An effective treatment for facial lines and wrinkles.


BOTOX Cosmetic™

Botox™ and Botox Cosmetic™ are the trade names for botulinum toxin. It is a protein that acts as a nerve impulse blocker, preventing muscles from contracting.

For cosmetic purposes, Botox Cosmetic™ treats “dynamic wrinkles”, that is, those that are accentuated by facial expressions. Thus, patients with frown lines between the eyebrows, wrinkles of the forehead or crow’s feet can consider using Botox™ to soften and in many cases eliminate their wrinkles. Mild asymmetry or drooping of the brows may also be addressed by Botox treatment, as may upper lip lines. Some patients who have repeated treatments find that the effect can last longer than 3-4 months. A judicious treatment will give your face a fresh and rejuvenated look, not a frozen one.

 
            Before BOTOX™ injections                          After BOTOX™ injections

Side effects of the injection are relatively rare. Most concerns with Botox™ are related not so much to a side effect of the medication, but rather to its expected effect at an inappropriate location, such as a droopy upper eyelid, double vision, or inability to close the eyelids. In experienced hands, these effects are exceedingly rare.

 

BOTOX™ Medical Treatments

Botulinum toxin has been used for decades by ophthalmologists and neurologists in ocular conditions such as blepharospasm, an excessive involuntary contraction of the eyelid muscles that forces the eyelids closed, and hemifacial spasm , an excessive involuntary contraction of the facial muscles on just one side of the face. For certain types of double vision, botulinum toxin can be injected directly into the eye muscle opposite the paralyzed eye muscle. In recent years, its use has expanded to include a number of medical as well as cosmetic applications. For example, back pain, migraine and muscle spasm in patients with cerebral palsy and stroke are some of the conditions that are being successfully treated with Botox™. Patients with excessive sweating of the palms and underarms (“hyperhydrosis”) can also be helped with Botox™.

Botulinum toxin is injected directly into muscles of the face or eye when facial muscles are overactive, thus causing the overactive muscles to relax. A very fine needle and topical anaesthetic are used to minimize discomfort. It usually takes a few days for the therapeutic effect to be noticeable. The injections need to be repeated every 3 to 4 months.

Side effects of the injection are relatively rare. Most concerns with Botox™ are related not so much to a side effect of the medication, but rather to its expected effect at an inappropriate location, such as a droopy upper eyelid, double vision, or inability to close the eyelids. In experienced hands, these effects are exceedingly rare.

Botox™ treatments for blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm are covered by OHIP; cosmetic treatments are not. All treatments are performed personally by Dr. Misra.

For further information on either Cosmetic or Therapeutic treatments, please visit www.botoxfacts.ca. Patients with blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm can find more information at www.Blepharospasm.org.