Botox Cosmetic®
Botox® Cosmetic (a purified protein produced from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria) has been used safely by ophthalmologists and neurologists for over 30 years. Botox has been used for wrinkle therapy since the early 1990’s with excellent results and no serious side effects documented.
Botox injections relax the muscles that create wrinkles thereby lessening the appearance of frown lines, laugh lines and crow’s feet.
A small amount of Botox is injected into the muscles that are responsible for creating wrinkles. Botox effectively inactivates the muscles that produce wrinkles thereby causing lines to disappear or diminish dramatically. It may take a few days to notice the wrinkle smoothing effect after receiving Botox injections.
Some of the common areas treated include crow’s feet, frown lines, laugh lines, and forehead wrinkles.
A Botox treatment is quick and results usually last three to six months, after which a follow-up injection can be performed. Some doctors report that after several treatments, the effect of Botox appears to last longer, often up to several months.
Botox is used in extremely small amounts and does not spread throughout the body so you can return to full activity immediately.
Botox can be used by almost anyone. Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding or who have a neurologic disease should not use Botox.
New uses for Botox include reduction in sweating of hands and armpits, and relief of headaches.
Is Botox Permanent?
Botox begins to work within a few days of treatment and the effects last anywhere between three to six months. A simple repeat treatment is all that is necessary to maintain the desired results.
Botox Frequently Asked Questions
Botox is medically known as Botulinum Toxin Type A. It’s an FDA-approved injectable serum that’s used to temporarily minimize the look of wrinkles, fine lines, jowls, droopy eyelids, crow’s feet, and other signs of aging throughout the face. Botox treatment can also be performed as a preventative measure to minimize the chances of developing wrinkles or deep laugh lines as you get older.
Wrinkles and other signs of aging are typically caused by muscle movements in the face or genetics. Botox is injected into the problem areas of your face where you have the most wrinkles. It works by relaxing the muscles in these areas and actively smoothing out the wrinkles.
The injection needles used for Botox are very small. You might experience some minimal discomfort or a slight pinch. It all depends on your pain tolerance. If you prefer, your doctor can numb the area with a topical anesthetic cream or ice pack a few minutes before the injection to reduce the risk of discomfort or pain.
Generally speaking, Botox is considered to be a very safe procedure as long as it’s administered by a professional and seasoned facial plastic surgeon. As the name implies, Botulinum Toxin Type A can be lethal, but it would take extremely large doses for it to cause any harm. The amounts that are typically used in Botox treatments are considered completely safe. With that said, you should only undergo treatment that’s administered by a board-certified dermatologist, specialist, or facial plastic surgeon guarantee correct application.
Typically, Botox treatment can last anywhere from three to six months. Most facial plastic surgeons will recommend that you repeat treatments at least once every three to four months for best results. It depends on the type of treatment you’re seeking, though. If you’re a young person in your 20s or 30s and are looking for preventative treatment, then you might not need to go as often. However, if you’re middle-aged or older and have developed a lot of wrinkles over the years, then you might need more frequent injections. Also, keep in mind that Botox isn’t an effective treatment for wrinkles caused by sun damage; it’s actually more beneficial for wrinkles that are caused by natural facial movements.
You should start seeing results within the first week or so after the injection sites start to heal. It can take up to two weeks for the full results to be visible. To get the best idea of the improvements in your skin, it’s best to wait a few weeks.
The recovery period is virtually nonexistent. Most patients can go home directly after their treatment is over. Treatment typically takes anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of injections you need. For that reason, many patients get Botox treatment done during their lunch hour and then return to work immediately afterward without any issues.
Botox works to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other natural signs of aging by slowing down and slightly restricting the muscle movements in your face. It keeps your facial muscles moisturized by providing collagen that increases elasticity in your skin.
Some patients have experienced a few minor side effects to Botox treatment. You might notice some redness or minimal bruising in the first few days as the injection sites begin to heal, but that’s about it. As long as you go to a completely qualified and highly experienced board-certified facial plastic surgeon and the procedure is correctly administered, there’s no reason for you to feel any pain, sensitivity, or discomfort in the affected areas.
