BOTOX ®
Most known for reducing crow’s feet, frown lines and wrinkles, Botox ®Cosmetic is the #1 non-surgical, physician-administered, aesthetic treatment in the United States. It is a purified protein produced by the clostridium botulinum bacterium, and has been approved by the FDA since 2002 for treatment of frown lines.
Frown lines are caused by overactive facial muscles. As our skin becomes less elastic over time, “dynamic” wrinkles from repetitive muscle activity can result in “static” wrinkles that are present even at rest. These wrinkles often develop between the brows (glabellar lines), the outer eye area (crow’s feet), and forehead. During treatment, Botox ® is administered into the muscles that cause these stubborn lines.
Botox ® blocks the neurotransmitters that result in facial muscle contraction and so temporarily relaxes them. As a result, the wrinkles are softened, giving a more refreshed, relaxed, and rejuvenated appearance, while still appearing very natural.To sustain the effect gained by a Botox ® treatment, a patient can initially expect to require maintenance treatments every three to four months — depending on the person, the area to be treated, and how long and often Botox ® has been administered (muscles develop memory). Patients are generally able to reduce the frequency of Botox ® treatments after a few years of regular maintenance.Botox® is not recommended for individuals with infections at the injection sites, neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, and is not recommended for use during pregnancy.