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BOTOX®
Cosmetic |
Facial expression lines develop from the action of the underlying
muscles on the skin. Although these lines help us to convey to others
a range of emotional states, some facial expression lines always seem
 to connote fatigue or anger, even if those appearances do not represent
how we are feeling. This is especially true of lines of the forehead
and between the eyebrows.
Other lines, such as crow's feet, lip lines, and neck furrows
for example may make
us appear older than our chronological age.
BOTOX® is used to block the nerve impulses that tell those
muscles to move hence it is used to treat wrinkles that are formed
when you make facial expressions. This reveals a fresh, healthy, you.
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What
is BOTOX® ? |
BOTOX® is a FDA approved purified protein naturally derived from
the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum Type A. It has been used for more
than 20 years to reduce unwanted muscle activity, and is considered safe
and effective. Initially introduced for treatment of ophthalmologic and
neurological muscular diseases, it is now also used for the cosmetic reduction
of facial expression lines.  |
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What
is the cause of wrinkles and facial expression lines? |
| As noted above, lines and wrinkles develop, at least in part, from the
action of facial muscles under the skin. After years, furrows may remain
along these facial expression lines even without any active facial muscle
expression - wrinkles in the fabric of time. The development of these lines is
further augmented by lifestyle choices - years of sun
exposure, and smoking, are the most notorious! BOTOX® is capable of
minimizing or preventing the unwanted facial expression lines and improves or blends
the wrinkles that are visible while the muscles are at rest. |
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How does
BOTOX® work?
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| BOTOX® acts by immobilizing the muscle, at treated sites. It does
this by inhibiting contraction of the targeted muscles. Only those muscles
producing these undesirable lines are treated. |
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What
areas can you use BOTOX® for?  Click
here to see a larger view |
| BOTOX® is FDA approved only for the treatment of the frown lines between the eyebrows,
but it has been used safely "off Label" by millions of individuals to
treat crow's feet lines, smoker's lip lines, neck bands, and forehead wrinkles. The treatment takes
only a few minutes
and the BOTOX® initially takes effect in three to four days with the
maximal effect seen in about 2 weeks. Patients return to work
or other activities immediately after treatment. |
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Does
the BOTOX® Injection hurt? |
| When BOTOX® is injected there is a minor sting for a few seconds. Once
the injection is complete, there is usually no discomfort. Most patients
report mild discomfort that subsides within a minute. |
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What
kind of facial lines does it remove? |
| Prominent facial expression lines, especially horizontal lines on the
forehead, vertical lines between the eyebrows, and crow's feet are most
dramatically improved with treatment. |
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How
does BOTOX® compare to other products such as filler
materials? |
| Unlike filler materials, BOTOX®
treats the underlying cause of the facial expression lines. Filler
materials, such as Restylane, plump up the skin. Although fillers reduce
the appearance of lines when there is no facial expression, the moment the
person does smile or frown, the lines reappear. BOTOX® actually prevents the unwanted lines from
appearing with facial expression, and often even at rest. These two products
work best together in tandem to help maximize the desired results. |
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How
is treatment performed and how many treatments are required? |
 A small quantity of solution is injected directly into the muscles or
into the skin overlying the muscles that
are the cause of the prominent furrowing or expression lines. Typically
several injections into multiple muscle groups or areas are given with each treatment. |
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| How
long do the results of BOTOX® last? |
| One treatment is usually effective for 3-6 months. Each patient
metabolizes BOTOX® at different
rates so the treatment may last for variable lengths of time.
Subsequent treatments tend to prolong the effect
- the first treatment may last only 3-4 months while subsequent treatments
may last from 4 up to 6 months.
The best way to manage this is our BOTOX®
Cosmetic
Maintenance Program that not only rewards you for regular
treatments but helps maximize your results! |
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How
does the skin appear after BOTOX®? |
| Immediately after treatment the skin appears normal as there may be
some redness and swelling at the treated sites. Occasionally, there can
be mild bruising. If present, these changes resolve within a few hours
to days. The skin feels normal and there is no unusual sensation. As
the BOTOX® becomes effective the skin will start to look more smooth as the
lines produced by muscle contraction diminish or disappear. |
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When
can I expect to see results after treatment? |
| BOTOX® initially takes effect in two to four days with the maximal
effect seen in about 2 weeks. |
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Are
there any limitations after treatment? |
| Yes. You may resume all normal activities immediately after
treatment, BUT you must refrain from touching the area(s) of treatment for at least 1 hour
after your session.
By touching, pushing, or massaging the treated area(s) you may actually
spread the BOTOX® to other muscles in the area and may cause an unwanted
loss of action of these muscles and a negative effect such as an eyelid
droop. |
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Is
there any discomfort with treatment? |
| There is usually mild discomfort at the injection sites. This only lasts
for a short period of time. |
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Are
there any risks or side effects? |
| Rarely. If BOTOX® should affect an adjacent muscle, it too may
have reduced activity. This has been reported in about one percent of
those treated and if this does develop, the most common change is eyelid
drooping for injections around the eye. However, any such unwanted
muscle relaxation would also be temporary. |
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Can
BOTOX® cause botulism? |
| No. Extraordinarily small amounts of BOTOX® are administered.
These quantities are insufficient to cause botulism or any related symptoms. |
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| Anatomy |
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Which areas receive BOTOX®
Cosmetic injections?
The most common areas are frown lines, forehead lines, and
crow's feet.
Frown lines are vertical lines noticed between the eyebrows
and are made worse by frowning or squinting.
BOTOX® injection of the Corrugator, Depressor supercillia,
Procerus, Orbicularis Occuli, and Nasalis muscles reduces the
appearance of the frown lines and lines that develop over the
bridge of the nose.
Forehead lines are usually horizontal lines caused by
repetitive rising of the eyebrows by the Frontalis muscles.
Injection of these muscles relaxes the forehead and reduces the
extent of horizontal forehead lines.
 Crow's
feet are seen on the sides of the eyes and are worsened by
smiling, which causes the Orbicularis Occuli muscle to go into
spasm. BOTOX® treatment of these muscles reduces the severity of
crow's feet.
Another area where BOTOX® is injected is the upper lip. By
relaxing the upper lip Orbicularis Oris muscle BOTOX
reduces the appearance of "smoker's lines".
Injection of BOTOX® into the lower lip Depressor Anguli Oris
muscle reduces the downward pull of these muscles creating a
turned-up corner of the mouth.
Vertical and horizontal neck lines are also reduced by
relaxing the neck Platysma muscles with BOTOX®. |
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