BOTOX Injections
BOTOX Cosmetic is a simple, nonsurgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily smooth moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people from 18 to 65 years of age. It is the only treatment of its type approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). BOTOX Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those frown lines between the brows to form over time. In 2005, almost 3.3 million procedures were performed with FDA-approved BO-TOX Cosmetic.

At Complete Care Family Medicine, your BOTOX Cosmetic treatment will proceed as follows:

The day of your appointment. Allow time before your appointment for filling out forms and for consulting with us so that we may answer your questions. We may also ask you about your expectations for treatment and if you have any allergies or any condition that would not make you a good candidate for BOTOX Cosmetic.

Before the procedure. We will seat you in a reclining chair, much like those at a dentist's office. No anesthesia is required, although we may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream.

The procedure. We will determine where to administer the injections by examining your ability to move certain muscles in your brow area. We will then administer several tiny injections of BOTOX Cosmetic directly into the muscles that cause those moderate to severe frown lines between the brows. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes.

After the procedure. No recovery time is needed. You will be ready to get on with your day! The most common side effects following injection include temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may be associated with the injection. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

Seeing results. After treatment with BOTOX Cosmetic, you may look in the mirror and see a marked improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows. But BOTOX Cosmetic will not radically change your facial appearance. You can still frown or look surprised—without the wrinkles and creases between your brows. Within days, you may see an improvement that can last up to 4 months, at which time you may receive new injections to help you maintain the results. If you do not continue treatments, the frown lines between your brows will gradually look like they did before treatment. Results may vary.

Important Safety Information
Serious heart problems and serious allergic reactions have been reported rarely. If you think you're having an allergic reaction or other unusual symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing, call us immediately, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Photos courtesy of Allergan, Inc. Irvine, CA 92612.  .