Botox Treatments

BOTOX® Cosmetic Injections for Facial Wrinkles
At The Plastic Surgery Clinic, Dr Frank Lista has been using BOTOX® Cosmetic for the improvement of facial lines and wrinkles for over 10 years, on well over 1000 patients. BOTOX® Cosmetic is a technique for improving facial lines and wrinkles without surgery. BOTOX® involves a simple injection with a very fine needle around the area of facial wrinkling. Only the tiny muscles that affect localized wrinkles are affected. The remaining facial movement muscles are not affected. Once the muscles are at rest, the skin becomes smoother, creating a more natural and relaxed appearance.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a natural, purified protein that relaxes muscles by blocking nerve impulses. With a few tiny injections administered by Dr Lista, BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes the muscles that cause the skin to crease. This results in smooth skin with much less wrinkling.

BOTOX® is extremely effective in patients who are not yet ready for surgery. In a clinical study with BOTOX® Cosmetic, the majority of people (82.5%) reported an improvement in the lines between their brows after a week, and results can last up to 4 months. Some patients who have been using Botox for many years find, that with time, the treatment seems to last longer and longer. Many patients have found that they now require injections only once every 6 to 9 months.

BOTOX® is extremely effective for the vertical frown lines between the eyebrows where the lower forehead meets the top of the nose. Movement of facial muscles can cause the skin between the brows to crease. Some people find themselves frowning in this area even when they’re not trying to frown. As skin becomes less elastic over time, repeated frowning may create visible lines and wrinkles-even when your face is relaxed. These lines tend to make us look angry and age our face. Repeated frowning and overuse of these muscles can also lead to headaches and many patients, who have used Botox for the elimination of facial wrinkles, have been pleasantly surprised to find that their headaches have been significantly improved.

BOTOX® is also extremely effective for treating fine wrinkling in the “crows feet” area around the outside part of the eyes which are visible when smiling, squinting or laughing. These tiny lines are significantly improved with BOTOX® injections.

BOTOX® is also used to improve lines on the forehead, wrinkles around the mouth, and vertical bands or cords at the front of the neck.

BOTOX® not only treats existing lines and wrinkles; it is one of the only treatments in plastic surgery that can actually prevent permanent lines and wrinkles from forming. If the underlying muscles of the face constantly crease the skin, these crinkles can become “ironed” into the skin. This results in a permanent wrinkle. By preventing this excessive facial movement, BOTOX® not only treats existing wrinkles but also prevents wrinkles and lines from forming by stopping the skin from creasing. However very deep lines may not be completely eliminated with Botox and may require a “filler” like Collagen, Restylane or Artecoll to further improve their appearance.

BOTOX® for Excessive Sweating
A new and extremely effective use of BOTOX® is for treatment of excessive sweating under the arms, or of the hands and feet. When injected in these areas, BOTOX can significantly improve problem sweating. Some people who suffer from embarrassing excessive sweating of the underarms often find that anti-perspirants are not effective in preventing sweating. Their clothing becomes ruined with unsightly sweat stains under the arms which occurs at the most embarrassing times. Botox administered into this area greatly decreases sweating and returns their underarm sweat activity to normal. For the first time in their adult lives, underarm sweating is no longer an uncomfortable, embarrassing problem.

BOTOX® injections also control sweating of the hands and feet. Patients who are embarrassed by excessive sweating of their hands and feet are greatly relieved to be rid of this difficult to treat problem. Botox is extremely long lasting in the treatment of excessive sweating. Patients find that their sweating is controlled for 6 to 9 months after a single treatment.

Side Effects
Side effects are extremely unusual with Botox as it has been used for other conditions for over 20 years. Rare side effects following the use of BOTOX® Cosmetic for frown lines are headache, temporary eyelid droop and flu-like syndrome (2.0%).

BOTOX® Cosmetic should not be used in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s) and in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation. The recommended dosage and frequency of administration should not be exceeded. Patients with neuromuscular disorders should not use Botox.

Treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic for cosmetic purposes may result in the formation of antibodies that may reduce the effectiveness of subsequent treatments. However, the potential for antibody formation may be minimized if the lowest effective dose is given with the longest feasible intervals between treatments.

Botox® is a relatively new procedure using Botulinum Toxin which was developed to treat the visual signs of aging by reducing or removing wrinkles.  The procedure is considered a safe, effective way of treating aging skin.  Common areas for Botox® injections include horizontal forehead furrows, vertical lines between the eyebrows and "crow's feet" around the eyes.  Botox® has proven to be the best non-surgical form of facial rejuvenation and is capable of producing phenomenal improvements in your appearance.

Reasons for Considering a Botox Treatment:

  • Excessive facial wrinkles.
  • Large wrinkles or furrows in your forehead.
  • Small wrinkles or “crow’s feet” around your eyes.
  • A vertical “frown line” between your eyebrows.

General Procedure

The procedure works by altering the facial muscles beneath the skin that are related to wrinkles.  A cream with local anesthetic will be placed on your skin prior to treatment, and ice will be immediately applied upon completion of the Botox® treatment.  Typically a small amount (1-2 cc’s) of Botox® is injected into the area of the wrinkle.  Botox® works by blocking the impulses from the nerve to the facial muscles, thereby relaxing them.  The result is the underlying facial muscles relax and the skin begins to smooth out.  The effects of a Botox® treatment will last approximately three to six months after which the patient may choose to repeat the procedure.

Recovery Process

Patients generally return to their normal activities immediately after the procedure, however following the post-procedure guidelines will dramatically reduce the length and intensity of the recovery period.  Patients should avoid engaging in heavy physical exercise, applying cosmetics, or laying down flat for a minimum of 4 hours after the injections.  It is also advisable to avoid rubbing or massaging the injected area for at least 24 hours.