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Botox Injections
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| �Botox injections procedures and information.
Read about botox, wrinkle removal or other facial surgery
procedures |
Botox
treatments are becoming increasingly popular, and with good
reason. In many cases, Botox is a very effective method
for reducing wrinkles.
Botox can be used to smooth wrinkles in the neck and face
to create a more youthful appearance. It is especially useful
in the eye area. Removing wrinkles from between the eyes
can dramatically change a person?s look from one of permanent
anger or sadness to one of contentment and restedness. It
is also frequently used on the thin wrinkles that surround
the eyes (often called ?crows feet?) and the mouth, but
can also be used in other areas, such as along the chin
and jaw.
The solution used in these treatments is made of botulinum
A toxin, a purified protein made from botulism bacteria.
This solution temporarily paralyzes nerves of the facial
muscles so that they cannot contract and cause wrinkles
in the area being treated.
Botox may also be helpful in treating migraine headaches,
and can be used to decrease excess sweating of the palms
and underarms.
If you?re considering Botox treatment, the following information
will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure.
For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a plastic surgeon who has completed a residency program that includes instruction in this procedure.
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What are some of the most common benefits of Botox treatments?
What will happen at the initial consultation?
How are the treatments performed?
How long do the treatments take?
Where are the treatments performed?
How much pain is there?
What can I expect afterward?
What is the recovery period like?
What is the long-term outcome like for most people?
How long do the results last?
Ideal candidate:
Other important information:
Risks:
Costs:
Choosing a doctor:
Questions to ask your doctor:
Be sure to:
How do I finance this procedure?
Related Articles
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| What are some
of the most common benefits of Botox treatments? |
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Botox treatments are unique in that they
can be used to remove dynamic wrinkles -- the wrinkles
that are produced by facial movement. |
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| What will happen
at the initial consultation? |
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During the consultation, you will have
the opportunity to talk to your surgeon about the changes
that you?d like to make in your appearance. He/she will
explain the different options available to you, the
procedure itself, and the risks and limitations involved.
He/she will also explain the kind of anesthesia required,
surgical facility, and costs. |
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| How are the treatments
performed? |
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Botox treatments are brief and simple.
First, the skin is treated with a topical numbing agent,
and you may be given a sedative as well. Next, very
small amounts of Botox are strategically injected in
different parts of the face. This is accomplished with
thin needles that cause very little pain. |
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| How long do the
treatments take? |
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Depending on the number of injections
needed, the treatment may take 10 to 30 minutes. |
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| Where are the
treatments performed? |
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Botox treatments can be performed in the
doctor?s office or in a surgical suite. Anesthesia
is rarely needed, but sedatives and numbing agents may
be used. |
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| How much pain
is there? |
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There is some discomfort involved with
the injections, but the discomfort is slight. The feeling
has been likened to an insect bite. After the procedure,
there is virtually no pain. |
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| What can I expect
afterward? |
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The results of the procedure are generally
visible within 3 to 5 days. Although results vary, the
results of an individual treatment last for about 4
to 6 months. The procedure may be repeated and, with
each new treatment, the results tend to last longer.
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| What is the recovery
period like? |
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You?ll probably be able to return to work
or home immediately after the procedure. However, care
must be taken to keep the head upright and avoid massaging
the treated area, so that the Botox affects only the
desired areas. |
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| What is the long-term
outcome like for most people? |
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Most people are very pleased with the
results. For long-term results, the procedure will most
likely need to be repeated. |
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| How long do
the results last? |
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Although results vary, the results of
an individual treatment last for about 4 to 6 months.
With each new treatment, the results tend to last longer.
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| Ideal candidate: |
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In general, the best candidates for botox
treatments are:
- Wrinkles in the face or neck
- Knowledgeable about the procedure
- In good physical and psychological health
- Wanting to improve their appearance
- Realistic in their expectations
- Not using marijuana or anabolic steroids
- Not a heavy user of alcohol
The above is only a partial list of the criteria that
your surgeon will consider in determining whether or
not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to
ask your surgeon if he/she considers you an ideal candidate
for this surgery. |
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| Other important
information: |
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This procedure can remove or deter wrinkles
by preventing the repeated facial expressions that contribute
to their formation. It cannot improve the overall texture
of the skin, but procedures such as laser
skin resurfacing and dermabrasion
can be used to accomplish this. It cannot tighten the
facial skin either. Look for face
lift and forhead
lift for ways to accomplish this. |
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| Risks: |
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Mild bruising or swelling may occur at
the site of the injection. The treatment may also cause
a brief headache. In rare cases, the injections may
cause the eyebrow or upper eyelid to droop, but this
condition is temporary and corrects itself without treatment
within 2 to 3 weeks. |
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| Costs: |
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The national average of 1999 surgeon fees
for botox injectionswas $432 (Source: The American Society
of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). Regional averages: New
England states: $510; middle Atlantic states: $377;
north central states: $502; south central states: $382;
and mountain/Pacific states: $369. These fees do not
include operating room facility, hospital stay and other
related expenses. You should ask your surgeon if your
needs are medically indicated, in which case the costs
may be covered by medical insurance.
Use our payment
calculator to see what your monthly payments might
be if you financed this procedure.
Apply
now |
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| Choosing a doctor: |
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It is very important that you select a
physician adequately trained and experienced in this
procedure. See our Physician
Locator feature to find a surgeon in your area,
including detailed profile information for many of the
listed doctors. Also read How
to Select a Plastic Surgeon for a more detailed
discussion on choosing the right doctor. |
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| Questions to
ask your doctor: |
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- Are the desired results I described realistic?
- Is there an alternative remedy that I should consider
as well?
- How long will the procedure take?
- What kind of anesthesia will be used, if any?
- How much does it cost?
- What is your experience in performing this procedure?
(How long has he/she performed this procedure, and
how many he/she has performed in the past year?)
- What percentage of patients have had significant
complications? (The physician should disclose this
information to you.)
- Will you repeat or correct procedures if it does
not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure
must be repeated / corrected, will I be charged
again? (The physician should provide you with his/her
policy on this issue.)
- May I see "before and after" photos of recent
patients? The physician should provide many photos
of recent patients.
- Could I observe the exact procedure I am considering
before I decide to have the surgery? (Either on
videotape or live.)
- What should I expect after the procedure in terms
of soreness, what to watch for, medication, bathing,
and level of activity?
- Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage
denied, revoked, suspended?
- Do you offer patient
financing?
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| Be sure to: |
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- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have
(to foods, drugs, environmental elements)
- Tell your doctor about all medications, herbal
supplements or natural supplements you are taking
(both prescription and non-prescription), including
such natural remedies as Echinacea and St. John?s
Wort.
- Carefully follow any instructions the doctor gives
you.
The information on this web site is only intended
as an introduction to this procedure. This information
should not be used to determine whether you will have
the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the results.
The best method of determining your options is to consult
qualified dermatologists who are able to answer specific
questions related to your situation. |
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| How do I finance
this procedure? |
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Did you know that 29% of all Americans
have considered having an elective procedure? Of those,
60% would schedule a procedure immediately if financing
was available. With iEnhance's patient
financing options, money no longer has to be the
barrier between you and your new image. By filling out
our on-line
application you can qualify for a loan in as little
as 30 seconds. |
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| Related Articles |
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Please review the following articles for
more information on this procedure.
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