Key Benefits:
- Relaxes “frown lines”
- Reduces “crow’s feet”
- Smoothes forehead wrinkles
- Reduces wrinkle under lower eyelids
- Decreases chin crease
- Elevates corners of the mouth
Botox®
Botox has become a more common and popular non-surgical rejuvenatory procedure. Many of our patients prefer to use Botox instead of surgical correction for wrinkles and lines. Although Botox is not permanent (lasts on average 5-6 months) it affords patients the option of correction without any downtime. Some patients even consider this a way of trying on a forehead lift.
Dynamic wrinkles are caused by the contractions of underlying facial muscles every time you smile, laugh, or frown. The more emotion you show, the deeper these wrinkles and lines are likely to be. While you may have earned your worry lines, you don’t have to show them anymore.
What is Botox?
Botox is the brand name for botulinum toxin type A, natures most potent blocker of nerve impulses. A registered trademark of the Allergan Corporation, botox is costly because it is tedious to manufacture and because no generic substitute is available.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox relaxes facial muscles that are related to expression lines. The overlying skin will be smooth and unwrinkled while your untreated facial muscles will still function normally.
What is a Botox Treatment Like?
This is a simple and safe procedure. We use a tiny needle to cause minimal sensation and to also allow greater precision in delivery of Botox to the specified facial area. You can resume most normal activities immediately. The effects of Botox typically can be seen as early as 48 hours after treatment.
What Areas Are Treatable?
Botox injections are primarily used in the upper third of the face. Forehead lines, furrows between the eyebrow, and wrinkles around the eyes (“crow’s feet”) respond favorably to Botox.
Frown lines (below the mouth) and chin creases may also be improved with a Botox injection, but response here varies among individuals.
Am I a Candidate For Botox?
Most patients are candidates for this procedure if they have dynamic wrinkles and lines. Contraindications generally are minimal therefore making this a suitable treatment for most patients. Patients with neurological problems are not candidates, but as with all cosmetic procedures check with your physician.
How Long Does Botox Last?
Botox treatments are temporary. On average, effects last 4-6 months with individual variations. Early clinical studies have indicated that the duration of treatment benefits are increased over time so that you could require injections less frequently in the future.
Are There Any Side-Effects?
Temporary pin-point redness at the injection site, which disappears in hours, is the most common side effect.
Occasionally, a small bruise may be seen and this is highly variable from patient to patient.
In seldom cases, Botox has been reported to cause a temporary drooping of the eyelid.
BUT with skilled physician techniques and understanding of the underlying facial muscles, these adverse effects are reduced to less than 1%.
Again, because the effects of Botox are completely reversible, any side effects are temporary.
What Are The Expected Results?
Most patients desire a more youthful appearance. Some prefer to look less “angry”, while others are concerned about preventative therapy. Whatever the reason, the outcomes are the same. Wrinkles that are controlled by muscle movement are reduced and smoothed. Wrinkles from sun exposure or not muscle related will not usually be affected by Botox. Botox will not improve sagging skin or replace the need for a facelift or browlift.
©2003. ATTICA C. CHANG, MD. All Rights Reserved.