Botox Treatment
Source: Presbitarian Art "Face to Face"(The only way to eradicate racism is to celebrate and embrace our wonderful colors...)
Considering BotoxTreatment?
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Be sure that a qualified doctor performs the procedure.
Make sure that the doctor is trained and qualified in cosmetic skin surgery of
the face.
Ask questions and be informed about the benefits and risks involved in the
procedure.
Avoid alcohol and remain upright for several hours following the procedure.
Choose a medical setting using sterile techniques. Necessary equipment
should be available to respond to any potential problems.
Source: The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
Botulinum Type A
Botulinum type A, also known as Botox, is a common anti-aging treatment that
blocks the nerve impulses that create the muscle contractions responsible for creating
expression lines on the face.
Treatment with Botox can relax the muscles that cause expression lines, thereby
preventing wrinkles from forming and improving the appearance of existing wrinkles
caused by facial expressions.
Botox can also be used to treat excessive perspiration (a condition called
hyperhidrosis).
Botox Cosmetic was approved in 2002 by the U.S. FDA for treatment of the glabella
region (the area between the eyebrows that commonly results in vertical lines).
In 2004, Botox received U.S. FDA approval for the treatment of hyperhidrosis.
Treatment Process
Your Injections
 The area to be injected will be cleansed, commonly with alcohol swabs.
 No anesthetic is necessary; however, you may request a topical anesthetic
cream for your comfort.
 Your doctor may ask you to make specific expressions to identify facial
muscle contractions.
 Your doctor may mark near the injection sites with temporary ink.
 Your doctor will make several quick injections in the region to be treated.
 The treated area may be cleansed again.
 The entire treatment process may take 10 to 15 minutes.
After Your Injections
 You may experience mild swelling or bruising from any type of injection.
 You may experience a mild headache after treatment. It is unlikely, but
possible, that you may experience mild flu-like symptoms after your
injections.
Your Results
 If this is your first time being treated with botulinum type A, or Botox, you
can expect your results to develop within 5 to 10 days after treatment.
 You will no longer, or only with great exertion, be able to make the
expressions that have created the expression lines and resulting wrinkles on
your face.
 Treatment is temporary. Within 4 to 6 months you will see movement return to
the treated area. If you do not repeat treatment, your appearance will return to
its pre-treatment state.
Commonly injected sites
Botox is U.S. FDA approved for injection in the glabella (the region between the
eyebrows)
Botox is also commonly injected in the forehead region, at the outer corners of the
eyes (crow’s feet), on either side of the mid-chin (to treat a down-turned mouth), and
in the neck (to treat neck bands or visible chords).
Botox is U.S. FDA approved to treat excessive sweating in the underarms and palms.
It is also commonly used to treat excessive perspiration of the scalp and soles of the
feet.
Is Botox safe?
Botox Cosmetic and Botox (made by Allergan) have 6 U.S. FDA label approvals,
including treatment of expression lines/facial wrinkles and hyperhidrosis. When
injected by a properly qualified and trained doctor in an appropriate medical setting,
U.S. FDA-approved Botox Cosmetic it is an extremely safe treatment.
Is Botox botulism?
No. Botox is a naturally occurring protein. Even in high doses, it does not result in
botulism.
Does Botox paralyze my muscles?
The term paralysis suggests a permanent loss of movement resulting from injury to a
nerve or muscle. Botox blocks the ability of the stimulating nerve to cause contraction
of the injected Muscle. This does not result in permanent muscle injury or paralysis. It
does reduce or substantially eliminate the ability of this injected muscle to contract
and produce overlying skin wrinkles. This effect is transient and generally lasts about
3 to 4 months.
What are the potential risks of Botox?
The greatest risk is when Botox is not injected properly. You may receive limited
benefit, or you may experience a condition called ptosis (a dropping of the area
injected). It is possible, but unlikely, that you will experience a mild headache
following treatment. It is possible, but rare, that you may experience mild flu-like
symptoms after your injections.
Can Botox treat headaches?
Botox (made by Allergan) is technically classified as a neurotoxin and has been used
in research and off-label by neurologists to treat migraine headaches.
What other uses does Botox have?
Currently Botox has approval to treat medical disorders such as blepharospasm
(uncontrolled blinking), cervical dystonia and cerebral palsy. Research is currently
examining the benefit of Botox to treat migraine headache, TMJ (tempromandibular
joint) disorders and carpal tunnel syndrome. However, these experimental uses should
only be administered in controlled medical trials and in appropriate medical research
setting.
Is there an age limit for Botox?
Botox for cosmetic purposes should not be administered to anyone under 18 years of
age.
Who should not have Botox treatment?
If you are being treated for any neurological disorder, you should first consult your
doctor. Some individuals with very lax facial muscles may not be good candidates as
the injections can cause ptosis, or sagging, rather than have a positive cosmetic effect.
You cannot have the treament if you are pregnant or lactating.
I’ve been invited to a Botox party. Is this safe?
No. Botox, like any medical treatment, should never be administered in a social
setting, whether alcohol is served or not.
My salon/spa/cosmetic counter/neighbor offers Botox. Is this safe?
No. Botox, like any medical treatment, should only be prescribed by and injected
under the direct supervision of a properly qualified physician in a properly equipped
medical setting (doctor’s facility).