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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Botox Treatment of Wrinkles
What is Botox?
Botox is a very diluted form of botulinum toxin type A.
This is the same bacterial nerve toxin that causes botulism.
But Botox injections contain such tiny amounts of the toxin
that there is no risk of getting the sometimes fatal
disease. The injections are used for the cosmetic treatment
of wrinkles.
How is it used?
Botox is injected into muscles in the forehead and around
the eyes or neck that cause wrinkles when you frown, squint,
laugh or smile. The injections block the transmission of
nerve impulses to the injected muscles, so the muscles relax
and the skin looks smoother.
The shots cause very little discomfort, but your health care
provider may numb the area with ice or an anesthetic cream
before giving you the shots. The treatment takes about 10
minutes. You should not bend over or lie down for 6 hours
after an injection to keep the toxin from spreading to other
muscles. The shots do not cause numbness.
It takes 4 days for Botox to start to relax the muscles.
The results last up to 4 months. To keep the effects, you
will need to repeat treatments every 3 to 6 months.
Botox treatments cost between $300 and $1000.
What are the benefits?
Fewer wrinkle lines will appear between your brows ("frown
lines") and in other areas where you have the shots. (Deep
wrinkle creases may still show.) The process of wrinkling
stops as long as the Botox is working.
What are the risks?
Before receiving Botox, tell your health care provider if
you have ever had heart disease or a nerve or muscle
disorder such as ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) or myasthenia
gravis. Botox may make these conditions worse.
Other possible risks include:
- bruises, stinging or redness around injection sites
- droopy eyelid if Botox is used improperly
- headache that starts within a couple of days of
treatment and lasts for several weeks.
Treatment with this medicine may cause your body to form
antibodies that may make future treatments less effective.
You should receive the lowest effective dose, with at least
3 months between shots.
Injections in the muscles close to the eyes may cause you to
blink less. This may harm your eyes. Your health care
provider may prescribe eyedrops, ointment, soft contact
lenses, or an eye patch to protect your eyes until the
medicine has worn off enough for you to be able to blink
normally again.
Getting treatment from a health care provider who is
experienced in using Botox may help to decrease risks.
When should I call my health care provider?
Call your health care provider right away if:
- You have trouble swallowing, speaking, or breathing.
- You feel very weak or have trouble moving.
- You have side effects that continue or get worse.
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