Cosmetic Uses of Botox

BOTOX Cosmetic is a simple, nonsurgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily smooth moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people from 18 to 65 years of age. It is the only treatment of its type approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). BOTOX Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those frown lines between the brows to form over time.

In 2005, almost 3.3 million procedures were performed with FDA-approved BOTOX Cosmetic.

In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women surveyed rated the improvement in the appearance of frown lines between their brows.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery ranked BOTOX Cosmetic as the most popular physician-administered aesthetic procedure in the United States for the fourth year in a row (surgical and nonsurgical combined).

What to Expect:

On the day of your appointment, arrive ahead of time to complete several forms.

Also, have any idea about your expectations for treatment and let us know if you have any allergies or any condition that wouldn’t make you a good candidate for BOTOX Cosmetic. Bring a list of your medications, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. It’s best to avoid aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for 7 days prior to treatment to minimize bruising.

Before the procedure, you’ll be seated in a reclining chair. No anesthesia is required, although you may choose to have the area numbed with a cold pack or anesthetic cream.

After an examination to determine your muscle strength and muscle composition, the procedure will take about 10 to 15 minutes, depending how many areas you decide to have treated. After the procedure, there’s no recovery time needed. You’re ready to get on with your day! The most common side effects following injection include temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may be associated with the injection. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

Most people see results within several days. Results can last up to 4 months and vary between individuals.

Botulinum Toxin (BOTOX) for Treating Facial Wrinkles & Restoring a More Youthful, Rested Appearance.

Minimizing the Signs of Aging:

The first signs of aging often appear as wrinkles around our eyes, forehead, cheeks and lips. While wrinkles are normal, defining features of the human face, they can sometimes falsely portray a tired or more aged appearance.

How Do You Get Wrinkles?

We develop two types of wrinkles on our faces:

Dynamic Wrinkles

We are born with dynamic wrinkles, which are associated with the muscles we use for facial expression. As we continuously use our facial muscles to smile, laugh and squint, mild wrinkles appear when we are young, but they become deeper and more noticeable as we grow older. The most common areas where we develop dynamic wrinkles are around the lips, the corners of the eyelids (where the wrinkles are known as crows’ feet), between the eyebrows, and on the forehead. These wrinkles often make people look older and more tired than they actually are. BOTOX can be used to treat these dynamic wrinkles and make them less noticeable.

Crepe-Paper Wrinkles

Crepe-paper wrinkles are caused by sun exposure and aging. As we age or are repeatedly exposed to the sun, collagen (the protein substance found just beneath and within the deep layers of the skin) begins to thin, causing facial skin to stretch and sag. Unfortunately, BOTOX cannot treat crepe-paper wrinkles. However, there are other procedures that may be used to reduce the appearance of crepe-paper wrinkles.

How Does BOTOX Work?

Botulinum toxin (brand name BOTOX) is extracted from the bacteria Clostridia botulinum. For years it has been used as a nonsurgical treatment for uncontrollable facial spasms and disorders of the eye (such as misaligned eyes). Now it is used as a safe and effective way to reduce facial wrinkles without surgery.

BOTOX is targeted directly at the facial muscles that are causing dynamic wrinkles to form. The BOTOX protein injection blocks transmission from the nerve ending to the muscle. As a result, the muscle relaxes, significantly reducing the appearance of wrinkles and muscles on the skin above that muscle. This blocking effect on the nerves usually lasts an average of three to six months, at which time the muscle regains movement and wrinkles reappear.

How Is BOTOX Administered?

Using a very fine needle, your doctor injects the BOTOX directly into the targeted facial muscles. A topical anesthetic cream may be applied to your skin to decrease the sensation of the injection; you should discuss this option with your doctor beforehand. BOTOX treatments take only a few minutes and are given during a typical office visit. You should be able to return to your normal activities immediately. The effects of BOTOX-induced muscle relaxation begin to occur within about three days. By the end of the first week, you will probably notice a significant reduction of fine lines and wrinkles around the treated areas. Repeat injections of BOTOX may be given after the effects wear off.

Are You a Good Candidate for BOTOX?

The best candidates for BOTOX treatments are people who are physically healthy, with no history of neuromuscular diseases (such as multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis), who are not pregnant or nursing, and who are at least 18 years old.

Some people who should not have BOTOX treatments include those with:

• Existing weakness in the targeted muscles Ptosis (drooping eyelids)
• Deep facial scars
• Very thick facial skin
• Marked facial asymmetry
• Skin disorders around the planned injection sites

You should inform your doctor of your medical history and all medications, vitamins and/or herbal supplements you are currently taking before having BOTOX treatments. It is important to remember that the level of improvement in the appearance of wrinkles after BOTOX treatments can vary among patients. Some people respond better to BOTOX than others. Occasionally there is little improvement and another form of treatment may be recommended.

Understanding the Risks, Complications and Side Effects:

BOTOX is a toxin and can be potent in high concentrations. Only small, diluted amounts of BOTOX are used in treatments to reduce facial wrinkles. The most common side effects are headache and temporary redness or bruising of the skin at the injection site. Bruising appears to be more common in patients taking aspirin or blood-thinning medicines. These medicines should be avoided if possible for a few days before treatment. You should inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking before having BOTOX treatments. Occasionally, some people might experience temporary eye irritation or tearing after BOTOX treatments.

More serious complications are rare but possible. There is a chance that non-targeted muscles could be affected and weakened. This could cause drooping of the eyelid (ptosis) if BOTOX seeps below the eyebrow and into the muscle that controls eyelid function. Though the effect is not permanent and will eventually go away as the BOTOX wears off, drooping eyelids may temporarily obstruct your ability to see.

In order to help reduce the possibility of side effects, your doctor may recommend that you use lubricating eye drops, gel or ointment for a period of time after treatment. You may also be instructed to:

• Sit upright and do not lie down for at least four hours after treatment.
• Avoid pressing on or massaging the treated area for four hours.
• Avoid exercising for 24 hours following treatment.

Having an ophthalmologist perform your BOTOX treatment can help to ensure the safety of your eyes and your vision. Many ophthalmologists have been on the forefront of Botox treatment. It has been used for over 20 years in ophthalmology to treat involuntary spasms of the eyes and other facial spasm disorders. As an eye care specialist, your ophthalmologist is most familiar with all aspects of your eyes, including the muscles and structures surrounding them.