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Botox |
| You may have first heard of BOTOX as a cosmetic anti-aging treatment. In 1990, the Canadian government approved BOTOX (botulinum toxin type A) for the treatment of ophthalmic disorders associated with muscle over-activity such as crossed eyes and contractions of the eyelids. Since then, it has also received approval to relieve a variety of conditions involving hyperactive muscles, including cerebral palsy in children. It’s effectiveness in enabling these patients to resume normal, everyday activity is astonishing, and there are minimal side effects, all of which are temporary and reversible. Like many medical advances, the cosmetic wrinkle-smoothing properties of BOTOX were discovered by inquisitive physicians. One such physician, a Canadian ophthalmologist using BOTOX to treat her patients, noticed how it also helped smooth away the lines around the eyes. Following 10 years of research and development, a remarkable new cosmetic treatment was born. In April 2001, cosmetic BOTOX was cleared for use in Canada for patients with (glabellar) frown lines. Botox in Canada is a controlled substance and can only be injected by a Physician or a Registered Nurse under the guidance of an M.D |
How It Works |
| Cosmetic BOTOX is made up of purified proteins. BOTOX can be used to relax active muscles which cause facial wrinkles. BOTOX is essentially a painless, non-surgical procedure, which is used for reversing aging changes to the face and neck smoothing deep, persistent wrinkles. Repeated muscular contractions such as frowning and squinting form lines known as dynamic wrinkles. Cosmetic BOTOX works by relaxing the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles, giving the face a more relaxed and refreshed appearance. Physicians that are trained in advanced cosmetic Botox can change the shape of areas on the neck and face such as; the eyes, arch an eyebrow, shorten a nose, curl a lip and treat neck bands ("turkey neck" - see sidebar for Nefertiti lift). |
| Maximum results for BOTOX usually take effect between 5-7 days post-treatment. The procedure is so simple and quick that patients can often have it done during their lunch hour. BOTOX is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the world and is used by women and men who want to take control of their appearance and look as good as they feel. |
Some people refer to the amount of BOTOX required as dosage when in fact BOTOX is diluted for different strengths, for different applications measured in volume of millilitre (ml) units. The correct terminology is to refer to BOTOX dosage in units. It can be educational and beneficial for patients to ask their attending physician how many units of BOTOX will be required for a particular treatment or how much BOTOX (in units) was used for a completed treatment rather than asking what the dose was for a treatment. Dr. Maureen Bakken always informs the patient as to how much BOTOX she will be using or has used during treatments. |
Migraines and Headaches |
An effective alternative method for the treatment of migraine headaches is Botox treatments. It has enabled migraine sufferers to drastically reduce their need for narcotics and in many cases eleminate narcotics completely. Patients will average 3-6 months before they may need to be re-treated. The quality of life for migraine sufferers can be greatly enhanced when treated with medical Botox. This treatment should be provided by physicians with advanced Botox training. Muscle contraction headaches (refered to as tension headaches) can also be treated as well as other muscle tension areas of the body. The concentration of the Botox and the location of the injections depends on the areas of the body to be treated. This treatment should also be provided by physicians with advanced Botox training. Migraine and Tension Headaches can be covered by third party insurance programs. |
Excessive Sweating (Hyperhydrosis) |
| BOTOX has been proven to help patients who sweat excessively. It is used to inhibit the activity of the sweat glands, dramatically reducing and in most cases, eliminating perspiration. Tiny amounts of BOTOX are injected into the area where the sweating occurs. Most sweating areas can be treated. A typical treatment would involve icing the area and the Botox is injected in micro-amounts in the treated area superficially. With proper preparation the sensation during the injection process is similar to what one would experience with a mosquitoe bite. This process usually takes effect 1 to 2 weeks post-treatment, and can be covered with third party insurance. This treatment should be provided by physicians with advanced Botox training. |
| Neck and Back Pain |
| When BOTOX is injected into muscles located in these affected muscle areas it blocks the nerve impulse permitting relaxation of the muscle and eliminating pain signals. Patients will see an improvement for over a 3-6 month period. BOTOX also decreases and in some cases eliminates the need for narcotic pain control. In some cases, the treatment of neck and back pain is covered by third party insurance. This treatment should be provided by physicians with advanced Botox training. |
| What is BOTOX? BOTOX is an injectable treatment derived from a purified protein. It is manufactured under strict quality control standards and is administered in extremely dilute dosages by a licensed medical professional. |
| How is BOTOX used? A tiny amount of cosmetic BOTOX is injected into the muscle that creates the dynamic wrinkle (frown or squint lines). When BOTOX is injected into a muscle, it blocks the nerve impulse from reaching that area, and as a result, the muscle relaxes. As the muscle relaxes, the dynamic wrinkle overlaying the muscle is smoothed away. |
| Will BOTOX give me a fake, frozen look? Not if you are treated by an experienced doctor who will be able to determine the right dose and injection technique for you. The treatment only relaxes the muscle beneath the frown line at the injection site, so the other elements of facial expression remain active. It also has no effect on the sensory nerves, so you will have normal feeling in the treated areas. |
| If I stop BOTOX treatments, will my wrinkles get worse? No, in fact, quite the opposite holds true. Your muscles will have relaxed after BOTOX treatments and you would have learned to use other muscles with your facial expressions. In most cases the dynamic wrinkle continues to be less severe long after your initial BOTOX treatments. |
| Are BOTOX treatments safe? Yes! BOTOX has been licensed in Canada since 1990 as a safe and effective treatment for a number of disorders caused by overactive muscles, including in children as young as 2 years old to treat cerebral palsy. In 2001, Health Canada approved BOTOX for wrinkle therapy and it has been proven to be very safe through extensive research and testing. In the amounts used for wrinkle therapy, the most common side effects, such as bruising, are temporary and localized to the area of injection. |
| Is this treatment for everyone? There are very few restrictions regarding BOTOX treatments. Patients who are pregnant nursing, or some individuals with neurological diseases should not be treated. Patients should discuss with their physician if BOTOX treatments are appropriate for them. |
| What Is the treatment Like? A tiny amount of cosmetic BOTOX is injected, very precisely, into the muscles being treated. Because the needle is so fine and only a small amount of liquid is used, the pain associated with the injections is minimal. Most patients compare the sensation with a bug bite. No sedation or local anesthetic is required, and you can resume normal activities immediately. You can even drive yourself home or back to the office. Some patients experience a slight temporary bruising at the injection site which can be easily covered with make-up. |
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| Click here to read about Botox Myths and Facts |