BOTOX®

Kathleen Behr, M.D.

 

BOTOX® Injections

 

Dynamic wrinkles are caused by contractions of the delicate underlying facial muscles every time you smile, laugh or frown.  The more emotions you show, the deeper these wrinkles and lines are likely to be.  While you may have earned every one of your worry lines, you don’t have to show them anymore.

 

Now thanks to a new use for an approved drug, dynamic lines can be dramatically softened.  The procedure known as cosmetic denervation uses BOTOX®  injections to improve the appearance of worry lines, frown lines, crow’s feet and other dynamic wrinkles.

 

How does BOTOX®  work?

BOTOX® blocks impulses from the nerve to the tiny facial muscles that are related to expression lines.  BOTOX®  relaxes the muscles so they do not contract.  After treatment, the overlying skin remains smooth and unwrinkled while the untreated facial muscles contract in a normal fashion allowing normal facial expression to be unaffected.

 

Are BOTOX®  treatments safe?

BOTOX® injections have been used safely and effectively for over ten years to treat many ophthalmological and neurological disorders.  Each year thousands of patients receive BOTOX® treatments for a variety of conditions and it is quickly becoming a popular treatment for reversing visible signs of aging.

 

What is treatment like?

Cosmetic denervation with BOTOX®  is a simple and safe procedure.  Using a tiny micro-needle, a very small amount of BOTOX® is injected, very precisely, into several locations on the face.  Because the needle is so fine and only a small amount of liquid is used, the pain associated with the injections is minimal.  Most patients compare the sensation to a bug bite.  No sedation or local anesthetic is required, and you can resume normal activities immediately.  You can even drive home or back to the office.  Some patients experience a slight temporary bruising at the injection site.  This can be covered with make up.

 

Are there any side effects?

Temporary bruising is the most common side effects.  In some cases, the toxin can migrate and cause temporary weakness in nearby muscles.  In rare cases, there can be a drooping of an eyelid or asymmetry of facial expression.  The risk of any side effects depends on the site injected.  Dr. Behr will discuss with you any risks prior to your treatment.  Because the effects of BOTOX® are completely reversible, any side effects are temporary.

 

What results can I expect?

If dynamic wrinkles make you look older than you are, cosmetic denervation can smooth these out and give you a more youthful appearance.  However, this procedure cannot improve wrinkles due to aging and sun-damaged skin since they are unrelated to facial muscle contractions.  BOTOX®  injections will not improve sagging skin or replace the need for a face lift or a brow lift.

 

What are the limitations of BOTOX® injections?

Unfortunately, BOTOX®  injections are a temporary solution for the treatment of wrinkles.  The effects last from three to six months.  You will need to have the injections two to three times a year.  The early clinical studies indicate that the duration of treatment benefits increases over time so that you should require injections less frequently in the future.  Also, the duration of effects varies from patient to patient and may be less effective for those over 65 years of age.

 

 

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Frequently Asked Questions