frown line reduction

How does BOTOX work?

Botox blocks impulses from the nerve to the tiny facial muscles that are related to expression lines. Botox relaxes the muscles so that they do not contract. After treatment, the overlying skin remains smooth and unwrinkled while the untreated facial muscles contract in a normal fashion, allowing normal facial expression to be unaffected.

Are BOTOX treatments safe?

Botox injections have been used safely for over twenty years to treat many neurological and ophthalmological disorders. Each year tens of thousands of patients receive Botox for relief from a variety of conditions and it is quickly becoming a popular treatment for reversing tha visible signs of aging.

What is the treatment like?

Cosmetic “denervation” with Botox is a simple and safe procedure. Using a tiny micro-needle, a very small amount of Botox is injected very precisely into several locations on the face. Because the needle is so fine and only a small amount is used, the pain associated with the injection is minimal. Most patients compare the sensation to a mosquito bite. No sedation or local anaesthetic is required and you can resume normal activities immediately afterwards. You can even drive yourself home or back to your place of work.

Are there any side effects?

Some patients experience a slight temporary bruising at the injection site. This may be covered up with make up. In some cases, the toxin can migrate and cause temporary weakness to nearby small muscles. In rare cases there can be drooping of an eyelid or asymmetry of facial expression. The risk of any side effect depends upon the muscles injected. Your doctor will discuss this with you in detail before the treatment. Because the effects of Botox are completely reversible, any side effects are temporary, lasting only a few weeks.

What results can I expect?

If dynamic wrinkles make you look older than you are, cosmetic “denervation” can smooth these out and give you a more youthful and pleasing appearance. However, this treatment cannot improve wrinkles due to aging and sun-damaged skin since they are unrelated to facial muscle contractions. Botox injections will not improve sagging skin or replace the need for a facelift or browlift.

What are the limitations of Botox injections?

Unfortunately, Botox injections are a temporary solution for the treatment of dynamic wrinkles. The effects of the injections last from three to six months, You will need to have injections about two to three times a year. The early clinical studies indicate that the duration of the treatment benefits is increased over time so that you should require fewer injections in the future. Also, the duration of the effect varies from patient to patient and may be less effective for those over 65 years of age.

Is Botox used to treat other symptoms?

Yes, Botox has been used for over twenty years on thousands of patients to treat blepharospasm associated with dystonia.