Botox®

Why Botox®
Throughout history, people have looked for ways to achieve a younger, more vibrant look by improving their facial appearance. A procedure utilizing Botox® (Botulinum Toxin) is used for the treatment of facial lines and wrinkles. Botox® has been safely used for certain medical conditions for more than a decade. This procedure, sometimes referred to as cosmetic denervation, has been considered a safe and effective way of treating aging skin. It is used to eliminate or reduce worry and frown lines, "crows feet", laugh lines, and other wrinkles sometimes called dynamic wrinkles.

The Procedure
A sedative or local anesthetic is not used because the pain associated with the procedure is minimal. A small amount of discomfort is felt when the needle is inserted and the Botox® is injected. This sensation lasts approximately 5 seconds. Botox® is injected into various locations on the face. The needle is extremely small and only a tiny amount of medication is injected at one time.

Following the Procedure
Because no sedatives or anesthetics are used, patients can return to normal activities immediately after the procedure. The physician may recommend that the patient not lie down for three to four hours following treatment. It is possible to experience a mild headache. If this should occur the physician may recommend Acetaminophens. Some facial exercises may be recommended. The treatment takes 3 to 8 days to take effect. The benefits will last 3 months. A touch up may be necessary 1-2 weeks after the initial treatment. It usually takes 3 or 4 injections each year to maintain the smooth youthful appearance.

Possible Side Effects
There are no serious side effects associated with this treatment. There may be a small amount of bruising around the treated areas; however, this is temporary. On rare occasions, the needle may puncture a blood vessel, which can result in a black and blue bruise around the treated area, which disappears in a few days. Other side effects that rarely occur is a slight drooping of the eyebrow or upper eyelid, usually correcting itself in 2 to 3 weeks.

The Best Candidates For The Procedure
The best candidates for the procedure are those between the ages of 30 and 65. In many cases, wrinkles in people over 65 are not caused by muscle pull but rather sun damage; however, each person is different and must be evaluated by the physician.

What Results Can Be Expected?
This procedure will smooth wrinkles that are caused by frown and worry lines, "crow's feet" and laugh lines; however it is not designed to take the place of the standard facelift or other facial surgical procedures. It is often used in conjunction with other procedures.

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Before & After Pictures