Background: BOTOX® Cosmetic is indicated for the temporary treatment in the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in patients between 18 and 65 years of age.
What it can do for you: There has certainly been a lot of publicity in the news regarding BOTOX® Cosmetic. You may have seen magazine or newspaper articles, television segments or even spoken to friends who have been treated. Administration of BOTOX® Cosmetic is a short in-office procedure that can temporarily smooth those moderate to severe frown lines between your brows with no surgery and no recovery time. Improvement is usually seen within the first week and lasts up to 4 months at which time more BOTOX® Cosmetic can be given. Patients most commonly have BOTOX® Cosmetic because they think those stubborn frown lines between their brows make them look tired or upset or it seems like something that can be done to help maintain a person's appearance.
In 2005 3.3 million BOTOX® procedures were performed on people from all types of professions; not just models and movie stars. It has become the most popular physician-administered aesthetic procedure in the United States.
What is it? BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It works by reducing the activity of muscles that cause frown lines.
What to expect: The administration of BOTOX® Cosmetic is a simple ten minute, non-surgical in-office procedure. Noticeable improvement in the frown lines between the brows is usually seen within a few days that may last as long as four months. It takes so little time, it can even be done on your lunch break. Dr. Kloess or Dr. Velazquez typically administer several tiny injections of BOTOX® Cosmetic directly into the muscles that cause the frown lines. Where exactly the injections are administered will be determined by your doctor after examining your ability to move certain muscles in your brow area. No anesthesia is required, although your doctor may use anesthetic cream or an ice pack. Any discomfort is usually minimal and brief.
Who should not use BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic should not be used in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s) and in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation. Patients with neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.
Will I experience any side effects?
The most common side effects following injection include temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may be associated with the injection. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.
Will my facial expressions continue to look natural?
Although the results are visible, a treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic will not radically change your facial appearance or make you look as if you "had work done." The muscle activity that causes frown lines between the brows is simply reduced, so you can still frown or look surprised without the wrinkles and creases between your brows.