The
FDA has approved Botox® (Allergan, Inc.) as a cosmetic wrinkle remedy. The
number of people seeking treatment has increased dramatically. More than 1
million injections were given in 2000, according to ASAPS statistics.
Botulinum toxin
(BTX) injections , often referred to by the product names Botox® or Myobloc®,
are biological toxins transformed into a therapeutic agent. Work with BTX began
in the late 1960s to treat neurological disorders. Today, BTX is used for the
treatment of frown lines, forehead furrows, "crow’s feet," lines and wrinkles of
the lower face, and even nasal muscles (to decrease nostril flaring). BTX
injections have proven to be a very popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure; see
current American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) statistics.
Aesthetic plastic surgeons have found that the type of lines and wrinkles that
respond to BTX injections are those caused by the muscles—specifically those
muscles that contract during facial expressions such as frowning or squinting.
Periodic
injections of Botox® tame your frown lines by temporarily paralyzing the
over-active muscles that cause them. After the procedure, these lines will be
improved at rest, and frowning will no longer create as deep a furrow. The
effects of Botox® usually occur within 24 to 48 hours after injection. Results
last, on average, about four months. Some surgeons have reported that the
effects seem to last longer with each treatment, but so far this has not been
proven scientifically. A small percentage of patients may experience no
improvement at all following the injections.
Taking certain
medications (specific antibiotics, for example) may increase the potency of the
Botox® injections. It's important for patients to provide a full disclosure to
their plastic surgeon of all medications they are taking. If you are pregnant or
nursing, you'll want to discuss this with your surgeon before undergoing
treatment with Botox®.
Technique:
The patient is asked to contract the muscles in the area being treated so the
surgeon can determine the proper location for injection. In most cases, BTX is
injected directly into the muscle with a tiny needle. It takes a few days to
realize the effect of BTX injections.
After your
treatment: Keep your head elevated for at least four hours after the
injection and avoid exercise. For the first hour you should contract the
forehead muscles.
Benefits:
No downtime.
Patients can immediately resume normal activities.
Long
experience has proven BTX to be safe. To date, no systemic complications
associated with BTX injections have been documented.
Treatment is
reversible within several months.
May be
beneficial for treatment of migraine headaches.
Other
Considerations:
BTX injections
are a temporary solution for the treatment of wrinkles. The effects last from
3-4 months and require repeat treatments.
Possible side
effects include local numbness, swelling, bruising, or a burning sensation
during injection. Some patients have reported temporary headache and nausea.
Most complications are of short duration and can be avoided with proper
injection techniques.
A small
percentage of patients are reported to experience no improvement at all.
What are some side effects of Botox?
Although Botox is
growing in popularity for its ability to temporarily diminish the appearance of
wrinkles, there are some real albeit uncommon risks. Some of these associated
risks are bleeding/bruising, dry eye problems, drooping of the eyelid (ptosis),
double vision, or allergic type reactions. Side effects, like other results of
Botox, are temporary. Botox use in cosmetic plastic surgery is largely to treat
dynamic wrinkles (those caused by excessive muscle contraction) around the eyes,
and in the forehead and neck. It can be used alone or in conjunction with a
surgical procedure.
BOTOX
®