Botox
BOTOX® belongs to a class of drugs called botulinum toxins. BOTOX®, a focal agent intended to reduce muscle contraction, is the brand of botulinum toxin type A made by Allergan. BOTOX® is the most studied brand of botulinum toxins and has been helping patients worldwide for more than 15 years.
This section is designed to help you understand the way BOTOX® works, its effectiveness, and its side effects. The potential of BOTOX® for continued use is also discussed. You may find it helpful to bookmark this site for future reference.
What is Botox?
BOTOX® is a formulation of botulinum toxin type A. It is derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium produces a protein that blocks the release of acetylcholine and relaxes muscles. Type A is just one of seven different types of botulinum toxin (A, B, C1, D, E, F, and G), and each has different properties and actions. No two of these botulinum toxins are alike.
More than 100 years of research have expanded our knowledge of botulinum toxin type A from the identification of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum to the commercialization of botulinum toxin type A as BOTOX®.
In the 1960s, the muscle-relaxing properties of botulinum toxin type A were tapped for investigational use in realigning crossed eyes. These early studies paved the way for treating other conditions caused by overactive muscles with botulinum toxin type A.
BOTOX® is indicated for the treatment of cervical dystonia in adults to decrease the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain associated with cervical dystonia. BOTOX® is indicated for the treatment of strabismus and blepharospasm associated with dystonia, including benign essential blepharospasm or VII nerve disorders in patients 12 years of age and above.
Is BOTOX® a new treatment?
No. BOTOX® has been used for more than 15 years to help patients worldwide, and it is approved by the health ministries of at least 70 countries.
How does BOTOX® work?
Normally, your brain sends electrochemical messages to your muscles to make them contract and move. These messages are transmitted from a nerve to the muscle by a substance called acetylcholine. When too much acetylcholine is released, muscles become overly active and spasm or tense up.
BOTOX® blocks the nerve from releasing acetylcholine. As a result, the muscle spasms stop or are greatly reduced, providing relief from symptoms. Your healthcare provider will know how much BOTOX® is needed to treat you effectively.
It’s important to remember that botulinum toxin treatment is not a cure. For many people, however, its effects have been dramatic. With BOTOX®, the nerve will take about 3 months to recover and begin to release acetylcholine, and the muscles may become overactive again. At that point, another injection will be needed to provide relief, as long as no allergic reactions or other significant side effects occurred and clinical response was obtained.
How long will the effect last?
BOTOX® offers sustained relief, dose after dose. The relief you’ll feel from one treatment will normally last for up to 3 months. Treatments can be continued as long as your condition responds to BOTOX®, and you do not have any serious allergic reactions or other significant side effects. When the relief begins to fade, you’ll return to your doctor for your next treatment.
Usually, BOTOX® treatment is required approximately 4 times per year. Because symptoms can change over time, the amount and duration of relief you’ll experience can vary. Consult your doctor, who can determine how to achieve the best possible results with BOTOX®.
Information courtesy of Botox.com
Dermal fillers
What is JUVÉDERM® XC?
New JUVÉDERM® XC is the smooth gel filler that your doctor uses to instantly smooth away wrinkles around your mouth and nose. With just one treatment, you’ll get smooth and natural-looking results that last up to a year.
JUVÉDERM® XC is manufactured using HYLACROSS™ technology, creating a smooth-consistency gel. It is infused with lidocaine to improve comfort during treatment. With JUVÉDERM® XC you get the smooth results you expect, with the improved comfort you want..
Everyone will notice, but no one will know.
Where Does It Work?
Everyone’s skin ages differently and JUVÉDERM® XC may be used to rejuvenate multiple problem areas.* From smile lines to vertical lip lines, you can smooth away unwanted wrinkles and restore natural contours. Learn more about the individual treatment areas by rolling over the list below
Information courtesy of juvederm.com