Botox® has been around for a long time. The toxin was initially developed to treat a condition called blepharospasm. The clinicians noticed that the wrinkles around the eyelids were improved with the injections. Eventually the drug has progressed to its most common use which is to treat the visual signs of aging by reducing or removing wrinkles. The procedure is considered a very safe, effective way of treating wrinkles. Common areas for Botox® injections include horizontal forehead furrows, the vertical lines between the eyebrows also called the 11 lines and "crow's feet" around the eyes. Botox® has proven to be the best non-surgical form of facial rejuvenation and is capable of producing phenomenal improvements in your appearance. Proper placement of the material can elevate the eyebrows while still allowing for dynamic motion of the forehead. There are many variations of the same medication that are made by competing companies. They have similar effects.
Reasons for Considering a Botox Treatment:
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Any facial wrinkles you do not like.
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Deep wrinkles or furrows in your forehead.
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Deep wrinkles or “crow’s feet” around your eyes.
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A vertical “frown line” between your eyebrows also called the 11 lines.
General Procedure
The medication works by paralyzing the specific facial muscle beneath the skin that are the cause of wrinkles. Depending on patient preference a cream with local anesthetic can be placed on your skin prior to treatment. Some patients prefer not to have this topical anesthetic. The needles that are used are extremely small, 30 gauge. The feeling is essentially like a mild mosquito bite that last literally one second. Ice will be immediately applied upon completion of the Botox® treatment. The medication is diluted to different concentrations but typically I dilute the medication to .1cc/3units. Different areas will need different concentrations of medication for proper blockage and paralysis of the muscle. Larger facial muscles require more units. Men will typically require more units because they have larger facial muscles. Most of the time approximately .1cc or 3 units of Botox® is injected into the area of the wrinkle. Botox® works over the next 3-5 days by blocking the impulses from the nerve to the facial muscles, thereby relaxing them. The result is the underlying facial muscles are paralyzed and the skin begins to smooth out because it loses it memory. The effects of a Botox® treatment will last approximately three to six months after which the procedure will need to be repeated.
Recovery Process
Patients generally return to their workplace or normal activities immediately after the procedure. It is also advisable to avoid rubbing or massaging the injected area for at least 24 hours because this may spread the medication to other areas.
