BOTOX - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is BOTOX®?
2. How does BOTOX® work?
3. How is BOTOX® administered?
4. How quickly will I see the results of BOTOX®?
5. What are hyperfunctional facial lines?
6. How long does BOTOX® last?
7. What are the side effects of BOTOX®?
8. Are the injections painful?
9. Is there any special preparation prior to my injection?
10. Are BOTOX® treatments safe?
11. What is the treatment like?
12. What results can I expect?
13. What are the limitations of BOTOX® injections?
14. Is BOTOX® used to treat other symptoms?
15. How can I find out if I am a candidate for BOTOX®?
16. What is a BOTOX® Alternative?
1. What is BOTOX®?
BOTOX® is a purified protein derived from the bacterium, Clostridium Botulinum. BOTOX® relaxes targeted muscles, thereby eliminating the wrinkles that correspond to those muscle groups. It has been used for many years in treating clients with muscular diseases where the muscles are in spasm. For about 12 years, it has been used in cosmetic aesthetic enhancement to treat hyperfunctional facial lines, typically the Glabella (the vertical lines between your eyebrows), horizontal forehead wrinkles, and lines at the corners of your eyes (crow's feet).
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2. How does BOTOX® work?
Cosmetic denervation with BOTOX® is a simple and safe procedure. BOTOX® is injected into a targeted facial expression muscle, blocking impulses from the nerve to the muscle, thereby relaxing the muscle so it does not contract. This, in turn, causes the overlying skin to become smoother, with fewer lines and wrinkles. After treatment, the overlying skin remains smooth and unwrinkled, while the untreated facial muscles contract in a normal fashion, allowing normal facial expression and sensation to be unaffected.
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3. How is BOTOX® administered?
BOTOX ® is injected into a targeted muscle using a very fine needle. Usually several injections are given per muscle.
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4. How quickly will I see the results of BOTOX®?
The effect of your BOTOX® treatment will start immediately, but you should see optimal relaxing of the treated area within several days.
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5. What are hyperfunctional facial lines?
These are expression lines such as frown lines, brow lines, crow's feet and bunny lines (vertical lines across the bridge of the nose) that become prominent with age, sun damage, and excessive facial muscle activity.
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6. How long does BOTOX® last?
The effects usually last from three to five months. The treatment may be repeated as often as desired.
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7. What are the side effects of BOTOX®?
The most common side effect of BOTOX® is slight bruising from the needle stick. In rare instances, an adjacent muscle may be affected, causing eyelid weakness for several weeks. No serious side effects have been reported in thousands of clients over a twelve-year period.
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8. Are the injections painful?
The muscle injections are given with a tiny needle, so there is only minimal discomfort. Topical anesthetic creams can be applied to the skin prior to the injections.
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9. Is there any special preparation prior to my injection?
You should stop all anti-inflammatory medications, including aspirin, for 2-3 days prior to the injection to minimize bruising.
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10. Are BOTOX® treatments safe?
BOTOX® injections have been used safely and effectively for over twelve years to treat many ophthalmologic and neurological disorders. Each year, thousands of clients receive BOTOX® treatments for a variety of conditions, and it is quickly becoming a popular treatment for reversing the visible signs of aging. In 2004, over 2 million people were injected with BOTOX®. Rejuve Med-Spa purchases BOTOX® directly from Allergan, the only FDA approved maker in the U.S.
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11. What is the treatment like?
Cosmetic denervation with BOTOX® is a simple and safe procedure. Using a tiny micro-needle, a very small amount of BOTOX® is injected, very precisely, into several locations on the face. Because the needle is so fine, and only a small amount of liquid is used, the pain associated with the injections is minimal. Most clients compare the sensation to a bug bite. No sedation or local anesthetic is required, and you can resume normal activities immediately. You can even drive yourself home or back to the office. Some clients experience a slight temporary bruising at the injection site, which can easily be covered with makeup.
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12. What results can I expect?
If dynamic wrinkles make you look older than you are, cosmetic denervation can smooth these out and give you a more youthful and pleasant appearance. However, this procedure cannot improve wrinkles due to aging and sun-damaged skin, since they are unrelated to facial muscle contractions. BOTOX® injections will not improve sagging skin or replace the need for a facelift or brow lift. Rejuve Med-Spa has various surgical and non-surgical treatment options available to treat sagging skin.
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13. What are the limitations of BOTOX® injections?
Unfortunately, BOTOX® injections are a temporary solution for the treatment of dynamic wrinkles. The effects of the injections last from three to five months. You will need to have injections about three times a year. Early clinical studies indicate, however, that the duration of treatment benefits increases over time, so you may require injections less frequently in the future. Also, the duration of effect varies from client to client.
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14. Is BOTOX® used to treat other symptoms?
Yes. BOTOX® has been used for over twelve years on thousands of clients to treat blepharospasm (uncontrolled eyelid muscle contractions, such as tics or abnormal blinking) associated with dystonia (a disorder associated with uncontrolled sustained muscle contractions and spasms). BOTOX® is also used for treating hyperhydrosis or excessive sweating in the underarms or palms.
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15. How can I find out if I am a candidate for BOTOX®?
If you would like to learn more about your cosmetic options, or find out if BOTOX® treatments might work well for you, please call our office and schedule a complimentary consultation.
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16. What is a BOTOX® Alternative?
There are many potions and lotions that claim that they are 'Better than BOTOX®', however, the Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into many of these so-called 'better than BOTOX®' companies' claims to determine whether their advertising is, in fact, true. Rejuve's BOTOX® is always fresh and purchased directly from the manufacturer, Allergan. We have never had an issue regarding the purity or the consistency of the BOTOX® that we use to treat our clients. Our Medical Director, David Fein, M.D. cautions strongly against risking your face to a BOTOX® counterfeit, or to anyone who is not properly trained to administer a denervation agent like BOTOX®.
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