BOTOX® Cosmetic (Botulinum A) has been used safely by doctors for 20 years to treat patients with certain medical conditions such as eye spasms, central nervous system disorders and excessive muscle contractions. The more recent use of BOTOX® Cosmetic to reduce wrinkles was discovered almost by accident. Vancouver dermatologist, Dr. Alastair Caruthers, began using BOTOX® Cosmetic to treat signs of aging in 1986 after his wife Jean, an ophthalmologist, observed that her patients who were treated for eye spasm lost their crow's feet. According to Dr. Caruthers, one patient actually commented that she looked "much happier" and "less angry" because the BOTOX® Cosmetic also improved the wrinkles between her eyebrows.

Since that time, Dr. Gurney F. Pearsall, Jr. began using BOTOX® Cosmetic injections to reduce horizontal creases in the forehead, frown lines and other areas of the face. The overall effect of BOTOX® Cosmetic is a relaxed, smooth appearance. If administered properly, the final result is natural and pleasing to the majority of patients.   The freshness and strength of BOTOX® Cosmetic is an important aspect of choosing a physician.  BOTOX® Cosmetic older than several days loses its potency.  Weak BOTOX® Cosmetic injections lead to limited results and can create a resistance to any future treatments.  We accept BOTOX® Cosmetic appointments Wednesday through Friday making sure that all scheduled patients receive fresh, full potency BOTOX® Cosmetic.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is most effective in the upper third of the face (eyes and forehead) but other areas of the face and neck can be treated as well.

BOTOX® Cosmetic, short for Botulinum Toxin A, works by binding to nerve endings and preventing the release of chemical transmitters that activate muscles. Botulinum toxin therapy is used to paralyze small muscles of the face which cause frown lines, crow's feet and other wrinkles. It decreases the ability to frown or squint, thereby preventing the appearance of lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions. BOTOX® Cosmetic affects the ability of the muscle to move, but does not impair sensory perception.

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How is BOTOX® Cosmetic Administered?

An extremely diluted amount of Botulinum Toxin A is administered by Dr. Pearsall in the area where a person desires an elimination of wrinkles. Dr. Pearsall uses a fine-gauge needle to inject BOTOX® Cosmetic into the skin and muscle. To treat crow's feet, three injections are given on the side of the face close to the outer region of the eyes, known as the "orbital rim." Patients should know that injection of BOTOX® Cosmetic in the orbital rim, reduces, but does not abolish wrinkles in this area. The result, however, is very satisfying to many people who are self conscious about the appearance of their crow's feet, especially when they smile.

To treat forehead lines, 6 injections are administered over the forehead area. The goal is to weaken, rather than paralyze the forehead muscle, according to Dr. Pearsall. In certain cases, BOTOX® Cosmetic can be used to improve the appearance of "laugh lines," the folds in the area between the nose and lips (naso-labial folds). There is a risk, however, of lip drooping or other unfavorable cosmetic results in the mouth area when treating the naso-labial folds. The inner portion of the fold is better treated by other means, such as Radiesse or Captique dermal fillers for long term affect. Unwanted horizontal lines on the neck, nasal flares and chin creases have also been treated successfully with BOTOX® Cosmetic.

An alternate method of delivery BOTOX® Cosmetic involves the use of a needle, which is connected to an EMG (electromyography) recorder which guides doctors in locating muscles. An audio signal can be heard when the probe comes in contact with the most active part of the muscle. While this technique may allow for more accurate placement of BOTOX® Cosmetic, it can be more painful. Experienced physicians like Dr. Pearsall do not require the use of EMG.

People who wish to reduce the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes and on the forehead, but don't want cosmetic surgery are good candidates for this procedure. For this group, BOTOX® Cosmetic is an effective but temporary treatment. The effect of BOTOX® Cosmetic usually lasts four to five months. However, more frequent treatments seem to produce a "build up" of BOTOX® Cosmetic. Studies show that individuals who have had at least five treatments had results that lasted longer.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is not recommended for:

Pregnant women even though there have been no reports of birth defects with its use and women who are breast feeding. This is because only limited data in this area is available. Persons with neuromuscular disease, such as muscular dystrophy or generalized movement disorders, may not be candidates for BOTOX® Cosmetic and should consult their neurologists before being treated. Persons with known allergies to the components of BOTOX® Cosmetic, such as saline solution and human albumin. Persons such as actors or on-air broadcasters, for example, who use their face for expressiveness should consider whether BOTOX® Cosmetic is right for them because BOTOX® Cosmetic has a paralyzing effect on the muscles.

Treatment

Patients who are considering BOTOX® Cosmetic should not take aspirin or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID) such as Motrin or Advil for two weeks before treatment. Aspirin can increase the risk for bleeding and bruising at the injection site. Also be certain to advise Dr. Pearsall of any medications you are taking and any known allergies.

BOTOX® Cosmetic Injections: Side Effects and Risks

Soreness or bruising at the injection site can occur. Applying ice packs over the treated site before and after the injections can reduce this problem.

Another side effect when BOTOX® Cosmetic is used around the forehead is eyelid droop, known as ptosis. This temporary condition occurs in about 5% of patients. It usually appears 7 to 14 days after the injection and can last 4 to 6 weeks. A more speedy method of treating ptosis is the application of prescription eye drops (iopidine). In many cases, these drops will help resolve the droop within a few days. Dr. Pearsall is well aware of this potential side effect and takes all of the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of ptosis. It is also important for a patient to remain vertical for 4-6 hours after the injection. This allows the BOTOX® Cosmetic to be taken up in the treated area and reduces the chance of displacement to other muscles. It is also helpful to contract the treated muscles repeatedly (smile or squint depending on the area treated). Do not touch the injected sites for two to three hours.

A welcome side effect for some patients is the disappearance of "tension headaches." Researchers are now experimenting with BOTOX® Cosmetic to determine whether it can help in eliminating migraine headaches for persons who are affected by them.

BOTOX® Cosmetic can reduce or eliminate wrinkles without surgery. It is a unique treatment because unlike other non-surgical treatments such as chemical/laser peels and collagen injection, BOTOX® Cosmetic corrects underlying muscle instead of the skin surface or subsurface.

BOTOX® Cosmetic appears to be a safe cosmetic procedure when administered by a well-trained physician to an appropriate candidate. In terms of safety, muscle biopsies taken from patients after repeated injections of BOTOX® Cosmetic have not shown any evidence of muscle weakness or degeneration.

Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration state that there have been no reports of systemic toxicity from injections. BOTOX® Cosmetic is recognized by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the National Institutes of Health as safe and effective.

According to Dr. Pearsall, BOTOX® Cosmetic may be the "ideal cosmetic procedure" because it produces "dramatic results, has few side effects and is reversible." For persons who are not candidates for cosmetic surgery or cannot afford it, BOTOX® Cosmetic may provide the solution for their quest for a more youthful appearance without the risks of other procedures.

2951 Chimney Rock Rd. - Houston, TX  77056
713-522-4037

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.