More and more patients are
opting to have non-surgical procedures, such
as BOTOX® and collagen to treat different areas
of the face with very little downtime. Dr.
Mills uses botulinum injections or "BOTOX®" to treat frown lines, forehead furrows, "crow's
feet" and lines and wrinkles of the lower face.
BOTOX® most effectively treats lines and wrinkles
caused by the muscles, specifically the muscles
that contract during facial expressions (i.e.
frowning and squinting). Dr. Mills recommends
BOTOX® as "preventative maintenance," meaning
that it can treat early signs of aging by minimizing
wrinkles and lines to become more pronounced
by restricting their source (i.e. the muscles
that form the lines and wrinkles.)
Since gaining FDA approval in March 2002 for
cosmetic use, BOTOX® has widely become one of
the most popular of treatments. (BOTOX® has been
FDA-approved for other indications for over 12
years.) In fact, there were over 1,200,000 injections
in 2002.
When considering BOTOX®, it is important to note
that injection technique is highly important
in achieving an optimal result. It is crucial
to go to an experienced physician or physician's
assistant to ensure an optimal result. Possible
side effects include temporary droopy eyelids,
swelling, bruising, burning sensation and short-term
headache.
| How long does BOTOX®
last? |
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| For most patients, BOTOX® lasts on average
3 - 6 months. Most patients who repeat treatments
every 3 months for the first few injections
comment that they see it last about 4 months
thereafter. We have some patients that only
require injections twice a year. In rare
cases, a patient may be resistant to BOTOX®.
Each patient responds a little differently. |
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| Do the wrinkles go away immediately
after a BOTOX® injection? |
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| BOTOX® injections usually take 3 - 7 days
to start restricting the muscles. After the
BOTOX® takes effect, some of your lines will
disappear completely and others should be
minimized. |
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| Will my wrinkles come back stronger
after a BOTOX® injection? |
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| No. |
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| Does the BOTOX® injection hurt? |
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| The injection should barely hurt. Dr. Mills and his specially trained staff use very small needles and have a gentle touch. |
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| Will I be able to make facial expressions
after a BOTOX® injection? |
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| Yes. Dr. Mills does not like to inject
so much BOTOX® into your face that you lose
facial expressions. He is usually conservative,
especially on your first injection. |
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| Will there be bruising after a
BOTOX® injection? |
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| The forehead and brow do not bruise. However,
the crow's feet can possibly (but rarely)
bruise. Dr. Mills has his patients hold pressure
around the eyes with the palm of their hand
for 10 - 15 minutes right after the injection
to prevent bruising. Additionally, he recommends
that his BOTOX® patients stay off Aspirin.
If the injection does cause bruising, it
is easily concealed with camouflage makeup. |
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| How much BOTOX® will I need? |
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| Dr. Mills administers BOTOX® by the unit.
The number of units that you need will depend
on the number of areas and strength of muscle
contraction. Dr. Mills follows recommended
manufacturer's standards to draw the BOTOX®
to maximize the efficacy of the BOTOX® injection.
He uses the information and response from
your last treatment to develop the right
recipe for you. |
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To administer BOTOX®, Dr. Mills will ask you
to contract the muscles in the area(s) to be
treated and will inject BOTOX® directly into the
muscle with a tiny needle. The procedure itself
is typically very quick and almost painless,
but takes a few days to take effect. The effects
of each BOTOX® injection typically lasts about
3 months, after which another treatment will
be required to maintain the results. Results
vary, Dr. Mills has seen BOTOX® last as little
as a month and as long as a year. Results are
a direct response to how strong the muscle is
and how many units are used. 
