BOTOX© is a form of botulinum toxin, a purified neurotoxin derived from Clostridium botulinium bacteria that temporarily relaxes muscle movement and eliminates wrinkles in the face. BOTOX© is typically used to target forehead creases, frown lines in the brow (“11” lines), and wrinkles around the eye (“crow’s feet”), but it has many other cosmetic and therapeutic uses.

When administered by an experienced and knowledgeable professional, Botox© has shown to be incredibly safe with a low risk of negative side effects.

BOTOX© is FDA approved for the following cosmetic uses:

– Moderate to severe glabellar lines (brow furrow or “11 lines”)
– Moderate to severe frontalis lines (forehead wrinkles)
– Moderate to severe lateral canthal lines (“crow’s feet”)

In addition, there are several areas where neurotoxin can also be effective but its use is considered “off-label,” such as:
– Providing a lateral eyebrow lift
– Correcting brow or lip asymetry
– Eversion of the upper lip to create more “lip show”
– Correction of a “gummy smile”
– Improvement in fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth
– Correcting the downturn of the corners of the mouth
– Decreasing the appearance of wrinkling and dimpling of the chin
– Softening the appearance of a square jaw and/or treating TMJ symptoms
– Improvement in plastysmal (neck) banding
– Reduction of excessive sweating due to the hyperactivity of the exocrine glands
– And many others…

Botox© is not the only neurotoxin on the market. There are several different varieties of neurotoxin that differ slightly in their make-up and effects. You can always talk to your injector about which product is best for you. The current products on the market include
– BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA)
– Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA)BOTOX©
– Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA)
– Jeuveau® (prabotulinumtoxinA)

BOTOX© treatments can take as little as 10-15 minutes and are done in your doctor’s office. The injectionist will use a very thin needle to inject small amounts of botulinum toxin into the muscles that are carefully chosen to provide you with the best results. The injectionist will also determine the number of injections needed and the amount of toxin needed based on the extent of your wrinkles and which area of the face you’d like to target.
The results of BOTOX© are usually visible within a few days, but can take up to 7-14 days for you to see your final results. This is important information to understand when planning treatments around an upcoming event. Results usually last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. However, to prevent the lines from coming back completely, most patients tend to re-treat on a recurring schedule every 3-4 months.

One of the advantages of BOTOX© is that downtime is often non-existent. Most normal activities can be resumed immediately following the treatment and side effects are often so minimal, they won’t interfere with everyday life. To ensure the best results and prevent any negative side effects, it is best to avoid rubbing or massaging the point of injection to prevent the botulinum toxin from migrating to other areas of the face. Also, avoid being in the sun too long, as excessive sun exposure may cause irritation.

During your search for a potential plastic surgeon, you should only consider a surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Board-certified surgeons spend a minimum of 6-8 years in training after medical school to ensure that they are well-trained in both aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.