Botox Cosmetic and Dysport are terrific, long-lasting, office-based treatments that erase wrinkles and frown lines in the forehead and upper face. Frown lines in the forehead and wrinkles around the eyes develop from over activity of the underlying facial muscles. Botox Cosmetic and Dysport temporarily relax those muscles and soften or erase the offending wrinkles for up to four months. The injections take effect within three days of treatment.

Beautiful and natural results are the ultimate measure of success in Botox Cosmetic treatments. Injections should eliminate the serious or tired look that comes with wrinkles without causing you to lose expression in your face. By combining clinical knowledge with an artistic vision, your treating physician can give you results that complement your face without compromising your expression.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING BOTOX COSMETIC OR DYSPORT

Can I apply makeup after Botox injection? Yes. Botox treatments involve a few injections with a very small needle. Patients can apply makeup and return to work immediately.

Do I see the effect of Botox treatment immediately? No. Botox Cosmetic and Dysport injections take up to three days to take effect.

How painful is the Botox injections? Botox injections are usually tolerated very well. We use topical numbing creams to minimize any discomfort. Some patients prefer cooling of the skin with an ice pack, and some prefer no pre treatments at all.

Can I exercise after a Botox injection? Yes. Physical exercise or facial movement does not impact effectiveness of Botox injections.

I had Botox injection but I don’t see an effect. What could be wrong? In order for Botox treatments to be effective the correct dose of the medication needs to be injected into precise locations in the face. In this case, either too little Botox was used, or Botox was not injected into the correct muscle site. Additional amounts of Botox can be injected to achieve the desired effect.

Can I get Botox to get rid of the lines that form between my nose and the corners of my mouth? Those lines are known as nasolabial folds or melolabial folds. Botox will not be effective for this problem. Injectable fillers such as: Retylane, Juvederm, Scupltra, or Radiesse can help soften these folds.

Does Botox get rid of under arm sweating? Yes. The FDA has approved Botox for treatment of excess under arm sweating. The injection method is different for this indication. In this case, the Botox is injected into the skin, where the sweat glands are located, not into the underlying muscles.

Can I have Botox and filler injections during the same visit? Yes. Botox and filler injections can be complimentary for enhancing your facial features and revitalizing the face. The treatments are often performed simultaneously.

Related procedures:

Botox injections help smooth frown lines and the wrinkle lines around the eyes. Complementary office procedures to help soften lines depressions or folds include filler injections such as Retylane, Juvederm, Scupltra, and Radiesse. Otherwise, more permanent surgical procedures to rejuvenate the face include: blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery), fat grafting or fat transfer, and facelift surgery.

It’s been nearly twenty years since the FDA approved Botox for treatment of blepharospasm and strabismus (eye muscle problems) in 1989. Botox has won FDA approval for treatment of cervical dystonia (neck muscle spasms) in 2000. In 2002, Botox was approved for treatment of mid-forehead wrinkles. Most recently, Botox was approved for treatment of excess sweating in 2004. Botox injections have been performed over 3 million times and the safety of the drug has been solidly proven. Cosmetic uses of Botox, for treatment of wrinkles in the face, have far exceed any other usage.

Botox, botulinum toxin A, is manufactured and distributed by Allergan Inc. in the US. Until now, Botox has been the only botulinum toxin with FDA approval for treatment of wrinkles. This month, the FDA approved Dysport which is botulinum toxin A distributed by Medicis Co. Medicis originally planned to introduce Dysport under the name Reloxin (see my prior blog). However, the company has made the decision to use the name Dysport. Although Botox and Dysport are both botulinum toxin A, they have slightly different characteristics. Dysport dosage is higher for the same degree of clinical effectiveness, it tends to diffuse more widely into tissues and have a quicker onset of action. Dysport may have a shorter duration of action. It remains to be known whether Dysport can effective compete with Botox in the United States. In many European countries were Botox and Dysport have been both available, Dysport has not been able to gain a foothold, even though it’s price is lower.

Future competitors to Botox are likely to include PurTox (botulinum toxin A, Johnson and Johnson) which could reach the market in 2011 or 2012. Xeomin (botulinum toxin A, Merz) is undergoing trials for cosmetic use in the US and may be available in 2012. The success of Botox is likely to inspire other companies to attempt production of botulinum toxins.