WHAT IS BOTOX?

BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription cosmetic injectable treatment derived from the purified but naturally occurring botulinumtoxin protein. It is injected into the muscles of the face to reduce the appearance of frown lines and wrinkles.

On April 15, 2002, the FDA approved BOTOX® as a temporary aesthetic treatment for moderate to severe frown lines in adults. It was the first treatment of its kind to be approved for an aesthetic use and today is the only product FDA-approved to make moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines look better in adults. Since BOTOX® Cosmetic greceived FDA-approval in 2002, over 13 million vials have been sold in the United States. It is approved for cosmetic use in 98 countries, making it the #1 selling product of its kind in the world.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Wrinkles are the result of a combination of factors but the most critical cause is the contractions of muscles in the targeted zones:

• The contraction of muscles between the brows when we frown or concentrate
• The strain of muscles around the eyes when squinting (Crow’s Feet)
• The tightening of the muscle of the forehead when we lift our brows

BOTOX® Cosmetic targets the underlying muscle activity by temporarily blocking the nerve impulses in the muscle which reduces its activity and encourages a visible smoothing of these lines and wrinkles.

WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?

You may begin to notice results within 24 to 48 hours, with results lasting up to 4 months for moderate to severe frown lines.

WILL MY FACE LOOK OVERDONE OR UNNATURAL?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a technique-sensitive treatment. You can trust BOTOX® Cosmetic to deliver subtle results when you are treated by someone who is licensed, trained, and a medical expert in facial anatomy. All injectors at the Medi Spa at Ridgewood Hill are highly trained in advanced techniques and have years of experience. So you’ll look like yourself—only with less noticeable lines. No one should be able to tell you’ve had anything done.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WHEN HAVING A TREATMENT?

There is a very small degree of discomfort associated with BOTOX® Cosmetic. The ‘pain’ is comparable to being pricked by a pin. We will usually ice the area prior to injections to help prevent bruising. The actual treatment is less than 15 minutes from start to finish.

HOW LONG IS RECOVERY TIME?

Recovery is quick, with only minor irritation and swelling at the injection sites. These will go away within a matter of hours. Bruising is possible but is usually minor and can be covered with makeup. You can resume your usual activities right away.

IS THERE GENERIC BOTOX?

No. BOTOX® Cosmetic has a one-of-a-kind formulation. And BOTOX® Cosmetic is the most widely researched and studied treatment of its kind. Backed by more than 15 years of clinical studies, the safety and efficacy of BOTOX® Cosmetic have been described in 495 peer-reviewed articles in scientific and medical journals.

DO MEN USE BOTOX?

Yes. The number of men receiving cosmetic treatments overall has risen by 325% over the last 20 years. And the number of men specifically choosing treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic has also risen fast– in the past three years alone, men have received over one million botulinum toxin treatments. When surveyed, the majority of men say they want to look good and they’re bothered by the changes they see in the mirror. 80% would choose to treat their crow’s feet first, while 74% would prioritize their forehead lines, and 60% would most like to treat their frown lines.†

†Results from a survey of men to determine most likely treatment areas and top areas of concern for injectable-naive, aesthetically-oriented men aged 30 to 65 years (N=600). Proportion of respondents selecting that area as highest priority to treat using the Maximum Difference (MaxDiff) scaling system.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

In the clinical studies, three percent of patients experienced eyelid drooping in the frown lines studies, one percent of patients experienced eyelid swelling in the crow’s feet studies, and one percent of patients experienced brow drooping in the forehead lines studies. Other possible side effects include: dry mouth; discomfort or pain at the injection site; tiredness; headache; neck pain; eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight and dry eyes; and allergic reactions. These are not all of the possible serious side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic. Please see the Important Safety Information including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide and talk to your specialist.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION?

BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX® Cosmetic:  Read More ->