Botox injections are now available in the Laser Surgery Center.

Many of you have probably heard of the use of Botox for the treatment of lines and wrinkles. Botox injections are now available in the Aesthetic Laser Surgery Center for the treatment of deep and persistent wrinkles especially between the eyebrows, the horizontal forehead lines, the "crow's feet" area or other facial areas where wrinkles appear with facial expression. This procedure can be used by itself or in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures.

Many wrinkles are actually creases that have been worn into the skin by making the same expression thousands of times. These "expression lines", often called frown lines or crow's feet, are due to the contraction of a muscle under the skin in that area. We have known for years that surgically cutting that muscle will improve the wrinkle. Botox is a purified protein toxin which has no serious side effects when used correctly in a medical setting.   A few drops of Botox are injected with a tiny needle into the muscle that creates a wrinkle. When Botox is injected into a muscle, it blocks the nerve impulse from reaching that area, and as a result, the muscle weakens. As the muscle weakens, the skin overlying the muscle relaxes and the wrinkles in the skin gradually soften and often disappear. The effects of Botox usually last three to four months, at which time another injection is required. After several treatments, the effects of Botox may begin to last longer, sometimes up to five to six months. Botox has been used safely and successfully in ophthalmology for over 15 years, and for wrinkle therapy for over 10 years. Side effects are very unusual. Even if they should occur, they are temporary and localized to the area of injection.