Is BOTOX® Cosmetic botulinum toxin?  Yes, but it is administered in safe, miniscule amounts. BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used medically for the past 25 years for treatment of medical conditions that require the relaxation of muscles and it was found to have a secondary effect of erasing wrinkles. It is now FDA approved for cosmetic use.

How often will I need to have BOTOX injections?  Most people will want to repeat the procedure every 3 to 5 months when muscle function returns.

Do BOTOX treatments hurt?  The administration of BOTOX® Cosmetic is simple, takes only about 10 minutes and is minimally invasive. At Simple Radiance, we use ice before injecting for two reasons: first, it is an effective topical anesthetic and second, the application of ice minimizes bruising by constricting the capillaries. You will find the injection is associated with little discomfort.

Is there anything I should or shouldn’t do before or after the injection?  To minimize the risk of bruising, it is best not to take aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oils or large doses of Vitamin E (greater than 100 IU/day) for two weeks before the treatment. However, this is a precaution only. Some clients prefer not to stop supplements prior to injections. After your injection, it is best not to lay down on your face for the next four hours. You may resume all other normal activities immediately after your injection.

After a BOTOX treatment, will my wrinkles go away completely?  The appearance of wrinkles will be significantly lessened within a week. As new skin cells regenerate and old wrinkled cells are sloughed, the wrinkle will eventually disappear as long as the BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment is repeated.

What is BOTOX® Cosmetic used for?  BOTOX® Cosmetic diminishes or eliminates so-called dynamic wrinkles in the face. BOTOX® Cosmetic acts by paralyzing the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles. BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected into the muscle and prevents the muscle from contracting by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscle. Because the muscle cannot contract, the wrinkle relaxes.  BOTOX® Cosmetic is mainly used to treat dynamic wrinkles in the upper third of the face. However, many physicians use it to cosmetically treat other areas of the face and neck. Moreover, BOTOX® Cosmetic has also been used to treat migraine headaches and even excessive underarm sweating.  BOTOX® Cosmetic is not as effective on so-called static wrinkles. Static wrinkles are better treated surgically or with dermal fillers.

What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?  The BOTOX® Cosmetic is a highly purified muscle toxin, isolated from a certain strain of bacteria. The toxin blocks the chemical signal between the muscle and the nerve, leading to temporary paralysis of the muscle. The paralysis occurs over 1 to 5 days and peaks in two to four weeks. Results last from three to six months. The effect gradually wears off, allowing the dynamic wrinkle to return.

What do BOTOX® Cosmetic injections feel like?  BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected directly into the muscle that underlies the dynamic wrinkle. A very small needle is used to minimize discomfort. The injection feels like a small prick with a little stinging. The entire procedure takes about 10 minutes. In some cases, ice or topical anesthesia is used to reduce the pain of injection.

What will my skin feel like after the BOTOX injections?  Usually, there is no pain, once the injection is over. Occasionally, people have headaches after the injection as well as some redness or swelling of the area injected.

How many BOTOX treatments will I need?  Usually, one treatment is all that is needed, and the effect lasts for 3-6 months.

After a BOTOX treatment, how long before I can return to my normal daily activities?  Since the procedure is non-surgical, no recovery time is needed; patients can return to work or other activities immediately.

How long do BOTOX treatment results last?   The effects may last 3-6 months.

What are the risks of BOTOX® Cosmetic injections?   The most common side effects are headache, respiratory infection, flu-like syndrome, temporary eyelid droop, and nausea.   Less frequently occurring (3 percent) adverse reactions include pain in the face, injection site redness, and muscle weakness. These events are thought to be associated with the injection and occurred within the first week.   BOTOX® Cosmetic can’t be used if there is an infection at the proposed injection site(s) or in individuals with known hypersensitivity (allergy) to any ingredient in the formulation (i.e. the milk protein Casein).  Patients with neuromuscular disorders like Myasthenia Gravis and Eaton Lambert Syndrome may be at increased risk of clinically significant systemic effects from typical doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic.