What are all of the uses
of Botox? BOTOX® injection treatments were approved by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic
use in April 2002. (It has been approved for the treatment
of several medical conditions since 1989.) Work with Botox
began in the late 1960s to treat neurological disorders.
Today, Botox 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).
BOTOX® injection treatments are successfully used to treat
blepharospasm and strabismus, and BOTOX® treatments are
also proven useful in treating cervical dystonia -- these
are all conditions that in some way involve spasms,
involuntary muscle contractions. Within a few hours to a
couple of days after the botulinum toxin is injected into
the affected muscle(s), the spasms or contractions are
reduced or eliminated altogether. The effects of BOTOX®
treatments are not permanent, reportedly lasting anywhere
from three to eight months. By injecting the toxin
directly into a certain muscle or muscle group, the risk
of the BOTOX® injection treatments spreading to other
areas of the body is greatly diminished.
Techniques of Administration:
How is Botox given? 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, Botox is injected directly
into the muscle with a tiny needle.
Injecting Botox is a simple, 10-minute, non-surgical
process. A few tiny injections, and within days
there can be a noticeable improvement in the
moderate to severe frown lines between the brows
that can last up to 4 months.
Your doctor will administer several tiny injections
directly into the muscles that cause those moderate
to severe frown lines between the brows.
Your doctor will determine where to administer the
injections by examining your ability to move certain
muscles in your brow area. The location, size, and
use of the muscles that create a furrowed brow vary
markedly among individuals.
No anesthesia is required, although your doctor may
choose to numb the area with a cold pack or
anesthetic cream prior to injecting. Discomfort is
usually minimal and brief. Most patients compare the
sensation to a pin prick.
You may resume normal activity immediately. You may
see a marked improvement between your brows within
days. Improvement may continue for as long as a
month, and could last up to 4 months.
Possible Side Effects:
What kind of side effects can you get from Botox?Typically
the amount of BOTOX® and side effects and BOTOX®
danger remains low. Any BOTOX® side effects can
typically only last 6 months at a maximum, because
BOTOX® treatments are temporary. People with
neuromuscular disorders should consult with their
physician carefully before having a BOTOX® injection
treatment, as cardiovascular problems may arise.
Likewise, those with cardiovascular disease should
also pay special attention.
It is a natural response to assume there is some
BOTOX® injection danger with a prosuct derived from
a toxin, but it is in fact very safe, and has been
is use for some time. It is always prudent to
refview the BOTOX® injection side effects and
procedure so that any BOTOX® injection danger is
know and understood.
Some patients have been known to experience the side
effects of BOTOX® of bruisng at the site of the
injection. The most common BOTOX® side effects
following the use of BOTOX® Cosmetic for glabellar
lines are headache (13.3%), respiratory infection
(3.5%), temporary eyelid droop (3.2%), nausea
(3.0%), and flu syndrome (2.0%). Blepharoptosis is
consistent with the pharmacologic action of BOTOX®
Cosmetic and may be technique related. In rare
occurences BOTOX® cosmetic can spread into
neighboring muscles and cause temporary paralysis.
In less that 1% of patients, this can cause drooping
of the eyelid.
Less frequently side effects of BOTOX® occurring
(<3%) adverse reactions included pain in the face,
erythema at the injection site, and muscle weakness.
These events are thought to be associated with the
injection and occurred within the first week.
Cost and Pricing:
How much should you pay for Botox? Many people
ask us what exactly is the BOTOX® price. Your
surgeons price for BOTOX® will be about $400
dollars. Your BOTOX® price should be about
$500-$2000 for each area injected. Expect to pay
this BOTOX® cost every four to six months to
maintain your result.
Allergan Inc., the company that makes BOTOX®, has
issued statements that the supply will be more than
adequate to meet expected needs. "We can produce
enough product, and we don't foresee any kind of
problems with production that would interrupt
supply," said Christine Cassiano, a company
spokeswoman.
In addition, unlike many vaccines and other
pharmaceuticals currently in short supply, BOTOX® is
both central to the manufacturer's growth strategy
and a moneymaker that the company is unlikely to do
anything to jeopardize. It is also fairly easy to
make, and a little goes a long way. The Botox price
is not expected to increase.
Pharmaceutical industry experts also expect that
Allergan's profit strategy is more likely to focus
on expanding the market than increasing the Botox
price. "They will really make more money if they
grow the market," Dr. Webster said. "And they want
repeat customers."
Who should administer:
Can anyone administer Botox? Administering Botox
is a farely simple non-invasive procedure and many
different professionals administer Botox. It is
extremely important to know a few details about who
is about to inject you with a potentially paralytic
agent. The questions that need to be answered are:
what field of medicine do they practice?; how much
experience do they have?; how many people have they
administered botox to?; how much general medical
experience do they have? Traditionally plastic
surgeons and dermatologists dominated the field of
aesthetics and botox administration , but
increasingly other physicians and health
professionals in various fields are focusing their
practices on aesthetics. It is generally agreed that
those with the most experience, credentials, and
satisfied patients are those that you should have
administer your botox.
Where to find research:
Where do you find the statistics and studies that
prove facts about botox? You can find several
research articles all about Botox - ranging from
studies on side effects, uses, administration, to
pharmacology of Botox - all here on the
AestheticNetwork.com! Click here for free research
articles! |