A&E Beauty Laser and Susan Thivierge, PA and certified trainer offer medical aesthetic treatments such as Botox, Dysport, Juvederm, and Restylane for rejuvenating the skin.

Botulinum Toxin (Botox): Cosmetic 

Botulinum toxin is a medication that is injected into the muscles beneath the skin to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. “Botox” is the brand name for a type of botulinum toxin.

Botulinum toxin is a safe, non-surgical alternative to other anti-aging treatments. A treatment takes only a few minutes in a doctor’s office.

Botulinum toxin weakens the muscle into which it is injected. When a muscle normally contracts, such as when someone squints or frowns, it causes the skin above to crease. A botulinum toxin-weakened muscle leaves the skin smoother and less prone to wrinkling. The lines that result from frequent muscle contractions gradually fade, and in some cases, disappear                                   

Botulinum toxin is frequently used for the following:

• Frown lines between the eyebrows
• Horizontal forehead creases 
• Crow's feet around the eyes
• Lines on the upper lip caused by pursing the lips
• Downturned corners of the mouth
• Neck wrinkles and bands

When you have deeper wrinkles due to thinning of the skin and loss of thickness, then Botulinum toxin injections can be combined with dermal fillers that are injected to add  volume back to the area, and fill in the wrinkles.  Using Botox or a similar treatment with Fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane or Perlane will normally add to the length of time that the filler lasts in the dermis. 

Your doctor will determine where to inject and how much medication to use. Following treatment, you will begin to see results in about 3-5 days, with peak results in 7-10 days.

Over a period of 4-6 months, the botulinum toxin slowly wears off, and the affected muscles regain their ability to contract fully. Repeat injections are performed when muscle function returns.  Use of Revox II ,a topical serum of powerful peptides that act in similar manner to Botox, to inhibit specific muscle contractions and lesson the look of lines and wrinkles can be used to prolong the results.  This topical wrinkle treatment will extend the efficacy of Botox or Dysport, or it can be used alone without any Botox or Dysport injections.  Clinical studies have shown a significant reduction in wrinkle depth after use for one month of Revox II.  By inhibiting the strong facial muscle movements, Revox II also is beneficial whenever dermal fillers of hyaluronic acid are used to lift skin and fill in wrinkles, because by lessoning the amount of repeated muscle movement, the wrinkle filler treatment lasts longer.

Side effects of botulinum toxin injections include minor discomfort, redness, and occasional bruising at the injection site. These usually resolve in a few hours to a few days. Rarely, temporary drooping of an eyebrow may occur. This usually resolves after a few weeks.

You may wish to discuss potential side effects with your doctor.

Although botulinum toxin has been FDA-approved and used safely for fine wrinkles, the treatment has received some bad press due to occasional poor outcomes or dangerous results. Keep in mind that these unfortunate events were primarily due to the medication’s use by unqualified individuals (non-physicians) or the use of a non-FDA approved source of botulinum toxin. Tell your doctor if you have any concerns about receiving botulinum toxin treatments.

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Images courtesy of Gerald Goldberg, M.D.

© 2008-2010 Vivacare.
Last updated March 18, 2010.

This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns.

Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.

Before & After

Before and After Botox Photos: Between the Eyebrows

Before and After Botox Photos: Forehead Furrows

Before and After Botox Photos: Uneven Mouth

Risks & Complications

Botulinum Toxin Safety (Black Box Warning)