Action : Relaxing facial muscle.

Result : wrinkle upper mid face

Q : What is Botox ? 

A : Botox is a natural, purified protein that relaxes wrinkle – causing muscles creating a smoothed, rejuvenated and more youthful appearance. Let  a simple non-surgical procedure that smoothes the deep, persistent facial line that develop over time. One ten minute treatment – a few tiny injections – relaxes the muscles that cause those lines to form and keeps them relaxed for months. The results and dramatic and apparent within days. For many, Botox temporarily erases these lines. Botox is the only botulinum toxin in the world registered for the treatment of frown line and approved by the US FDA. Lt has been widely tested with 12 years of safe and effective use in hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide for various medical uses. 

 Q : What Botox isnot ? 

 A : Botox is not magic. Let  a medicine. Botox is a highly purified protein that is extracted from bacteria, in a similar way that penicillin comes from a mould. Botox will not radically change your appearance or make you look like you’ve had a facelift. Lt will not make you look twenty years younger. Lt will not “freeze” your facial expressions. Lf softens them and works where you want it to. Lt does not travel throughout the body and dose not remain in your body indefinitely. 

 Q : How Botox works ? 

 A : Many facial wrinkles occur when we make repeated facial expressions. Botox relaxes the tiny facial muscles that cause expression line. Leaving the overlying skin smooth and unwrinkled. Once the muscle is relaxed, you cannot contract it and continues to make the undesirable facial expression. Thus the lines gradually smooth out from disuse, and new creases are prevented from forming. Botox works on the specific areas treated. Other muscles like those used to raise the eyebrows are not affected so a natural expression is maintained. Lt will not “freeze” your facial expressions. Lf softens them and works where you want it to. 

Q : What to expect from the treatment ? 

A : Your doctor will determine exactly where to use Botox to achieve the best results. No anesthetic is required, although your doctor may use ice before injecting. Treatment takes around 10 minutes. A tiny amount of Botox is placed in selected facial muscles via tiny injections using a very fine needle. Discomfort is minimal and brief – most patients describe it as ant bits sting for a few seconds. Most people resume normal activities immediately. After injection, it take 2-3 days for Botox to begin effect and around 7 days to see the full effect. Botox lasts for up to four months, depending on the individual. You can decide to repeat the procedure as you wish. The result will wear off gradually and expression lines slowly return. To maintain the effect you will require repeat injections 2 – 3 times a year. Studies show that with repeat Botox treatment, the effect can last longer, so you may require less frequent treatment in the future to maintain the result you have come to like. In the amounts used for wrinkle therapy, the most common side effects are temporary and localised to the area of injection. These include soreness or mild bruising, which can be easily covered with makeup, headache, and less commonly, you may develop a heavy eyelid lasting 1 - 4 week which your doctor your doctor may be able to treat. There have been no permanent side effects of Botox reported. 

Q : Where can it be used ? 

A : Botox is used widely for the elimination of 

• - Frowh lines between the eyebrows 
• - Horizontal forehead wrinkles 
• - Crows feet or smile lines around the eyes It is also being used to lift the eyebrow and open up the eye for a more youthful appearance. 

Doctors have also reported good results in nasolabial folds between the nose and mouth, perioral lines (“ Smokers lips” ), reducing neck line and chin dimpling or creasing. 

 Q : Is Botox a common cosmetic procedure ? 

 A : Botox was the number one cosmetic procedure in 2001, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Surgery. In the United States 1.6 million Botox procedures were recorded in 2001, making it the popular amongst all cosmetic procedures. 

 Q : Is it suitable for men ? 

 A : Botox is equally effective on men and women. Over 220,000 Botox procedures were performed on men in the United States in 2001, making it the leading cosmetic treatment for men. Because it is effective for stress (frown) lines, it is popular with many businessmen to them looking more refreshed and approachable. 

Q : Is Botox expensive ? 

A : When considering your facial enhancement options, Botox is quite affordable. Many people are surprised at the relative cost compared to other appearance related investments such as facials, hair colouring and wrinkle creams. As one patient reported 

Q : Will my lines look worse if choose not to continue treatments ? 

A : No. Your lines will gradually revert to their pre – treatment appearance. This may take 6 to 12 months. 

Q : Can Botox be combined with other procedures ? 

A : Botox is often used in combination with collagen or laser resurfacing. In fact, studies have shown CO2 laser resurfacing alone gives less improvement than when performed with Botox 

Q : Why is Botox unique ? 

A : The brand name Botox (Botulinum toxin type A) should not be confused with other products containing botulinum toxin. Botox was the first product of its type approved by the US FDA in 1989, and has the longest period of registered clinical experience in the world. In cosmetic use, Botox has been widely tested and used safely for more than ten years and is the only botulinum tomin in the world approved for cosmetic use. Botox contains the lowest level of protein. A higher level of protein is associated with a higher level of antibody formation in laboratory studies. Other brands of botulinum toxin contain between 2.5 - 10 time the amount of protein found in Botox In another medical condition treated with Botox around the eyes, other products containing botulinum toxin are show to have a higher incidence of side effects such as ptosis (heavy eyelid). So to avoid complications and ensure a safe and effective treatment, ask for Botox by name. 

Q : Finding a Botox physician ? 

A : Consult an appropriately trained specialist in the Botox procedure such as a cosmetic surgeon, dermatologist, plastic surgeon or cosmetic or appearance medicine physician. Always discuss what you want to achieve thoroughly with your doctor in advance and listen to their advice. 

Q : Is Botox suitable for me ? 

A : To find out if Botox might work well for you, please consult a cosmetic specialist who is a trained professional and can judge the optimum treatment to enhance your appearance.