Botox Cosmetic:
Q. What Is Botox Cosmetic/Is it Safe?
A. BOTOX Cosmetic is a natural, purified protein produced by the Clostridium Botulinum Bacterium. A very low dose of BOTOX Cosmetic is administered via a few tiny injections directly into the overactive facial muscles that cause the lines and wrinkles. BOTOX Cosmetic works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the treated muscles. The effects of Botox Cosmetic are confined to the treated muscle. BOTOX cosmetic does not travel throughout the body. BOTOX Cosmetic treatment is a simple, non-surgical cosmetic procedure that smoothes the persistent facial lines and wrinkles caused by over active muscles. BOTOX Cosmetic is FDA (food and drug administration) approved for the treatment of furrows and wrinkles located in the Glabella region. The Glabella is the region of the forehead directly between the eye brows and above the bridge of the nose. Prior to the FDAs approval of BOTOX for cosmetic treatments, BOTOX had been used for several different medical conditions including muscle contractions caused by cerebral palsy, incontinence caused by bladder spasms, and migraine headaches caused by forehead tension.
Q. What causes wrinkles?
A. For many people facial wrinkles are caused by everyday muscle activity. As we age our skin loses its elasticity (tightness) and the collagen under our skin thins, causing lines or wrinkles where the skin creases. For many, BOTOX Cosmetic virtually erases these lines. Unlike surgery, BOTOX Cosmetic is fast, simple, and minimally invasive, with no downtime or recovery. Within days, they report looking more natural and relaxed.
Q. How do I know if I'm a good candidate for Botox?
A. Good candidates for Botox include physically healthy men and women who are looking to improve the appearance of facial wrinkles. Its important that patients have realistic expectations because Botox may not be able to completely eliminate all lines present, particularly in patients with very deep furrows. Botox may not be appropriate for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant soon. It should not be used if you suffer from a disease that affects your nerves and/or muscles. These diseases may increase your chance of side effects from Botox Cosmetic Treatments. Nor is it appropriate treatment for anyone with a severe allergy history (Anaphalaxsis) to anything, including medications, bees, environmental etc.
Q. Where can Botox Cosmetic be placed to reduce my wrinkles?
A. Currently, the FDA has only approved one cosmetic application for BOTOX Cosmetic, the treatment of furrows in the glabella region. Dr. Edwin Williams,a Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon in Latham NY, believes BOTOX Cosmetic is a safe non-surgical cosmetic treatment that provides his patients with a natural, more youthful appearance. Dr. Edwin Williams and the Williams Rejuva Center Cosmetic Nurse Specialists are able to treat many other areas of your face with BOTOX Cosmetic. The Williams Rejuva Center staff believe in educating and informing our patients about other areas that can be treated. BOTOX Cosmetic can treat wrinkles that have not yet been FDA approved. Allergan, the company that produces BOTOX Cosmetic, has announced that In 2003 alone, 2,270,080 people were treated with BOTOX Cosmetic. Dr. Edwin Williams has been using BOTOX Cosmetic off label (for non FDA approved applications) for more than 15 years.
Q. Who should administer Botox Cosmetic?
A. Any authorized health care professional can administer BOTOX Cosmetic, but Dr. Edwin Williams recommends those seeking to receive a BOTOX Cosmetic treatment should be treated by a health care professional with experience. Cosmetic physicians and cosmetic nurse specialists are generally more experienced professionals. Dr. Edwin F. Williams has 15 years of experience with BOTOX Cosmetic, has deligated the administration of Botox Cosmetic injections to our Cosmetic Nurse Specialists in the William's Rejuva Center. Our Cosmetic Nurse Specialists are highly trained registered nurse and nurse practitioners practicing under the direction of Dr. Edwin F. Williams. The Williams Rejuva Center performs a high volume of BOTOX Cosmetic treatments daily. We are a National Teaching Center for both BOTOX Cosmetic and Restylane(a facial soft tissue filler). The Cosmetic Nurse Specialist's also receive additional advanced training from Allergan in the administration of Botox Cosmetic.
Q. What should I tell my health care professional before using BOTOX Cosmetic?
A. Only your health care professional can decide if BOTOX Cosmetic is right for you. Notify your health care professional if you are taking any vitamin E,Fish oil, aspirin, aspirin like medications, (Motrin, Aleve, Celebrex, Advil, Naproxen, etc.) herbal supplements or alcohol. These all can cause bruisibg and/or bleeding during the procedure. Your health care professional may recommend that you stop taking any of these, if you can,2 weeks prior to a treatment to reduce the risk of bruising and/or bleeding. Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have any diseases that affect your nerves and muscles. These diseases may increase your chance of side effects with BOTOX Cosmetic treatment. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or are planning to become pregnant soon, we recommend postponing any BOTOX Cosmetic treatments. You should also share with your doctor if you have ever had any surgery ie: Cosmetic or procedures medically necessary, in the areas you are having any cosmetic treatment.
