Facial expression lines are created by contractions of the underlying muscles, pulling the skin together when you smile, laugh or frown. An injectible protein, called Botox, gently relaxes these muscles that cause the overlying skin to fold and crease – wrinkles. A minute quantity of the Botox protein is injected into the wrinkle with a tiny micro-needle. The treatment itself generally requires less than 10 minutes. Within three to five days following the treatment, your worry, frown or laugh lines are reduced. The ongoing progression of the wrinkle will be prevented during the course of the treatment.

Botox is an interesting cosmetic treatment. Botox is one of the very few cosmetic treatments that originated from the medical treatment of eye spasms and safely used for over twenty years. Due to the long term use of Botox, there have been many studies which have shown positive benefits of Botox, with relatively rare, temporary side effects.

Indications of Treatment

• Crow’s feet      
• Frown / squint lines between the eyebrows
• Horizontal forehead wrinkles
• Intolerable arm pit sweating
• May diminish migraine headaches

The Botox Procedure:

• Works effectively on wrinkles of the upper face (ie frown, worry and crow’s feet wrinkles
• Has been performed safely and effectively on thousands of patients for over twenty years
• Health Canada & US FDA approved
• Is a simple and safe injection with a tiny micro-needle
• Has no more pain than a bug bite
• Requires no sedation or preparation
• Normal activity may be resumed immediately
• Effects last three to six months
• Creates a more youthful and relaxed appearance
• Can be safely used on all skin types, male and female
• Slight bruising may occur
• On rare occasions, there may be temporary transient weakness of nearby tissue

Before Botox

• Sign the Botox procedure consent form.
• No preparation is necessary, but please let the doctor know if you take aspirin or blood thinners.
• The doctor or designated fully-trained associate will clean the injection site(s).
• No anesthesia is required.
• The doctor or designated fully-trained associate will administer the injections, using a fine needle.

After Botox

• The injected area may occasionally feel tender, although this side effect is uncommon.
• There may have some mild redness at the injection sites and tiny scabs from the needle – resolves quickly (often within 10 minutes). You can reapply make-up soon after the treatment.
• There may be slight temporary bruising or mild swelling at the injection sites. You can apply make-up to cover this bruising.
• In rare cases, a temporary weakness may occur in nearby muscles, e.g. drooping eyelid. In our Clinic, we see this side effect in approximately 1:300 to 1:500 people.
• We ask you to use your treated muscles for one hour, to not massage the area for the remainder of the day, and to not lie down for three hours after a treatment.
• Look for improvement in three to five days
• If you ever had any concerns after a treatment, please call the Clinic for assistance immediately – we are here to help you.

Frequently Asked Botox Injections Questions

How Does Botox Injections Work?

When injected into a muscle, Botox blocks the message that the muscle would normally receive from the brain. This message causes the muscle to relax. For example, the muscle action of squinting in the sun can be temporarily decreased or stopped with Botox injections.

Botox for Wrinkles

How Long Will Botox Injections Last?

The effects of Botox usually last anywhere, from three to six months.

Do Botox Injections Hurt?

The discomfort associated with Botox is usually minimal. However, everybody feels pain differently. If needles bother you, then a product called EMLA cream can be used before the injections to take away any possible discomfort.

 Are Botox Injections Safe?

Medical doctors have been injecting Botox since 1980. It was first used to treat “lazy eye” and Blepharospasm “uncontrollable blinking”.

What are Botox Injections Made From?

The Botox that is injected for wrinkles and other medical indications is a purified of the toxin made from the bacteria, Clostridium Botulinum. It is important to know that the bacteria themselves are not injected, just the substance they make. Think of Botox and the bacteria that produce it as snake venom is to snakes, or penicillin is to mold.

 Are There Any Side Effects to Botox Injections?

Because Botox is injected into a specific area, if side effects occur, they tend to be localized to that area. There is a small chance of bruising at the site of injection – this bruising is the most common of the side effects, occurring less than 10% of the time. If there is bruising, it is generally small and easily covered with make up. There have been no permanent side effects from Botox injections. Approximately 1:300 to 1:500 patients may develop a slight lowering of one lid. This side effect is rare and only temporary.

Where Can Botox Be Injected?

The doctor can inject in the forehead area between the eyes to treat frown lines, across the forehead for the horizontal worry lines, at the side of the eyes for crow’s feet and in some cases, in the lower face. Botox can also be used to treat excessive sweating under the arms and in the palms of hands. In some individuals who suffer with chronic severe headaches, or muscular neck and back pain, Botox can be helpful in addition to conventional therapies.