BOTOX INJECTIONS AND WRINKLE CONTROL
Cosmetic Botox
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Fees:
Botox injections
$10.00 per unit.
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COSMETIC BOTOX
Botox is a trade name for the injectable medication, Botulinum toxin. It has been approved by the FDA as safe and effective to stop certain muscle spasms and to weaken eye muscles that may be too strong. It has been used successfully for almost 20 years in children and adults to correct facial muscle spasms (tics) and to correct double vision due to muscle imbalance. Since the side effects have been minimal, its use has been expanded to "off label" cosmetic uses such as: reducing facial frown lines (forehead) and smile lines (crow's feet) and reducing sweating in persons suffering from excessive sweat production (hyperhidrosis). Even though the effect is temporary, it is an extremely popular procedure.
Botox works by temporarily blocking the messages between the nerves and the muscles so that, for a while, the muscles that have been injected do not move very well (paralysis). Botox can also be used to temporarily block the messages between nerves and the sweat glands of the palms, soles and/or underarms to dramatically decrease the amount of sweating in these areas.
Minute amounts of Botox are injected into certain muscles to relax and weaken the facial muscles responsible for "dynamic wrinkles," thereby improving your appearance. Dynamic wrinkles come and go when we smile, laugh or frown. These include crow's feet, frown lines and forehead lines. Over time these dynamic muscles will etch permanent wrinkles in our skin. This medication is meant to help prevent more permanent lines from developing and it often helps soften those that are already there. Because the medication is given precisely with a very fine needle, muscles that cause wrinkles can be targeted, while nearby muscles are spared. The results are not immediate. The muscles relax within the next five to ten days. A repeat "touch-up" session, done within 3-4 weeks of the main treatment, may be needed to achieve further correction or immobilization of the targeted muscles. The results usually last for three to six months. Then, additional treatments are needed. It is important that you understand that this is not a permanent treatment for your dynamic wrinkles. If you are pleased with the results of your treatment, you may continue to receive injections when needed.
Although side effects and complications have been minimal, please understand that the following could occur:
1. Swelling and/or bruising of the skin at the injection site is common, but usually barely noticeable and usually resolves in a day or two. It may last one to two weeks. You should be certain to let your doctor know if you are taking aspirin, blood thinners or if you have a bleeding disorder. Other potential side effects from Botox injections into the face include pain upon injection and possibly a transient headache (1-7 days)
2. Infection is a theoretical risk with any injection but significant infection has not been reported despite the tens of thousands of injections that have been performed.
3. "Laugh lines" or "crow's feet" are the fine wrinkles that radiate out from the corners of the eye. Since Botox is placed near the muscles involved in smiling and frowning, asymmetry of facial expression could occur, although this is unlikely. Because the treatment is reversible as the Botox wears off, in the unlikely event that this reaction occurs, it will completely resolve over time.
There are small muscles that cause us to look angry or worried by creating horizontal or vertical wrinkles in the forehead, above the nose and between the eyes, injections of these muscles can greatly smooth or lessen these expression "frown lines". Other muscles that are located nearby are important in lifting the eyebrows and the upper eyelids. Therefore, if these nearby muscles are inadvertently affected by injections, one might get a temporary dropping of the eyebrows or upper eyelid with an asymmetrical look. Double vision has also been reported, but is very rare. Also, if before injections, there is asymmetry in the amount of eye opening or some droopiness is present, this may be made worse by the injections.
Because there is a variation in skin, muscle and sweat gland structure from person to person, no guide key can be made about the exact outcome in any individual case or that your response to injections will be the same each time you receive them. The side effects mentioned above could theoretically occur with any of your injections. Rarely, some people are poor responders to the chemical and achieve less correction than desired even with multiple sets of injections. Please advise your physician if you take Calcium Channel Blocker for high blood pressure, have Myasthenia Gravis or any previous eye operation.
If you have any questions regarding the treatment or if you do not understand anything discussed above, your doctor will be glad to clarify any of the points mentioned. Our goal is to provide you with the best possible care so that you will be pleased with the results of your Botox treatments. Please understand that use of Botox for relaxation of dynamic muscles of the face covered by your medical insurance(s).
Estimated Cost of the procedure: See our current fee schedule.
Our charges are for materials and services rendered and are not for an implied or guaranteed result.
