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What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
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BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the clostridium botulinum bacterium that has been carefully and consistently produced in a controlled laboratory environment. BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used medically since the 1980s in the treatment of blepharospasm (uncontrolled twitching or spasm of the eyelid). For the last 10 years, cosmetic surgeons have used BOTOX® Cosmetic to reduce wrinkles associated with muscle movement.
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How does BOTOX® Cosmetic work?
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Those moderate to severe lines on the forehead, crow's feet and frown lines between your brows form over time as the result of muscle activity. BOTOX® Cosmetic works at the junction of a nerve ending and muscle by blocking transmission of the signal from the nerve asking the muscle to contract. Thus, BOTOX® Cosmetic eliminates or significantly reduces muscle movement locally where it was injected. There are no effects on muscles away from the site of injection. This relaxation of muscle movement is temporary, with effects lasting about 3 to 4 months. By relaxing or paralyzing the muscles that create facial lines, BOTOX® Cosmetic prevents the formation of dynamic or movement-related wrinkles.
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How is BOTOX® Cosmetic administered?
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During your consultation, your physician will evaluate your lines and determine which muscles contribute to their formation. Then, very small amounts of the BOTOX® Cosmetic are injected into the muscles. Several injections with a very small needle are usually required with each session. Ice packs may be used prior to injections to help alleviate the mild pain associated with BOTOX® Cosmetic injections. No anesthesia is needed. The entire procedure takes about 5-10 minutes. After the injections, you may have mild tenderness, swelling, and redness for a short period of time (usually less than a day). Bruising may occur especially when treating around the eyes, or if you have been taking any aspirin or ibuprofen products, and usually resolves in 5 –7 days.
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When will I see results?
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Effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic are typically seen 4 to 7 days after injections, but it can take up to 14 days to see the final results of the Botox injection. Results may vary but can last for up to 4 months.
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How long do the results last?
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The muscle relaxation induced by BOTOX® Cosmetic is not permanent. Most patients experience a slight return of muscle function around 3 to 4 months after injection, and this gradually returns to baseline. BOTOX® Cosmetic injections are usually repeated every 3 to 4 months. Some patients find that with repeat injections, the treatment interval gradually lengthens with the effect lasting as long as 6 months.
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What areas can be treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic?
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BOTOX® Cosmetic is most commonly used to treat lines around the eyes, between the eyebrows, and on the forehead. BOTOX® Cosmetic may also be used to treat lines around the mouth and for wrinkles or banding on the neck.
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How will the areas feel after BOTOX® Cosmetic injection?
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Immediately after injection, the treated areas may feel slightly tender and sore or swollen. This is usually very minor and short-lived (several hours to 1-2 days). Once BOTOX® Cosmetic has taken effect (4-7 days after injection), most patients note nothing unusual. There is no loss of feeling in the injected areas; however, when asked to move the treated muscles you will unable to do so. Some patients report improvement in their headaches after BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment to the forehead or between the eyebrows; however, BOTOX® Cosmetic is currently not indicated as a treatment for headaches.
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Who should avoid BOTOX® Cosmetic?
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BOTOX® Cosmetic injections should not be administered if you are pregnant or have a Human albumin allergy.
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What are the alternatives to BOTOX® Cosmetic?
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BOTOX® Cosmetic is the only therapy currently available to inhibit muscle movement. Wrinkles and sun damage of the face may be improved with a variety of cosmetic surgery techniques including laser procedures, facial fillers, superficial and deep chemical peels, and face-lifting procedures (rhytidectomy).
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In the News:
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Allergan's BOTOX - Botulinum Toxin Type A - Not the cause of Botulism in Florida Patients
http://www.botoxcosmetic.net/resources/PressRelease20041130.aspx
American Academy of Dermatology Stresses the Safe Use of Botulinum Toxin
http://www.aad.org/PressReleases/BotoxParties.html
March 2003
http://www.aad.org/PressReleases/BotulinumRejuvenation.html
More info:
http://www.asds-net.org/4q02botox.html
http://www.botox.com/index.jsp?cc&glabellar
http://www.asds-net.org/4q02botox2.html
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