Maybe you heard a friend talk about her experience with BOTOX® Cosmetic—and you think your friend looks great—but before you get treated, you’d like to know more about it first. Here are a few important facts:
Botox Cosmetic was the most popular physician-administered cosmetic procedure in the United States for the fifth year in a row (surgical and non-surgical combined) with nearly 3.2 million treatments in 2006.
Racial and ethnic minorities accounted for 22% of all physician-administered cosmetic procedures.
Men accounted for nearly 1 million physician-administered cosmetic procedures.
Patients ages 19 to 24 accounted for 22% of all physician-administered cosmetic procedures.
Botox Cosmetic is one of the most popular, non-surgical treatments currently offered by esthetic physicians. Botulinum Toxin Type A (BOTOX®) is produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. It is the same toxin that causes a form of muscle paralysis called “botulism” when present in very large amounts. BOTOX® has been used safely for many years in extremely small doses to relieve uncontrollable muscle twitching or spasms. In 1989, Dr. Jean Carruthers, a dermatologist in Vancouver, Canada, first used Botox for facial wrinkles. A major study of this technique was completed in 1995 with a review published in The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Botox is currently FDA approved for use in the glabellar area to relax furrows between the eyebrows. However, it is also being used successfully to reduce or eliminate facial wrinkles in other areas of the face including “crow’s feet” around the eyes and “frown lines” on the forehead.
As we age, and even in young adults, wrinkles form around the eyes, across the forehead, and between the eyebrows. These are formed by repetitive movement of muscles attached to the skin for facial expression. Over time, deep furrows may form that give the perpetual appearance of tiredness, frustration, anger, or aging. By injecting selected muscles with very small doses of BOTOX®, the muscles are weakened giving a very desirable appearance of relaxation and smoothness in the overlying skin.
Dr. McMenamin and his physician assistant have many years of experience and training in performing Botox injections. They will be able to determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure, what areas of the face you will receive the most benefit, and how much the treatment will cost. Patients with a history of certain neuromuscular disorders are sometimes not good candidates for Botox injections.
The most common undesirable side effect of BOTOX® is related to migration of the toxin from the injection site. This may cause a weakness or mild drooping of the eyebrow or eyelids that is temporary, usually lasting one to three weeks. This is a rare occurrence (approximately 1 out of 100 persons) and may not be noticed by the patient. The patient can minimize the chances of this occurring by not rubbing or massaging the area for 12 hours after injection. Other unavoidable side effects of the procedure include discomfort and possible bruising at the site of the injections. You are advised not to use aspirin, aspirin containing products, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, Vitamin E or C, fish oils, or alcohol for two weeks before and one week after injection to minimize your risk of bruising. Also, as with any procedure, there is a very small risk of infection. Nausea is another possible side effect.
BOTOX® is extremely safe to use for facial wrinkles. There have been very rare reports of allergic reaction or serious heart problems in doses commonly used for cosmetic facial lines. In early 2008, there was a release in the media by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding systemic reactions to Botox and Myobloc (botulinum toxin A & B) that resulted in hospitalization and, in a few cases, death, in children receiving high doses of botulinum toxin for spastic limbs. Even at very high doses, there have been no deaths reported in adults.
It is important that you notify the doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms after a Botox Cosmetic injection: Worsening or unexpected difficulty swallowing or talking, trouble breathing, chest pain, or muscle weakness. These symptoms can occur anywhere from one day to several weeks after treatment.
Dr. McMenamin believes that in the amounts and for the purposes Botox Cosmetic is used in this facility, it remains extremely safe with very rare untoward side effects.
BOTOX® works by weakening the muscles beneath the skin of the eyes and forehead to alter facial expression and decrease facial wrinkles. It takes three to five days after the injections to see the results and up to two weeks to see the full effect. Occasionally, a second injection is required to achieve the desired effect. You can expect the results to last between three and six months. It is impossible to estimate exactly how long it will last because everyone is different. When the beneficial effects start to wear off, the wrinkles will return, but often they are not as deep. You will need two to four sessions of injections per year to maintain the acquired beneficial effects.
BOTOX® is utilized to enhance your facial appearance. It does not replace standard facial plastic surgery procedures such as a face lift, forehead lift, or eyelid surgery. It does, however, provide an important new technique to address areas not improved by surgery or areas not yet in need of surgical correction. It is important to note that some deep wrinkles are not improved with BOTOX®. Wrinkles that are present at rest and are not caused by muscle movement under the skin will not be improved. They are usually the result of sun-damaged skin or scarring from prior trauma.
Call us to make an appointment. We will be happy to inform you on what Botox Cosmetic can do for you. (916) 564-8888