We always recommend that patients try to keep their heads in an upright position as much as possible for at least four to five hours after the procedure. This will prevent the Botox from diffusing throughout your face and causing unnecessary swelling. You want the serum to remain situated in the areas where it was injected so that it can render its full effect.
Yes, regular Botox treatment can help reduce and slow down signs of aging. Patients who are prone to premature aging can even undergo preventative Botox treatments, also known as Baby Botox.
Botox is a temporary cosmetic treatment and is only meant to last a few months. The best way to maximize the results of the treatment is to get it done at least 2-3 times a year based on your specific needs and the recommendations of your facial plastic surgeon. Some patients may require multiple injections in a single session to smooth out wrinkles on different parts of the face.
While the popularity of Botox treatments has given rise to many private “Botox parties” that are hosted in people’s homes, this is not recommended. As per the Canadian Association of Medical Spas and Aesthetic Surgeons, it’s highly recommended that Botox treatments only be administered by fully licensed and board-certified medical professionals or plastic surgeons.
As with any cosmetic procedure, the cost of getting Botox in Toronto can vary based on the part of the face that’s being treated and the number of injections required. Cost is usually determined on a per unit basis. It’s best if you discuss the potential cost of the treatment with a medical professional during your initial treatment consultation to gain a good understanding of the work that needs to be done.
The best way to find out if you’re a suitable candidate for Botox treatment in Toronto is to consult with a fully licensed board-certified plastic surgeon or medical professional. Dr. Andres Gantous is double-board certified and he’s performed thousands of Botox treatments during his 20+ year tenure as a facial plastic surgeon.
Other Wrinkle Treatment Neuromodulators
Dysport® is a product given by injection to reduce the look of frown lines without changing the look of your whole face. It temporarily blocks the signal from the nerves to the muscles in the treated area resulting in a reduction of muscle contractions that cause frown lines. It does not however affect the muscles in the rest of the face, allowing you to freely show facial expressions, such as smiling.
This product lasts up to four full months, giving you the look that you love. It’s important to note that you should not be treated with Dysport more than once every 90 days.
Treat your frown lines in just 10 to 20 minutes.
Treatment with prescription Dysport can temporarily reduce the look of moderate to severe frown lines and takes just 10 to 20 minutes. Treatment times vary from person to person.
Dysport offers repeatable results
Dysport has been shown to improve moderate to severe frown lines, even with repeated treatments. Lasting up to four months each time, clinical studies have demonstrated Dysport is equally effective in reducing frown lines with each use for up to four repeated treatments. Further studies have also demonstrated that Dysport is safe to use in up to 12 repeated treatments.
Ask your doctor if prescription Dysport is right for you.
Dysport may not be right for you if:
- you have had any surgical changes to your face
- you have weak muscles in treatment areas
- your face looks very different from one side to the other
- the injection site is inflamed
- you have droopy eyelids or sagging eyelid folds
- you have deep facial scars or thick oily skin
- your wrinkles cannot be smoothed by spreading them apart
What is Xeomin?
Xeomin® is a form of botulinum toxin type A. This is the same toxin that is found in Botox, but unlike Botox, Xeomin is free of complexing proteins. For both doctors and patients, the significance of this difference is not fully understood.
Xeomin Cosmetic is a treatment used in adults to reduce the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines. Like Botox Cosmetic, it is injected with very small needles into the muscle region that needs to be treated, causing the active molecule to bind with its target muscle. The binding has a very precise relaxing effect that causes the muscle to move less, therefore smoothing out the skin.
How long does Xeomin last?
The length of time each Xeomin treatment lasts largely depends on the individual being treated. Factors such as one’s anatomy, the size of the muscles being treated, as well as the dose of Xeomin being used all affect the duration of the treatment. Recent studies indicate the effects of Xeomin are similar to those of Botox depending on the dosage, or units used. On average, patients choose to have repeat treatments every 3 to 4 months. This frequency is just an average, and therefore some patients may need more frequent treatments while others will need less frequent treatments.
Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA), is U.S. FDA approved alternative to Botox and is used for the treatment of frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles.
Side effects include minor bleeding and bruising at the injection site and allergic reactions such as itching, swelling or shortness of breath. The risk of these side effects are thoroughly discussed at the time of your consultation with Dr. Gantous.