What is BOTOX?

Botulinum toxin (BOTOX®) is a complex protein produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It produces a total of seven different toxins all of which have the same end result, the paralysis of muscle. One of the toxins, Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A, is available for medical use under the trade name BOTOX® (USA, Africa) and Vistrabel® (Europe). Advantage can be taken of the effects of BOTOX® to alleviate muscle spasm or to weaken a muscle for therapeutic purposes. In therapeutic applications, minute quantities of botulinum neurotoxin type A are injected directly into selected muscles. BOTOX® treatments of cosmetic conditions require proper identification of the effected muscles.

Is BOTOX® Safe?

Since 1990, success rates of over 90% have been reported in medical literature. Wide attention has been given to BOTOX® and more and more applications have been found for it, often with equally impressive success rates. BOTOX® and Vistabel® is now the treatment choice for dyanamic wrinkles on the face and repeated studies have demonstrated that it is a very safe and effective treatment.

How is BOTOX® or Vistabel® Used?

Injections into the target muscle are carried out by a very fine needle. The sites of the injection will vary slightly from patient to patient, and according to the doctor’s preference.

How Long Does it Take to Work?

Benefits begin in 3-5 days after the treatment and last on average three to four months, after which it can be repeated. All effects of the toxin ultimately reverse with time.

Botulinum toxin for Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a chronic disorder of excessive sweating that may affect any body part, particularly the underarm, palms, soles of the feet and face. This condition can cause significant problems in a patient's private and professional life and has been shown to have a negative impact on the emotional well-being of those suffering from the disease. At I CARE FOR MY BODY we offer BOTOX® for axillary hyperhidrosis.

To treat underarm hyperhidrosis, BOTOX® is administered via tiny injections, within the skin of the affected area, to reduce excessive sweating by blocking the release of the chemical acetylcholine from the nerve fibers that stimulate overactive sweat glands. It can take up to 4 weeks for the treatment to take effect and the average duration of effectiveness is 6 months.

The efficacy and patient satisfaction of BOTOX® is considered to be excellent. Until now, most treatments for hyperhidrosis were often ineffective, short acting or had significant risks. For those suffering from hyperhidrosis, BOTOX® treatments give them new hope where previous therapies have failed before.

BOTOX® treatment for hyperhidrosis was approved in the United Kingdom in July 2001.

What are its Side Effects and Complications?

Many studies have confirmed side effects to be minor in the vast majority of applications. Side effects are generally transitory, well tolerated, and amenable to treatment. They are related to the dose of BOTOX® administered. Persistent complications are distinctly rare, and serious side effects are uncommon. Some of the reported side effects include:

• Flu like symptoms. These are mild and transient.
• Systemic complications are uncommon
  Tenderness or bruising at the site of injection, and headaches again mild and transient.
• Muscle weakness. This is to be expected in the muscles injected but in practice this is rarely a problem.
• Weakness in other areas is rarely troublesome and is associated with large doses.
• Allergy is a theoretical risk but is virtually unknown.
• Antibodies can be produced and if this happens the toxin becomes ineffective, but there are no other effects. The antibodies often disappear with time and treatment may be successfully recommenced after an interval.
• Other very low incidence of complications of botulinum toxin injections includes droopy eye (ptosis), dry eye and photosensitivity. One of the more common adverse effects, ptosis, is due to diffusion of toxin from the upper eyelid injection sites to the levator muscle.

Although the side effects of the toxin are generally uncommon and not serious there are nonetheless contraindications to treatment with botulinum toxin.

• Pregnancy and lactation.
• Infection in the vicinity of the injection site.
• Current therapy with a certain class of uncommonly used antibiotics, known as the amino glycosides.
• Blood clotting disorders or current therapy with drugs inhibiting blood clotting, e.g. Warfarin.
• Diseases affecting the muscles, particularly myaesthenia gravis.

Allergy to tetanus toxoid is a potential, but not absolute contraindication.

