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Botox
(Myobloc™)
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Myobloc™ Botulinum toxin B Throughout history, people have looked for ways to achieve a younger, more vibrant look by improving their facial appearance. A procedure utilizing Botox (Myobloc™ Botulinum Toxin type B) is used for the treatment of facial lines and wrinkles. Botox has been safely used for certain medical conditions for more than a decade. This procedure, sometimes referred to as cosmetic denervation, has been widely used and is considered a safe and effective way of treating aging skin. it is used to eliminate or reduce worry and frown lines, "crows feet", laugh lines and other wrinkles sometimes called dynamic wrinkles. |
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The procedure works by physiologically weakening facial muscles beneath the skin that are related to expression lines. The contractions of those muscles result in wrinkles. Botox works by blocking the impulses from the nerve to the facial muscles thereby relaxing them. The result is that the pull of the underlying facial muscles relax causing the skin to flatten. This results in a smooth, unwrinkled look. Prior To Treatment Some physicians may recommend avoidance of alcoholic beverages, anti-inflammatory medications and aspirin one week prior to treatment. The Procedure A new vial of Myobloc™ is opened for each patient to assure freshness and maximum improvement from treatment. A small amount of local anesthetic is mixed with the Myobloc™ just before injection. This reduces the discomfort of the injection and has been shown to improve the efficiency of the treatment. A small amount of discomfort is felt when the needle is inserted and the liquid injected. This sensation lasts approximately 5 seconds. Myobloc™ is injected into various locations around the eyes and forehead. The needle is extremely small and only a tiny amount of liquid is injected at one time. Following the Procedure Because there is no sedative or anesthetic used, patients can return to normal activities immediately after the procedure. It is possible to experience a mild headache after the procedure. The physician may recommend acetaminophen if this should occur. The physician may also recommend that the patient not massage the treated area or lie down for 3 or 4 hours following treatment. Some facial exercises may be recommended. The treatment takes three to eight days to take effect. The benefits will last from two to four months. When the toxin begins to wear off, the wrinkles begin to reappear; however, they frequently are not as deep as the original ones. It usually takes two or three injections each year to maintain the smooth, youthful appearance that is desired. Clinical studies suggest that, after several rounds of treatment, the patient may require injections less often. Possible Side Effects There are no serious side effects associated with this treatment. There may be a small amount of bruising around the treated areas; however, this is temporary. On rare occasions, the needle may puncture a blood vessel which can result in a black and blue bruise around the treated area. This disappears in a few days. Another side effect that occurs only rarely is a slight drooping of the eyebrow or upper eyelid. Fortunately, when this occurs, it corrects itself in two to three weeks. There are no other visible signs of the treatment. The Best Candidates for the Procedure The best candidates for the procedure are those between the ages of 30 and 65. In many cases, wrinkles in people over 65 are not caused by muscle pull but rather by sun damage; however, each person is different and must be evaluated by the physician. Some wrinkles of the face are not caused by the muscles pulling on the skin and therefore are not improved by this treatment. These include wrinkles caused by the structure of the skin which are the result of trauma, scarring, or sun damage. The procedure works best on the wrinkles appearing in the upper one-third of the face, because its use on the lower two-thirds might cause distortion of a person's smile or facial expression. What Results Can Be Expected? Myobloc™ injections will smooth wrinkles that are caused by frown and worry lines, "crows feet", and laugh lines; however, it is not designed to take the place of the standard facelift or other facial surgical procedures. It is often used in conjunction with other procedures. Are there any contraindications? Myobloc™ injections may not be suitable for persons with pre-existing medical conditions or allergies. The physician will take a complete medical history to determine if the patient is a good candidate for the treatment. Thousands of patients who undergo Botox treatments each year are delighted with the results. Occasionally, additional treatments beyond the number expected may be necessary. Some patients are resistant to the treatment, although this is rare. Although complications are rare, there are certain inherent risks connected with every surgical procedure that should be thoroughly discussed with the physician. Patients can minimize complications by carefully following directions given by the physician.
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