Botox Treatment of Wrinkles

What is Botox?

Botox is a very diluted form of a substance called botulinum toxin, type A. This is the same bacterial nerve toxin that causes botulism. But Botox injections contain such tiny amounts of the toxin that there is no risk of getting the sometimes fatal disease. The injections are used for the cosmetic treatment of wrinkles.

How is it used?

Botox is injected into the muscles that cause wrinkles when you frown, squint, laugh or smile. These muscles are in the forehead and around the eyes or neck. The injections stop nerve impulses from moving to the injected muscles, so the muscles relax and the skin looks smoother.

The shots cause very little discomfort, but your health care provider may numb the area with ice or an anesthetic cream before giving you the shots. The treatment takes about 10 minutes. You should not bend over or lie down for 6 hours after an injection to keep the toxin from spreading to other muscles. The shots do not cause numbness.

It takes 4 days for Botox to start to relax the muscles. The results last up to 4 months. To keep the effects, you will need to repeat treatments every 3 to 6 months.

How should I take care of myself after the treatment?

• Follow your health care provider's instructions.
• After the injections, avoid drinking alcohol.
• Remain upright for several hours after the procedure.

What are the benefits?

Fewer wrinkle lines will appear between your brows ("frown lines") and in other areas where you have the shots. (Deep wrinkle creases may still show.) The process of wrinkling stops as long as the Botox is working.

What are the risks?

Before receiving Botox, tell your health care provider if you have ever had heart disease or a nerve or muscle disorder such as ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) or myasthenia gravis. Botox may make these conditions worse.

Other possible risks include:

• bruises, stinging or redness around injection sites
• droopy eyelid if Botox is used improperly
• headache that starts within a couple of days of treatment and lasts for several weeks.

Treatment with this medicine may cause your body to form antibodies that may make future treatments less effective. You should receive the lowest effective dose, with at least 3 months between shots.

Injections in the muscles close to the eyes may cause you to blink less. This may harm your eyes. Your health care provider may prescribe eyedrops, ointment, soft contact lenses, or an eye patch to protect your eyes until the medicine has worn off enough for you to be able to blink normally again.

Getting treatment from a qualified physician who is experienced in using Botox may help to decrease risks. Choose a medical setting where sterile techniques are used.

When should I call my health care provider?

Call your health care provider right away if:

• You have trouble swallowing, speaking, or breathing.
• You feel very weak or have trouble moving.
• You have side effects that continue or get worse.