Years of expression can leave marks on a face. Concentration, squinting or frowning create vertical lines between the eyebrows. Botox stops the nerve impulses to the muscles that create these marks. These lines can cause people to look as if they are frowning or upset.
What is Botox Cosmetic?
Botox® Cosmetic is a non-surgical injection which can temporarily smooth dynamic lines and wrinkles of the face and neck. A variety of wrinkles can be treated including forehead creases, frown lines, crow’s feet, and neck bands. Botox®, which is the cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, works by blocking the nerve impulses and temporarily relaxing the muscles responsible for wrinkling. The result is a smoother, more youthful and refreshed appearance.
Botox is the botulinum toxin. Approved by the FDA in 2002, it was the first of its kind. Since then, it has proven to be effective for treating the wrinkles between the brows caused by muscle contractions. Using Botox causes paralysis of the glabellum muscles above the eyebrows. This helps to prevent future wrinkles or the deepening of current ones. It is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the country.
What is the Procedure for Botox Cosmetic?
Botox is injected into the glabellum muscles between the eyebrows. The procedure is normally quick, lasting about 10 minutes. Some discomfort may occur during the injections. It normally is not much and does not last very long. Numbing the area beforehand can help reduce any discomfort. This is accomplished by using an anesthetic cream or a cold pack.
Dr. Schwartz performs the procedure in his office, a process which takes just ten minutes to complete. Local anesthesia is used and the Botox® is administered directly into the muscle with several tiny injections. There is no recovery or downtime and patients are able to immediately resume work and other normal activities.
Who is a Candidate for Botox Cosmetic?
Good candidates for Botox® include men and women who are healthy and have lines that are not yet deeply etched into the skin.
Most people between the ages of 18 and 65 are eligible if they are not planning to become pregnant, are pregnant or are breast-feeding. Botox® is not appropriate for everyone, including women who are pregnant and individuals with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome. People who are suffering from a muscular or nervous disease, have a breathing problem, intend to have surgery, have undergone surgery to the face, are allergic to botulinum toxin products, have swallowing problems, or have difficulty with their facial muscles should not use Botox.
What are the Benefits of Botox Cosmetic?
An immediate improvement in personal appearance is the primary benefit of Botox treatment. Lessening the impact of frown lines between the eyebrows makes people appear happier and friendlier. As the days pass, these effects improve for approximately a month.
What is the Cost of Botox?
Prices vary for treatment.
Botox FAQ
What is the recovery time for Botox Cosmetic?
Unlike like other cosmetic procedures, there is no recovery time for Botox. Immediately after treatment, patients may experience injection site pain, tenderness, swelling, redness and/or bleeding. However, these should subside quickly.
The effect can be seen within five to seven days after treatment, though it can take two weeks for the maximum effect to occur. Like most injectable procedures, some swelling, redness, or bruising can occur at the injection site though these side effects clear up quickly.
How long does Botox Cosmetic last?
The effects of the procedure normally last four months. But, this can vary from person to person. Some people have experienced results that last up to six months. The results of Botox Cosmetic® are temporary and the injection will need to be repeated every four to six months in order to maintain the results.
Are there side effects?
Botox can cause serious side effects. Problems swallowing, breathing or loss of voice can occur. If any are experienced, a doctor should be contacted as soon as possible. Some of these can be life threatening. However, most people do not experienceany adverse effects to Botox treatment.
How does Botox Cosmetic® work?
Botox® is the cosmetic form of botulinum toxin. When injected into certain muscles responsible for wrinkling, it blocks the nerve impulses and temporarily relaxes the muscle. This allows current wrinkles to be smoothed and keeps new wrinkling from occurring.
Where does Botox Cosmetic® treatment take place?
Dr. Schwartz performs the Botox® injection in his office.
