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BOTOX® (Botulinum A) has been used safely by physicians
for 20 years to treat patients with certain medical
conditions such as eye spasms, central nervous system
disorders and excessive muscle contractions. The more
recent use of BOTOX® to reduce wrinkles was discovered
almost by accident.
Vancouver dermatologist, Dr. Alastair
Carruthers, began using BOTOX® to treat signs of
aging in 1986 after his wife Jean, an ophthalmologist,
observed that her patients who were treated for eye
spasm lost their crow's feet. According to Dr. Carruthers,
one patient actually commented that she looked "much
happier" and "less angry" because the
BOTOX® also improved the wrinkles between her eyebrows.
How does BOTOX® work?
BOTOX® is injected in minute quantities
into the contracted muscles that cause wrinkles and
the results are impressive. The muscles relax and wrinkles
improve. Within five to seven days, lines of facial
expression are reduced. The effect does wear off within
three to six months and then BOTOX® needs to be
injected again. Most patients, however, do request additional
sessions. Studies appear to show that with continued
treatments, there is a greater length of time between
injection procedures.
What is the treatment like?
Because the toxin is injected in such
small amounts, the safety profile for this medication
is high and side effects are minimal. There may be a
slight sting at the injection site in about half of
the people undergoing the procedure. There may be a
mild bruise at the injection site but this is uncommon.
Bruising appears to be more common in those people taking
aspirin or blood thinners. There might be a concern
about a droopy eyebrow or droopy eyelid. Droopy eyelids
occur in about one out of 100 people. It lasts an average
of four weeks and then it goes away.
Are BOTOX® treatments safe?
There are really no contraindications
to the procedure. In other words, it appears that all
people can have the procedure performed. There is even
one report of a pregnant Alaskan woman who developed
botulism and delivered a normal baby. The same toxin
in botulism is used in BOTOX®, except there are
higher amounts of the toxin in botulism. This reassures
us that BOTOX® is indeed a safe agent.
Before and After
Photos
Photos are of actual patients, but
not necessarily patients at any specific current or
past SKINovative® location.
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