BOTOX® Cosmetic
What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is the trade name of Botulinum Toxin Type A; a purified toxin produced by bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In large amounts, this toxin blocks the nerve impulses to muscles, causing a form of paralysis called botulism.
BOTOX® Cosmetic in extremely small does, is injected directly into the specific muscles that cause frown lines. Only the action of that isolated muscle is paralyzed by the BOTOX® Cosmetic, and can longer contract. Therefore the problem that muscle causes, like a twitch, spasm or frown line, will be stopped.
Where do you put the BOTOX® Cosmetic?
The frown line between the eyebrows is caused by the action of a muscle called the corrugator. You can feel this muscle as a thickening just below the inside of your eyebrows, when you purposefully make yourself frown.
Injecting BOTOX® Cosmetic directly into the corrugator muscle stops your ability to draw your eyebrows together when you frown. Once the muscle is paralyzed, it cannot contract, and frown line gradually fades away.
When does BOTOX® Cosmetic start to work, and how long does it last?
The results of BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments start to appear in three to four days. Gradually over three to five months the BOTOX® Cosmetic effect will fade, and the muscle action will return. When the frown line starts to reappear, a simple repeat treatment is all that is necessary to maintain the desired results.
Can BOTOX® Cosmetic be used for other wrinkles?
BOTOX® Cosmetic has also been shown to soften and reduce crows feet and forehead wrinkles. BOTOX® Cosmetic can reduce the appearance of some lines that are caused by other hyperfunctional facial muscles such as nose creases, neck lines and neck bands.
Who can perform BOTOX® treatments?
BOTOX® Cosmetic therapy should only be performed under the direction of a licensed physician experienced and trained in the use of BOTOX®.
How has BOTOX® been tested?
BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used since 1980 for the treatment of strabismus (lazy eye), and blepharospasm (uncontrolled eye blinking). The use of BOTOX® Cosmetic for forehead wrinkles was pioneered in 1989 by Dr. Carruthers of Vancouver. A major study of this technique was completed in 1995, and reviews published in The Journal of American Academy of Dermatology (1996; 34: 788-97) and Dermatologic Surgery (1998; 24 1168-1254).
What are the side effects?
The side effects of BOTOX® Cosmeticare related to the local injection of the solution. there will be a slight discomfort from the needle entering the skin, and a small chance of a bruise at the site of the injection. There are no reports of damage to the eye. There have been no permanent side effects from the use of BOTOX® Cosmetic. Approximately 1% of patients will develop a slight lowering or ptosis of one eyelid. This is temporary and may not even be noticed by the patient.
