How does BOTOX® Cosmetic work?

BOTOX® Cosmetic works by blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles. This reduces muscle activity that causes moderate to severe lines to form between the brows

What medical conditions can BOTOX®  treat?

Temporomanibular Joint (TMJ) spasm, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), and has been found to help migraine sufferers.

When will I see results from a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment?

Within 7-14 days, you may see a marked improvement in the moderate-to-severe frown lines between your brows. Lines continue to improve for up to 30 days, and results can last for up to 4 months. Individual results may vary

How long does BOTOX® Cosmetic last?

Visible results have been shown to last up to 4 months. Results may vary – please consult a Laserderm doctor about what you can expect and when to schedule your next appointment.

Is treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic painful?

Discomfort is usually minimal and brief. Prior to injection, our Doctors may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or a topical anaesthetic cream. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. Most patients are in and out of the physician’s office without any downtime. Side effects associated with the injection include localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising

Will I still be able to make facial expressions?

Although the results are visible, a treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic will not radically change your facial appearance or make you look as if you’ve “had work done.” The muscle activity that causes frown lines between the brows is temporarily reduced, so you can still frown or look surprised without the wrinkles and creases between your brows.

Will BOTOX® damage the treated muscle?

The message for a muscle to contract is mediated via a chemical transmitter (messenger substance) called Acetylcholine (Ach). After injection with BOTOX®, the release of Ach is blocked (“road block” for Ach). The muscle therefore does not get the message to contract. Due to the muscle not exercising, the muscle bulk decreases over time. There is NO DIRECT DAMAGE to the muscle (or sweat gland, if done for Hyperhidrosis). If injections are discontinued, the muscle action will resume over time. Regular injections, however, lead to long term gain due to the fact that the muscle becomes smaller.  BOTOX has been proven to improve the texture of overlying skin. BOTOX® is locally acting.

What will happen to the moderate to severe frown lines between my brows if I choose not to continue treatments?

If you do not continue treatments, the moderate-to-severe frown lines between your brows will gradually return to the way they looked before treatment

Do treatment results differ?

Yes, individual results may vary.

Who should not take BOTOX® Cosmetic?

Do not take BOTOX® Cosmetic if you:

• are allergic to any of the ingredients in or BOTOX® Cosmetic
• had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc® or Dysport®
• have a skin infection at the planned injection site

You should not be treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic if you have:

• a disease that affects your muscles and nerves
• allergies to any botulinum toxin product
• had any side effect from any botulinum toxin product in the past
• a breathing problem, such as asthma or emphysema
• swallowing problems
• bleeding problems
• plans to have surgery
• had surgery on your face
• weakness of your forehead muscles, such as trouble raising your eyebrows
• drooping eyelids
• any other change in the way your face normally looks
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BOTOX® Cosmetic can harm your unborn baby.
• are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if BOTOX® Cosmetic passes into breast milk.

What are the possible side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic?

BOTOX ® Cosmetic can cause serious side effects.

Please consult one of our Doctors for more detailed information.

Other side effects of BOTOX ® Cosmetic include :

• Temporary bruising and or swelling around the injected area
• dry mouth
• discomfort or pain at the injection site
• tiredness
• headache
• neck pain
• eye problems such as double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes
• allergic reactions; symptoms of an allergic reaction to BOTOX® Cosmetic may include: itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, or dizziness or feeling faint.  Please inform a Laserderm doctor or get medical help right away if you are wheezing or have asthma symptoms, or if you become dizzy or faint.

The product may, in very rare cases, cause temporary paralysis of the eye lid muscle (ptosis).  This is REVERSABLE and occurs in approximately 2% of patients.

Please consult any one of our Laserderm doctors if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Try to exercise your treated muscles for 2-3 hours after treatment (e.g. practice frowning, raising your eyebrows or squinting).  This helps to work BOTOX® into your muscles.  Although this is thought to help, it will NOT impact your treatment negatively if you forget to do this.

Do NOT rub or massage the treated areas for 24 hours after your treatment.

Do NOT apply make-up for 4 hours after your treatment.

Do NOT lie down or do strenuous exercise for 6 hours after treatment.  Feel free to shower and go about most other regular daily activities.

Be assured that any tiny bumps or marks will go away within a few hours after your treatment.

Results of your treatment may take up to 7 – 14 days to take full effect.

Remember to come for your follow-up appointment 2 weeks after treatment.

We strive to fully satisfy our patients with each treatment.  If you have any questions about your treatment, then please do not hesitate to contact us.  We will arrange for a follow-up assessment.

The results of your BOTOX® treatment are not permanent.  The effect generally lasts for 3 to 4 months.  If you maintain regular treatments (with the frequency recommended by your practitioner) the duration of each treatment result may last longer than 4 months. This is because the muscles become smaller due to “not exercising” and also in some instances due to loss of habit.

Initially, we see our patients between the 3rd month (12 weeks) and 4th month (16 weeks) time period.  The best clinical results can be achieved for you during this period.  If you allow BOTOX® to wear of completely, it is difficult for the doctor to see how your individual muscles reacted and therefore optimal results for YOUR face can be more difficult to achieve.

BOTOX® requires a special technique in order to customize the injections to your individual muscular structure.  Thus, it is important that your – doctor sees you before your muscles resume the full range of motion (and cause wrinkling again).  Your doctor needs to see you at the point when some muscle activity resumes, but before the effects of BOTOX® fully wears off.  It is only at this point that the doctor can customise the treatment to give you the best effect for your face.