BOTOX Treatment for Men and Women The last few years have brought some amazing advances in the field of facial rejuvenation. These advances have predominantly been in non-invasive techniques that work to rejuvenate the face. Women in the prime of their careers do not wish to wait until the age of 60 to have a facelift – they wish to maintain a youthful appearance while they are still working and socializing. They wish to have these procedures done with minimal downtime and, at the same time, have consistent, good results. Of all the products that Dr. Panchal has worked with, none have revolutionized plastic surgery as much as BOTOX® Cosmetic (hereafter referred to as BOTOX®). BOTOX has become the most frequently used treatment in the U.S., with more than 2 million procedures performed. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, only 786,000 patients had Botox in 2000 as compared to over 6 million in 2015, a phenomenal increase of more than 700%. In spite of its popularity, Dr. Panchal regularly sees patients who have little to no knowledge of what BOTOX is, how it works, and what the possible complications could be. More importantly, many patients do not realize that BOTOX is an adjunct treatment, which should be used in conjunction with other procedures. Patients should have an evaluation of their face by a plastic surgeon and discuss their long-term goals for the next five years, rather than using BOTOX as a single modality to look younger. Think of it this way: shouldn’t you be spending more time with the physician who helps you achieve your long-term facial rejuvenation goals than you would with a car dealer when purchasing a new car? Recently, BOTOX has been used to help treat depression in people who haven't seen success with other methods. The following information will attempt to answer your questions about BOTOX® treatments. If you still have questions after reading this information, please feel free to contact us by calling 405-340-9949. Along with our established location in Edmond, Genesis Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa has a location in Norman, OK offering BOTOX treatments to the southern Oklahoma City metropolitan area. BOTOX FAQs How Does BOTOX Work? How Long Does This Effect Last? Do I Need to Have BOTOX Every 3-4 Months? Can I Get Addicted to BOTOX? Are There Any Adverse Long-Term Effects? Where Can BOTOX Help Me? Can BOTOX Be Used to Shape My Eyebrows? Is It True that BOTOX Can Be Used to Treat Migraines? Does BOTOX Make Me Lose Facial Expression? Can Anyone Be Treated with BOTOX? What Can I Expect at the Doctor's Office? How Soon Will I See Results? What Are the Possible Side Effects of BOTOX? Are There Alternatives to BOTOX® Cosmetic? How Does BOTOX Work? BOTOX is essentially a purified protein that has been approved by the FDA for facial rejuvenation. Every nerve stimulates the muscles to contract by releasing a chemical known as acetylcholine. BOTOX essentially blocks the release of acetylcholine. This blockage is, fortunately – or in some ways, unfortunately – temporary, and the nerve regenerates its ability to overcome the block over time. Put simply, BOTOX temporarily paralyzes the muscles at the location where it is injected. Most wrinkle lines develop due to overactivity of the facial muscles – so they tend to lie perpendicular to the contracting muscles. BOTOX temporarily paralyzes the muscles, thereby reducing or erasing the wrinkles. How Long Does This Effect Last? Results will vary from person to person, but generally anywhere from three to four months. To see other patients’ results, view before and after photos. Does That Mean I Need to Have BOTOX Every 3-4 Months? Although you may see some muscle activity return, you need not rush back to your plastic surgeon for more BOTOX immediately. It is advisable to have the treatment two or three times each year. For example, you could have a treatment done in October so that it lasts through the holiday season, and again in the spring to make you look rejuvenated during the spring/summer vacation seasons. Can I Get Addicted to BOTOX? Are There Any Adverse Long-Term Effects? None of the medical studies to-date have found any addiction or cumulative adverse long-term effects from BOTOX. Keep in mind that more than 6 million BOTOX-related procedures are performed every year just in the US – and that is a staggering number. Where Can BOTOX Help Me? Between the brows (glabella) – this helps eliminate “frowning” by preventing the eyebrows from coming close to each other and depressing the eyebrows Forehead wrinkle lines – this helps erase the horizontal lines on your forehead by paralyzing the frontalis muscles, which elevate your eyebrows Crow’s feet around your eyes – this helps decrease the lines around the eyes, but does not completely eliminate them