that a poor skin care regime can impact on ageing

Looking Youthful and Feeling your Best in New Zealand and Australia 1

 69 per cent of New Zealand women (aged 35-54) agree that looking youthful or feeling your best is important. This compares to 80 per cent in Australia.

 New Zealand and Australian women agree that looking youthful and feeling your best is important to “enhance self esteem” (88 per cent and 87 per cent respectively)

 More women from the Auckland region said that looking youthful or feeling their best was important (74 per cent) than women in the Central or Southern regions (64 per cent and 66 per cent respectively).

 41 per cent of New Zealand women and 34 per cent of Australian women say looking youthful and feeling your best is important to help find a job. Nearly 30 per cent agree that looking youthful and feeling your best helps to advance a career

 New Zealand and Australian women agree that having a family and a secure/good relationship as well as being fit and healthy are the most important things in life

What causes premature ageing?
Skin damage from sun exposure and photodamage (chronic, structural damage to skin caused by long-term sun exposure)2 is the major cause of accelerated ageing, accounting for an estimated 90 per cent of undesirable skin changes. Photodamage can occur in any climate and at any time during sun exposure, although it may not be apparent until later life.

However, by taking some simple steps such as avoiding the sun or wearing adequate sun protection, photodamage is preventable. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.
Melanoma is the least common but most serious form of skin cancer - about 200 New Zealanders die from melanoma each year. Avoiding sunburn and tanning can help prevent melanomas and other skin cancers, as well as premature ageing of the skin3.

Recurrent muscle activity is also responsible for wrinkling and ageing skin. Over time, ‘dynamic wrinkles’ in the skin caused by muscular contractions become deeper and more permanent, resulting in well-defined ‘creases’.

The Skin
The skin comprises two unique layers – the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer). The most affected layer of skin during ageing is the dermis, the inner layer that makes up 90 per cent of the skin’s thickness.

As skin ages, the dermis becomes thinner and wrinkled. The sebaceous glands, which produce sebum (an oily substance) to keep the skin supple and moist, become less active and the number of blood vessels decrease. The skin also loses its ability to repair and heal quickly and effectively.

Why people choose BOTOX® to reduce frown lines
Research indicates, people choose BOTOX® treatments because they want to feel good about themselves. BOTOX® is favoured over other treatments because it delays the needs for surgical intervention and it is a quick and easy process that matches their busy lifestyle.

___________________________________________________________________

1 AC Nielsen: Project Skin Omnibus Study 2002, New Zealand; Cosmetic Study
2 Center For Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery http://www.centerforderm.com/articles/aging.html
3 New Zealand Cancer Council Society www.cancernz.org.nz

STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL MAY 27, 2002
Facing the facts about ageing
Society’s obsession with youth has seen a boom in medical research and the cosmetic industry over the past decade. Increasingly, New Zealand men and women want to maintain a youthful appearance and look better for their age. To do so they are opting for simple, quick and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that are relatively pain-free and involve minimal post-procedure recovery time.

What are New Zealander’s main concerns about ageing1?
A recent ACNielsen survey showed that New Zealand women (aged 30-54) are realistic when it comes to ageing with only one in ten saying they think they have more wrinkles than they should at their age. Despite this, nearly 40 per cent would consider a non-surgical cosmetic treatment to eliminate facial wrinkles. An additional 23 per cent would consider non-surgical treatment if it were given to them as a gift.

Looking youthful and feeling your best was important to most women surveyed (69 per cent). When asked why, New Zealand women overwhelmingly said looking youthful and feeling your best enhances self-esteem (88 per cent).

How women feel about ageing1
 The majority of New Zealand women are happy with their looks, with 55 per cent saying they have as many wrinkles as they would expect at their age. One in three say they have less wrinkles than they would expect
 New Zealand women are less concerned with looking youthful and feeling their best than Australian women. Interestingly, looking youthful and feeling your best becomes less important for New Zealand women over 45. This is in contrast with Australian figures which show these things are more important for Australian women as they age
 While 63 per cent of New Zealand women would accept a gift of a non-surgical cosmetic treatment, 89 per cent would NOT consider a treatment that was surgically invasive (for example a facelift, rhinoplasty etc)

What women know about ageing1
 Nearly 90 per cent of New Zealand women are aware that the sun contributes to rapid ageing but 37 per cent say they still sunbathe in summer
 New Zealand women who don’t work are more aware of the factors that contribute to ageing than working women
 Only 56 per cent identify that a poor skin care regime can impact on ageing

Looking Youthful and Feeling your Best in New Zealand and Australia 1

 69 per cent of New Zealand women (aged 35-54) agree that looking youthful or feeling your best is important. This compares to 80 per cent in Australia.

