Botox®

(Botulinum toxin)

The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, often referred to by its product name Botox®, is a popular non-surgical injection that temporarily reduces or eliminates frown lines, forehead creases, crows feet near the eyes and thick bands in the neck. The toxin blocks the nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles while giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. Studies have also suggested that Botox is effective in relieving migraine headaches, excessive sweating and muscle spasms in the neck and eyes.

A long History of Success

BOTOX® has long been a trusted therapeutic choice for non-cosmetic use.  Over 10 years ago, the Canadian government approved BOTOX® (Botulinum toxin type A) for the treatment of ophthalmic disorders associated with muscle overactivity such as misalignment of the eyes and contractions of the eyelids. Since then, it has also received approval to relieve a variety of conditions involving hyperactive muscles – including most recently, cerebral palsy in children.  Its effectiveness in enabling these patients to resume normal, everyday activity is astonishing, and there are minimal side effects, all of which are temporary and reversible.

Smoothing Out the Underlying Problem

Repeated muscular contractions such as frowning and squinting form lines known as dynamic wrinkles. BOTOX Cosmetic™ works by relaxing the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles giving the face a more relaxed and refreshed appearance. The procedure is so simple and quick that patients can often have it done on their lunch hour. How well accepted has BOTOX Cosmetic™ become? According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, BOTOX Cosmetic™ is the most popular non-surgical procedure in North America, used by more than 500,000 women and men like you who want to take control of their appearance and look as good as they feel.

What is BOTOX Cosmetic™?

BOTOX CosmeticTM is an injectable treatment derived from a purified protein. It smoothes out frown lines by preventing the muscles between your eyebrows from contracting into a wrinkle.

How is BOTOX Cosmetic™ used?

A tiny amount of BOTOX Cosmetic™ is injected into the muscle that creates the dynamic wrinkle. When BOTOX Cosmetic™ is injected into a muscle, it blocks the nerve impulse from reaching that area, and as a result, the muscle relaxes. As the muscle relaxes, the dynamic wrinkle overlying the muscle is smoothed away.

Where can BOTOX Cosmetic™ be injected?

The most common areas for the use of BOTOX Cosmetic™ are the frown lines between the eyebrows and on the forehead. On occasion, some other areas may be treated as well; however, in Canada, BOTOX Cosmetic™ is only cleared for use for frown lines between the eyebrows.

Will it give me a fake, frozen look?

Not if you are treated by an experienced doctor, who will be able to determine the right dose and injection technique for you. The treatment only relaxes the muscle beneath the frown line at the injection site, so the other elements of facial expression remain active. It also has no effect on the sensory nerves, so you will still have normal feeling in the treated areas.

How long does a BOTOX Cosmetic™ treatment last?

The effects of BOTOX Cosmetic™ usually last three to four months, at which time another injection is required. After several treatments, the effects of BOTOX Cosmetic™ may begin to last longer.

Are BOTOX Cosmetic™ treatments safe?

BOTOX Cosmetic™ has been used safely and successfully in ophthalmology for over 10 years, and for wrinkle therapy for over 6 years. In the amounts used for wrinkle therapy, the most common side effects, such as bruising, are temporary and localized to the area of injection.

What is the treatment like?

A tiny amount of BOTOX Cosmetic™ is injected, very precisely, into the muscles being treated. Because the needle is so fine and only a small amount of liquid is used, the pain associated with the injections is minimal. Most patients compare the sensation to a bug bite. No sedation or local anesthetic is required, and you can resume normal activities immediately. You can even drive yourself home or back to the office. Some patients experience a slight temporary bruising at the injection site. This can be covered with make-up.

How can I find out if I am a candidate for BOTOX Cosmetic™?

If you would like to learn more about your cosmetic options, or find out if BOTOX Cosmetic™ treatments might work well for you, please call our office and schedule an appointment for a consultation.