Botox® Questions
What
causes wrinkles and frown lines?
Frown lines, forehead lines and crows feet
are caused by the constant movement of muscles
underneath the skin. For example, a wrinkle
in
the area between the eyebrows may appear and
persist because of the repeated, often
unconscious action, of frowning.
These lines can produce an angry or frustrated look
on the face. This is the
same for lines by the eyes, often called crows feet, which are caused by smiling
or squinting. Raising our eyebrows often will result in forehead lines.
What is BOTOX Cosmetic™?
Botox is a purified product produced by a bacterium call Clostridium botulinum.
This drugs works by weakening the muscles that causes wrinkles. Used in its
purified form, in tiny amounts, injection of BOTOX Cosmetic™with relax
muscles, lessening the appearance of frown lines, forehead lines, and crows
feet.
What benefits can I expect?
BOTOX Cosmetic™ can decrease the strength of the muscle of which it is
injected. By relaxing these muscles, frown lines, forehead lines, and crows feet
become less visible. The lines seem to disappear or diminish dramatically. It
may take a few days to notice the moving affect.
How is BOTOX Cosmetic™ injected?
Botox is injected into the muscle. Your doctor will determine what muscle to
treat to give you the result that you wish to achieve.
Does the injection hurt?
The treatment itself takes only a few minutes and a very tiny needle is all that is
needed. Some patients report minor and temporary discomfort from the injection.
Is there any danger of botulism from BOTOX Cosmetic™?
No. Given by a trained physician in the correct amount, there is no danger
of
botulism from BOTOX Cosmetic™. Botulism is caused by very large amounts of
the toxin in the system usually from eating contaminated food. Very high doses,
often 100 times more than would normally be used, would have to be injected to
cause harm.
How long will it last?
The improvement you will achieve from BOTOX Cosmetic™ will last anywhere
from 3 - 6 months. You will notice a gradual fading of its affect, at which point,
you will have to return for re-injection. Some find that it last longer after having
multiple treatments and will last months more than it had in the past.
When does it start to work?
You will notice BOTOX Cosmetic™ beginning to work in 2 - 4
days. It will
improve over the following 7 - 10 days.
Where can BOTOX Cosmetic™ be used?
The most common areas are frown lines, forehead lines, and crow feet. Other
areas include the neck and upper lip.
What side effects can be expected?
The side effects are related to the injection of the solution. This may be a slight
discomfort from the needle and a chance of a small bruise. A rare side effect, is
a temporary drooping of one eyelid. This is short lived and very uncommon in the
hands of experienced doctor.
Are there any reasons not to have BOTOX Cosmetic™?
Botox should not be used on patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a
neurologic disease.
BOTOX® and BOTOX Cosmetic™ are trademarks owned by Allergan Inc.
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