BOTOX® (Botulinum A) has been used safely by physicians for 20 years to treat patients with certain medical conditions such as eye spasms, central nervous system disorders and excessive muscle contractions. The more recent use of BOTOX® to reduce wrinkles was discovered almost by accident.
Vancouver dermatologist,
Dr. Alastair Carruthers, began using BOTOX®
to treat signs of aging in 1986 after his wife Jean, an
ophthalmologist, observed that her patients who were
treated for eye spasm lost their crow's feet. According to
Dr. Carruthers, one patient actually commented that she
looked "much happier" and "less angry" because the BOTOX®
also improved the wrinkles between her eyebrows.
How does BOTOX® work?
BOTOX® is injected in minute quantities into the contracted
muscles that cause wrinkles and the results are
impressive. The muscles relax and wrinkles improve. Within
five to seven days, lines of facial expression are
reduced. The effect does wear off within three to six
months and then BOTOX® needs to be injected again. Most patients, however, do
request additional sessions. Studies appear to show that
with continued treatments, there is a greater length of
time between injection procedures.
What is the treatment
like?
Because the toxin is injected in such small amounts, the safety profile for this medication is high and side effects are minimal. There may be a slight sting at the injection site in about half of the people undergoing the procedure. There may be a mild bruise at the injection site but this is uncommon. Bruising appears to be more common in those people taking aspirin or blood thinners. There might be a concern about a droopy eyebrow or droopy eyelid. Droopy eyelids occur in about one out of 100 people. It lasts an average of four weeks and then it goes away.
Are BOTOX® treatments safe?
There are really no contraindications to the procedure. In other words, it appears that all people can have the procedure performed. There is even one report of a pregnant Alaskan woman who developed botulism and delivered a normal baby. The same toxin in botulism is used in BOTOX®, except there are higher amounts of the toxin in botulism. This reassures us that BOTOX® is indeed a safe agent.
