What exactly is Botox® Cosmetic?
Botox® Cosmetic is the trade name for Botulinum Toxin Type A, which is a natural purified protein produced by the Clostridium Botulinum bacterium. It is a non-surgical, physician-administered procedure used to treat a variety of dynamic lines and wrinkles on the face and neck. Very small doses of Botox® Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections very precisely into the muscles that cause those stubborn lines and wrinkles. The treatment usually takes no more than 10 minutes, and no recovery time is needed.
Is it safe?
YES!! Botox® has been available for over 20 years, and has been used to treat many diseases. In fact, it is used in children as young as 2 years old to treat cerebral palsy. These children receive over ten times the amount used for cosmetic treatments--every 3 months! This safety has been proven repeatedly over the last 20 years through extensive testing and research. The risks and side effects are much less severe than those seen with Tylenol. Botox® is approved by the FDA for both cosmetic and therapeutic uses. Some other medical conditions treated with Botox® include migraine headaches and axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating).
Will it give me food poisoning? Is it botulism? Is it a poison?
No, it is not toxic or poisonous to you. It is not botulism, and will not cause food poisoning. Botulism is the name of an illness, not the name of the active drug. The product is a purified protein, which is extracted from naturally occurring bacteria and then rigorously processed under strict pharmaceutical manufacturing guidelines. It is very similar to how penicillin comes from mold.
How does Botox® Cosmetic work?
Dynamic lines and wrinkles occur over time as the delicate muscles underlying the aging skin of our faces contract, such as when we smile, laugh or frown. Botox® Cosmetic is injected with tiny needles very precisely into specific facial and neck muscles. It works by temporarily blocking the communication between the nerve and the muscle, thus reducing the activity of the muscles causing those persistent lines. This in turn creates a smoother appearance to the face and neck. It is important to understand that the nerves and the muscles themselves are not damaged or destroyed by the injections (i.e. Botox® does NOT "kill" the nerve or the muscle).
When will I see results from a Botox® Cosmetic treatment?
Marked improvement will begin to occur in the treated areas over the first 3 to 5 days, and full results are usually seen within two weeks. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women saw an improvement in their appearance within one month of treatment. Results will vary from patient to patient.
How long does a treatment last?
Results can last for 3 to 4 months initially. With repeated treatments (and if our recommended schedule is followed), results may last up to 6 months. Maintenance treatments are then scheduled every 6 months to keep that skin smooth and wrinkle-free!
Will my facial expressions continue to look natural?
Although the results are visible, treatment with Botox® Cosmetic will not radically change your facial appearance or make you look as if you "had work done." The skin overlying the treated area remains smooth and unwrinkled while all other untreated facial muscles contract normally, allowing natural facial expression to be unaffected.
What will happen if I choose to not continue treatments in the future?
If you do not continue maintenance treatments, the lines and wrinkles will gradually begin to look like they did before the initial treatment.
