BOTULINUM
TOXIN INJECTIONS
Botulinum
toxin injections (BTX), often referred to by
the product names Botox or Myobloc®, are
biological toxins (botulinum toxin) transformed
into a therapeutic agent. Work with BTX began
in the late 1960s to treat neurological disorders.
Today, BTX is used for the treatment of frown
lines, forehead furrows, "crow’s
feet," lines and wrinkles of the lower
face, and even nasal muscles (to decrease nostril
flaring). BTX injections have proven to be a
very popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure;
see current American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery (ASAPS) statistics. Aesthetic plastic
surgeons have found that the type of lines and
wrinkles that respond to BTX injections are
those caused by the muscles—specifically
those muscles that contract during facial expressions
such as frowning or squinting.
Technique:
The patient is asked to contract the muscles
in the area being treated so the surgeon can
determine the proper location for injection.
In most cases, BTX is injected directly into
the muscle with a tiny needle. It takes a few
days to realize the effect of BTX injections.
Benefits:
• No downtime. Patients can immediately
resume normal activities.
• Long experience has proven BTX to be
safe. To date, no systemic complications associated
with BTX injections have been documented.
• Treatment is reversible within several
months.
• May be beneficial for treatment of migraine
headaches.
Other
Considerations:
• BTX injections are a temporary solution
for the treatment of wrinkles. The effects last
from 3-4 months and require repeat treatments.
• Possible side effects include local
numbness, swelling, bruising, or a burning sensation
during injection. Some patients have reported
temporary headache and nausea. Most complications
are of short duration and can be avoided with
proper injection techniques.
• A small percentage of patients are reported
to experience no improvement at all.
ASAPS
Position:
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
(ASAPS) maintains that BTX injections for aesthetic
purposes appear to be safe and effective. Patients
who show early signs of aging, as well as those
who may not be suitable candidates for more
extensive aesthetic facial surgery, may be good
candidates for this procedure. Certain medications
(some antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or aspirin)
and even some vitamins and herbs may increase
the potency of BTX and may increase bleeding
and bruising at the time of injection. Therefore,
patients should be candid with their surgeon
about all medications and supplements. Pregnant
or nursing women should postpone undergoing
this procedure. It is not known whether injection
of BTX has any effect on a fetus or whether
it is found in breast milk.
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