BOTOX®
We all want to look our best. That’s not always easy, especially as forehead, eyes and frown lines start to develop. As these creases deepen they can make us appear old looking or angry, when in fact we actually feel quite content. BOTOX® helps eliminate these perpetual lines and frowning, and helps restore a more serene quality to our faces. Its use allows us to send others the right message, giving them a truer impression of how we feel.
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 from 18 to 65 years of age. 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.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those frown lines between the brows to form over time.
In 2005, almost 3.3 million procedures were performed with FDA-approved BOTOX® Cosmetic.
There’s only one BOTOX® Cosmetic. Contact Dr. Polon to see if BOTOX® Cosmetic is right for you!
Results may vary
You may be a candidate for BOTOX® injections if:
- You have a deep furrow between your eyebrows
- You have expression lines, or crows feet around your eyes
- The lines across your forehead make you seem older than you are
- You have extremely deep frown lines
- You have a constant scowl or appear overly stern
- People have began commenting you look angry or upset when you are not
- You don’t like the way you look in pictures
Dynamic wrinkles are caused by contractions of the delicate under-laying facial muscles. Every time you smile, laugh, or frown, the more emotions you show, the deeper these wrinkles and lines are likely to be as we age.
You are NOT a candidate if:
- You are pregnant
- You are lactating
- You have a history of reaction to toxin or albumin
- You have preexisting motor neuron disease (eg, myasthenia gravis, Eaton-Lambert syndrome, neuropathies)
- You are younger than 12 years old
- Infection at the injection site
Results may vary
About BOTOX® and how it works.
BOTOX® is the trade name for botulinum toxin type A, one of several different toxins produced by Clostridium bacteria. The bacterium itself is not injected. The injected toxin is a protein manufactured by the bacterium, and when injected, it temporarily paralyzes the muscles underlying wrinkles, smoothing out the skin on top. It inhibits the nerve terminal, so that the muscle will not respond. You literally can’t frown after the treatment, but you don’t lose sensation or expression. The nerve eventually sprouts a new terminal. BOTOX® is successfully being used in areas of the face, neck, and body world wide, and to date is safer than the origin suggests.
Recovery and Healing
BOTOX® injections cause almost no redness or swelling. You may drive yourself to and from the treatments and resume normal activities immediately.
Results may vary
Pain and Risk
BOTOX® is given with such a tiny needle that there is minimal discomfort involved, but it is a needle. Should patients have an aversion to needles, a cooling device can be used. There can be a slight chance of minimal and temporary bruising at the injection site. Other negative side effects can be eyelid drooping if the BOTOX® seeps below the eyebrow and hits the muscle that controls the lid, BUT that is very rare. And, it’s probably related to the injection technique, and/or the placement or rate of injection. Eye drops can reverse the BOTOX® effect for about six hours. Otherwise, the patient just has to wait until the nerve regenerates.
Pricing
The price ranges depending on the areas, the amount, and concentration of BOTOX® used. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Polon to see if you are a good candidate for BOTOX®, and to learn more about your cosmetic options.
