BOTOX® Cosmetic

BOTOX® Cosmetic is the commercial trade name for Botulinum Toxin Type A. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of botulinum toxin for treatment of moderate to severe frown lines. Ophthalmologists first introduced the compound for treating optic muscle disorders in the late 1980s. Since then, BOTOX® Cosmetic as grown to be the number one cosmetic procedure in the United States. As BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the most widely researched medicines in the world, its successful usage in the last 15 years and more makes it very popular in all age groups (between 18 and 65).

Constant muscle movement in the area over time causes the lines that occur on the face between the brows, near the eyes, on the side of the nose, etc. When skin starts to lose its innate elasticity with age, folds or furrows appear.

Tiny injections of BOTOX® Cosmetic help to erase these lines. BOTOX® Cosmetic works by preventing a chemical from being released that causes muscles to contract. This effect, however, does not hamper the ability to use facial muscles for laughing, smiling, or any other expression of emotion. BOTOX® Cosmetic does not work on fine lines that are not caused by muscle movements. These type of deep-seated lines may be filled with an injectable gel called JUVÉDERM®.

The Procedure

The procedure takes about ten to thirty minutes and is administered by Dr. Doezie. Tiny injections are administered without the use of anesthesia. The exact location where to inject is decided by the doctor. The selection of appropriate injection points is critical to the success of the procedure. Numerous injection points may be selected for a specific area to be treated; these are not positioned on the wrinkle itself but on the contracting muscle that causes the wrinkle. The doctor also decides the amount of BOTOX® Cosmetic to be used for the procedure.

There is a good chance the area being treated will be tender, inflamed, swollen, or red. Others may feel bruised or experience bleeding though it is uncommon. Some patients temporarily feel nausea and eyelid droop that disappears with time. Prior medical conditions like certain neuromuscular disorders including ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome or heart condition or allergies should be shared with the doctor so that related side effects may be avoided. BOTOX® Cosmetic should also not be used if there is an infection in the area where the injection will be inserted or if the patient is pregnant.

Results

After the procedure is performed, results can be seen as early as 3 days after the treatment and in the following weeks, improvement continues to happen. The effect of BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment lasts 3 to 4 months after which a follow-up treatment is required. Results, however, have known to vary with different individuals. When the frown lines begin to reappear over time, and the effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic wear off, it is time to take another round of treatment. It is safe to have BOTOX® Cosmetic injections every four months. In fact, it is found that repeated use produces longer lasting results as thinning of the muscles occurs.

Costs

BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment is more affordable than ever. In fact, it is reported that the most common users of BOTOX® Cosmetic are working mothers. BOTOX® Cosmetic cost in Orange County will vary based on the number of units needed. Dr. Doezie will determine your exact quote at the time of your consultation.