What is BOTOX®?

BOTOX® is the trade name of Botulinum toxin Type A, which is a purified product made from the bacterium clostridium botulinum. It has been used in the United States for medicinal purposes for decades.

Used in tiny amounts in specific muscles, injections of BOTOX® will relax the action of that muscle. Muscle activity is the cause of wrinkles in the forehead, around the eyes (crow’s feet), and frown lines between the eyebrows (glabella).
What causes wrinkles and frown lines?

Frown lines and some wrinkles are caused by the constant action of muscles underneath the skin. In particular, a furrow in the area between our eyebrows may appear and persist because of the repeated, often unconscious action of the corrugator muscle. These furrows can produce an angry or frustrated look on your face. Muscles around the eyes are responsible for the "crow's feet" wrinkles that appear on the outsides of the eyes.
What benefits can I expect?

Botox can relax the underlying muscle that it is injected to. By relaxing these muscles, frown lines and certain other lines become less noticeable or deep, especially during day to day activities. Most patients do not find that BOTOX® makes them "expressionless," but in fact find that used properly certain targeted areas respond very well.
How is the BOTOX® given?

This depends on the muscle being treated. To improve frown lines, BOTOX® is injected directly into the corrugator muscle. This reduces the ability to contract the muscle and the frown line gradually fades away. While BOTOX® is working, you will be unable to vigorously draw your eyebrows together when you frown.
Does the injection hurt?

The treatment itself takes only a few minutes and feels like the minor sting of the needle. Very rarely, bruising (visible but usually painless) may occur from the needle.
Is there a danger of botulism from Botox?

No. Given by trained physicians in the correct amount there is no danger of contracting botulism from BOTOX®. Botulism is caused by very large amounts of the toxin in the system usually from eating contaminated food. Only a tiny fraction of the toxic dose is used in medical indications. Botox has been used since the 1980s (in larger doses than you will receive) for the treatment of muscle diseases (like muscle spasm) and has been shown to be extremely safe in many published medical studies.
Will the treatment be permanent?

No. The BOTOX® will begin to work in two to four days. Gradually, over three to four months, the effect will fade. When the frown line begins to reappear, a simple repeat injection is all that is necessary to maintain the effect.
What are the side effects?

There is a small sting as the injection occurs. Rarely there can be a bruise at the site. Less than one percent of patients may develop a slight lowering (ptosis) of the eyelid. This may or may not be noticed and is always temporary. Other side effects are rare and can be discussed with your doctor. This may or may not be noticed and is always temporary. BOTOX® should not be used if you may be pregnant or if you are taking aminoglycoside antibiotics (ask your doctor). It should not be used if you have a history of myasthenia gravis.

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