Botox® Information

The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin A, known as Botox® has become a very popular non-surgical injection that reduces and/or removes emotionally caused lines on a temporary basis. When Botox® is injected into the skin, it temporarily immobilizes the muscles that cause wrinkling and, at the same time, gives the skin a smoother, fresher appearance.

The Injection:

The Botox® injection is a therapeutic muscle relaxing agent that works to interfere with muscle nerve endings. When the Botox® is in your system, it blocks the signals to your muscles that would normally tell them to contract. When the muscles are not allowed to contract, the skin will not be able to shift for a period of time, thus smoothing out the skin covering the muscle.

The Procedure:

The wrinkles and lines that often appear on the face are feared by many because they are the telltale signs of aging. Muscle movement due to unconscious emotional reactions causes the skin of the face to shift and contort. As time passes, the shifting of the skin through muscle movement causes the skin to form lines, or wrinkles.

Most brow lines are formed by excessive contraction of the two major muscles in the forehead, the corrugator and procerus muscles. Before any treatment, your doctor will determine where to inject the Botox® by examining your capacity for moving these as well as other muscles in your facial area. Location, size and use of muscles always vary from person to person.

When receiving Botox®, your doctor will administer several tiny injections directly into the muscles that cause lines to form on the face. When injected into the face, Botox® acts as a freezing agent to keep the facial muscles in place that would normally move. This reduces the formation of worry lines and crows feet on the face, which are mostly caused by the show of emotion.

Will It Hurt?

This non-surgical procedure does not require anesthesia, but your doctor may choose to numb the area with either an anesthetic cream or a cold pack prior to your injection. There is usually minimal discomfort and it is very brief. There is no need for down-time, most return to their daily activities immediately following the procedure.

Side Effects:

Botox®, like any other medical injection does have risks and potential side effects. The most common side effects associated with Botox® injections are: headaches, upper respiratory infections, droopy eyelids, nausea and flu like symptoms. The injections can also cause redness, irritation of the skin, facial pain and muscle weakness.

The development of certain side effects depends on where the Botox® is injected. All of these symptoms are known to be temporary and most only last for up to a few weeks, but some can persist for several months. It is important to talk to your physician in order to learn all possible outcomes so that you can feel completely comfortable about this procedure.

Results:

Many see improvements of frown lines, forehead wrinkles, and crows' feet within days. Improvement can continue for as long as a month and usually lasts for up to four months.

This procedure is a safe and effective way to minimize facial lines caused by unconscious displays of everyday emotion. Botox® has proven to be a completely safe and reliable way to relax the muscles and allow for normal movement, while at the same time smoothing skin lines and wrinkles. Botox® is not a permanent cure but it can lead to younger, smoother, healthier looking skin.