BOTOX

Botox, also known as Botulinum toxin injections, is a non-surgical skin treatment used to help relax facial muscles and make lines and wrinkles less obvious.

Produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, Botox injections work by weakening certain muscles or by blocking specific nerves.

Botox is one of the most popular way to reduce facial wrinkles and the treatment can be used to reduce:

  • Crows feet
  • Frown lines
  • Skin bands on the neck
  • Forehead wrinkles or furrows

The treatment can be combined with other cosmetic procedures such as dermal fillers or chemical peels to improve results even further.

Botox – The Procedure

Botox is a prescription-only medicine that should only be given by a trained doctor in a clinical environment.

During the procedure, the skin is cleaned, and a thin needle is used to inject small amounts of botulinum toxin into the area to be treated. Several injections are usually needed in specific muscles in the face.

Natural facial expressions are preserved by targeting only wrinkle-producing muscles.

The injections usually take less than 15 minutes and the number needed depends on the individual.

Results from the treatment usually take effect about three to five days after the procedure and it can take up to two weeks for the full effect to be seen. The results typically last for about three to twelve months.

BOTOX Treatments help makes facial lines and wrinkles less obvious
BOTOX Treatments help makes facial lines and wrinkles less obvious

Botox Risks and Recovery

Although Botox injections are generally safe when performed by an experienced doctor, the risks of treatment include:

  • Facial or eyelid droop
  • Dry eye
  • Redness or swelling
  • Nausea and flu-like symptoms for the first 24 hours
  • Bruising at the injection site

Take care not to rub the treated areas as this can cause the toxin to migrate to a different area.

You should not use Botox if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, since the effects on the baby aren’t known.

No recovery time is needed for Botox and anesthesia is not required for the procedure.

Botox can be dangerous if administered incorrectly, and must be used only with a doctor’s supervision.

To maintain the results of a Botox treatment, you may need follow-up injections.

Botox Frequently Asked Questions

What is Botox?

Botox is an injection that temporarily relaxes facial muscles to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as prevent new lines from forming.

In a survey of more than 12,000 patients who received Botox 95% of them said it was worth it.

I also use Botox to treat medical conditions such as blepharospasm or spasm of the eyelids; excessive sweating in the palm or armpit regions; to help improve the appearance of patients with a facial palsy; to treat muscle spasms; and to treat migraine headaches.

Is Botox right for me?

Botox with doctor Anzarut may be a good fit if you want to reduce wrinkles and have no downtime. Treatments can be as shortest as 10 minutes and there is no recovery time.

How much does Botox cost?

At the time of this video production the cost of Botox was $10 per unit and most patients receive between 10 and 25 units of Botox. This works out to 100 – $250. The amount of Botox required depends on the number of areas treated and the severity of your wrinkles or lines. The image to the left shows various areas of anatomy and how much Botox is generally used in each.  Forehead wrinkles are usually treated with 10 to 20 units of Botox.

When will I see the results from Botox?

You will start to see the results from Botox five days after the injection and the final results will appear after two weeks.

How long will my Botox last?

Botox will decrease muscle motion for approximately 3 months. If you decide to stop Botox treatments recurrence of wrinkles appears over time. After 3-4 months your muscles will go back to normal movements, once this occurs the wrinkles will start to return. This process takes time and the recurrence of wrinkles may take 6 months.

What are the risks or side affects from Botox?

Complications are very rare and generally due to poor injection technique or incorrect dosage of Botox. If it is injected incorrectly it can cause droopy eyelids some facial asymmetries or even temporary double vision. If double vision does occur it stops when one eye is covered and disappears after 3 to 4 months.

Can Botox lead to heavy eyelids?

  • Botox rarely leads to eyelids drooping.
  • Alternatively it will resolve on its own after 3 – 4 months
  • Seeing an experienced board certified plastic surgeon should reduce the chances of this.

Are there effective alternatives to Botox?

The answer to this question is yes.

Botox is a form of botulinum type A that is produced by the Allegan Corporation. Dysport and Xeomin are also made from botulinum and similar results.

What is the difference between Botox and Fillers?

Fillers (such as Juvederm or Restylane or fat grafting) add volume to the face. As we age we lose volume in the upper 2/3rds of the face and adding volume is an important aspect of facial rejuvenation.

Botox is used to treat frown lines, crow’s feet, provide an eyebrow lift, bunny lines, a pebbled chin, a gummy smile, or excessive sweating.

On the other hand, Fillers are used mainly to enhance the cheek, lip, chin, and jawline.

Generally Botox and fillers are used together to provide complimentary effects.

Will Botox prevent wrinkles?

Botox can be used to prevent wrinkles. If you’re concerned about developing more wrinkles but are OK with the wrinkles you already have Dr Anzarut can apply a small dose of Botox to prevent new wrinkles from appearing. This also called Baby Botox.

What is Botox recovery like?

  • There’s typically no recovery time for Botox.
  • Many people find it’s an ideal lunchtime procedure, and they can return to work or their daily routine right away.
  • When injected properly, the side effects are minor.
  • You may have some bruising or redness immediately after your injections. If this occurs, it should go away within a few hours.

Can I exercise after Botox?

There is some uncertainty about the effects of exercise after Botox. Holding your head down or massaging the area that was injected may decrease the effectiveness. I tell patients to avoid vigorous exercise, laying down, or massaging the area until the end of the day.

Can Botox get rid of my angry look?

Botox can be used to get ride of your angry look. People with deep lines between the eyebrows, the number 11s, may appear angry this leads to people asking why are you upset when you don’t feel that way. Botox is an excellent treatment for this.

What is a Botox brow lift?

  • Dr. Anzarut can use Botox to produce a non-surgical brow lift.
  • This can be done in as little as 15 minutes with no down time.
  • The muscles that pull the brow down are weakened (orbicularis oculi).
  • The muscles that pull the outer brow up can be activated by decreasing the strength of the central brow lifting muscles (frontalis).

Can Botox reduce the wide appearance of my jaw angle?

  • Some people develop a wide jaw angle that produces a very square appearance to the lower face.
  • This is due to an increase in the size of the masseter muscle. This can be more common among the Asian population.
  • Botox can be used to reduce the size of this muscle and soften the appearance of the jaw.

Does Botox Help Reduce Under Eye Bags?

  • Botox is generally not used to treat the lower eyelid area.
  • The muscles of the lower eyelid hold back the ‘eyelid bags’ or fat pads. They also help to pump fluid out of the lower eyelid region.
  • Botox would prevent these muscles from working and may worsen bags and fluid collection under the lower eyelid area.
  • Dr. Anzarut specializes in the treatment of eyelids and under eye bags. His published research on this subject is one of the most referenced papers.
  • Book an appointment with Dr. Anzarut to discuss options for treatment of eyelid bags.

Where are the most common areas for Botox treatment?

Botox works best for treatment of:

  • Horizontal lines between the eyebrows and hairline in the forehead
  • The number 11s between the eyebrows
  • The bunny lines at the root of the nose
  • The smile lines around the eyes
  • Brow droop by creating a lateral brow lift

Can Botox be used to treat neck bands?

  • In rare, an isolated small neck band can be treated with Botox.
  • Botox neck lifts also called a Nefertiti are advertised by some clinics.
  • This procedure has low patient satisfaction and may produce swallowing difficulties.
  • It is rarely offered by certified plastic surgeons.
  • Dr. Anzarut is trained in the full spectrum of neck rejuvenation procedures including the couture facelift.
  • If you have concerns about your neck appearance book a consultation to discuss the options.

Watch Dr. Anzarut’s Video on BOTOX

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