Questions about BOTOX? Find the answers to the most commonly asked questions here.
How Long Does It Last?
Injection of this material into the small muscles between the brows, in the forehead, and at the comers of the eyes causes those specific muscles to halt their function (be paralyzed), thereby improving the appearance of the wrinkles. This paralysis is temporary and re-injection is necessary within three to ten months.
How Is It Used?
Using a very tiny needle, small amounts of BOTOX® Cosmetic are injected into the muscles to be paralyzed. Depending on the areas being treated, 5 to 15 needle pricks (or more) may be required. Discomfort is minimal and lasts only a few seconds.
Side Effects
Occasionally, the needle may puncture a small blood vessel during the injection, and a black and blue area may develop. Such an area can last 5 to 10 days and may require makeup to cover. If any of the Botulinum toxin reaches a facial muscle not being treated, partial weakness of that muscle may last for several months. (For this reason, you are requested not to massage the injected areas for 12 hours following the injection.) If an untreated area experiences muscle weakness, the only “treatment” is to wait for the effect of the toxin to wear off in several months. There are no recognized permanent side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic. Complications are rare, but may include paralysis of a nearby muscle, resulting in its temporary loss of function (e.g., a drooping eyelid). BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used safely in the treatment of muscular facial spasms for approximately 15 years.
