Botox®
Wrinkle Reduction
What is it?
Botox is a toxin that works by temporarily paralyzing muscles.
Where is it used?
Mostly in the upper part of the face, between the eyes, in the “crow’s feet”, forehead, and conservatively in the lower part of the face.
How long does it last?
3-4 months.
Are there risks?
Overall the medication is very safe. The main risk is a temporary paralaysis of a muscle that one does not want to be weak. There is a published risk of an allergic reaction to the toxin, but this is very rare. Generally, use of this medication is well tolerated and very safe to use.
Does the injection hurt?
Very little. The medication is mixed in saline that does not hurt to inject. The needle used to inject is very small and thin (30 gauge, 1/2 inch needle). While usually not necessary, if the patient has a particular aversion to needles, a numbing cream can be applied that helps improve tolerance.
Are there other uses for Botox besides cosmetic?
Blepharospasm, hyperhydrosis (sweaty palms and armpits), migraine headaches, muscle spasms such as tortocolis and others. Dr. Bitner is an expert at Botox and it’s many uses. This includes both cosmetic and non-cosmetic (insurance covered) situations.
How much does BOTOX® cost?
While most doctors charge by the unit, Dr. Bitner charges by the area to be treated. The charge is $280 for each area treated. Typically areas include the glabella (between the eyebrows), forehead and the “crow’s feet” on the sides of the eyes. Typically 15-20 units are used for each area treated. In charging by the area, Dr. Bitner insures that you get enough Botox in the area to be maximally effective. If you are not fully satisfied, additional “touch ups” are done at no charge during the first 2 weeks after treatment. First time and returning patients may be eligible for discounts provided through Allergan for Botox or Galderma for Dysport. Please consult https://www.botoxcosmetic.com/ for details or https://www.dysportusa.com/aspire-galderma-rewards for Dysport. Feel free to email Utah facial plastic surgeon Dr. Bitner with questions about your eligibility.
More Information on BOTOX®
OnobotulinumtoxinA©, also know as Botox© is a medication that has been used for many years to relax muscles and soften wrinkles. It is especially useful when used around the eyes and upper part of the face. The medication comes as a very fine powder and is reconstituted prior to use. Once reconstituted, the material can be injected into muscles, whose contraction causes wrinkles and creases to form around the face.
Botox is best used to treat the “number 11″ between the brows, the horizontal forehead wrinkles and “crow’s feet” around the eyes. Less common, but useful locations for Botox are the “bunny lines” on the nose, the vertical bands in the neck and in the muscle that causes one to frown (Depressor Anguli Oris), helping to lift the corners of the mouth.
The history of Botox dates back into the 1700′s when botulism was associated with food poisoning. By the late 1800′s, the bacteria known to secrete botulinum toxin, called Clostridium Botulinum, was identified. It wasn’t until the mid 1900′s that the actual toxin was isolated. In the early 1980′s, like Penicillin before it, physicians began to recognize that these bacterial toxins may provide a medical benefit. While the toxin in large quantities is harmful and even fatal to humans, in very small quantities, the diluted and purified material has some unique characteristics. The medication works by paralyzing muscles in a very controlled manner. This effect was first used to control muscle spasms and has been particularly useful for strabismus (eye deviation), blepharospasm (squeezing or twitching of the eyelids) and hemifacial spasm. Other medical uses for Botox include excessive hand sweating and armpit sweating (hyperhydrosis), spasm of other muscles of the body as in cerebral palsy, torticollis and more.
The cosmetic benefit of Botox was recognized soon after its use was begun. This was especially true when treating blepharospasm, which is a condition characterized by abnormal facial twitching and spasm of the muscles surrounding the eye. Recognizing the benefit, doctors started using the medication off label for cosmetic purposes. After several decades of safe use, the FDA finally granted approval for use of Botox for cosmetic purposes when injected into the glabella (between the eyebrows). Use of the material in other areas of the upper face, such as the forehead and around the eyes, is still considered off-label use, but is a very common practice.
