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BOTOX
- FOR WRINKLES & EXCESSIVE SWEATING |
| WHAT
IS BOTOX? |
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Botox™
(Botulinum Toxin A, Allergan) and Myobloc™ (Botulium
Toxin B, Elan Pharmaceuticals) are safe and extremely
dilute versions of a toxin made by the C. botulinum
bacteria. These are used by opthalmologists to treat
muscular disorders of the eye. A dermatologist married
to an ophthalmologist noticed that many patient undergoing
Botox treatments had a reduction of forehead wrinkle
lines. It has since become the most requested cosmetic
procedure in the United States. |
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| WHERE
IS IT COMMONLY USED? |
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| 1.
Wrinkles of the upper face: |
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-
The forehead |
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Between the brows (the glabella) |
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Crow's feet |
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"Scrunch" or "bunny" lines (nose) |
| 2.
Vertical bands of the neck |
| 3.
Excessive sweating of the hands and feet |
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| HOW
DOES BOTOX WORK? |
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The
wrinkles in these areas are often worsened or solely due to
underlying muscular movements. Patients often are perceived
as "angry" or "worried" due to the wrinkles
caused by the involuntary contractions of these muscles.
Botox
works by inhibiting the contractions of the muscles. Botox
injections are minimally-invasive, safe, and well-tolerated.
These
treatments are also wonderful for patients with embarrassing
sweating problems by inhibiting the release of the sweat glands. |
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| HOW
LONG DO RESULTS LAST? |
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Initially,
wrinkle reduction typically last 3 months. After 2 or more
treatments, however, results may last 4-6 months or longer.
This is probably due to atrophy of the muscles. Maintenance
injections may be needed to sustain results.
Reduction
of sweating often lasts 3-6 months, however, treatments should
be continued to sustain results. |
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| ARE
THERE ANY RISKS? |
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| All
known side effects, if they occur, and temporary. Most patients
have no side effects. Possible reactions include soreness, bruising,
swelling, numbness and headache. Some patients with migraines
report fewer headaches as a pleasant side effects. Drooping
eyelids, double-vision, or weakness of hand, foot, (treatments
for sweating) or laryngeal muscles (neck treatments) are very
rare occurrence, and typically last 2-3 weeks. |
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| WHO
IS NOT A CANDIDATE? |
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| Avoid
treatment if you are pregnant, have myasthenia gravis or other
neurological disease, or heavy drooping eyebrows. For treatment
of upper facial wrinkles, you must not rub the area and you
must stay upright for 6 hours. |
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