Botulinum Toxin Injections (Botox™)
A non-surgical answer to aging change in the face still eludes science. The introduction of botulinum toxin injections, or Botox, has produced at least a temporary method for removing some lines and perhaps the bands in the neck.
Botulinum toxin has been used for treating many problems in medicine since the late 1970s. It has taken almost twenty years for it to be used to improve the appearance of the face.
For many years the use of Botox for wrinkles was an off label use of the drug. This means that although it has been approved by the FDA, it is not used for the same problem as approved by the FDA. Yet, many doctors routinely use the method. In 2002 the FDA gave approval for its use in treating deep lines between the brows on the forehead.
It is injected into the facial muscles that are causing wrinkles or bands in the neck. By relaxing the muscles it produces a significant change in appearance. It is temporary, and within a few months the doctor can re-inject the same areas. There is some proof it is less effective as more injections are given. However many physician feel the opposite is true and that with repeated use of low doses the muscle actually thins and weakens. In addition, through a process of re-education the patient can break the habit of contracting certain muscles that has developed over many years.
In many people several areas are injected simultaneously. Most doctors like to limit the amount of toxin injected at one time.
Botulinum Toxin Injections (Botox™)
As always you can email Dr. Hudson if you have any questions.posted by Patrick Hudson in Albuquerque, NM, USA on 3/05/2003 05:27:00 PM