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1. What is BOTOX®? |
Botox® is a toxin produced by a type of bacteria called botulinum . Although in extremely large doses it can cause botulism , Botox® is very safe in the doses used for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. It has been used safely for decades in the United States.
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2. When will I see results from a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment?
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You may see a marked improvement in as little as 3 days, although it can take as long as 10 days to observe the full effect.
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3. How long does BOTOX® Cosmetic last? |
The results from treatment with Botox® can last for up to 4 months. To maintain the desired outcome, it is necessary to have repeated injections approximately every 3-4 months following the first treatment. If you discontinue treatment, the lines will gradually look like they did before. |
4. What areas of the body can be treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic?
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- Glabella (“11’s”, “Bunny Line”, “Frown Lines”):area between the eyebrows
- Forehead (“Surprise Lines”)
- Eyes (“Crow’s Feet”, “Laugh Lines”)
- Chin
- Neck: lines and bands
- Mouth: perioral wrinkles
For the treatment of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating):
- Axillae (underarms)
- Palms of hands
- Soles of feet
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| 5. Is treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic painful? |
Discomfort is usually minimal and brief. Prior to injection, ice packs may be utilized to temporarily desensitize the area. The procedure is performed by Dr. Biskin and takes approximately 10 minutes. Most people experience no downtime with Botox® treatments and are able to return to work or normal activity the same day.
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6. Who should not use BOTOX® Cosmetic? |
Botox® Cosmetic should not be used in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s) and in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation . Patients with neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton Syndrome are at an increased risk of serious side effects.
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7. Do all types of wrinkles respond to BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment? |
Lines and wrinkles from sagging skin will NOT be improved. Crease lines on the skin that don’t disappear when stretched out will be improved but not completely eliminated by Botox® alone. You may require a combination of treatments with fillers, such as Restylane® or Juvederm®, to optimize the results.
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8. Will I experience any side effects from BOTOX® Cosmetic? |
Side effects are uncommon and may include but are not limited to:
- Localized pain, inflammation, tenderness, redness, bleeding, or bruising at the injection site
- Droopy eyelids, double vision, or neck weakness
- Infection or skin necrosis
- Flu-like symptoms
- Nerve damage
- Facial asymmetry
- Headache
- A few very rare but serious side effects have been reported such as cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial infarction .
- Injections in the neck region carry a higher risk for adverse effects, such as dysphagia .
The side effects of Botox® injections are usually exactly what the therapy is supposed to cause: muscle weakness. The right muscle with the appropriate dose must be injected. Seeking an experienced physician, like Dr. Biskin, is of utmost importance ,as many complications are the result of misplaced injections or too-large doses.
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9. Will BOTOX® Cosmetic permanently change the injected muscle?
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No long term changes have been demonstrated.
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| 10. Is BOTOX® Cosmetic affordable? |
When considering your facial aesthetic options, Botox® is quite affordable. According to an American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery survey, Botox® is one of the low-entry-cost facial aesthetic procedures in the United States.
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