Botox

Facial wrinkles are caused by sun (UV) exposure, repetitive contraction of facial expression muscles, and loss of skin collagen and volume.  As skin become less elastic, the muscles pull and force the skin above to form a wrinkle, which become etched in the skin.  There are two types of wrinkles.  Dynamic wrinkles form when the muscle is contracted.  Static wrinkles are present even when the muscle is relaxed.  Dynamic wrinkles progress to static wrinkles.

Botulinum Toxin (Botox) is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.  Botox blocks the release of acetylcholine, the chemical that a nerve uses to tell the muscles to contract.  Thus Botox weakens or paralyzes the muscle. With less muscle movement, the skin surface above it smoothes and wrinkles begin to soften.  The effect is temporary and wears off in approximately 3 months.

Ophthalmologists have been longest users of Botox and have used it for two decades for treatment of benign essential blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, and strabismus.  Ophthalmologists began using Botox for facial wrinkles, and dermatology and others have followed.  The FDA approved Botox for aesthetic use for frown (glabellar) lines in 2002.  There have been an estimated 3.3 million treatments in 2005 alone.

Botox injections in the glabellar region have a high patient satisfaction rate.  We inject above and between the eyebrows to smooth the wrinkles made by the corrugator and procerus muscles.  The procedure takes 10 minutes.  We can numb the area with anesthetic cream, cold pack, or no numbing is needed at all.  We use a tiny needle (32g), so it just feels like getting your eyebrow plucked, and we place anywhere from 5 to 8 tiny injections.  Risks include possible temporary bruising at the injection site which can be covered with makeup and temporary ptosis which is rare.  It takes about 3 days for the Botox to work, and lasts for about 3 months.

We also can inject the forehead to smooth the wrinkles made by the frontalis, and/or we can inject the “crow’s feet” to soften the wrinkles made by the orbicularis oculi.  If you or any of your patients are interested in trying Botox, please call any of our four offices to make an appointment.

Eyesthetica is the largest private group in the greater Los Angeles area, whose practice is dedicated solely to oculofacial plastic surgery specializing in cosmetic surgery, eyelid reconstruction, lacrimal and orbital surgery.  We have opened a new office in Torrance to better serve you and your patients.

Eyesthetica                                                                                     Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Oculofacial and Cosmetic Surgery Associates                                                                Orbital and Lacrimal Surgery

Steven C. Dresner, M.D., Michael A. Burnstine, M.D., Melanie Ho Erb, M.D.                               Cosmetic Surgery

Santa Monica          Pasadena               Torrance               Downtown Los Angeles                                                                  www.DrDresner.com

310-453-1763         626-564-0004       310-530-9482       213-482-3467                                                                               www.DrBurnstine.com