Beyond Botox: A Hopeful Approach to Life without Needles

Here's an interesting tidbit: Despite the hype, only two percent of U.S. women used Botox last year. This was one of many fascinating facts that I learned recently during a fireside chat with Ben and Howard Kaminsky, authors of "Beyond Botox: 7 Strategies for Sexy, Ageless Skin without Needles or Surgery." Launching the book and companion Beyond Botox Facial (60 minutes, $199) at Willow Stream spa, cofounders of the B. Kamins skincare line Ben Kaminsky and his son Howard spoke to an intimate group of media and VIPs.

The book is a common-sense appeal to the public to take "a responsible role in active aging," as the younger Kaminsky put it, "with a message of caution, empowerment and hope." What I found most interesting was the elder Kaminisky's obvious disgust with the disillusionment and confusion that the Botox media boom has caused among the public, especially women. As a pharmaceutical chemist, Kaminsky's passion for skin grew from a simple desire to care for his family � starting with mild diaper rash ointments and acne gels for his kids to a PABA-free sunscreen formulation developed for his son that rocked the medical community. And his continuing passion for a life-long responsibility for the health of your skin is loud and clear in the opening chapter of the book. "I believe that women today are left in a terribly difficult position," he writes, "...[and] without a responsible skin care game plan, including a full understanding of invasive procedures such as Botox, women are putting their skin in jeopardy and may have to live with less than acceptable results the rest of their lives." Can I get an AMEN? Visit BeyondBotox.com to take a Botox quiz, grab a healthy recipe or learn more. Photo: "Beyond Botox" is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.