BOTOX® FAQ's

Answers to your most frequent questions about BOTOX® treatments.

• What is BOTOX®?
• How does BOTOX® work?
• Who should use BOTOX® treatments?
• Who should NOT use BOTOX® treatments?
• Who should administer BOTOX® Cosmetic Treatments?
• What does BOTOX® treat?
• What results should I expect from BOTOX® injections?
• How long does a BOTOX® treatment take?
• Are BOTOX® treatments safe?
• Are BOTOX® injections painful?
• How soon are the results of BOTOX® injections noticeable?
• How long are BOTOX® injections effective?
• How often can I get BOTOX® treatments?
• Are there side effects from BOTOX®?
• Can BOTOX® be used with a facelift?
• BOTOX® Versus Restalyne®.. Which is right for me?
• Is BOTOX® Cosmetic affordable?

What is BOTOX®?

BOTOX® is a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent derived from the bacterium, Clostridium Botulinum. For over a decade ophthalmologists have applied BOTOX® for its original intention, the treatment of blepharospasm (the tightening of facial muscles controlled by the brain).

The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, often referred to by its product name BOTOX®, is a popular FDA approved, non-surgical muscle-relaxing agent that temporarily reduces or eliminates frown lines, forehead creases, crows feet near the eyes and thick bands in the neck.

Over the last several years, physicians have utilized BOTOX® Cosmetic as a treatment to correct the visible signs of stress and aging. BOTOX® Cosmetic may also be used for the treatment of hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating of the axillary (underarms), palms of hands, and soles of feet.

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How does BOTOX® work?

The contractions and movements of the facial muscles are controlled by signals from the brain. BOTOX® is injected in minute quantities into the contracted muscles that cause wrinkles. It works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles; this reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those persistent lines to form, while giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. The skin's reaction to the muscles is what commonly causes wrinkles.

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Who should use BOTOX® treatments?

If you are experiencing wrinkles or expression lines on the face, forehead or around the eyes, BOTOX® will help these symptoms to gradually fade giving you a more youthful and refreshed appearance. BOTOX® significantly repairs deep lines and wrinkles (visible signs of stress and aging) due to squinting, laughing , frowning, smoking, and anxiety. Studies also suggest that BOTOX® is effective in relieving migraine headaches, excessive sweating and muscle spasms in the neck and eyes.

First, a physician will take a complete medical history to establish that someone is a good candidate for BOTOX® treatment. Then, he or she will determine which areas of your face may benefit from BOTOX®.

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Who should NOT use BOTOX® treatments?

If you are someone who takes antibiotics on the regular, then this procedure may not be for you, because you are more at risk for an adverse reaction to the product. Also, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised to postpone this type of procedure as well, or at least until their little ones are no longer dependant on them for nutrition. Also, BOTOX® cannot improve wrinkles of sun-damaged skin, or used on neurology patients.

BOTOX® Cosmetic should not be used in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s) and in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation. Patients with neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

Who should administer BOTOX® Cosmetic Treatments?

Any authorized healthcare professional can administer BOTOX® Cosmetic or other physicians specializing in cosmetic procedures.

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What does BOTOX® treat?

BOTOX® treats dynamic wrinkles, like those known as frown lines, worry lines, laugh lines and crow's feet.

BOTOX® smoothes, flattens and relaxes:

• Horizontal creases on the forehead
• Vertical creases between the eyes (the glabella area)
• Wrinkles on the temple side of the eyes, the "crow's feet"
• Wrinkles on the sides of the nose, "bunny lines"
• Wrinkles on the upper lip, pursed lips
• Vertical cords on the neck

BOTOX® is also used in a variety of medical conditions, including treatment of migraine and tension headache, chronic muscular pain, abnormal facial movements, tremors, and excessive sweating of the palms, soles of the feet and underarms.

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What results should I expect from BOTOX® injections?

Typically, the effect of BOTOX® Cosmetic is visible within 3 days. Maximum benefits are reached between 7 to 14 days. Once the muscle becomes dormant and the skin softens, you will have a more relaxed and youthful appearance.

The degree of improvement varies from person to person, but the results last for three to six months. With subsequent treatments, the results tend to last longer. The treatment will need to be repeated to maintain the result. Repeat treatment is recommended when movement in the area starts to return.

If you discontinue treatment, the frown lines between your brows will gradually look like they did before treatment.

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How long does a BOTOX® treatment take?

Most BOTOX® procedures take place in a doctor's office and last 15 to 30 minutes. Immediately after the procedure you should stay upright for three to four hours and avoid rubbing the injection sites to prevent the BOTOX® from moving to other muscles in the face. Your physician may recommend that you perform facial exercises that he or she will demonstrate for you. You can continue with all of your activities the day following the injection.

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Are BOTOX® treatments safe?

BOTOX® treatment is effective, safe, and takes approximately 10 minutes. It appears that all people can have the BOTOX® procedure performed. Refer to Side Effects.

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Are BOTOX® injections painful?

Discomfort associated with BOTOX® injections is insignificant, making it unnecessary to anesthetize the area to be treated. The discomfort can be compared to that of being pricked by a pin. Using a tiny micro-needle, a doctor will inject a minute amount of BOTOX® very precisely into several locations on the face. With a BOTOX® treatment, no sedation or local anesthetic is required, and you can resume most non-strenuous activities immediately. You can even drive yourself home or back to the office.

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How soon are the results of BOTOX® injections noticeable

The results of the BOTOX® treatment may be seen as soon as 3 days following treatment. The greatest results will be visible in 10-14 days.

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How long are BOTOX® injections effective?

After the initial treatment results will last from 3 to 4 months before they begin to gradually fade away.

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How often can I get BOTOX® treatments?

Additional BOTOX® treatments should be sought to extended desirable results by an additional 4 to 8 months. Studies appear to show that with continued treatments, there is a greater length of time between injection procedures.

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Are there side effects from BOTOX®?

Side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic, if any, are usually mild and temporary. Some people may experience mild, short-term bruising at the injection site which covers easily with make-up. Bruising appears to be more common in those people taking aspirin or blood thinners. In rare cases, the BOTOX® injection can spread beyond the desired area. If the BOTOX® injection in the eyebrow area spreads to the eyelid, there can be a temporary drooping of the upper eyelid, which is treatable with eye drops until it resolves within a few weeks. It lasts an average of four weeks and then it goes away. The body's natural ability to produce antibodies which safeguard against proteins can reduce the positive effects of BOTOX®.

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Can BOTOX® be used with a facelift?

Although BOTOX® may be used in combination with a facelift, laser resurfacing and skin rejuvenation, it is not meant to be a replacement for the desired results of a facelift.

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BOTOX® Versus Restalyne®.. Which is right for me?

Both products are equally good but their applications vary with the patient's condition, requirements, and circumstances under which the product has been used.

Although both of these treatments are effective and FDA approved, Restylane, as a natural substance does not require pre-testing for allergic reactions. Soothing effects of restylane can last up to one year whereas BOTOX® effects last for 3 to 6 months. Although BOTOX® treatment causes minimal pain it may cause a slight temporary bruising at the injection site. It also cannot improve wrinkles of sun-damaged skin. BOTOX® cannot be used during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or used on neurology patients.

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Is BOTOX® Cosmetic affordable?

When considering your facial aesthetic options, BOTOX® Cosmetic is quite affordable. According to an American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery survey, BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the low-entry-cost facial aesthetic procedures in the United States.

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For more information about BOTOX® treatments..

We'll be glad to answer your BOTOX® questions personally, so don't hesitate to call or email The Elizabeth Roche M.D. Med Spa in New Jersey at 201-505-1020.