Cosmetic Botox

Botox treatments provide a great way for many people to improve facial wrinkles without having surgery. Botox is the most common cosmetic treatment performed by physicians in the United States, with over 3.8 million procedures done each year. Botox works by reducing the effects of hyperactive muscles which lead to wrinkles in the area around the eyes (crow's feet), on the forehead and between the eyebrows (glabellar furrows). Botox is best at reducing dynamic wrinkles, lines which form with facial animation such as smiling or frowning. The effects of a Botox treatment usually lasts 3-6 months. Most people return to work the same day with little if any bruising.

Injection of Botox is performed by plastic surgeons and dermatologists. There is an increasing trend whereby non-physicians perform injections under "physician supervision". Physician supervision is in quotation marks, because the supervising physician may not even be in the same building. Before you have an injection, make sure the person treating you is fully qualified to perform the procedure and manage any potential complications. There are many "weekend" courses which teach people to do these injections. Obviously, no weekend course can teach an understanding of complex issues in facial aesthetics acquired through years of formal training in plastic surgery or dermatology. Dr. Kapadia personally performs all Botox, Restylane and Juvederm treatments in his practice.

Botox injections have an excellent track record over almost 20 years of use. As mentioned previously, almost 4 million Botox procedures are performed each year in the United States alone, with a very low rate of long-term complications. The most common adverse effect of Botox injections is mild drooping of the eyelid (eyelid ptosis), which in experienced hands occurs infrequently (once in several hundred treatments). This complication results when Botox inadvertently affects the muscles which elevate the eyelid. Eye drops can be help to temporarily elevate the affected eyelid until the effects of the Botox wear off. Allergic reactions to Botox are rarely encountered.