You stress. You squint into the harsh sun. You concentrate. And over time those expressions leave their mark on your face making you look older, tried or stressed

But now there’s BOTOX. A simple, non surgical procedure that can dramatically reduce even your toughest wrinkie within days. So it’s really up to you. You can choose to live with wrinkles or you can choose to live without them.

What is BOTOX ?

BOTOX is a natural, purified protein that relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles creating a smoothed, rejuvenated and more youthful appearance. It’s a simple non-surgical procedure that smoothes the deep, persistent facial lines that develop over time. One ten minute treatment – a few tiny injections – relaxes the muscles that cause those lines to form and keeps them relaxed for four months.

The results are dramatic and apparent within days. For many, BOTOX temporarily erases these lines.

BOTOX is the only botulinum toxin in the world registered for the treatment of frown lines and approved by the US FDA. It has been widely tested with 12 years of safe and effective use in hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide for various medical uses.

What BOTOX isn’ t

BOTOX is not magic. It’s a medicine. BOTOX is a highly purified protein that is extracted from bacteria, in a similar way that penicillin comes from a mould.

BOTOX will not radically change your appearance or make you look like you’ve had a facelift. It will no not make twenty years younger. It will not “ freeze“ your facial expressions. It softens them and works where you want it to. It does not travel throughout the body and does not remain in your body indefinitely.

BOTOX is a registered brand name and is the only botulinum toxin in the world approved by the US FDA for cosmetic treatment of frown lines. Ask for BOTOX by name and look for the purple swoosh trademark on the label to ensure you are receiving the safest and most effective treatment.

How BOTOX works

Many facial wrinkles occur when we make repeated facial expressions. BOTOX relaxes the tiny facial muscles that cause expressions lines, leaving the overlying skin smooth and unwrinkled. Once the muscle is relaxed, you cannot contract it and continue to make the undesirable facial expression. Thus the lines gradually smooth out from disuse, and new creases are prevented from forming.

BOTOX works on the specific areas treated. Other muscles like those used to raise the eyebrows are not affected so a natural expression is maintained. It will not “freeze” your facial expressions. It softens them and works where you want it to.

What to expect from the treatment

Your doctor will determine exactly where to use BOTOX to achieve the best results. No anesthetic is required, although your doctor may use ice before injecting. Treatment takes around 10 minutes. A tiny amount of BOTOX is placed in selected facial muscles via tiny injections using a very fine needle. Discomfort is minimal and brief – most patients describe it as an ant bite sting for a few seconds.

Most people resume normal activities immediately. After injection, it takes 2–3 days for BOTOX to begin taking effect and around 7 days to see the full affect.

BOTOX lasts for up to four months, depending on the individual. YOU can decide to repeat the procedure as you wish. The result will wear off gradually and expression lines slowly return. To maintain the affect you will require repeat injections 2-3 times a year. Studies show that with repeat BOTOX treatment, the effect can last longer, so you may require less frequent in the future to maintain the result you have come to like.

In the amount used for wrinkle therapy, the most common side effects are temporary and localized to the area of injection. These include soreness or mild bruising, which can be easily covered with makeup, heddache, and less commonly, you may develop a heavy eyelid lasting 1-4 weeks which your doctor may be able to treat. There have been no permanent side effects of BOTOX reported.

BOTOX is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding or for patients a neuromuscular disease.

Where can it be used ?

BOTOX is used widely for the elimination of :

• frown lines between the eyebrows.
• Horizontal forehead wrinkles
• Crows feet or smile lines around the eye

It is also being used to lift the eyebrow and open up the eye for a more youthful appearance. Doctors have also reported good results in nasolabial folds between the nose and mouth, perioral lines ( “smokers lips” ) , reducing neck lines and chin dimpling or creasing.

Is BOTOX a common cosmetic procedure?

BOTOX was the number one cosmetic procedure in 2001, according to the American society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In then United states 1.6 million BOTOX procedures were recorded in 2001, making it the most popular option amongst all cosmetic procedures.

Is it suitable for men ?

BOTOX is equally effective on men and woman. Over220,000 BOTOX procedures were performed on men in the United states in 2001, making it the leading cosmetic treatment for men. Because it is effective for stress ( frown ) lines, it is popular with many businessmen to leave them looking more refreshed and approachable.

Is BOTOX expensive?

When considering your facial enhancement options, BOTOX is quite affordable. Many people are surprised at the relative cost compared to other appearance related investments such as facials, hair colouring and wrinkle creams. As one patient reported:

“BOTOX is surprisingly affordable – around the same as three facial or a few visits to the hair colourist.”

Will my lines look worse if I choose not to continue treatments ?

NO.Your lines will gradually revert to their pre-treatment appearance. This may take 6 to 12 monts.

Can BOTOX be combined with other procedures?

BOTOX is often used in combination with collagen or laser resurfacing. In fact,studies have co2 laser resurfacing alone gives less improvement than when performed with BOTOX R

Why is BOTOX R unique ?

The brand name BOTOX R ( Botulinum toxin type A ) should not be confused with other product containing botulinum toxin. Botox was the first product of its type approved by the US FDA in 1989, and has the longest period of registered clinical experience in the world. In cosmetic use, BOTOX has been widely tested and used safely for more than ten years and is the only botulinum toxin in the world approved for cosmetic use.

BOTOX contains the lowest level of protein. A higher level of protein is associated with a higher level of antibody formation in laboratory studies. Other brands of botulinum toxin contain between 21/2 to 10 times the amount of protein found in BOTOX . In another medical condition treated with BOTOX around the eyes, other products containing botulinum toxin are shown to have a higher incidence of side effects such as ptosis ( heavy eyelid ). So to avoid complications and ensure a safe and effective treatment, ask for BOTOX by name.

Finding a BOTOX physician

Consult an appropriately trained specialist in the BOTOX procedure such as a cosmetic surgeon, dermatologist, plastic surgeon or cosmetic or appearance medicine physician. Always discuss what you want to achieve thoroughly with your doctor in advance and listen to their advice.

Beware of “bargain BOTOX” offers. If the seems much cheaper it is likely that BOTOX is not being used, or the BOTOX does is too low or the product has been diluted to give a weaker affect that may not last as long. A properly trained specialist will ensure you achieve the best possible results.

Is BOTOX suitable for me?

To find out if BOTOX might work well for you, please consult a cosmetic specialist who is a trained professional and can judge the optimum treatment to enhance your appearance.

So now you can choose to live with wrinkles, or you can choose to live without them.