The Facts of BOTOX®

What is BOTOX®?

Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox, onabotulinumtoxin A) is a material that has been known for over a century and used for medical purposes for more than 50 years. In 2002, it was approved for improving and relaxing frown lines in the area (the glabella) between the eyes on the forehead and has been used successfully in more than over 11 million patients since that time, based on estimates from data supplied by the Allergan Corporation. In 2004, BOTOX® was approved for sweating (hyperhidrosis), and in 2010, BOTOX® was approved for the treatment of migraines.

BOTOX® is a natural, purified and controlled protein used in a strictly medical setting by the qualified medical doctors. It relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles around the face, neck and eye areas, creating a rejuvenated appearance.

BOTOX® is highly recommended for patients with:

• Crow’s feet
• Forehead creases
• Frown lines
• Gummy smiles
• Under-eye wrinkles
• Square face
• Turkey neck

A common misconception is that BOTOX® actually paralyzes the muscles in the face. Although, this can happen with extreme amounts of BOTOX®, most doctors strive to inject just the amount that allows the patient to have some limited activity but not so much that they have over-activity of the areas. Patients should know that BOTOX® is not used to keep them from expressing themselves but simply to keep them from making facial grimaces and frowns that have become habits and are unintended. When done correctly, most people who are not trained aesthetic surgeons will not notice that a BOTOX® procedure has been performed but simply that the patient looks more rested or happier.

During BOTOX® Procedure

The patient is placed in a raised position on the examination bed, and the areas to be injected are cleansed with a non-alcohol cleanser. After this, the BOTOX® is injected into the desired areas. Typical injection patterns include about four or five areas on each side of the forehead and two or three areas on either eye area. More areas can be injected by skilled doctors, depending on the type of wrinkles and the desired effect for the patient.

After BOTOX® Procedure

After the injections, the patient will usually lay upright or semi upright on the examination bed for about two to five minutes to make sure he or she feels good after the procedure, and then the patient should avoid lying down for two to four hours. If bruising is a concern, it will be important for the patient to avoid taking aspirin related products, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), if possible after the procedure to keep bruising to a minimum.

BOTOX® Injection Side Effects

Certain groups of people are at greater risk of experiencing BOTOX® side effects. These groups include people with pre-existing infections at the injection site, and also people with cardiovascular or neuromuscular disorder.  We will be always aware of any pre-existing conditions before the BOTOX® procedure is performed. It is also crucial for the patient and doctor to be aware of any allergies the patient may have to any drugs. We will help to determine if BOTOX® is the right treatment for each individual.

As with any drugs, there are some possible side effects to BOTOX® (the physician-administered injection used to treat fine lines and wrinkles). However, because BOTOX® only stays in the body for a maximum of six months, any side effects associated with the injection will diminish after that time period.

Bruising at the site of injection is the most common side effect associated with BOTOX® treatments. Other common side effects include headache, pain, and flu-like symptoms. In rare cases, there may be a drooping eyelid or eyebrow area. These complications are typically very minor occurrences and resolves with time.

Other adverse reactions that may be experienced by a minority of BOTOX® patients include pain in the face, erythema (redness of the skin) at the injection site and facial muscle weakness. In most cases, these reactions dissipate roughly one week after injection.

BOTOX® side effects can also occur when the drug interacts with other medications. Before receiving BOTOX® injections, a prospective patient should inform our doctors about any medication he/she may be taking. Medications that may be dangerous if mixed with BOTOX® include:

• antibiotics used to treat infections, such as:
• gentamicin
• tobramyxcin
• clindamycin
• lincomycin
• medications used to treat heart rhythm problems, such as:
• quinidine
• medications used to treat other conditions, such as:
• myasthenia gravis
• ALS or Alzheimer’s disease

Over–the-counter medications may also interact with the drug formula in BOTOX®. It is wise to discontinue use of over-the-counter medications before and after receiving BOTOX® treatments and inform our doctors of any drug usage. We can provide complete information about all drugs that may adversely interact with BOTOX®.

Next Steps

  Results will be evident within 10 days, or ever sooner. Photographs may be taken before the procedure so that patients can check their results themselves rather than relying on their memory. It is surprising to see how many people do not recall how they looked before the procedure and are amazed at the difference when shown a picture. Prior to having the procedure done, the patient should be prepared to realize that BOTOX® does not actually erase lines but relaxes them. What this means is that deeper lines will become somewhat less deep and superficial lines will nearly disappear. This can be likened to the act of steaming a garment's wrinkles rather than ironing them.

  BOTOX® tends to last in most people for up to three or four months (results may stay longer for the second or more injections on the same site). As time passes, the muscle activity will gradually return to normal. The interesting thing about BOTOX® is that it tends to do fairly well even up to the third month, as a procedure that might last a very short time at full strength and then go away quickly.

Additionally, it may be necessary to have two or three sessions of BOTOX® treatment for deeper wrinkles before results become optimal. The area of the crease between the eyes is a particularly ideal area for BOTOX® use in conjunction with filler as these fixed wrinkles don't always respond optimally to BOTOX® alone.

For more information about BOTOX® and its treatment, please contact +603-79601211 or write to us at care@cliqueclinic.com.