BOTOX®

Chicago, Illinois Anti-Aging Treatment 

What is BOTOX?

 BOTOX should not be administered if there is a local infection or with anyone known to be allergic to any of the components. Make sure that Dr. Golden knows about previous BOTOX treatments. BOTOX may be contraindicated for patients with neuromuscular disorders. 

BOTOX tends to last longer the more that it is used. If you wait until the wrinkles completely return, the effect is generally the same, but if you schedule treatments on a regular basis, the length of time that you will likely have a increased interval between treatments as times goes on. Most will have treatments every three months the first year, then three times a year after that. Many find that twice a year gives them the appearance that they enjoy. 

Botox injections are the best known of a group of medications that use various forms of botulinum toxin to temporarily paralyze muscle activity. This toxin is produced by the microbe that causes botulism, a type of food poisoning.

Noted primarily for the ability to reduce the appearance of some facial wrinkles, Botox injections are also used to treat such problems as repetitive neck spasms (cervical dystonia), excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), overactive bladder and some causes of crossed eyes. Botox injections may also help prevent chronic migraines in some people.

While Botox was the first drug to utilize botulinum toxin, newer products include Dysport, Myobloc and Xeomin. Each product is a little different, particularly when it comes to dosage units, so they aren't interchangeable. 

Botulinum toxin injections block certain chemical signals from nerves, mostly signals that cause muscles to contract. The most common use of these injections is to temporarily relax the facial muscles that underlie and cause wrinkles, such as: 

• Frown lines between the eyebrows
• Crow's-feet, the lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes
• Forehead furrows, the horizontal lines that form when you raise your eyebrows

In addition to these cosmetic procedures, which simply improve your appearance, botulinum toxin injections have also been used to treat conditions that affect how your body functions. Examples include: 

• Cervical dystonia. In this painful condition, your neck muscles contract involuntarily causing your head to twist or turn into an uncomfortable position.
• Lazy eye. The most common cause of lazy eye is an imbalance in the muscles responsible for positioning the eye. This can result in crossed eyes.
• Muscle contractures. Some neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, can cause your limbs to pull in toward your center. In some cases, these contracted muscles can be relaxed with botulinum toxin injections.
• Hyperhidrosis. In this condition, excessive sweating occurs even when the temperature isn't hot and you're not exercising. In some people, the sweat literally drips off their hands.
• Chronic migraine. If you experience migraines more than 15 days a month, botulinum toxin injections may help reduce headache frequency.

Risks

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Botox injections are relatively safe when performed by an experienced doctor. The most common side effects include swelling or bruising at the injection site, headache or flu-like symptoms. If the injections aren't placed correctly, the medication may spread into adjacent tissues and cause problems such as:

• Eyelid droop
• Cockeyed eyebrows
• Crooked smile
• Dry eye or excessive tearing

Although very unlikely, there is a possibility that the effect of botulinum toxin may spread to other parts of the body and cause botulism-like signs and symptoms. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these effects hours to weeks after receiving Botox:

• Muscle weakness all over the body
• Vision problems
• Trouble speaking or swallowing
• Trouble breathing
• Loss of bladder control

Doctors generally recommend against using Botox when you're pregnant or breast-feeding, since the effects on the baby aren't known.

Select your doctor carefully

Botox must be used only under a doctor's care. It can be dangerous if it's administered incorrectly. Ask for a referral from your primary care doctor or look for a doctor who specializes in your condition and who has experience in administering Botox treatments. A skilled and properly certified doctor can advise you on the procedure and can help determine if it best suits your needs and health.

For more about the safety of BOTOX click here.

Answers to more BOTOX questions may be found by clicking here.