Q. How long do BOTOX Cosmetic treatments take?
A. To administer a BOTOX Cosmetic treatment it will take about ten-minutes per area to treat. Within a few days (3-7) the BOTOX cosmetic treatment relaxes the facial muscles that cause those wrinkles to form. Most people return directly to work or normal activity following the cosmetic treatment.
Q. How long does BOTOX Cosmetic Last?
A. BOTOX Cosmetic treatment results are dramatic and apparent within days. A BOTOX Cosmetic treatment will keep the treated facial muscle relaxed for up to three months. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of the men and women surveyed rated the improvement in their brow lines as moderate to better. For many, BOTOX Cosmetic virtually erases these lines. Unlike facial cosmetic surgery, Botox Cosmetic is fast, simple, and minimally invasive, with no downtime or recovery. Within days, they report looking more natural and relaxed. With BOTOX Cosmetic, they'll know you've done something, they just won't know what.
Q. Are BOTOX Cosmetic treatments painful?
A. Allergan, the company that produces BOTOX Cosmetic, performed a study asking thousands of users how it feels to have a treatment. Most patients that received a BOTOX Cosmetic treatment compare the treatment to a bug bite, similar to the feeling of a mosquito bite. The William's Rejuva Center Cosmetic Nurse Specialists pride themselves in providing BOTOX Cosmetic treatments with minimal or no discomfort. We have researched methods for optimum results with nearly pain free injections.
Q. How much Botox Cosmetic should be injected?
A. Appropriate doses of BOTOX Cosmetic will vary depending upon the area being treated and how active your facial muscles are. The experienced health care professional, that treats you, will be able to determine the optimum dose and injection sites to provide an excellent result. We discuss the desired outcome with each patient and individualize the treatment accordingly. Some patients want absolutely no movement, (which we do not recommend) while others prefer a more natural result from BOTOX Cosmetic. We provide the patient with the minimum dose to achieve the desired result. Our philosophy is to maintain the muscle control over time to eventually decrease the dose necessary for optimum results.
Q. What is the recovery like after receiving Botox?
A. Botox is associated with virtually no downtime or recovery. Though some patients may experience some localized swelling or bruising at the injection site, most patients are nevertheless able to immediately return to work and other normal activities. Patients report a more relaxed, natural appearance to the facial skin within three to seven days after treatment.
Q. Will I need to take off from work after my Botox injection?
A. Most patients are able to return directly to work or other normal activities right after treatment.
Q. Are there any risks or complications with Botox?
A. Botox has very few complications, though some patients may experience some localized numbness, a burning sensation, swelling or bruising at the injection site. A very small percentage of patients may experience no improvement. With Botox Cosmetic injections you can run the risk of pitosis, drooping of a muscle, if it is placed incorrectly.
Q. Does BOTOX Cosmetic have any limitations?
A. BOTOX Cosmetic directly decreases muscle activity which causes facial lines and wrinkles. It may soften, but not eliminate lines that are present at rest or when the muscles are not contracting. Over time, if treatment is continued, muscles will atrophy and these areas have been shown to re-morph or change appearance of the muscle, eliminating the lines present at rest. Some patients with deep furrows may require additional cosmetic facial treatment with a filler such as Juvederm or Restylane to eliminate lines present from years of over active facial muscle use. These limitations and realistic expectations will be discussed with the professional administering the BOTOX Cosmetic treatment at The Williams Rejuva Center. We want each patient to understand the cosmetic facial treatment and what to expect from BOTOX Cosmetic.
Q. Are the results of Botox permanent?
A. The results of Botox are not permanent. On average, the results can last for up to three months.
Q. Will my lines look worse if I choose not to continue with BOTOX Cosmetic treatments?
A. No, should you decide not to continue with BOTOX Cosmetic treatments, the lines and wrinkles that were relaxed with a BOTOX Cosmetic treatment will gradually revert to their pre-BOTOX Cosmetic treatment appearance.
Q. Does insurance ever cover the cost of Botox?
A. Atthe WilliamsRejuva CenterallBotoxprocedures performedare solely for cosmetic purposes are not covered by insurance. Procedures such as hyperhidrosis can sometimes be covered by insurance, however, attempting to have it covered by insurance is soley the responsibility of the patient. The Williams Rejuva Centerdoes not par with any insurancecompany.
Q. Is it possible to get financing for a cosmetic procedure?
A. Financing is available for many plastic surgery procedures.
Q. What does board certified mean?
A. Please click here to see our web page on Board Certification.
Q. I hear that Botox can be used for migraines. Is there any truth to this?
A. We have found several patients suffering from migraines, had expressed a decrease in frequency and severity of migraines. Many are eliminated all together.
Q. What are some of the risks associated of getting Botox?
A. The risks we find are local and temporary; the most common risk we find is bruising.
Q. I am a 46-year-old woman and I have a lot of wrinkles under my eyes, which makes me appear at least 10 years older. Is it safe to have Botox injections under my eyes?
A. You would need to be evaluated prior to treatment to determine if this is the correct treatment for you. Other options such as filler or surgery may be more appropriate.
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