What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?

It is a purified protein derived from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. The bacterium itself, if ingested accidentally somehow, can be fatal. But BOTOX is a modified derivative, and only a very small amount is used for each treatment. Your doctor would inject it into specific muscles, and it would act only on those muscles, and only temporarily. The rest of the body is unaffected.

Is BOTOX Approved by the FDA?

Yes. It was approved in 2002 for reduction of frown lines and some other facial wrinkles.

Am I a good Botox Candidate?

Anyone between the ages of 18 and about 65 could be a good candidate. You would need to understand what BOTOX can do, and to have realistic expectations of your results. If you have any neurological disorder such as Myasthenia Gravis or Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS), you could have serious side effects, so you would need to discuss this with your doctor.

Are BOTOX Treatments Painful?

They are not painful, but there is some brief discomfort which some people compare to an insect bite. Your doctor may minimize this by using a local anesthetic cream, or an icepack before treatment. There is no discomfort after treatment.

How Long do BOTOX Results Last?

Results usually last for about four months. For best results, schedule treatments every four months, to prevent your skin from reverting to its pre-BOTOX appearance. By having regular treatments, you can prevent your frown muscles from contracting, and keep your skin smooth and youthful looking.

What Alternatives Are There to BOTOX?

BOTOX is the only facial enhancement treatment which works by temporarily paralyzing certain muscles. The other way to non-surgically reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the face is by injectable fillers, and there are many of these. Examples are Restylane, Sculptra, and Radiesse. They tend to cost more than BOTOX Cosmetic. They work by depositing a substance beneath the skin which helps to plump it up and smooth out the skin surface.

Please see our main BOTOX page for more information.

To learn more about how BOTOX Cosmetic can help you improve your facial appearance, please call or email our Charlotte, N.C. office. We will be glad to arrange a personal consultation for you with one of our doctors.