BOTOX® Cosmetic is the first and only FDA-approved treatment indicated for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines in adult patients aged 65 years of less. BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. it works by temporarily reducing the contractions of the muscles that cause persistent frown lines that have developed on the forehead, between the brows, as well as the crowsfeet from squinting over the years. It has been used to treat conditions caused by overactive muscles in over 1 million patients worldwide for more than 11 years.
BOTOX® is indicated for the treatment of cervical dystonia in patients with neck pain, blepharospasm in people 12 years of age and above and migraine headaches. It has also been found to aid patients with hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating of the underarms, hands and feet.
No anesthesia is required for BOTOX® treatments, although some patients choose to have the desired area numbed with a cold pack or anesthetic cream. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes, with the number of injections depending on the amount and severity of the wrinkles or frown lines. Patients can resume normal activities afterwards, since there is no recovery time needed. An improvement in frown lines and wrinkles is noted within days and can last up to four months. Results may vary and touch-ups may be necessary for deeper furrows. If you do not continue the treatments, the frown lines will gradually return to their appearance before treatment.
BOTOX® Cosmetic should not be used in the presence of infection at the proposed site of injection, in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation and in patients with neurological disorders, such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not undergo treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic. The most common side effects include redness and bruising at the site of injection. Headache, temporary eyelid droop, flu syndrome and nausea have been reported infrequently.
BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used to treat a million people in the United States since it was approved by the FDA in 2002. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of mean and women serveyed rated the improvement in the appearance of frown lines between their brows as moderate to better one month after treatment.
