“The eyebrows form but a small part of the face, and yet they darken
the whole of life by the scorn they express.”
-Demetrius
What can Botox® treat?
Botox can treat many conditions. The conditions I use it for include:
What is Botox®?
Botox is a highly purified protein that is produced by a bacterium called
Clostridium Botulinum. This protein is very fragile and has to be kept
frozen until shortly before use to maintain its effectiveness. The bacteria
itself is not in Botox®.
How is Botox® given?
Botox is administered through an injection using a very fine needle that
is almost as thin as a human hair. It is placed directly into the tissue
that is to be affected. Usually, this tissue is a muscle but it can also
be skin that contains sweat glands.
How does Botox® work?
Botox blocks the release of the neurotransmitter that connects nerves
to muscles (and sweat glands). Without this neurotransmitter, the muscle
can’t contract and goes into a relaxed state. Botox has no effect
on the nerves that relay our sense of touch.
How does blocking muscles get rid of wrinkles?
Humans are somewhat unique in that we have many muscles in our face that
connect to the skin for the purpose of making facial expressions. Each
time we use those muscles it causes the overlying skin to bunch up. Like
any other material, if you bunch skin up over and over again, eventually
it wrinkles. If you stop bunching the skin up, the wrinkles improve or
go away completely depending on how deep they were to start with.
Will I look like a mannequin if I block facial muscles?
Botox can be tailored to your own desires to produce the look that you
want with the help of my botox injections. Most people are perfectly happy
to get rid of the ability to scowl and squint since these are generally
not considered flattering expressions. The forehead is the area most tailored
to the individual’s desires. Treating the crow’s feet usually
has no discernable effect on facial expressions. Since Botox is temporary,
I can adjust where and how much I use to produce exactly the effect we want.
Are there side effects?
Like any medication, there are side effects and these depend on where
the Botox® is used. Some of the side effects include bruising, irritation,
droopy eyelid/eyebrow, and headache. All of these side effects are temporary
and usually resolve in days to weeks.
How long does Botox® last?
Botox usually lasts about 3 months on facial muscles and 6 months to a
year for sweating. If used repeatedly, Botox can last longer.