BOTOX®
Description
Will the Botox® injections hurt?
What will I look like after Botox® treatment?
What are Botox® Side Effects?
How many Botox® treatments will I need?
If you are pregnant and/or a nursing mother, Botox® treatment is not recommended.
What is BOTOX®?
BOTOX® is highly purified form of botulinum toxin produced by the bacterium claustridia botulinum. The product does not contain any of the potentially lethal bacteria that can cause botulism, just the toxin it produces in a highly purified form. The toxin is capable of paralyzing human muscle. It has been used for years to treat various problems including eye deviation, eyelid spasm as well as facial tics. As you age, you develop wrinkles and furrows on your face. Some of these are a result of sun exposure and gravity, others are a direct result of facial muscle action of the skin. It is the last variety of wrinkles that respond to BOTOX®.
BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes muscle areas where there is too much tension. Therefore, it may be used to treat facial lines caused primarily by the action of muscles on the skin. The ideal areas to treat are the deep creases found between the eyebrows, the crows feet wrinkles, and forehead lines. Other wrinkles such as those around the mouth and in the neck region are less frequently treated with BOTOX® because paralysis of these muscles often leads to functional impairment or asymmetry. The cost of treatment is usually $500. Beware of prices less than this, often this is because the BOTOX® injected is highly diluted or some inferior bootlegged product.
Will The Botox® Injections Hurt?
Most people find that the injections cause only mild, temporary discomfort. Topical anesthetic applied to the skin and allowed to penetrate for a few minutes minimizes the pain of the multiple needle sticks. Having the patient listen to music with earphones during the procedure can minimize the annoying “squishing” sound.
What Will You Look Like After Botox® Treatment?
Immediately following the injection, there may be mild swelling and bruising which usually resolves overnight. Less frequently there is some bruising that disappears after a few days and is easily covered by camoflauge makeup.
Botox® Side Effects
Side effects of this treatment are rare. Occasionally, temporary drooping of the eyebrow or eyelid may occur. This may last up to a few months but usually resolves sooner. Rarely, numbness may develop in the treated area.
How Many Botox® Treatments Will I Need?
Injection of BOTOX® Cosmetic has been shown to be very effective. Excellent results may be obtained after a single session and typically last for 2 to 4 months. It is best to perform the BOTOX® Cosmetic injections no more frequently than every three months. Problem muscle areas cause gradual atrophy and can shrink, allowing the wrinkles they cause to fade away. It is unusual for the patient to benefit from more than three injections in any given area. It usually takes up to one week to see the full effect of the treatment. Request Consultation »