BOTOX^® is an injectable medicine that relaxes muscles of the face which are causing unwanted wrinkling.  The treatment takes only several minutes in the office and is a non-surgical way to reduce certain wrinkles without recovery time. While BOTOX^® has only recently gained widespread media attention, it has been FDA approved since 1989 to treat various medical conditions.  Botox gained FDA approval in 2002 for temporary reduction of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows. Since then, additional approval has been granted for hyperhidrosis or treatment of excess sweating.  You should note that the other applications discussed in this page, while accepted and in widespread clinical use by the medical community, are considered "off-label" uses by the FDA since they don't related to the specific area of the face which is in the product labeling. 

How BOTOX^® Works

    BOTOX^® is a purified  form of a substance produced by botulinum bacteria.  This medicine binds to the ends of nerve fibers preventing them from sending a signal to the muscles connected to the fibers.  This relaxes the muscles, reducing resting tone.  Wrinkles which are the result of muscle tension can be treated by BOTOX^® injection.  The effect is reversible, wearing off after approximately 4-6 months.

What Can Be Treated

    Many wrinkle lines in the upper face are not intrinsic to the skin itself but are formed by muscle tension.  These include frown lines between the eyebrows, wrinkle lines across the forehead as well as crow’s feet that form during smiling or animation (rather than those present at rest).  The goal of treatment is to create a softening of the wrinkles while preserving natural expression.  Properly performed BOTOX^® treatments  will not leave your face looking immobile or mask-like.  Lower facial areas can also be treated but in a much more conservative fashion to avoid interfering with normal function.  Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating can also be effectively treated using Botox.

What to Expect

    No anesthesia is required for this treatment, although a cold compress may be used to numb the area. Multiple injections will be made in the areas to be treated.  You must avoid bending, lifting or exercise for 4 hours after treatment.  A small amount of redness or swelling may result in the areas treated.  This usually disappears within a few hours.  On the day of treatment no effect will be seen in the treated areas.  Over the next 3-7 days, the muscles slowly relax as the medicine takes effect.  This is followed by softening or elimination of the wrinkles.  The degree of improvement varies depending on the severity of the wrinkles, your skin type and the number of years the wrinkles have been present.  The duration of effect is usually approximately 4-6 months.  Muscles may begin to activate prior to this time but re-treatment is suggested when wrinkles begin to reappear.  Possible side effects of BOTOX^® include headache, nausea, and temporary eyelid droop. These side effects as well as complications are uncommon.  Risks include but are not limited to bruising, allergic reaction (which produces redness), asymmetry, excess droopiness of the eyelids,  and  formation of  antibodies  which makes the medicine ineffective.     

Application Areas

Limited application areas include:

Manhattan: 568 Park Avenue at 63rd Street - 212.593.2600       

Great Neck: 833 Northern Boulevard, Suite 110 - 516.773.3705