Treatment: BOTOX Cosmetic

What is BOTOX Cosmetic?

It is a highly refined protein that has been used cosmetically for many years to treat lines and wrinkles. Worldwide it has been safely used by millions of people. It causes temporary paralysis of the muscles that cause facial wrinkles and lines.

There is no downtime and you can continue with daily activities immediately after treatment. This is the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment being used in North America today.

What can BOTOX do?

It can temporarily reduce or eliminate the lines caused by making the same expression thousands of times. As we age, these overused facial muscles create frown lines, forehead creases, crow’s feet, neck folds and chin creases. BOTOX^® temporarily blocks the nerve impulses so that the treated muscles relax, causing a reduction or elimination of the lines or wrinkles. With repeated treatments the collagen in the treated areas remodels, giving rise to a smoother, more pleasing appearance.

BOTOX^® can be used to reverse the signs of aging produced by these active muscles and it can also help younger people by preventing the creases that characterize an older face. If dynamic wrinkles and lines are starting to make you look older or more negative, BOTOX^® can restore the rested and confident appearance you desire.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does it work?

Within hours of being injected, the BOTOX^® protein enters the nerve endings that stimulate the muscles. After several days, BOTOX^® prevents the release of a substance called acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction which signals muscle contraction. This is a temporary condition which reverses after the effect of BOTOX^® wears off. Sensory nerve endings are not negatively affected so there is no numbness or abnormal sensation in the area treated.

What areas can be treated?

Frown lines
Creases between the eyebrows
Horizontal forehead lines
Crow’s feet
Upper lip winkles (“smokers’ lines”) can be lessened
Dimpling on the chin
Poorly defined jaw line
Drooping of corners of the mouth
Lines on the neck – thick vertical cords and horizontal “necklace lines”
Lines between the breasts

Who should not be treated?

People with rare neurological disorders such as myasthenia gravis and those who have Eaton-Lambert syndrome should not be treated. Women who are pregnant or are breast feeding should not be treated, nor should those with an allergy to albumin or penicillamine.

What happens at the treatment appointment?

You will be asked to fill out a brief medical history and you will have a discussion with Dr. Rosenthal regarding the areas to be treated. Photos will be taken and the treatment area will be cleansed before the injections. Ice will be applied prior to injection and immediately after.

How long does each treatment take?

10 – 30 minutes depending on the number of injections. You can return to work or other activities immediately after.

How will I look after treatment?

Most people can walk out without any visible signs of having been treated, unless a small bruise develops.

Is it painful?

Most people find it almost painless since very tiny needles are used. No anaesthetic is required, but the skin may be pre-cooled prior to injection. All injections are done by Dr. Rosenthal.

How often?

The treatment allows for natural movement and the effect starts after 1 – 5 days and peaks in about 2 – 4 weeks. The results can last 3 – 6 months or longer. After which the effect can gradually wear off allowing the wrinkles to return, unless another BOTOX^® treatment is done. When it is used to combat excessive sweating it usually lasts 8 – 12 months. Higher doses may last longer and with repeated treatments the duration of the effect may be increased.

Are there risks?

There are usually no permanent problems or side effects. Temporary side effects include occasional bruising at the injection site and when the eyebrows are treated eyelid droop very occasionally occurs. Eyelid droop can last 2 -4 weeks and can be treated with special eye drops.

Long-term effects?

There are usually no long-term side effects, allergic reactions, or other health hazards. When the muscles are relaxed the lack of movement (frowning) prevents disruption of the collagen alignment and the skin remains smoother longer. Some patients have been receiving BOTOX^® injections for more than 10 years without problems.

Can BOTOX^® be used with fillers?

BOTOX relaxes the muscles which cause many facial lines and unwanted facial expressions. We use fillers such as Restylane^®, Juvederm^®, Teosyal^® for lip enhancement, to eliminate creases and lines, restore volume in the cheeks and to correct defects including acne scarring. Sometimes BOTOX is used in combination with fillers – for example when treating deep frown lines or wrinkles around the lips.

BOTOX can also be used in conjunction with chemical peels, laser therapy, injection of fillers and cosmetic surgery to prevent or delay the development of new wrinkles and the need for repeat treatments.

The uses of BOTOX^® can in some cases delay or eliminate the need for a surgical procedure (facelift, brow lift or neck lift). If you have had a face lift, BOTOX^® can prolong and enhance the benefits of surgery by reducing the muscle activity that might undo the surgeon’s fine work.

Does BOTOX work for all kinds of wrinkles and skin lines?

Not all facial wrinkles and folds are related to the activity of the underlying muscles. These deep creases and skin folds are the ones still visible when the skin is lightly stretched with your fingers. These ‘static’ wrinkles are made worse by sun exposure, the natural aging or maturing process and by smoking but they can be helped by the use of fillers and other available treatments such as Laser Genesis, and Titan, eCO2 and Mosaic fractional lasers and Pearl.