The Many Faces of BOTOX (R)

By Dr. Surjit Rai

With the economic downturn and rounds of layoffs happening, non-invasive cosmetic procedures have become more popular. It seems that to reduce their chances of being laid off, some people try to avoid taking time off work, such as the week or two of recovery time which would be required after a facelift.

The so-called “lunchtime” procedures — which are completed in an hour or less — are most often requested. This includes dermal fillers such as Restylane and Sculptra, and BOTOX (R).

Other procedures which involve short recovery times are also in demand, such as injectable breast enhancers, and SmartLipo which works on small areas of the body.

How BOTOX Works

BOTOX works by temporarily paralyzing the muscle where it is injected. It blocks the chemical bringing messages from the brain that tell the muscle to contract. The muscle receives none of those messages and therefore does not contract.

That gives a cosmetic advantage when it is injected into the corrugator muscle which frowns, or the frontalis muscle which raises the eyebrows and forms horizontal lines in the forehead.

BOTOX For Health Reasons

Paralysis of a muscle is a very useful thing in treating some health conditions.

• Migraines can be treated by paralyzing the muscles around certain nerves in the head. This keeps the nerves free of any pressure or strain.
• Urinary incontinence has recently been treated by paralyzing the bladder muscles. This relaxes the bladder and increases the amount it will hold.
• Guillain-Barre syndrome has been helped in cases where eating triggered tear production. BOTOX prevented the lacrimal glands (under the eyebrows) from creating unnecessary tears.
• Muscle spasms have been reduced or prevented in conditions such as cervical dystonia, crossed eyes and overactivity of various eye muscles, and Bell’s Palsy.

At the Cosmetic Surgical Center we offer BOTOX injections for cosmetic enhancement and will be glad to give you a personal consultation. If you would like to know more about all the options for facial rejuvenation, please contact our cosmetic surgery office today.