BOTOX Cosmetic

Mainsteam culture has made sustaining a youthful appearance an accepted part of our lifestyles. The sagging of tissue due to age, sun damage from overexposure, and repeated use of facial muscles all help to contribute to an aging appearance caused by the deepening of dynamic lines of the face. These “dynamic” lines of the face tend to appear outside the eyes as “crow’s feet”, on the forehead, and even between the eyebrows. These dynamic lines may suggest that someone looks worried, tired, or angry. Botox is an effective, safe, nonsurgical, treatment for dynamic lines which has been approved for cosmetic use since 2002 and for therapeutic use for even longer. Botox can be used to help treat conditions from severe underarm sweating to overactive bladder.

Botox is used to soften or even temporarily eliminate unwanted facial lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet around the eyes, and other unwanted deep lines. It blocks the impulses from the nerve to the facial muscles responsible for the development of dynamic lines. Underlying muscles relax and the skin over top of it becomes smooth and wrinkle free after an injection of Botox. Normal facial expressions are unchanged as their underlying muscles are not affected by the Botox injection.

Before Surgery

Prior to surgery we will evaluate your medical history to better understand your overall health and how best to go about your procedure. In addition, a complete examination of your eyes is made in order to decide the most effective injection sites. All issues and concerns will be discussed during your consultation. The areas that will be treated are marked and digital photographs are taken in order to determine the amount of improvement after surgery.

The BOTOX Cosmetic Procedure

BOTOX Cosmetic injections are delivered in precise amounts through a tiny microneedle to the designated locations of the face. The pain attributed to Botox injections is minimal as the needle is so fine and the injected fluid is so little. Sedation or anesthesia is not required due to the miniscule levels of pain, and there is no special recovery period necessary. A minor risk associated with Botox injections is a chance for mild bruising at injection sites which may be easily covered with makeup. Botox injection results become apparent within 2 to 4 days and may last between 3 months and 12 months depending on the areas treated.

New injections are started when the previous effects of the treatment begin to wear off after several months. The amount of treatments a patient may receive range from 2 to 4 a year. Many patients find they require less Botox injections as they continue to use treatments and some rare exceptions find permanent improvement. Be aware this is an exception rather than the rule and it may not occur.

Botox does possess side effects however they are minimal and not permanent. Botox is a relatively large molecule compared to other substances used and because of this it does not have a tendency to migrate away from where it is placed. This means the effects of a Botox injection are limited to the area into which it is delivered. An eye lid may droop temporarily in a very rare example of a side effect occurring. Many patients express concern about the total dose of drug administered. While this is a valid question, Botox has been used in doses many times greater than that required for cosmetic denervation for more than ten years to treat patients with various muscular spasms and disorders.

Patient acceptance of Botox injections is quite high as there are few, if any, cosmetic procedures which can be performed as quickly, safely and effectively. Botox injections do have limitations. Sagging of the jowls, eyelids, or eyebrows requires a facelift or brow lift, and sun damaged skin is best rejuvenated with a laser treatment or chemical peel. Botox should be given only by a professional experienced in its use.

Postoperative Information

After the operation patients may experience slight bruising around the area that quickly fades. Normal activities can be performed immediately but exercise should be postponed until the next day and Ibuprofen and other blood thinning medications should be avoided until then as well. Possible side effects are temporary weakness of nearby muscles or in rare cases an eyelid may droop. BOTOX Cosmetic is completely reversible so any side effect is only a temporary condition. The doctor will explain all risks associated at the time of your consultation.