Overview
What Botox is
Botox® is a brand name for the drug made from the bacterium called Clostridium botulinum and has safely been used by doctors to treat health problems for over 50 years. Botox® use was FDA approved in 2002 for treating wrinkles and has become extremely popular in mainstream culture. Treatment with Botox® may be considered a medical or cosmetic procedure. Botox® drugs block nerve impulses and work by simply relaxing, or producing so-called “controlled weakening”, of overactive muscles. Botox® successfully relieves facial pain and helps you look more relaxed and happy without the need for surgery!
Medical uses
Botox as medicine
Although Botox® is associated with cosmetic treatments, it can be used to treat various health conditions as well. Botox® can be as useful medically as it is cosmetically. Results of Botox® as a medical treatment will vary, and will be reviewed by your doctor before the procedure. In general, Botox® may be helpful in treating any specific conditions your doctor discusses with you including:
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
- Facial pain
- Spasms in the neck (cervical dystonia)
- Certain eye conditions caused by nerve disorders
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
Cosmetic uses
Botox for lines and wrinkles
Botox® treatment has more recently been recognized for the cosmetic benefits this simple procedure provides. When facial muscles are relaxed, they are less noticeable, which, in turn, gives you a younger appearance. Wrinkles or lines in undesirable areas of the face can produce a tense or angry facial expression, even lines around your eyes caused by smiling! Botox® is approved by the FDA for individuals ages 18 to 65 and for both men and women. Botox® provides a simple, realistic treatment option for your facial cosmetic needs. Botox® treatments may improve the look of many facial areas including:
- Vertical lines between the eyebrows (frown lines)
- Creases at the bridge of the nose
- Lines at the corner of the eyes (crow’s feet)
- Forehead lines
- Bands of skin on the neck
- Lips
- Mouth
The procedure
Ten to thirty minutes, no downtime
Botox® treatment can be performed in your doctor’s office during an appointment and should always be administered by a trained professional. The Botox® drug is given as a needle injection into the muscle that needs to be relaxed or the muscle that is producing the wrinkle. More than one area may be injected at a time, depending on your needs and your doctor’s recommendations. Once the muscle is relaxed, the skin above the muscle will smooth out and appear tighter.
Botox® injections are a relatively fast procedure and will take anywhere from ten to thirty minutes. Depending on what the injections are treating and your unique facial features, multiple injections may be necessary. For example, crow’s feet often require two to three injections. After the procedure, it is advised to avoid touching the muscles you recently had treated. Normal activity can immediately be resumed, as Botox® generally will not require any downtime! Your doctor will discuss with you specifics of your Botox® treatment to answer any questions you may have.
Cosmetic results
When results show, and how long they last
Visible results from Botox® can usually be noticed within three to five days. Full results will take one to two weeks before showing. These results will last for around six months, after which fading will gradually begin, and follow-up injections may be necessary. Results will vary by person, but are generally very favorable. In fact, Botox® Cosmetic was long ranked among the most popular physician-administered aesthetic procedure in the United States for the fourth year in a row by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Michael Sherbin is board certified to administer Botox® to you! We specialize in providing careful, physician-administered Botox® procedures with a focus on preserving your natural facial expressions while addressing all of your cosmetic concerns. Some insurance plans will cover Botox® and we will work with you and your insurance company to obtain the most coverage possible. Call for an appointment today and see what Botox® can do for you!
