For starters, what is BOTOX®?

It is mainly used to improve the way you look, particularly the frown lines, between the eyebrows and crows feet. It is recommended for adults over the age of 18 and effects last up to 6 months at a time. Botox can only be administered by a professional however it is a very much a simple procedure. Botox reduces muscle activity and causes lines to diminish where it is applied. Botox is actually a protein called “Botulinum toxin” and is produced naturally in the body by a bacteria.  In addition to its cosmetic uses, Botox has been shown to treat headaches, migraines, sweating, cerebral palsy, and many more diseases and illnesses.

So how exactly does BOTOX® work?

Botox is recommended for individuals that are looking to reduce the age lines that are typically found in the facial region around their eye brows, lips and jaw. If you’d like more information please give us a call.

Botox works by blocking the nerve pulses by being injected into the muscles. This reduces muscle activity that causes the lines to form between the eyebrows and other areas of the face.

Many people report a “freezing” effect in the regions of the face that move, i.e. raising of the eyebrows, smiling, frown, etc. This freezing effect is simply the effects of the botox taking place within the muscles and the nerve.  If you ask someone who has just gotten Botox done what it feels like, they would most likely report that several soft pin pricks to your face were applied, followed by some light pressure.  Some people develop light skin bubbles for about an hour  after, but most people have no noticeable marks on their faces after the procedure.  It usually takes about 4 days to ultimately see a cosmetic improvement in your situation.  The majority of the time most patients will need to be treated a second time in order to have desired results.

How long does BOTOX® normally last?

Botox can last up to 4 months and sometimes up to 6 months in other individuals. Results vary from person to person. Always talk to your doctor before any procedure including Botox.

The effects last longer the less you use your muscles in your face. For instance, those that are constantly straining their eyebrows and making “frown eyebrows” are using the muscles and going against the treatment, thereby decreasing the effects of the Botox. Ultimately it really varies depending on the person, their habits, the amount of Botox that they have received in a general area, and other factors.

Does it hurt to get BOTOX®?

Most patients state that Botox is not painful, however the ones that do have pain rate it a “1” on a scale of 1-10. Pain is a very relative term and results will vary depending on your personal pain threshold.

Certain areas are more painful than others depending on the amount of nerve endings in the area of the skin. For instance, the areas under the eye are much more sensitive (and thereby painful) than the areas on the forehead, which have much less nerve density.

Will Botox effect my facial expressions?

Botox works by freezing nerves and muscles in your face. Some patients report that some of their expressions have been restricted in some instances and cases. Most users of Botox do not report any reduction in the limitations of their facial expressions however results do vary from person to person.

Many people report that their facial expressions have been subdued, however this all depends on where you have Botox injected.  For instance a heavy dose in the forehead will restrict the movement in the forehead, but will not directly effect other areas of the face such as the smile, or eye squinting.

If you are allergic to any ingredients in Botox or Botox itself, it is highly advisable to not take Botox. Please read the Botox Medication Guide before taking Botox. If you are a healthy adult over the age of 18, and are approved by your primary care physician to take Botox, then you are right for Botox!

Can I take Botox?

Do not take Botox if you are allergic to the ingredients in Botox, mainly Botulinum toxin.  Tell your doctor about any medical conditions or allergies that you might have, such as ALS, Lambert-Eaton syndrome (anything) or if you are experiencing side effects such as a difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, or other unusual side effects that you are not used to or make you feel uncomfortable.

As with any prescription medication, there can be side effects. Some of the side effects include but are not limited to: -lethargy -discomfort or pain near the injection site -pain in neck -headache -eye problem -allergic reactions.

There have been patients that have reported a number of side effects, please contact your doctor immediately if you experience any side effects or undesired symptoms that you are not used to.

BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) Important Information

Indication
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in people 18 to 65 years of age for a short period of time (temporary).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX® Cosmetic:

  • Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months
  • Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice (dysphonia), trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria), loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities

The dose of BOTOX® Cosmetic is not the same as, or comparable to, another botulinum toxin product.

There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect when BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used at the recommended dose to treat frown lines.

Serious and/or immediate allergic reactions have been reported. They include: itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, or dizziness or feeling faint. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you are wheezing or have asthma symptoms, or if you become dizzy or faint.

Do not take BOTOX® Cosmetic if you: are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX® Cosmetic (see Medication Guide for ingredients); had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA); have a skin infection at the planned injection site.

Tell your doctor about all your muscle or nerve conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects including severe dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and respiratory compromise (difficulty breathing) from typical doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including: plans to have surgery; had surgery on your face; weakness of forehead muscles, such as trouble raising your eyebrows; drooping eyelids; any other abnormal facial change; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if BOTOX® Cosmetic can harm your unborn baby); are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed (it is not known if BOTOX® Cosmetic passes into breast milk).

Human albumin and spread of viral diseases. BOTOX® Cosmetic contains albumin, a protein component of human blood. The potential risk of spreading viral diseases [eg Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)] via human serum albumin is extremely rare. No cases of viral diseases or CJD have ever been reported in association with human serum albumin.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Using BOTOX® Cosmetic with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines until you have told your doctor that you have received BOTOX® Cosmetic in the past.

Especially tell your doctor if you: have received any other botulinum toxin product in the last 4 months; have received injections of botulinum toxin, such as Myobloc®, Dysport®, or Xeomin® in the past (be sure your doctor knows exactly which product you received); have recently received an antibiotic by injection; take muscle relaxants; take an allergy or cold medicine; or take a sleep medicine.

Other side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic include: dry mouth, discomfort or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, and eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes.

For more information refer to the Medication Guide or talk with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see BOTOX® Cosmetic full Product Information including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.