Wrinkle Removal (BOTOX®)
 

Facial wrinkles have always been a nightmare for women and men. Several reasons may cause wrinkles among which are; age, sun exposure and excessive muscle activity. Most of our facial wrinkles are caused by skin folding resulting from muscle over-activity. This explains why some people are in their 20's yet have wrinkles on their forehead or the outer corners of their eyes or between their brows .This is usually the time when most women start using the so called"anti aging creams" in the hope that these will prevent or remove lines and wrinkles. BOTOX can easily and effectively correct - and more importantly guard against - wrinkles and lines caused by muscle over-activity in the forehead, crow feet (wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes) and frown lines (parallel lines between the brows). BOTOX can also eliminate the excess sweat that may wet the clothes leading to an unpleasant embarrassing appearance of the armpits area, the palms and the soles of the feet.
 



 

What is Botox?

BOTOX Cosmetic "Botulinum Toxin" is a strong neurotoxin produced by bacteria. When BOTOX is injected into a muscle it causes temporary paralysis of this particular muscle. BOTOX has been used for many years for the treatment of problems related to muscle spasm. It has gained the approval of the FDA for these uses and has a long history of safety. When BOTOX is injected in the forehead, the crow feet and the frown lines, it decreases the movement of the muscles under the skin in these areas leaving the skin smooth with no lines or wrinkles. When BOTOX is injected in the armpits, the palms and the soles of the feet, it decreases the activity of the sweat glands in these areas leaving them with no excessive sweating (Hyperhydrosis). BOTOX may also be used to lift the brow creating an attractive angle to it and sometimes improving the look of the upper eyelid that has excessive skin. People all over the world as early as the mid 20's are now using BOTOX as an anti aging drug to prevent the creation of lines and wrinkles caused by over muscle activity. The early treatment with BOTOX will definitely postpone and possibly eliminate the future need for a face or brow lift. Also, men and women of an older age are now seeking BOTOX as a simple, fast and effective non-surgical approach to smooth skin free of any lines or wrinkles.
 

Are You a Good Candidate for Botox?

You would be a good candidate for BOTOX if you have wrinkles on your forehead, between your brows or at the corner of your eyes. or if you suffer from excessive sweating in any of the areas mentioned above. You may be a young individual who seeks to prevent lines and wrinkles in these areas from appearing all together. You may also be an individual who seeks an eyebrow lift using a non-surgical approach. You may have had a face, brow or neck lift but still find visible lines in any of the areas treated by BOTOX. You may notice that people ask you all the time if you are angry or sad, if this is caused by over muscle activity BOTOX can also correct that for you, giving you a smooth relaxed looking face. BOTOX can be used as early as the mid twenties to eliminate fine lines and prevent deeper wrinkles from appearing. and as early as 15 years old for the treatment of excessive sweating.
 




Preparing for Your Procedure

Before your procedure, Dr. Metwally will perform a complete evaluation with you to discuss your concerns with facial wrinkles or excessive sweating  and determine the role of BOTOX in their treatment. A key element in the evaluation for wrinkles  is to ensure that the wrinkles of your concern are related to muscle activity. If this is not the case, other treatments like facial injectables and fillers will be suggested. In most cases especially with older candidates, a combination of BOTOX and facial fillers is the best approach to restore the youthful appearance.

Duration of the Procedure

It takes Dr. Metwally approximately 10 minutes to inject BOTOX in the forehead, crow feet, frown lines, and brow angle. If your areas of concern are less than these, the procedure may take as little as 5 minutes. For the treatment of excessive sweating with BOTOX, the procedure for the armpits, palms or soles of the feet takes around 10 minutes. For excess sweat elimination, marking will be made to the area/s of your concern along which the BOTOX will be injected equally.

Anesthesia Used

The needle used to inject BOTOX is a very fine needle. In most cases only a numbing cream is used 20 minutes prior to the procedure. In other cases the patient may opt to using no cream since the prick of the needle is almost painless. You may leave instantaneously after your procedure and resume your normal daily activities.
 

During Your Procedure

During your procedure, Dr. Metwally asks you to raise your brows, frown and laugh so he can see the depth of your facial lines and wrinkles. He makes a few dots with a marker, then proceeds by injecting BOTOX into the fine muscles right underneath the skin causing the lines and wrinkles of your concern.
 



After Your Procedure

After your procedure you will be instructed not to wash your face or any other area treated or use any make up or creams for the first 4 hours following your procedure. If your skin color is fair or you have very sensitive skin, you may have a few red dots or very tiny bulges similar to mosquito bites, these will subside over a span of 4 to 12 hours.
  

Seeing Your Result

BOTOX starts giving effect starting the 3rd day after injection and ending with the 14th day. Every day after the 2nd day of injection, you will notice upon waking up that your face is becoming smoother and the lines are gradually disappearing. For excess sweat elimination you will notice that the areas being treated are no longer producing excess sweat. By the 14th day the final result will be achieved. Dr. Metwally asks to see you by the 14th day in order to see the effect BOTOX has created for you and whether or not you need minor touch-ups. This is a standard procedure and requires no further payment. The result caused by BOTOX usually lasts for 5 to 7 months depending on your age and muscle strength, after which you will need to receive another treatment. For patients who have been treated multiple times, the effect of BOTOX seems to last for longer time periods.