Introduction
Dynamic facial lines and wrinkles on the face are caused by contractions of the delicate underlying muscles every time we smile, laugh or frown. Botox® is ideal for treatment of dynamic wrinkles, or those that appear or become significantly more apparent with facial expression. Any person who wishes to soften the appearance of aging skin around the eyes and forehead with no real down time is a great candidate for Botox® injections which is why it has become the most popular cosmetic procedure performed worldwide.

How does Botox® work?
Botox® (Botulinum toxin type A) is a purified protein that relaxes muscles into which it is injected by reversibly blocking the impulses from the nerves to the tiny facial muscles that are related to expression lines. By doing this, the muscles relax and are not able to contract. The overlying skin remains smooth and unwrinkled while the untreated facial muscles continue to contract in a normal fashion, allowing your normal facial expression to be unaffected.

This relaxation may be partial or complete, depending on the amount of Botox® used and on the relative strength of the muscle into which it is injected. Our goal is to achieve a more natural, relaxed look. The relaxation produced by Botox® is temporary as the treated muscle will gradually recover over 3-6 months period. Typically, it takes 4-5 days for the Botox® to start to take effect, but it may take up to 2 weeks for its full effect.

What areas can be treated?
The most common areas requested are the forehead lines, vertical frown lines between the eyebrows, and crow.s feet or laugh lines. Smile lines are either treated by laser or by using dermal fillers like Restylane®. Botox® has more recently been used successfully to combat the problem of excessive sweating of the underarms and palms of the hands.

How is it done?
The procedure itself is simple and safe. Botox® is injected with a very tiny needle into the desired area. Depending on the area treated, between 4 -10 injections are necessary. Typically, no anesthetic is needed for Botox® injections. Most patients experience very minimal discomfort. Once the injection is complete there is usually no discomfort. Anesthetic creams and special cooling devices are available to increase your comfort.

What is the recovery like?
In general, no recovery time is needed. You can resume normal activities immediately. Botox® treatments may be administered during a lunch break. You will be instructed not to rub the treated area for a couple of hours after the treatment. It is also a good idea to try to 'exercise' the treated muscles for the first few hours following the treatment, as this will increase the effectiveness of the Botox® treatment.

Are there any side effects?
There are very few side effects to this procedure. Although the toxin is the same as the one that causes a serious form of food poisoning (Botulism), the amount used in cosmetic surgery is so incredibly minute that no systemic reaction is likely. Very occasionally some patients experience a slight temporary bruising or redness at the injection site. This can be covered with makeup. While allergy to any medicine is possible, it is rare indeed with Botox®. Also, despite precautions, a small amount of drooping can sometimes occur when injected in the eyebrow area. While rare, this will be temporary, lasting about 2-3 weeks (much less than the full dose of Botox® lasts). Botox® is not recommended for women who are pregnant or are nursing or for people with any neurological disease.

Before	After
Before	After

What other cosmetic treatments may be combined with Botox®?
Using Botox® and the dermal filler Restylane® in combination is what is known as the "instant face lift". Botox® is used in the brow and forehead region and Restylane® around the mouth, lips, and smile lines. The Lux Clinic offers a special package incorporating the latest light based technology to help smooth and tighten your skin. The procedure works well for smokers and marionette lines as well as color and textural improvements. A .cocktail approach. of injectables and laser facial treatments is the latest development in cosmetic facial rejuvenation.

What is the cost?
The cost of Botox® depends on the amount used. The amount is measured in units and the larger and stronger the muscles being treated, the higher the number of units required to produce adequate relaxation. Treatment costs range from as little as $75 to $500 or more. We charge only $15 per unit of Botox® and $500 per syringe of Restylane®.