Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Center of Houston, Texas

In an effort to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, many people are turning to BOTOXŽ Cosmetic. The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, simply called BOTOXŽ Cosmetic, is a popular non-surgical injection that temporarily reduces or eliminates frown lines, forehead creases, crows feet near the eyes and thick bands in the neck. The toxin blocks the nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles while giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. BOTOXŽ Cosmetic has also been shown effective in relieving migraine headaches, excessive sweating, and muscle spasms in the neck and eyes

It is strange to think of a toxin as a cure for wrinkles. But it makes sense once you understand what causes wrinkles and how BOTOXŽ Cosmetic works. There are two types of wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles, or muscle wrinkles, form where muscles move the face the most (around and between the eyes and around the mouth), and Static wrinkles are lines and crinkles that appear at the corners of the eyes and in other areas on the face. Dynamic wrinkles go deep. As they develop, they create grooves in the skin, which are apparent even when you are not moving your face. Static wrinkles are more superficial and are most noticeable when the face is moving, such as when you smile or frown. Because it affects the facial muscles, BOTOXŽ Cosmetic can help ease or prevent both types.

There are very few side effects associated with BOTOXŽ Cosmetic injections. Small bruises or red marks at the sites of the injection may appear but usually fade within a few days. Mild headaches and nausea, though rare, have been reported by patients who receive forehead injections. Some injections can cause mild muscle aches. It is also possible for an adjoining muscle to experience weakness, although this is usually temporary (one to three weeks).

Swelling, though rare, may occur in the area around the injection. If the swelling lasts more than a few hours, simple massage should help reduce it. (Caution: Do not massage the area in the hours immediately following your injection, since this could cause the toxin to spread to adjacent muscles.

After the treatment, you should refrain from bending over or from vigorous activities for several hours to prevent the toxin from moving to an unwanted area. In rare cases, BOTOXŽ Cosmetic injections around the eye area can cause the eyelid to droop, though this will wear off in two or three weeks. It is even more rare, but possible, for injections in the neck muscles to cause difficulty swallowing. Be sure to discuss all the possible side effects with your doctor before beginning treatment.

For any BOTOXŽ Cosmetic procedure, your doctor might have you apply ice to the area a few minutes before treatment. This is for two reasons: it causes the vessels in the skin to constrict which helps reduce bruising, and it helps decrease the small amount of pain associated with multiple injections. Ice can be beneficial for the same reasons after the BOTOXŽ Cosmetic treatment.

Once seated upright, the doctor will have you contract the muscle in the area being treated so that he or she can better target the injection into the muscle. Thus, if you're receiving injections for wrinkles between the eyes, you will be asked to frown. For some procedures, the doctor may use an electromyelogram - a devise that helps your doctor locate the area of the muscles greatest contraction. Using this devise helps ensure that you will receive the right amount of toxin in the right place.

On average, you'll receive three injections per muscle (depending on the area being treated, more or less injections may be needed). With each injection you will feel a needle prick, then a mild stinging or burning for a few seconds as the toxin flows in to the muscle. Again, depending on the area being treated, you may be asked to gently press a gauze pad against the injection site and/or hold to it for a few minutes.

The whole process takes about ten minutes to half an hour, depending on the number of areas being treated. As soon as the series of injections is completed, you can go back to your regular activities. As stated above, the doctor will probably ask you to refrain from bending or laying down for approximately four hours after the injections until the toxin has had time to attach to the nerve-muscle connection. You will be asked not to rub the area in order to prevent the toxin from spreading to adjacent muscles.

Depending on the area being treated, one series of injections generally lasts three to six months, though in some cases the improved appearance can last up to a year. As the toxin wears off, your wrinkles will gradually return, but they won't be any worse than before the treatment. With repeated injections, the effects generally tend to last longer. There is some evidence that after prolonged treatment the affected muscles may become permanently weakened, so fewer treatments will be needed.

Currently Botox is being used as a treatment for migraine & tension headaches. Doctors discovered this new use for Botox when patients reported fewer headaches after receiving Botox for cosmetically reducing wrinkles. Botox effectively relaxes the muscles involved in triggering headaches and reduces their frequency & severity. It is now one of the main preventive therapies for headaches, with a very high rate of success.

For the treatment of headaches, Botox is injected into muscles around the eyes, forehead and the back of the neck. Significant improvements appear to be progressive and may also be cumulative. Results improve with the second and third treatments if the first treatment has only had a mild effect. Treatment may be repeated as often as every three months. Botox has been shown to have little or no side effects

What exactly is Botox Cosmetic?
How does Botox Cosmetic work?
When will I see results from a treatment?
How long does Botox last?
Who should administer Botox Cosmetic?
Is treatment with Botox Cosmetic painful?
Who should not use Botox Cosmetic?
Will I experience any side effects?
Will my facial expressions continue to look natural?
What will happen to the frown lines between my brows if I choose not to continue treatments?
Is Botox Cosmetic affordable?
Do treatment results differ?

What exactly is BOTOX^Ž Cosmetic?

BOTOX^Ž Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It is a non-surgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily reduce moderate to severe frown lines between the brows. During treatment, very low doses of Botox Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the muscles that cause those stubborn lines. The treatment is usually done in about 10 minutes, and no recovery time is needed. Within days, you may see an improvement that can last up to 4 months. Results may vary.

How does Botox Cosmetic work?

Those moderate to severe frown lines between your brows form over time as the result of muscle activity. Botox Cosmetic is injected directly into the muscles between your brows. It works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles; this reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those persistent lines to form.

When will I see results from a Botox Cosmetic treatment?

Within days, you may see a marked improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows. Lines continue to improve for up to a month, and results can last for up to 4 months. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women rated the improvement in their appearance as moderate to better 1 month after treatment. Results may vary.

How long does Botox Cosmetic last?

Results from treatment with Botox Cosmetic can last for up to 4 months. If you discontinue treatment, the frown lines between your brows gradually will look like they did before treatment.

Who should administer Botox Cosmetic?

Any authorized healthcare professional can administer Botox Cosmetic, but dermatologists, plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors), or other physicians specializing in cosmetic procedures are generally more experienced. One of these physicians can help you decide if Botox Cosmetic is right for you.

Is treatment with Botox Cosmetic painful?

Discomfort is usually minimal and brief. Prior to injecting, your physician may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. Many people return directly to work or normal activity following Botox Cosmetic treatment.

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 neurological 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 include headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eyelid droop, and nausea. Less frequently occurring (<3%) adverse reactions include pain in the face, erythema at the injection site, and muscle weakness. These events are thought to be associated with the injection and occurred within the first week.

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.

What will happen to the frown lines between my brows if I choose not to continue treatments?

If you do not continue treatments, the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows will gradually look like they did before treatment.

Is BOTOX^Ž Cosmetic affordable?

When considering your facial aesthetic options, Botox Cosmetic is quite affordable. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery's 2003 survey, Botox Cosmetic is one of the least expensive facial aesthetic procedures in the United States. Like other appearance-related investments, such as hair coloring and cuts, teeth whitening, and chemical peels, the cost must be weighed relative to your expectations. Consult your doctor for further information.

Do treatment results differ?

To get the best results, it's important to go to a doctor who is experienced in administering BOTOX^Ž Cosmetic. You may want to consider choosing a doctor from the Botox Cosmetic Physicians' Network. Members of the Network have medical practices that focus on facial aesthetics, as well as detailed knowledge of facial anatomy and experience injecting Botox Cosmetic.