SAN DIEGO BOTOX, or botulinum toxin type A, is the most popular injectable for smoothing facial fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also widely used to treat some medical conditions, including migraines and overactive bladder and neck muscles.
Bruising is common after treatment but fades within three to seven days. Some people may experience eyelid drooping, but this usually resolves independently.
The FDA-approved prescription medication BOTOX is made from a protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. When used correctly and in very small doses, this toxin temporarily paralyzes muscles and can reduce wrinkles. It is also used to treat a variety of health issues, including eyelid spasms and some types of migraine headaches.
This medicine is delivered via injection by an experienced healthcare provider. When used to prevent migraines, this medication is injected into the muscles of the forehead and neck. It is injected into the affected muscles when used to reduce drooling, excess saliva, or muscle stiffness and spasms. It is injected into the bladder when used to help with urinary incontinence.
When injected, this medicine blocks nerve impulses that cause muscles to tighten. It also works by blocking the release of a chemical called Acetylcholine that causes muscles to contract. This decrease in muscle movement allows the skin to relax, which can smooth out wrinkles and other unwanted lines or creases.
BOTOX injections are usually painless. The doctor may rub an anesthetic cream on the treatment area before injecting the medication to minimize any discomfort. Some patients may develop a temporary drooping of the eyelids after injection, which usually only lasts for a few days.
Patients should be careful not to confuse this drug with similar “botulinum toxin” products, which are sold in salons by non-medical personnel and have been linked to serious cases of botulism and death. Only use an FDA-approved brand of this medicine, such as Allergan’s Botox.
Rarely, patients with neck weakness (torticollis) from BOTOX injections in the sternocleidomastoid muscles may develop difficulty swallowing. This problem may be due to the diffusion of this medication into the pharynx or by weakening of these muscles directly. Patients who develop this side effect should be instructed to eat soft foods. They should also avoid consuming alcohol and other medicines that can interfere with the action of this medication. These include guaifenesin, tetracyclines, and other antibiotics, aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Safety
In clinical trials, BOTOX for the treatment of blepharospasm was well-tolerated. Common side effects include headache (9%), eyelid ptosis (6% after inferior rectus injections and 16% after horizontal rectus injections), and dry eyes. The most serious adverse reaction reported with the use of BOTOX to treat strabismus was retrobulbar hemorrhage sufficient to compromise retinal circulation. Other complications included diplopia, ocular pain, and drooping of the eyelids. Injection of the lower face with BOTOX can cause numbness, tingling, and/or muscle weakness.
Allergic reactions have been reported with BOTOX and have ranged from itching to a severe rash or swelling of the face or neck, with some patients experiencing breathing problems, dizziness or fainting. These reactions may be exacerbated in individuals with certain muscular or nerve conditions, such as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome.
If you have any of these conditions, discuss with your doctor whether BOTOX is right for you. You should also tell your doctor if you’ve taken other botulinum toxin products, such as Xeomin or Dysport, in the past.
In studies of adult patients with overactive bladder due to neurologic disease, a small number of people developed urinary retention (difficulty emptying the bladder). Adult patients who did not have CIC at baseline were more likely to require catheterization postinjection.
Other potential side effects of BOTOX are dry mouth; discomfort or pain at the injection site; tiredness; headache; neck pain; and eye problems, including double vision, blurred vision, and decreased eyesight. These side effects can be minimized by careful attention to injection quantity and consistent dilution technique.
BOTOX should not be administered to pregnant or nursing women or those with certain skin conditions, such as glaucoma, or other neurological disorders, such as uncontrolled epilepsy or cerebral palsy. It’s also important to inform your doctor if you’re taking any medications or supplements, especially those that interfere with neuromuscular transmission, such as aminoglycosides or curare-like compounds. Doing so can potentiate the anticholinergic effects of BOTOX. For more information, consult the full BOTOX Prescribing Information including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.
Side Effects
The botulinum toxin in BOTOX blocks nerve signals to the muscles that cause them to contract. This results in the reduction of unwanted facial lines and wrinkles. This drug is injected into the skin, so it only affects specific areas of the face.
The most common side effects of this medication are pain or bruising at the injection site. Applying an ice pack to the injection area can decrease this pain. Eye problems are also sometimes caused by the injection. These can include double vision, dry eyes or irritated eyes and drooping of the eyebrows and eyelids. This may be helped by using a lubricating eye drop or ointment. Headache is another common side effect. It can last from a few days to a few weeks and is usually mild.
Some patients experience neck muscle spasms. These are often relieved within 2 weeks after the treatment, with the greatest improvement occurring after 6 weeks. It may take longer to see improvement if the neck spasms are caused by nerve damage. In clinical trials, adult patients who were not using clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) prior to treatment required postinjection catheterization for urinary retention more frequently after receiving BOTOX than in those who received placebo.
Other common side effects are loss of strength and general muscle weakness, vision problems or dizziness, and headache. These can occur within hours to a few weeks after the injection and are more likely if you have had a history of neck pain before the procedure or use deodorant or antiperspirant on the day of your treatment.
You should not receive this medicine if you are allergic to botulinum toxin or any of the other ingredients in this drug. You should also tell your doctor if you have had any other kind of muscle or nerve condition such as Lambert-Eaton syndrome, myasthenia gravis, or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). You should not be treated with this drug if you are pregnant. It is unknown whether this drug passes into breast milk. You should discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor before breast-feeding.
Cost
Many people wonder, “How much does Botox cost?” BOTOX costs vary depending on your location, the type of medical professional providing the injections and how many units are needed to treat the desired areas. Many locations charge a set price for the three FDA-approved areas (forehead lines, glabellar lines and crow’s feet). Some places may also have different sets of prices for other popular treatments, such as lip flip or bunny lines.
When comparing prices, it is important to understand what each place is offering. A per-unit price does not mean the same thing across all providers, as each unit will be slightly different in strength due to the brand of Botox used. Places that offer low per-unit prices could be using a weaker brand of Botox, which will lead to ineffective results.
It is also important to keep in mind that health insurance will not cover cosmetic treatments such as Botox. However, if the treatment is being done to treat medical conditions such as excessive sweating or migraines, then some health insurance plans will cover a portion of the cost.
Before receiving Botox, it is important to tell your doctor about all of your current medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as vitamins and herbal supplements. Certain medicines can interact with BOTOX and cause serious side effects.
You should also inform your doctor if you have or are planning to become pregnant. There are some studies that suggest pregnant women may experience more serious side effects than non-pregnant patients. Additionally, it is important to let your doctor know if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) to treat depression, as it may increase the risk of side effects when combined with BOTOX.
Botox is an excellent, effective treatment for wrinkle reduction and can be an affordable option when it is used properly by a trained healthcare professional. When deciding on the best provider for your needs, it is important to look at their credentials and education, as well as their price structure and client satisfaction ratings. Lastly, be sure to factor in any consultation fees that may be charged, as these will be added on to your final Botox treatment cost.