Frown Line Treatment using Botulinium Toxin (Botox)

Botulinum Toxin (BOTOX) was first used to treat muscle spasm. It was soon found to be an excellent way to reduce wrinkles in the face.

BOTOX is used in minute amounts to produce a mini face lift in 15 to 20 minutes. It works by knocking out the muscles pulling on the skin, forming wrinkles. The effect is that the wrinkles simply disappear.

Not all wrinkles are caused by muscles pulling on the skin. Some wrinkles need treatment with fillers such as Collagen / etc. For optimum effect patients may want to complement, where necessary, BOTOX treatment with fillers.

BOTOX works best on the frown lines and forehead lines above and between the eyebrows. It can also be used to help the appearance of "crow's feet" and certain other expression areas, such as down-turned corners of the mouth.

BOTOX works by blocking acetylcholine, which is a substance produced by nerve impulses that cause the muscles to contract.

Several small injections are required in the forehead and to the sides of each eye to treat "crow's feet". There is a tiny prick when the very fine needle goes in but generally people report only mild discomfort.

1) As with any medical treatment, you may experience some unwanted side-effects following injections
with BOTOX:

2) Occasionally a small bruise may appear at an injection site - this is minimised by applying pressure for a little while after each small injection.

3) A slight headache can sometimes affect the patient for a few hours after treatment - helps to reduce this.

4) Droopy eyebrows/eyelids may result from movement of the BOTOX into surrounding tissues. It is important to avoid massaging the treated areas, to remain upright for four hours, and to vigorously squint or frown as often as possible for a few hours after treatment. A droopy eyelid usually lasts for only a few days but if it persists eye drops can be prescribed.

5) The muscles may not be sufficiently weakened - in this case more BOTOX can be administered safely.

6) Contraindications for use are diabetes, pregnancy, nursing mothers, patients with neuromuscular disorders and heart problems and certain antibiotics that interfere with neuromuscular transmission such as. Occasionally, antibody formation is experienced, which may reduce the effect of further injections at a later date.