Botox
What is Botox?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a simple, nonsurgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily smooth moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people ages 18 and up. It is the only treatment of its type approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One 10-minute treatment®a few tiny injections®and within days there's a noticeable improvement in moderate to severe frown lines between the brows, which can last up to 4 months. Results may vary.
How well does Botox work?
When it comes to selecting a physician-administered aesthetic treatment, chances are you®ll want proof, not just claims. The proof for BOTOX® Cosmetic is in the numbers. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women surveyed rated the improvement in the appearance of frown lines between their brows as moderate to better 1 month after treatment. Results vary.
Results can last for up to 4 months, and may vary.
BOTOX® Cosmetic was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 for the temporary treatment of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people ages 18 and up, and almost 3.3 million procedures were performed in 2005 alone.
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery ranked BOTOX® Cosmetic as the most popular physician-administered aesthetic procedure in the United States for the fourth year in a row (surgical and nonsurgical combined).
The injection process
Several tiny injections of BOTOX® Cosmetic are administered directly into the muscles that cause those moderate to severe frown lines between the brows.
Injection location is determined by examining your ability to move certain muscles in your brow area. The location, size, and use of the muscles that create a furrowed brow vary markedly among individuals.
No anesthesia is required, although you may choose to numb the area with a cold pack prior to injecting. Discomfort is usually minimal and brief.
You can expect to be in and out of the office without downtime. You may see a marked improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows within days. Improvement may continue for as long as a month, and could last up to 4 months.
Risks & Complications
BOTOX® may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these problems after treatment with BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic:
Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing. These problems can happen hours to weeks after an injection of BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic usually because the muscles that you use to breathe and swallow can become weak after the injection. Death can happen as a complication if you have severe problems with swallowing or breathing after treatment with BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic.
People with certain breathing problems may need to use muscles in their neck to help them breathe. These patients may be at greater risk for serious breathing problems with BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic.
Swallowing problems may last for several months. People who cannot swallow well may need a feeding tube to receive food and water. If swallowing problems are severe, food or liquids may go into your lungs. People who already have swallowing or breathing problems before receiving BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic have the highest risk of getting these problems.
Spread of toxin effects. In some cases, the effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas of the body away from the injection site and cause symptoms of a serious condition called botulism.
The symptoms of botulism include:
loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body
double vision
blurred vision and drooping eyelids
hoarseness or change or loss of voice (dysphonia)
trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria)
loss of bladder control
trouble breathing
trouble swallowing
These symptoms can happen hours to weeks after you receive an injection of BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic.
These problems could make it unsafe for you to drive a car or do other dangerous activities. See "What should I avoid while receiving BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic".
There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect away from the injection site when BOTOX® has been used at the recommended dose to treat severe underarm sweating, blepharospasm, or strabismus, or when BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used at the recommended dose to treat frown lines.
