Botox® Cosmetic

Many people wish to look younger but are not ready for a surgical procedure like a facelift, nor do they even require extensive surgery. Fortunately, there are ways to reverse the inevitable signs of aging without surgery or a long recovery period. These small steps to a more youthful, vibrant look include Botox and facial filler injections.

Botox® is used mostly in the upper face, while facial fillers, like Juvederm are used mostly in the lower face. Laser Genesis, Photorejuvenation, Photodynamic Therapy and Microdermabrasion are used over the entire face to help fade pigment problems and surface irregularities, as well as decrease pore size and fine lines. None of these procedures have any significant downtime, and they are explained individually in this web site.

What is Botox® and how does it work?

Botox® is the trade name for botulinum purified neurotoxin complex. When Botox® therapy for wrinkles on the face is performed, tiny amounts of the toxin are injected into the facial muscles responsible for movement and the creation of dynamic facial lines and wrinkles. This injection then weakens the muscle, which reduces the associated facial lines and wrinkles. Thus, Botox® therapy works best for those dynamic lines that are directly associated with muscle movement.

Botox® is less effective for fine textural changes on the skin surface, and for those lines present at rest. Botox® has been used with increasing frequency by doctors for over twenty years for more and more different medical conditions. In addition to the cosmetic use of Botox® for facial wrinkles, Botox® is now used to treat excessive sweating of the underarms and palms. Botox® is also used to treat tension headaches and migraines. Back specialists are now beginning to use Botox® injections to treat spasmodic low back pain.

Are there any side effects with Botox®?

There is no permanent side effect known with Botox® therapy for facial wrinkles. However, there are some mild, temporary temporary side effects which can occur including:

Bruising and pain at the site of injection of the Botox®. A tiny needle is used to minimize the discomfort, and this can be lessened even more by the use of a topical anesthetic cream prior to treatment.

Eyebrow or eyelid droop: This is seen in 1-2% of patients receiving Botox® therapy. It usually only lasts 2-4 weeks, and is mild

How often will I need Botox®?

Botox® therapy is temporary, meaning that it will have to be repeated on a regular basis to remain effective. How long each treatment will last depends on many individual factors including the degree of sun damage present, the depth of the wrinkles, the size of the muscles, and the amount of Botox® injected. An average response of 3-6 months is the norm, depending on the above factors. It seems that the response to Botox® becomes longer with each successive injection in many people.

What happens after a Botox® injection?

After Botox® is injected into the targeted muscle, the weakening effect gradually begins over 3-5 days, and is not complete for two weeks. Therefore, optimal results are not seen for at least two weeks.

What areas are commonly treated with Botox® on the face?

Botox® is most commonly used for the glabellar frown lines (those deep creases between the eyebrows); forehead wrinkles, and crows feet (wrinkles on the lateral aspect of the eyes). While it would also work around the mouth, it could weaken the smile. It would not be desirable to change a smile for most people. Smile lines are usually filled with Restylane to create a very pleasing effect, while preserving the natural smile muscle dynamics. Botox® can be used to lessen upper lip wrinkles, and the appearance of irregular dimpled skin on the chin.