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Botox Injections - Chicago Cosmetic Surgery
What is botox?
The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, often referred to by its product name Botox®, is a popular non-surgical injection
that temporarily reduces or eliminates frown lines, forehead creases, crows feet near the eyes and thick bands in the neck.
Search Chicago plastic surgeons performing botox injections.
Botox is one of the fastest grown cosmetic procedure performed by Houston plastic surgeons. The toxin blocks the nerve
impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles while giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed
appearance.
Studies have also suggested that Botox is effective in relieving migraine headaches, excessive sweating and muscle spasms
in the neck and eyes. Botox injections are the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure in the industry, according to the
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
In 2001, more than 1.6 million people received injections, an increase of 46 percent over the previous year. More popular
than breast enhancement surgery and a potential blockbuster, Botox is regarded by some as the ultimate fountain of youth
and it very popular in Chicago.
Some botox history?
Botox was first approved in 1989 to treat two eye muscle disorders--uncontrollable blinking (blepharospasm) and misaligned
eyes (strabismus). In 2000, the toxin was approved to treat a neurological movement disorder that causes severe neck and
shoulder contractions, known as cervical dystonia. As an unusual side effect of the eye disorder treatment, doctors
observed that Botox softened the vertical frown (glabellar) lines between the eyebrows that tend to make people look
tired, angry or displeased. But until this improvement was actually demonstrated in clinical studies, Allergan Inc.,
of Irvine, Calif., was prohibited from making this claim for the product.
By April 2002, the FDA was satisfied by its review of studies indicating that Botox reduced the severity of frown lines for up to 120 days. The agency then granted approval to use the drug for this condition.
The FDA regulates products, but not how they are used. Approved products are sometimes used by a licensed practitioner for uses other than those stated in the product label. Botox Cosmetic, for example, is currently being used by physicians to treat facial wrinkles other than those specified by the FDA. Consumers should be aware, however, that this "off-label" use has not been independently reviewed by the agency, and the safety and effectiveness of Botox injections into other regions of the face and neck, alone or in combination with the frown-lines region, have not been clinically evaluated.
Considering Botox in Chicago?
If you live here in Chicago and thinking about having botox injections, then:
- Be sure that a qualified Houston plastic surgeon performs the procedure.
- Make sure that the doctor is trained and qualified in cosmetic skin surgery of the face.
- Ask questions and be informed about the benefits and risks involved in the procedure.
- Avoid alcohol and remain upright for several hours following the procedure.
- Choose a medical setting using sterile techniques. Necessary equipment should be available to respond to any
potential problems.
Side Effects/Risks of Botox Injections in Chicago
Although there is no chance of contracting botulism from Botox injections, there are some risks associated with the
procedure. If too much toxin is injected, for example, or if it is injected into the wrong facial area, a person can
end up with droopy eyelid muscles (ptosis) that could last for weeks. This particular complication was observed in
clinical trials. Other common side effects following injection were headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome,
and nausea. Less frequent adverse reactions included pain in the face, redness at the injection site, and muscle
weakness. These reactions were generally temporary, but could last several months. While the effects of Botox Cosmetic
don't last, still, people don't seem to mind repeating the procedure every four to six months in order to maintain a
wrinkle-free look. Battling the signs of aging in a non-invasive way, after all, is part of the allure of the
product--that and the fact that there are no unsightly scars, and that there is very little recovery time with
the procedure. The FDA recommends that Botox Cosmetic be injected no more frequently than once every three months,
and that the lowest effective dose should be used.
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