Although highly purified, it is a cousin of botulinum toxin, which results from botulism.
                   It has been used for many years in the treatment of a rather rare entity called
                   blepharospasm.  This is a disease combination which causes the eyelid to contract
                   vigorously.  The botulinum toxin was injected into the surrounding eyelid muscles to
                   weaken them.  This observation resulted in its being introduced to lessen muscle
                   activity associated with wrinkles, particularly those of the mid forehead area.

                   Botox arrives to us frozen and is reconstituted just prior to injection.  Small amounts
                   are injected though a tiny needle into the superficial muscles of the forehead,
                   particularly those between the eyebrows.  When effective, it weakens these muscles
                   and the forehead lines are lessened.  Rarely do they completely go away.

                   Systemic side effects, other than headaches, have not been reported.  Locally the
                   weakness can extend to the peripheral eyelid musculature and there can be
                   temporary drooping of the eyelid.  This is a rare occurrence and will resolve itself
                   spontaneously over time without treatment.

                   In summary, Botox is another tool in our inventory of methods to combat skin
                   wrinkles.

Length of procedure: 15 to 30 minutes

Anesthesia: None

Recovery: Several days to a week or so

Duration of results last from three to six months.  If the weakened effect has been partially achieved the procedure can sometimes be repeated to strengthen the inactivity of the muscle.

Member
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)