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| What is Botox? Botox is the toxin from the bacterium, Clostridium Botulinum. This bacteria produces a neurotoxin which affects the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. Botulinum toxin Types A and B are the most clinically relevant and have been used for many years in the treatment of eyelid and muscular spasms. Of late it has been used a a treatment of wrinkles over the forehead, around the eyes and between the eyebrows with great success, giving a more youthful and, less tired looking appearence. |
| BOTOX INJECTIONS |
| HYALURONIC ACID FILLERS |
| Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occuring component of the skin that is part of the framework or medium that cells live in, giving support to the skin and its structures in general. In gel form, hyaluronic acid binds to water and provides volume to easily fill in larger folds of skin around the mouth and cheeks as well as elevate deeper acne scars. It is useful in the treatment of deep acne scars, nasolabial fold lines and lip fillers. An added benefit is that it does not pose an allergy risk to patients, unlike bovine collagen products and not testing prior to injection is necessary. Products containing Hyaluronic acid used as fillers include: Restylane, Restylane Fine line, Perlane, Hyalform, Hylaform plus |
| How does it work? When injected into the relevant muscle groups, it causes those muscles to relax and thus erases the frown lines like crows feet and forehead furrows which were due to muscular action. It will only work on frown lines caused by muscular action. |
| When will I see the effects? It usually takes about 3-5 days for the clinical effect (muscle relaxation) to be seen. There will be continued clinical improvement with time as the wrinkles which were caused by the muscle contraction flatten out. The effects are not permanent and in order to maintain the desired result, repeat injections may be necessary after 3-6 months. |
| What are the side effects? Common side effects are pain from the injection as well as the possibilty of bruising. Some patients develop antibodies to the toxin, so some patients may not get the desired result for the expected period of 3-6 months and may not even respond to the injection. |
| When can I have the injection? Botox treatments can be given at any time, unless you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy or have any skin infections over the area being treated. Treatment is by fixed appointments only, as the toxin has a short shelf life once reconstituted, so that we can assure the maximum potency for each patient. |
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