BOTOX is purified Botulinum Toxin Type A produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is a versatile product which is used to treat various conditions such as blepharospasms, migraine, muscle hyperactivity and stiffness, facial wrinkles and excessive sweatiness.
Its commonest use nowadays is to erase facial wrinkles via a few tiny injections on the face. The results are dramatic and apparent within days. It has been widely used for more than 10 years, and is approved by the US FDA for such cosmetic purposes.
BOTOX is not magic. It will not radically change your look. It will not make you look twenty years younger. However it will soften those unwanted wrinkles and give you a more relaxed appearance. It does not get into the body system and does not remain in your body indefinitely.
BOTOX works by relaxing the tiny facial muscles that cause expression lines and wrinkles. Once the muscle is relaxed, you cannot contract it excessively or continue to make those undesirable facial expressions like frowning.
Your doctor will determine exactly where and how much BOTOX to use to achieve the best results. No anesthetic is required and the treatment usually takes 5 - 10 minutes only. Discomfort is minimal and brief - like an ant-bite sting for a few seconds. Most people resume normal activities immediately. It takes 2-3 days for BOTOX to take effect and its full effect is seen in 7 days.
BOTOX lasts for 4 - 6 months. Repeat injections may be given as desired. Recent studies have shown that repeat injections can impart a longer lasting effect i.e. you need less frequent treatment in the future.
Most side effects if any are temporary and localized to the treatment areas. Some soreness and mild bruising can be easily covered up with makeup. Headache, drooping eyelids and drooping eyebrows may last for a few weeks but are temporary too.
BOTOX is often combined with skin filler injections, laser treatment and chemical peel without any unwanted side effects.
Yes, BOTOX can be used for the treatment of excessive sweating in the armpits, palms and soles. BOTOX targets sweating at its source - i.e. the nerves controlling the sweat glands to block excessive secretion of sweat. The effect of BOTOX can last between 6-12 months.
