Botox® Cosmetic
Botox® is a simple, non surgical procedure that softens or eliminates deep, persistent lines on the forehead or around the eyes, that have developed over time. In one treatment, a few tiny injections will relax the muscles that cause those lines to form and keeps them relaxed for up to 4 months. Botox® therapy works best for those dynamic lines that are directly associated with muscle movement.
Botox® is a much-diluted form of botulinum toxin that is injected into wrinkled areas. At the injection site, the muscles are relaxed, resulting in smoothing of facial lines. While an excellent choice around the eyes for frown lines and crow's feet, and on the forehead, it can only be used sparingly around the mouth. Relaxing the muscles in the lower part of the face, particularly around the mouth, can temporarily alter a person's expression and smile and affect eating and speaking.
If you have not yet had a consultation, your treatment may be anywhere from 45-60 minutes. If you are coming in for a consecutive Botox or Fillers treatment, you will be here for 20-30 minutes.
Common Questions:
Will Botox® Cosmetic result in the loss of facial expression?
No. When administered by an experienced physician, you'll still be able to smile, frown, and animate your expression. The injection relaxes the muscle beneath the lines, at the point of injection. You'll still have control of other facial animation elements.
Is Botox® Cosmetic the same as botulism (food poisoning)?
No. It's a purified protein and a finished medical prescription product backed with extensive research and testing, and a proven safety profile.
Does Botox® work like a filler?
No. Botox® Cosmetic doesn't fill in facial lines or restore volume loss. It relaxes the muscles beneath the skin that cause the lines.
Are Botox® and Botox® Cosmetic the same?
They contain the same active ingredients in the same formulation, but their uses are very different. Botox® is used for medical conditions, while Botox® Cosmetic is used in a much smaller dosage for treatment of facial lines and wrinkles. They should not be confused.
Can Botox® injections be given anywhere?
Be sure to visit a well trained aesthetic-speciality physician to ensure the technique sensitive procedure is completed with optimal results.
Botox® Therapeutic for Hyperhidrosis
An estimated 1M Canadians are affected by some form of hyperhidrosis - excessive sweating. Of these, about 317,000 suffer from moderate to severe sweating. Women aged 21 to 35 struggle with excessive sweating the most.
1 in 10 Canadians bring a change of clothes to work and avoid shaking hands. And 1 in 3 Canadians carry deodorant around to apply throughout the day, or alter their wardrobe due to sweating.
84% of patients are unaware that there is a prescription treatment for hyperhidrosis.
Botox® Therapeutic for Migraine
BOTOX® Therapeutic can reduce or eliminate migraines and tension headaches, sometimes immediately following injection. Though this indication is not FDA or Health Canada approved, Dr. Richard Glogau found in 2000 that temporary relief from migraines lasting up to 6 months was experienced by patients who received BOTOX® Cosmetic injections for cosmetic purposes (i.e. eliminating facial wrinkles). Research continues to be conducted to prove its effectiveness and safety.
Allergan, the makers of BOTOX® Therapeutic, are seeking approval for the treatment of chronic daily headache (CDH). Sufferers of CDH experience migraines or intense headaches for 16 + days each month and therapies available are inadequate.
Currently, BOTOX® Therapeutic is approved by Health Canada as a treatment for crossed eyes, eye and facial spasms, foot deformity, spasticity, hyperhidrosis, and wry neck. For cosmetic purposes, it has been approved as a solution for frown lines.
Ask your healthcare provider about possible reimbursement for your procedure if you do not have third party coverage. Sometimes, your treatment can be partially covered by BOTOX® Therapeutic reimbursement solutions.