Botox Patient Instructions
There is no specific preparation required for Botox treatment
of frown lines and crowís feet wrinkles. You will be evaluated
to determine if this treatment is right for you and the procedure
fully explained.
It is very important to keep your appointment for Botox.
The medication is kept fresh and frozen until just before
your appointment. Then it is thawed and prepared just for
you. The sites for Botox injection will be carefully determined
and the treatment takes just a few minutes. A cold pack is
applied to the area for a few minutes first. This makes the
injections less uncomfortable. Properly prepared Botox does
not even sting when injected.
The medicine is taken up only into actively contracting
muscles. Therefore, it is important for you to frown and/or
squint frequently for the four hours following injection.
Do this forcefully 10 times and repeat about every 15 minutes
for four hours after a treatment.
Also, do not lie down for four hours after the treatment.
This keeps the medicine from spreading to the eyelid muscles.
Thus, the small risk of eyelid droop can be reduced even
further.
After four hours, it does not matter what you do. You may
see some effect after the first day. Usually it takes 3 to
4 days for the benefit to be established. Occasionally it
may take up to a week for full effect. Residual creases will
tend to soften slowly after the muscles are no longer contracting.
Botox is long lasting but not permanent. After your first
treatment, muscle action will slowly begin to return after
about three months. When the muscle function returns to about
half of normal it is the best time for re-treatment. This
is after four months on average. Repeat treatments tend to
last longer. After a few cycles, it may only need to be repeated
once or twice a year.
You may have some mild soreness a couple of days after the
treatment. Occasionally a mild headache or "heavy" feeling
occurs in the area. This is normal and will soon pass. If
you have any local bruising, use ice packs two or three times
daily and it will soon resolve. Call if you have any further
questions or concerns.
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