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What
creates a wrinkle? |
| Many wrinkles are actually
creases that have been worn into the skin by making the same
expression thousands of times. These "expression
lines", often called frown lines or crows feet, are due
to the contraction of a muscle under the skin in that area. |
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How
is Botox ® Used?
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A few drops of Botox ® are
injected with a tiny needle into the muscle that creates a
wrinkle. When Botox ® is injected into the muscle it blocks
the nerve impulse from reaching that area, and as a result the
muscle weakens. As the muscle weakens, the skin overlying the
muscle relaxes and wrinkles in the skin soften and often
disappear.
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Does a Botox ®
injection hurt?
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When Botox ® is injected, there
is an initial minor sting for a few seconds. Once the
injection is complete, there is usually no discomfort.
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Where can Botox
® be injected?
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The most common areas for the use
of Botox ® are the frown lines between the eyebrows, the
horizontal forehead lines, and the crows feet. On occasion,
some other area may be treated as well.
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How long does a
Botox ® treatment last?
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The effects of Botox ® usually
last three to five months, at which time another injection is
required. After several treatments, the effects may begin to
last longer, sometimes up to six to eight months.
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How safe is
Botox ®?
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Botox ® has been used safely and successfully
in ophthalmology for over 10 years, and wrinkle therapy for
over 6 years. In the amounts used for wrinkle therapy, the
only possible side effects are temporary and localized to the
area of the injection.
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Is this
treatment for everyone?
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There are very few restrictions
regarding Botox ® treatments. Patients who are pregnant or
have a neurological disease should not be treated.
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Botox
® is a purified protein toxin produced by the clostridium
botulinum bacteria. Although Botox ® is a toxin, there
have been no serious side effects. This is because, for the
treatment described, it is used in extremely small amounts and
does not spread through the body. 
