Botulinum Toxin (Botox)

What is it?

Facial wrinkling is the result of many factors, such as sun exposure, smoking, and time. One of the major factors in facial wrinkles, though, is pull of the facial muscles causing pleating of the overlying skin.

Wrinkles can be further classified into two types:

• Static Wrinkles: These are wrinkles which are present at rest or without facial expression
• Dynamic Wrinkles: Wrinkles which only appear when facial expression occurs, such as frowning or scowling.

With time, dynamic wrinkles can turn into static wrinkles. The goal of Botox is to prevent dynamic wrinkles in the first place.

Botox is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those frown lines to form over time. The purpose of he injections is not to paralyze the muscles, but to lessen the strength of those muscles which contribute to wrinkling.

Benefits

BOTOX is a simple, non-surgical, physician administered (in our office) treatment which can improve dynamic wrinkles of the forehead and around the eyes. Injection into other areas is less effective and has higher risks.

Clinical trials have shown that over 90% of patients note improvement in wrinkling after treatment.

If injected properly, your ability to show emotion and have facial expression will not change. The only difference will be that your face will show fewer wrinkles.

Botox has been used for many years for a variety of medical conditions to treat overactive muscles, such as cerebral palsy, stroke, torticollis (overactive neck muscles), and blepharospasm (overactive eye muscles)

Cautions

• Please tell the doctor if you have any neuromuscular disorders, as this may increase your chances of side effects.
• Notify the doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure to list all medications or herbal supplements on your evaluation sheet.
• Precise placement of the injections must occur to obtain the desired result. If the medication distributes to an unintended area, such as the eyelid, it can result in temporary weakness of those muscles.
• Injections are temporary. Its results usually last around three to five months. Additional injections usually provide the same result ? that is, they don?t last longer or shorter than the initial injection.
• You and your physician should review which wrinkles should be expected to improve with injection.

Pricing

Pricing is dependent on each patient?s anatomy and areas which require treatment. The number of injections and amount of medication will determine final price. Most patients cost is around $200-500 per session.