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Smoothing Facial CreasesPosted Wednesday, September 5, 2007 to PROCEDURES > Skin Posted by The Original Anti-Aging & Cosmetic Surgery Magazine Cosmetic surgeon Simon Ourian MD explained to Holly O'Neill how Botox can be used to treat lines and wrinkles which other methods of facial rejuvination cannot. Common procedures used to treat facial wrinkles include chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and collagen and fat injections. However these do not affect wrinkles caused by muscle movement. Called dynamic wrinkles, the most commonly recognized of these are "expression lines" on the forehead, around the eyes and between the eyebrows. Botox can stop these wrinkles appearing by disabling muscles that cause them. Botox is a purified protein derived from the toxin Clostridium Botulinum. The discovery it could be used for cosmetic purposes was accidental. It was being used for treatment of neurological disorders and patients receiving it found wrinkles around their eyes diminished. Dr Simon Ourian's office is one of the highest users of Botox for cosmetic purposes in the country. "We do between 100 and 200 injections a week. Right before the Oscars we do around 400 injections in one week," Dr Ourian said. Once the protein has been purified it can be injected into individual muscles in the face. From a cosmetic point of view, it is commonly used to remove wrinkles around the eyes and forehead. Botox injection results in paralysis of the muscles, to the point where dynamic wrinkles on the face are unable to develop. Similar to collagen, treatment with Botox needs to be followed up. For the first year, treatments are suggested every 3-5 months. After this time the muscles atrophy, as any muscle does if it is not used. Once the muscle has atrophied in the treated region, fOllow-up treatments are only necessary once or twice a year, (in some cases only every couple of years). Like all medical procedures there are risks involved with Botox treatments. Every time you put a needle through the face there is a risk of bruising if you catch a capillary. This complication is transient, lasting 3-5 days. The other risk is "droopy eyelid" if Botox is injected into areas where it could leak into the eyelid the forehead or between the eyebrows. But in the hands of a trained physician the risks are reduced significantly. "I have performed over 3000 cases of Botox and haven't had anybody suffering from this. However, if it ever does happen it also is very transient, not lasting for more than 2 or 3 days," noted Dr Ourian. The small amounts of Botox used for cosmetic purposes are not harmful. "Over the years our bodies have become exposed to the toxin and, in some cases, have developed a minor immunity. The body would need to be exposed to 300 times as much as is used in a Botox treatment before it could possibly be harmful," assured Dr Ourian. Botox is a simple and effective method of treating lines caused by movement of the facial muscles. Just remember, if you are considering having it done, avoid arranging a procedure around the time, or just after the Oscars. There may be a mysterious shortage of the stuff. 0 Comments | Share | Save to Favorites Report Abuse| Rate It: Add Comment |