"Botox" or Botulinum Toxin Chemo-denervation

What is the fuss about "Botox" ?

Botulinum Toxin Type A, of which Botox of Allergan (USA) and Dysport of Ipsen ( UK/France) are the most widely known, is a natural, purified protein derived from the bacteria of the same name. In most world-renowned practitioners' experience there is little to choose from in Botox and Dysport as far as efficacy or effectiveness is concerned. The main significant difference is that Botox is approved by United States' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) whilst Dysport's approval is still pending.

By the way, FDA has to date approved Botox for glabellar frown lines (wrinkles between the eyes) only. Other areas commonly treated such as Frontal forehead wrinkles, Crow's feet wrinkles, Masseteric hypertrophy (square face) are treated on an "off label" basis. However, one can rest assured that all the common areas mentioned above have been treated by doctors world-wide with resounding success and with amazingly low untoward effects or complications too. If this was not the case, "Botox" would not have been the number one surgical procedure in the US for the past few years and will likely continue to be for many years to come!

How does "Botox" work?

Chemo-denervation by botulinum toxin or " Botox" (for sake of brevity), is useful mainly against dynamic wrinkles, which are caused by repeated muscular contractions such as frowning, squinting and brow furrowing. Suffice it to say that it works by preventing the relevant muscles from contracting thereby causing the wrinkles in the skin overlying them to soften and often disappear altogether.
Botox is placed through several injections into the muscles with a tiny micro-needle. The discomfort is very minimal and brief and for the majority of patients, numbing by ice is all the "anesthetics" that is required. The procedure is so quick and simple that patients often have it done on their lunch break!

What do I expect after the treatment?

After the injection, it takes 2-3 days to see the dramatic changes and around 7 days to see the full effect. The effects of Botox usually last at least 3 to 4 months, after which the result will fade away slowly and wrinkle lines may slowly return. After 2-3 years of repeated treatment it will gradually require less frequent treatment in the future to maintain the results.
In some cases, Botox can migrate and cause a temporary weakness of nearby muscles. In rare cases, there can be a drooping of an eyelid or asymmetry of facial expression. The risk of any side effect (including temporary bruising) depends on the individual patient and the injection technique. Your doctor will discuss this with you before your treatment. The most common side effects of Botox are temporary and reversible, lasting only a few weeks.

It is not recommended for women during pregnancy or breast-feeding and patients with a neuromuscular disease.

Botox is often used in combination with Injectable Dermal Fillers or other Facial Rejuvenation treatments eg Photorejuvenation (Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy)

Botox is so safe that Allergan claims that " If Botox is Lethal, half of Beverly Hills would be dead!"

For more information please visit www.botox.com