 New Zealand and Australian women agree that looking youthful and feeling your best is important to “enhance self esteem” (88 per cent and 87 per cent respectively)

 More women from the Auckland region said that looking youthful or feeling their best was important (74 per cent) than women in the Central or Southern regions (64 per cent and 66 per cent respectively).

 41 per cent of New Zealand women and 34 per cent of Australian women say looking youthful and feeling your best is important to help find a job. Nearly 30 per cent agree that looking youthful and feeling your best helps to advance a career

 New Zealand and Australian women agree that having a family and a secure/good relationship as well as being fit and healthy are the most important things in life

What causes premature ageing?
Skin damage from sun exposure and photodamage (chronic, structural damage to skin caused by long-term sun exposure)2 is the major cause of accelerated ageing, accounting for an estimated 90 per cent of undesirable skin changes. Photodamage can occur in any climate and at any time during sun exposure, although it may not be apparent until later life.

However, by taking some simple steps such as avoiding the sun or wearing adequate sun protection, photodamage is preventable. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.
Melanoma is the least common but most serious form of skin cancer - about 200 New Zealanders die from melanoma each year. Avoiding sunburn and tanning can help prevent melanomas and other skin cancers, as well as premature ageing of the skin3.

Recurrent muscle activity is also responsible for wrinkling and ageing skin. Over time, ‘dynamic wrinkles’ in the skin caused by muscular contractions become deeper and more permanent, resulting in well-defined ‘creases’.

The Skin
The skin comprises two unique layers – the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer). The most affected layer of skin during ageing is the dermis, the inner layer that makes up 90 per cent of the skin’s thickness.

As skin ages, the dermis becomes thinner and wrinkled. The sebaceous glands, which produce sebum (an oily substance) to keep the skin supple and moist, become less active and the number of blood vessels decrease. The skin also loses its ability to repair and heal quickly and effectively.

Why people choose BOTOX® to reduce frown lines
Research indicates, people choose BOTOX® treatments because they want to feel good about themselves. BOTOX® is favoured over other treatments because it delays the needs for surgical intervention and it is a quick and easy process that matches their busy lifestyle.

___________________________________________________________________

1 AC Nielsen: Project Skin Omnibus Study 2002, New Zealand; Cosmetic Study
2 Center For Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery http://www.centerforderm.com/articles/aging.html
3 New Zealand Cancer Council Society www.cancernz.org.nz

BOTOX® - An easier way to iron out wrinkles

What is BOTOX®?
BOTOX® is a natural, purified protein that relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles creating a smoothed, rejuvenated and more youthful appearance.

BOTOX® is a simple and quick, minimally invasive non-surgical treatment that delivers significant results. BOTOX® has over 10 years clinical experience in a broad range of medical conditions. It is the only product of its kind that has been available in New Zealand since 1989 with an established safety record for over 10 years.

How does BOTOX® work?
BOTOX® works on ‘dynamic wrinkles’ caused by muscle contractions. It is administered through a few tiny injections that relax the muscle by blocking nerve impulses that trigger wrinkle-causing muscle contractions. BOTOX® is injected directly into the frown line muscles through a fine microneedle. Before injection, the powder is dissolved and diluted in a saline solution. The procedure takes approximately 10 minutes and the patient can resume normal activities immediately.

When used for cosmetic wrinkle reduction, the effect of BOTOX® is temporary. The effect usually lasts up to four months.

Is BOTOX® a poison?
BOTOX is a highly purified protein that is extracted from bacteria, in a similar way to the way in which penicillin comes from a mold.

Where can BOTOX® be injected?
BOTOX® can be injected into the glabellar muscles, which are the frown lines on the forehead between the brows.

When was BOTOX® discovered?
BOTOX has been used as a successful treatment in a broad range of medical conditions for many years and has now also been approved for cosmetic use.

The early work of Dr Alan Scott of the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Institute in the 1970s demonstrated that BOTOX was a powerful therapeutic agent that could be used to treat ophthalmic disorders associated with muscle overactivity such as lazy eye, eye ticks and uncontrolled blinking. BOTOX stopped the excessive muscle contraction and spasm, allowing these patients to see - a major medical advance.

Physicians noticed the effect that BOTOX had on frown lines while treating patients with eye disorders.

Dr Jean Carruthers, a Canadian ophthalmologist, who trained under Dr. Scott, and her husband, Dr Alastair Carruthers, a cosmetic dermatological surgeon were some of the early pioneers of BOTOX for cosmetic use.

What else is BOTOX® used for?
BOTOX® can be used in children as young as two years of age with cerebral palsy and in adults with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and cervical dystonia.

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