Botox
Botox®/Vistabel®
First approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1990 for treating eye muscle spasms, botox showed its cosmetic potential almost immediately, when patients with their eye on ophthalmologic gains noticed their wrinkles softening. The toxin that could block nerve impulses to temporarily paralyze certain misfiring eye muscles, it turned out, could also be directed to disable those muscles that form "crow's feet" around the eyes, wrinkle lines on the forehead and frown lines between the eyebrows.
Ten years after it initially hit the market, botox is one of the most popular cosmetic medical procedure in the United States; almost 800,000 Americans got the injections in 2000, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Botox can iron out wrinkles earned over years of facial movements, such as smiling and frowning, concentrating and squinting. In addition to the most popular complaints — furrows between the eyebrows, crow's feet and forehead lines — women in particular get botox injections to correct some imperfections of their lips and necks. Recently, botox has found yet another use: a "chemical brow lift" to restore the arch to falling eyebrows. (Outside the cosmetic sphere, botox is used not only for muscle control, but also to treat migraine headaches and other types of pain and to eliminate excessive sweating, or "hyperhydrosis.").
FAQ
What can I expect during my Botox® appointment?
First determine where to administer the injections and how much BOTOX® Cosmetic to use by examining your ability to move certain muscles in your face or neck. The location, size, and use of the muscles that create lines or wrinkles vary among individuals. You will then receive your quotation and all of your questions will be answered. Tiny injections of BOTOX® Cosmetic will be administered directly into the targeted muscles that cause the moderate to severe frown lines between the brows. Discomfort is rare, if any, and is minimal and brief without downtime. You may see a marked improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines within days. Improvement may continue for up to two weeks, and can last up to 4 to 6 months, or longer with repeated treatments over time.
What's the difference between BOTOX® and Fillers such as Restylane, Perlane, or Juvederm?
BOTOX® targets and relaxes your facial muscles to keep them from creating wrinkles. Fillers smooth and fill in existing wrinkles, restoring skin fullness and volume. Think of BOTOX® as both a corrective and preventive measure against future facial lines and Filler as a way to deal with existing lines – restoring the volume that has been lost.
Will it hurt?
BOTOX® and Fillers are injected into your skin in tiny amounts with ultra fine needles. Most people do not find the procedure uncomfortable. It is relatively painless and fast. There may be minimal discomfort and swelling.
I don't want to look like I've had plastic surgery. I just want to get rid of my wrinkles. Are BOTOX® and Filler still right for me?
Of course! Both treatments can give you a more youthful and relaxed appearance- without making you looks unnatural. Facial expressions and sensation will remain unaffected, and you will emerge with smoother, younger-looking skin. Plastic surgery and face lifts involve pulling skin tightly over bone, leaving an unnatural look, whereas fillers create contours in your face such as cheek bones and jaw lines where they have been lost with age, creating a youthful look.
It's hard for me to make time for appointments. Can I get treatments during my lunch hour or between errands?
BOTOX® and Filler are simple procedures that take very little time out of your day and because any visible side effects are minimal, you can return to work or normal activities immediately.
How soon will treatments work, and for how long?
Individual results may vary, but most clients usually notice improvements from BOTOX® within several days and immediately with dermal fillers. BOTOX® lasts for about four to six months. Dermal fillers can last from six to twelve months, with some lasting even longer.
Will one treatment be enough?
One treatment will provide you with a more youthful and relaxed appearance. For longer lasting results, it is recommended that an average of three Botox treatments will show a remarkable long-lasting improvement. Regular touch-ups every four to six months are recommended.
Will I experience any side effects?
Although extremely rare, a patient may experience localized pain, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising.
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 with time look like they did before treatment.
Is BOTOX® Cosmetic affordable?
When considering your facial aesthetic options, BOTOX® Cosmetic is quite affordable. 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. All of our consultations are complimentary so if you have a budget, our friendly consultants will be able to advise how you can get the best results based on your budget.
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 neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.
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