BOTOX®

The most effective and consistent use of BOTOX® is for lines of expression of the upper face, not around the lips, cheeks, or neck, specifically the crow's feet next to the corner of the eyes, frown lines between the eyebrows, and for horizontal forehead wrinkles. The risk of complications or side effects are low. A few cases will have a different effect between the two sides, an eyebrow "droop" or even more rarely an eyelid droop. All of these side effects are temporary.

The only major change in the use of BOTOX® in the past year has been to drop the amount to 25 units per area (not the 50 units previously used). If this is not as effective or doesn't last long enough, the total units can be increased the next time. It usually wears off in 3 to 4 months. It also may take up to 1 to 2 weeks after treatment to become fully effective. Occasionally a small amount of bruising may occur. It may cause headaches, flu symptoms, or some type of allergic reaction. Actually it more commonly prevents migraine headaches from occurring for several months. Larger doses, and frequent treatments also may result in the immune system recognizing the minuscule amount of BOTOX® used and antibodies may develop to inactiviate the BOTOX®. If this occurs, we would then have to use botulinum toxin type B (onset more rapid but doesn't last as long).