Another form of treatment is now available.  This treatment involves injection of a muscle-relaxing agent into the affected muscles.  By relaxing the muscles of the forehead and areas to the side of the eyes and mouth, the overall facial appearance may be improved.

The injected agent is known commercially as BOTOX® and it is a purified form of a muscle-relaxing toxin produced by a bacteria.  Botox® has now been available for several years.  It is safe and has no known ill effects upon the body.  It is expensive.  Since the injections are given in the office with no anesthesia and no surgical procedure, there are no anesthetic risks and no lost time from employment.  Once injected, the muscles being to relax within 3-4 days and the effect can last up to six months.  Repeat injections are given at intervals in order to maintain the effect.

Treatment with Botox® is a chemical denervation, meaning partial interruption of nerve supply to the affected muscles.  Dothan neurologist, Dr. Robert F. Allen, is offering this treatment to qualified individuals.  Dr. Allen received Botox® training at Emory University in Atlanta.  For a free consultation, in order to determine if Botox® is a correct choice for you, call Dr. Allen at (334) 671-2887.  Cost of the facial treatment with Botox® will be $350 - $600 per session (depending upon the number of injections and the amount of Botox® required), and most individuals will need two sessions per year.  In some cases, the benefits will persist beyond six months, such that sessions may be required less often.

This treatment is offered on a pre-payment plan only. 

Due to the cosmetic nature of this procedure
  no insurance will be accepted. 

BOTOX® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.

 

What is the difference between BOTOX© Cosmetic and fillers? Frown lines are caused by overactive facial muscles.  Fillers mask the wrinkle by adding volume around the muscle with intradermal injections.  BOTOX© Cosmetic is intramuscular, blocking the chemicals that cause facial muscles to contract, thereby relaxing them.  While there are many options available for fillers, BOTOX ©  Cosmetic is the only product of its type that affects the muscles that cause these wrinkles.

 

What are the common side effects?

The most common side effects following the injection of BOTOX ©    Cosmetic include headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eyelid droop and nausea.

Have patients been happy with their results?

According to a recent survey of 204 dermatologists and plastic surgeons, BOTOX© Cosmetic has the highest satisfaction rating of all physician-administered treatments in 2003 and 2004*. And for the past 3 years, BOTOX© Cosmetic was the most popular physician-administered cosmetic procedure in the United States (surgical and nonsurgical combined).**

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery also estimates that almost 3 million people were treated with BOTOX© Cosmetic in 2004 alone.**

* 2004 Dermatologist/Plastic Surgeon Awareness, Trial, and Usage Survey
** The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery