BOTOX® Cosmetic is the most popular brand name for Botulinum Toxin Type A, a purified protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. By using extremely small doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic injected directly into a specific muscle, the action of the targeted muscle will be paralyzed. After treatment, the problems caused by the targeted muscle, like a deep frown or squint line, will be temporarily eliminated. In addition to reducing brow furrows, BOTOX® Cosmetic can also be used to reduce crows feet around the outer eye area. In either case, the actual treatment takes only a couple of minutes and is relatively painless.
How long will BOTOX® Cosmetic last?
Injection of this material into the small muscles between the brows, in the forehead, and at the corners of the eyes causes those specific muscles to have diminished function (be paralyzed), thereby improving the appearance of the wrinkles. This paralysis is temporary, and re-injection is necessary within three to six months. Options for alternative treatments include injections of free fat, other injectable fillers, or the surgical excision of the muscles, usually through a browlift.
How is BOTOX® Cosmetic placed and what is the recovery time?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is freshly prepared on the day of the injection. A topical numbing medication is applied for 15-20 minutes before the injections so the needle cannot be felt. The amount of BOTOX® Cosmetic required is totally dependant on the areas that require treatment. Using the smallest needle available, Dr. Waldman will inject small amounts into the muscles to be treated. Discomfort is almost negligible. There may be some redness around the injected skin for several hours, but usually all is normal within 24 hours.
What is BOTOX® Cosmetic used for?
Dr. Waldman believes
BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the most effective ways to treat the wrinkles between the eyebrows known as “glabellar frown lines” as well as “crows feet”. BOTOX® Cosmetic is also used to treat transverse forehead wrinkles, but care must be exercised in treating this area if eyebrow position is a concern. There are times when Dr. Waldman will even use BOTOX® Cosmetic to create a “pharmacological” browlift.
Is the effect of BOTOX® Cosmetic immediate?
It can take from 1 day to 5 days before the effect is seen, and it may take a bit longer for the wrinkle lines to fade.
Are there risks associated with BOTOX® Cosmetic?
There are risks associated with BOTOX® Cosmetic use; however, complications are usually temporary or extremely minor because of the non-permanent nature of BOTOX® Cosmetic. A thorough discussion of the risks and potential complications is an essential part of the consultative process prior to undergoing any aesthetic surgical procedure, including BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment.
Related Procedures:
Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA) | Dysport® | Brow & Forehead | Eye Procedures | Filler Injections | Lip Procedures