Please phone the Cosmetic and Ophthalmic Surgery Centre for further details

BOTOX® Cosmetic Injections for Wrinkles

BOTOX^® Cosmetic Injections for Wrinkles

What is BOTOX^® Cosmetic?
BOTOX^® Cosmetic is purified botulinum toxin type A. It is a naturally derived product used to reduce unwanted muscle activity. It has been used for medical purposes for more than 20 years, primarily for ophthalmologic and neurologic muscular diseases, for which it is FDA approved. More recently, it has been used for the cosmetic reduction of facial expression lines. It is considered safe and effective when properly used. BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a great adjunct to laser photorejuvenation in reducing the appearance of wrinkles in all ages.

What is the cause of wrinkles and facial expression lines?
Lines and wrinkles develop, at least in part, from the action of facial muscles on the overlying skin. After years, furrows may remain along these facial expression lines even without any active facial muscle expression. This is especially true of lines of the forehead and between the eyebrows. Other lines, such as crow's feet, may make us appear older than our chronological age. The development of these lines is promoted by years of sun exposure, and to a lesser degree, by smoking. BOTOX^® Cosmetic is capable of preventing these unwanted facial expression lines and wrinkles.

How does BOTOX^® Cosmetic work?
BOTOX^® Cosmetic acts by producing muscle relaxation at treated sites. It does this by inhibiting contraction of the targeted muscles, causing them to relax. The strategic relaxation of certain facial muscles leads to decreased wrinkling of the overlying skin.

What kind of facial lines does it remove?
Prominent facial expression lines, especially horizontal lines on the forehead, vertical lines between the eye brows, and crow's feet are most dramatically improved with treatment.






How does BOTOX^® Cosmetic compare to other products such as collagen and filler materials?
Unlike filler materials, BOTOX^® Cosmetic treats the underlying cause of the facial expression lines. Filler materials, such as collagen, only plump up the skin. Although fillers reduce the appearance of lines when there is no facial expression, the moment the person does smile or frown, the lines reappear. BOTOX^® Cosmetic actually prevents the unwanted lines from appearing with facial expression, and often even at rest.

How is treatment performed and how many treatments are required?
A small quantity of solution is injected directly into the muscles that are the cause of the prominent furrowing or expression lines. Typically several injections are given with each treatment, and one or two treatments are usually effective in achieving the muscle relaxation required to eliminate the unwanted expression lines.

How long do the results of BOTOX^® Cosmetic last?
The muscle relaxation with BOTOX^® Cosmetic lasts for 3 to 6 months. When the effect of BOTOX^® Cosmetic wears off or diminishes, (i.e., the muscles that contribute to these facial expression lines again become active and the lines gradually reappear) treatment can again be administered.

How does the skin appear after BOTOX^® Cosmetic?
Immediately after treatment the skin appears normal or there may be minimal redness and swelling at the treated sites. Occasionally, there can be mild bruising. If present, these changes resolve within a few hours to days. The skin feels normal and there is no unusual sensation.

When can I expect to see results after treatment?
Within 48 hours after treatment reduction in the muscle activity can be noticed. About one week after treatment the maximal benefit is attained and continues for a few months.

Are there any limitations after treatment?
No. Immediately after treatment you may resume all normal activities.

Is there any discomfort with treatment?
There is usually mild discomfort at the injection sites. This only lasts for a few seconds. Many patients choose to use a numbing cream on the skin prior to the injections, however, this is only seldom needed.

Are there any risks or side effects?
Rarely. If BOTOX^® Cosmetic should affect an adjacent muscle, it too may have reduced activity. This has been reported in about one percent of those treated and if this does develop, the most common change is some eyelid drooping. However, any such unwanted muscle relaxation would also be temporary. There are no reports of any injury to the eye when BOTOX^® Cosmetic is administered to the muscles of the forehead.

Can BOTOX^® Cosmetic cause botulism?
No. Extraordinarily small amounts of BOTOX^® Cosmetic are administered. These quantities are insufficient to cause botulism or any related symptoms.

How much does it cost?
Prices vary for each patient depending on the type of procedure, area of the body to be treated, and the number of treatments needed. We strive to offer the LOWEST PRICES for all cosmetic procedures as compared to other clinics in the Los Angeles area. Our affordable prices and financing plans assure that nearly everyone can have the new look they have always wanted. Come in today for your free consultation and you will be amazed as to how affordable we truly are.