About BOTOX® Treatment

Due to their success in eliminating unwanted lines and wrinkles, BOTOX® treatments are becoming increasingly popular. After only one BOTOX® treatment, the client can see improved results and fewer wrinkles. After a few BOTOX® treatments, a more youthful and attractive appearance becomes evident. It's no wonder then that so many people are choosing to undergo BOTOX® treatment given its relative ease, safety, and effectiveness.

BOTOX® is most effective in reducing and getting rid of wrinkles produced by facial movement. For example, when one frowns or squints certain muscles are used. When these muscles contract, they pull the skin long with them. Over time, the pulling of the skin in this manner tends to produce lines. Eventually, these lines become deeper and deeper until unsightly wrinkles are formed. These wrinkles, although they provide "character," also have a tendency to form in areas that give the face the appearance of tiredness, sadness, and annoyance.

After deciding to undergo BOTOX® treatment, the client will go to a dermatologist for an initial consultation. At this initial consultation, the client will be invited to ask about any questions or concerns he or she may have, the procedure will be explained in full, the client will explain what he or she wishes to change about his or her appearance, recommendations will be made by the dermatologist regarding how best to bring about these changes, and the costs for such a procedure can be discussed.

As far as appearance altering procedures go, BOTOX® treatments are straightforward and easy. As is the case when one goes to the dentist, the skin to be treated is first administered a topical numbing agent. The next step involves very small amounts of BOTOX® being injected into areas of the face pointed out by the client as areas in need of improvement. These injections, though potentially distressing to one who has not actually undergone treatment, use very small needles and are quite quick, painless, and uncomplicated. No band aids or dressings are needed after treatment and no "downtime" is required for recovery. In fact, the client can return to work immediately after the treatment has been administered. You can wash, apply makeup, and engage in strenuous activities with no worry over pain or reversing the treatment. Moreover, there is no swelling, bruising, or other visible indications of treatment. Depending on the extent of the treatment desired by the client, the whole procedure requires only 10 to 30 minutes to perform.

A BOTOX® treatment is usually performed within the sterile and secure environment of a licensed clinic. In this setting, one can be assured the proper measures have been taken to ensure patient safety. For those concerned or anxious about the procedure, a sedative may be given but an anesthetic is rarely requested or required. An anesthetic is not needed in virtually all cases because of the relative painlessness of BOTOX® treatments. Often, it is no more uncomfortable than an insect bite and the pain subsides almost immediately after the treatment has been administered.

Time between treatments varies between 3 to 6 months. Over the long term, however, treatments become less and less frequent as the muscles being treated tend to relax for longer and longer periods of time and therefore require less and less treatment and lower and lower dosages. The brain will also adjust for the lack of use of these muscles by using those muscles less frequently. That is not to say that one's face will be rendered immobile. Rather, one's expressions will be softened while retaining all the range of facial expressiveness experienced before. BOTOX® is most effective for reducing and eliminating wrinkles in the face and neck areas. It can be used in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures for permanent results. Doctors familiar with the use of BOTOX® can avoid mild and even temporary side-effects. So there's no reason to frown anymore over unwanted frown lines.