Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about plastic surgury issues.  If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you.

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"BOTOX® treatments", or "BOTOX® injection treatments" are a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that works at motor nerve endings (nerves that lead to muscles). BOTOX®® Cosmetic is a drug used for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines (frown lines). These frown lines come from muscles called corrugator and/or procerus muscles. The BOTOX® injection treatment is the name used for the process of injecting the BOTOX® Cosmetic product into the patient.

BOTOX® injection treatments were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic use in April 2002. (It has been approved for the treatment of several medical conditions since 1989.) BOTOX® is a trade name for botulinum toxin A. BOTOX® is related to botulism.

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Typically the amount of BOTOX® and side effects and BOTOX® danger remains low. Any BOTOX® side effects can typically only last 6 months at a maximum, because BOTOX® treatments are temporary. People with neuromuscular disorders should consult with their physician carefully before having a BOTOX® injection treatment, as cardiovascular problems may arise. Likewise, those with cardiovascular disease should also pay special attention.

It is a natural response to assume there is some BOTOX® injection danger with a prosuct derived from a toxin, but it is in fact very safe, and has been is use for some time. It is always prudent to refview the BOTOX® injection side effects and procedure so that any BOTOX® injection danger is know and understood.

Some patients have been known to experience the side effects of BOTOX® of bruisng at the site of the injection. The most common BOTOX® side effects following the use of BOTOX® Cosmetic for glabellar lines are headache (13.3%), respiratory infection (3.5%), temporary eyelid droop (3.2%), nausea (3.0%), and flu syndrome (2.0%). Blepharoptosis is consistent with the pharmacologic action of BOTOX® Cosmetic and may be technique related. In rare occurences BOTOX® cosmetic can spread into neighboring muscles and cause temporary paralysis. In less that 1% of patients, this can cause drooping of the eyelid.

Less frequently side effects of BOTOX® occurring (<3%) adverse reactions included pain in the face, erythema at the injection site, and muscle weakness. These events are thought to be associated with the injection and occurred within the first week.
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In laypersons terms, BOTOX® simply keeps the muscles that cause frown lines from contracting. This causes the skin to become smoother. Normally your brain sends electrical messages to your muscles so that they can contract and move. BOTOX® keeps that message from getting to the muscle that causes the wrinkles.

Technically, BOTOX®® Cosmetic is injected directly into the corrugator and procerus muscles. It then goes on to enter the nerve endings to block the release of acetylcholine, the chemical that causes muscles to contract. BOTOX®® works to block the release of acetylcholine and, as a result, the muscle doesn't receive the message to contract. Once the muscles are at rest, the skin becomes smoother, creating a more natural and relaxed appearance.

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The most common areas are frown lines, forehead lines, and crow feet. Other areas include the neck and upper lip.
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A very tiny needle is all thBOTOX® Injections Do Not Change Eyebrow Position

Injections of botulinum toxin (BOTOX®) do not alter the age-related drooping of the eyebrows according to facial analysis.

Botulinum toxin, injected into the face, is popular as a way of smoothing frown lines, horizontal forehead wrinkles and crows feet. It works by paralysing the muscles that make these lines occur. The overall effect is to make someone look younger. But how does it compare with a surgical eyebrow lift, which has traditionally been used to achieve the same effect.

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine studied a group of 29 people receiving botulinium toxin injections to either the area between the eyebrows alone, or to this area plus the forehead. Two weeks after the injection, there was no significant change in eyebrow position in any patient. This may surprise those who are looking to botulinum toxin as a non-surgical eyebrow lift.

at is needed for the procedure. Some patients report minor and temporary discomfort from the injection.
A: This depends entirely on the patient, but a single treatment of BOTOX® will normally be sustained for approximately three months. You will notice a gradual fading of its effects. At this point you will return to your doctor for your next treatment.

Usually, BOTOX® treatment is required only three or four times a year. Symptoms may vary throughout the course of the condition, and so the degree of relief and duration of effect varies from person to person. Consult your doctor, who has special knowledge about how to achieve the best possible results with BOTOX® for your individual case.

Acceptable safety in long-term treatment has been well established. With dosing specific to treat frown lines, this same product is now marketed as BOTOX® Cosmetic. However, formal clinical evaluations of long-term treatment have not been conducted.