Botox is an injectable medication that is derived from botulinum toxin type A. The toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botox is manufactured by Allergan and comes in discreet vials of either 100 units or 50 units. The Clostridium botulinum type A neurotoxin complex contains Human Albumin and Sodium Chloride.

Botox is the brand name of a toxin derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Commercial forms are marketed under the brand names Botox Cosmetic and distributed formally from AbbVie, Inc., the distributor of Allergan cosmetics.

Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is made from the bacteria that causes botulism. Specifically, Botox is an injectable drug made from botulinum toxin type A, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin blocks prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine causing the muscles to paralyze. This ability to “freeze” the muscle, is what makes Botox so effective at treating the muscles of facial expression and preventing the formation of wrinkles.

Botox is the trade name for Botulinum Toxin Type A, a purified toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In extremely small doses, our injectors inject Botox directly into the specific muscles that cause wrinkles such as frown lines, crow’s feet around the eyes, furrows, platysmas bands around the neck, and more. These isolated muscles are “frozen” by the Botox injections and can no longer contract. The action of frowning is stopped, and frown lines diminish. A similar procedure can be done in the brow area to produce a “lift” in the forehead and provide a Botox brow lift. Botox can be combined with other dermal fillers, such as Restylane, Juvederm, and Sculptra, to help restore the youthful features of your face in a natural-looking way.

Botox injections take a few days to “kick in” and start to work, but the full effect of Botox treatment takes up to two weeks. We recommend following up with your injector two weeks after your cosmetic injections, to make sure that your Botox treatment has been effective and that you have the best results.

We recommend taking Arnica several days before having Botox in our Draper office and immediately afterward since this minimizes the chance of bruising. In addition, before any cosmetic facial injection, it is best to refrain from taking any blood thinners, such as Aspirin, Motrin, Alleve, or Coumadin, for at least one week before your injections. Vitamins, fish oil, and herbal supplements, can all cause bruising and should be similarly avoided. It is suggested to also refrain from drinking alcohol for at least one day before your cosmetic injections since alcohol can also lead to increased bruising.

Botox injections are not a painful procedure. However, some patients feel some discomfort from any needles or injections. If this is the case, we suggest applying a topical numbing cream to the treatment area for one hour before your Botox injections.

One Botox treatment can be performed in as little as ten minutes, which means it can even be done on your lunch break. There is little or no downtime from Botox injections. There can be some mild temporary swelling at the site of injection. We advise all patients to refrain from any blood thinners, vitamins, or fish oils for one week before the procedure to lessen the risk of bruising at the injection site.

Patients should not receive Botox if they are allergic to any of the ingredients in Botox in the medication guide for Botox, or have had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc, Dysport, or Xeomin. It is important to remember that Botox is a prescription medicine, that is injected into the muscles, and can have potential side effects like any other medication. Botox injections should not be done when patients are pregnant or breastfeeding. We review all of your medical history and current medications with you before treating you with Botox injections for facial wrinkles.

It is important to behonest on your intake forms and in your consultation if you have any muscle nerve conditions such as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome. Always let us know if you are taking any prescription medications (including muscle relaxants antibiotics for infection, allergy or cold medicines, sleeping pills), herbal supplements, or over-the-counter medications, which could potentially interact with your Botox treatment. It is always advised to discontinue any blood thinners for atleast one week before your Botox injections.

Side effects to Botox include:

Localized swelling

Bruising at the treatment area

Pain at the injection site

Headache

Flu-like symptoms

Dry eyes or excessive tearing

Drooping eyelid or ptosis

Double vision

Blurred vision

Dry eyes

Immediate allergic reaction side effects which require immediate medical help include:

itching

rash

red itchy welts

wheezing

asthma symptoms

dizziness

Rare side effects of botulinum toxin products may result from the speak of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may cause:

Muscle weakness

Trouble breathing, talking, or dysphagia (trouble swallowing)

Vision problems

Bladder incontinence (loss of bladder control)

Hoarse voice

Neck pain

Paralysis

*If you develop any of these serious side effects following Botox, further injection of Botox should be discontinued.

Antibodies to Botox:

Some patients receiving injections of Botulinum toxin type A develop antibodies to the toxin which make subsequent treatments ineffective.

Immediately after Botox injections, you should be upright for the first four hours. You should refrain from strenuous actives, facials, alcohol, blood thinners, or excessive heat exposure including saunas or steam rooms. You should apply an ice pack immediately after your Botox injections.

Yes, Botox is preventative. Since Botox prevents these muscles from contracting, it prevents the wrinkles from forming. This is why so many younger patients are having Botox injections, as a preventative measure for treating fine lines and wrinkles before deep creases can ever develop.

The best age to start Botox is when you start to see fine lines and wrinkles starting to form on your forehead, furrows, or around the eyes (crow’s feet). Since aging is due to both genetics and sun damage, everyone ages at a different rate. If you are beginning to develop these lines, Botox can both help treat these wrinkles and prevent new lines from forming. This is why many patients start Botox injections as young as their mid-20s and 30s.

Botox typically lasts 3 to 4 months in duration. With continued use and relaxation of the muscles of facial expression, some patients find that their Botox injections last up to six months. Over time, the wrinkles and lines will diminish because the muscles are shrinking.

No. The more you continue with Botox injections, the more Botox prevents you from developing fine lines and deeper wrinkles. Botox only makes you look younger looking once you start treatment. If you stop having Botox injections, your muscles of facial expression will be allowed to have movement and you will revert to the ability to wrinkle once again.

The best way to have the appearance of longer-acting Botox is to avoid the sun or photodamage, as this will age your skin and create new and deeper lines and wrinkles

Botox is entirely safe, provided there is no medical contraindication to the procedure. Although many patients are initially frightened to hear that they are injecting Botulinum toxin, Botox is FDA approved and very safe. Botox gets directly injected into the muscle to relax the treated area. Rare side effects can involve fever or muscle aches.