Botox® 

LEARN MORE ABOUT BOTOX® 

BOTOX® (botulinum toxin A) is a purified protein that relaxes muscles. There are 7 serotypes of botulinum neurotoxin derived from different strains of Clostridium botulinum grown under modern methods of cultivation. Type A (BTX A ) is the one most studied. Each serotyope and formulation has different properties and actions. The safety, duration of effect and side effects of a neurotoxin are largely determined by serotype. Molecular size will influence migration (spread) of product.

The first reports of BOTOX® use in the face date back to 1987, when Jean and Alastair Carruthers noted that patients treated for blepharospasm (eye lid spasm) showed improvement in frown lines. The first reports detailing cosmetic use in the face date back to 1992.  BOTOX has thus been used for cosmetic indications for more than a decade. From these early reports, the cosmetic use of BOTOX has grown exponentially. Injections of BOTOX® are now amongst the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the practice of dermatology.
The simplicity and safety of BOTOX® treatments are among its most compelling attributes. Its cosmetic use, however, demands a thorough understanding of facial muscles and the neurotoxin used as well as a sound understanding of proper injection technique.

The message for a muscle to contract is mediated via a chemical transmitter (messenger substance) called Acetylcholine (Ach). After injection with BOTOX®, the release of Ach is blocked (“road block” for Ach). The muscle therefore does not get the message to contract. Due to the muscle not exercising, the muscle bulk decreases over time. There is NO DIRECT DAMAGE to the muscle (or sweat gland, if done for Hyperhidrosis). If injections are discontinued, the muscle action will resume over time. Regular injections, however, lead to long term gain due to the fact that the muscle becomes smaller.  BOTOX has been proven to improve the texture of overlying skin. BOTOX® is locally acting.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BOTOX®

  1. Temporary bruising and/or swelling around the injected area may occur.
  2. The product may, in very rare cases, cause temporary paralysis of the eye lid muscle (ptosis).  This is REVERSABLE and occurs in approximately 2% of patients.

POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Try to exercise your treated muscles for 2-3 hours after treatment (e.g. practice frowning, raising your eyebrows or squinting).  This helps to work BOTOX® into your muscles.  Although this is thought to help, it will NOT impact your treatment negatively if you forget to do this.
  2. Do NOT rub or massage the treated areas for 24 hours after your treatment.
  3. Do NOT apply make-up for 4 hours after your treatment.
  4. Do NOT lie down or do strenuous exercise for 6 hours after treatment.  Feel free to shower and go about most other regular daily activities.
  5. Be assured that any tiny bumps or marks will go away within a few hours after your treatment.
  6. Results of your treatment may take up to 7 - 14 days to take full effect.
  7. Remember to come for your follow-up appointment 2 weeks after treatment.
  8. We strive to fully satisfy our patients with each treatment.  If you have any questions about your treatment, then please do not hesitate to contact us.  We will arrange for a follow-up assessment.
  9. The results of your BOTOX® treatment are not permanent.  The effect generally lasts for 3 to 4 months.  If you maintain regular treatments (with the frequency recommended by your practitioner) the duration of each treatment result may last longer than 4 months. This is because the muscles become smaller due to “not exercising” and also in some instances due to loss of habit.
  10. Initially, we see our patients between the 3rd month (12 weeks) and 4th month (16 weeks) time period.  The best clinical results can be achieved for you during this period.  If you allow BOTOX® to wear of completely, it is difficult for the practitioner to see how your individual muscles reacted and therefore optimal results for YOUR face can be more difficult to achieve.
  11. BOTOX® requires a special technique in order to customize the injections to your individual muscular structure.  Thus, it is important that your injector sees you before your muscles resume the full range of motion (and cause wrinkling again).  Your practitioner needs to see you at the point when some muscle activity resumes, but before the effects of BOTOX® fully wears off.  It is only at this point that the practitioner can customize the treatment to give you the best effect for your face.

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Botox