Additional Botox© Information

Botox© therapy for wrinkles is an injection treatment designed to reduce wrinkles which occur or worsen with facial expressions. Botox© is the trade name for botulinum purified neurotoxin complex. Botox© is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of strabismus and blepharospasm, which are disorders of the muscles of the eyes. The use of Botox© for other conditions, including Botox© therapy for wrinkles, is considered “off-label”: This means the FDA has not specifically approved Botox© for this use. Botox© therapy for wrinkles is a commonly performed cosmetic procedure throughout the world. When Botox© therapy for wrinkles is performed, tiny amounts of the toxin are injected into the facial muscles responsible for movement associated lines and wrinkles. This injection then weakens the muscle, thus reducing the associated lines and wrinkles.

Botox© therapy for wrinkles works best for "dynamic" lines and wrinkles, that means those lines that are directly associated with the muscle movement. Botox© therapy is less effective for fine textural changes on the skin surface, and for those lines present at rest. Botox© therapy is temporary; meaning it will have to be repeated on a regular basis to remain effective. How long each treatment lasts will depend on many individual factors including the degree of skin sun damage present, the depth of the lines, the size of the muscles, the amount and strength of Botox© used, the frequency of re-treatment, and the speed of neuro-muscular repair. An average response is 3-6 months of diminished muscle contraction. Individual responses may be longer or shorter, depending on the above factors.

After Botox© is placed into the targeted muscles, the weakening effect gradually begins over 3-5 days, and is not complete for 2 weeks. Therefore optimal results are not seen for at least two weeks, and sometimes longer. During this period, you may notice asymmetry, or unevenness, within the treated areas. This asymmetry will usually correct itself as the Botox© takes effect. If not, touch-ups may be required.

Also, for reasons not fully understood, some patients may be less sensitive or "resistant" to the effects of Botox©. In these patients, Botox© will not work as well or for as long as it should ordinarily be expected. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, Botox© treatments are not recommended. If you have a history of neurologic (nervous system) disease, especially if it is currently active, you may not be a good candidate for Botox© therapy. This should be discussed with your treating neurologist or physician caring for your neurologic disease, prior to receiving Botox© therapy.

Possible side effects include bruising, headache, injection site pain, asymmetry, muscle twitching, numbness, eyebrow or eyelid drooping, double vision.