Botox® Information

Botox is the number one cosmetic procedure in the United States. It was approved by the FDA for cosmetic use in 2002, enabling millions of patients get rid of nagging facial lines and wrinkles.

Today, the variety of cosmetic uses for Botox include anti-wrinkle treatments for crow's feet, frown lines, furrows in the forehead, as well as treatment of severe armpit perspiration.

How Botox works

Botox combats wrinkles that are created when nerve cells within the muscles beneath the skin release a chemical called acetylcholine. This chemical triggers a muscle contraction that creates wrinkles. The Botox product, medically known as Botulinum Toxin Type A, is an injectable compound that disrupts the release of acetylcholine, which essentially paralyzes the muscle and stops the contraction. Results are fully evident within one week after treatment and remain for a minimum of three months.

Side Effects and Recovery from Botox®

The most common side effects of Botox include headache, nausea, flu-like symptoms, as well as redness and pain at the injection sites. Occasionally, a patient may experience muscle weakness or drooping of the upper eyelid muscles. This side effect usually resolves itself within days, or in rare cases, months after the procedure.

You can resume normal activities immediately, but it is advised that you to stay out of the sun. If you have any unmanageable pain or symptoms that are progressive or abnormal, please contact Dr. Bernstein immediately. Dr. Bernstein will ensure that you understand the risks, complications and remedies at your consultation.

The Botox® Procedure

Botox injections are performed in our office, usually without anesthesia. However, a numbing cream may be applied to the treatment area if you'd like (this will extend the visit an additional 15-30 minutes). Patients may experience some minimal discomfort from the needle injection. The procedure can take anywhere from a few minutes up to half an hour, depending on the scope of treatment. Generally, patients are able to leave the office shortly after the treatment is complete.

The selection of injection points is the key to a successful procedure. The points of injection are first identified. Dr. Bernstein may select numerous injection points for each location to be treated. These points are usually not located on the wrinkle itself, but at the area where the muscle contracts. Dr. Bernstein will then determine the amount of Botox she will use at each injection point for the procedure.

Antiseptic is applied and the Botox is injected into the identified injection points beneath the skin. The toxins in Botox will fasten to the nerve endings near the muscle, thus inhibiting the release of the chemical acetylcholine. This will stop the muscle contractions that wrinkle the skin.

Results are usually visible within one week and last from three to five months.

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