Botulinum toxin injections are noted primarily for the ability to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. They're also used to treat conditions such as neck spasms (Cervical Dystonia and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome), arm or leg stiffness and contractures (Spasticity), eye muscle twitching (Eye Spasticity), excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis), Trigeminal Neuralgia, and chronic migraines.
BOTOX injections use a toxin called onobotulinumtoxin A to temporarily prevent a muscle from moving. This toxin is produced by the microbe that causes botulism, a type of food poisoning.
BOTOX was the first drug to use botulinum toxin. Other products now include: abobotulinumtoxin A (Dysport), rimabotulinumtoxin B (Myobloc) and incobotulinumtoxin A (Xeomin), prabotulinumtoxin A (Jeuveau). Each is a little different, particularly when it comes to dosage units, so they aren't interchangeable.
Botulinum toxin injections block certain chemical signals from nerves, mostly signals that cause muscles to contract. The most common use of these injections is for aesthetic purposes to temporarily relax the facial muscles that cause wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes.
Botulinum toxin injections are also used to treat conditions that affect how the body functions:
Botulinum Toxin relaxes facial muscles, and as a result, it smooths lines and wrinkles. This can be preventative in younger adults with a smaller dosage delivered. It can also be used to treat deep lines in the face and neck, and to acheive certain specific cosmetic results such as neck line and facial slimming.
Lori Pherson, founder of LOLA, is certified in Botulinum toxin and Filler injections. She has had a Concierge Aesthetic practice for a few years, and has transitioned part of her practice in house at Pittsburgh Hand and Nerve! She will give a thorough individualized treatment plan, and since facial anatomy is unique, work with every patient to achieve their aesthetic goals. Although dosage for treatment areas vary widely, this photo outlines a general idea of what to expect with your visit.
For Aesthetic Purposes (Forehead/Eye wrinkles and Frown lines, etc): Common areas of interest include: Forehead lines 10-30 units, Glabellar (Frown) lines 10-25 units, Bunny/Nasalis lines 5-10 units, Lateral canthal lines (Crows feet) 5-15 units, Dimpled chin 2-6 units.
No definitive serious adverse event reports of distant spread of toxin effect have been reported as associated with the use of BOTOX Cosmetic at the labeled dose of 20 units (for glabellar lines), 24 Units (for lateral canthal lines), 40 Units (for forehead lines with glabellar lines), 44 Units (for simultaneous treatment of lateral canthal lines and glabellar lines), and 64 Units (for simultaneous treatment of lateral canthal lines, glabellar lines, and forehead lines).
For Therapeutic Botox (TMJ Spasticity, Neck/Back/Scapula Pain, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Chronic Migraine, Hyperhidrosis, etc.): We can submit for Insurance authorization, prior to scheduling your injection.
For those interested in paying out of pocket, here is our pricing for Therapeutic Botox:
Botulinum toxin injections are relatively safe, but possible side effects and complications can occur, including:
Although very unlikely, it's possible for the toxin in the injection to spread in your body. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these effects hours to weeks after receiving Botulinum toxin:
Doctors generally recommend against using Botulinum toxin when you're pregnant or breast-feeding. And Botulinum toxin should not be used in people who are allergic to cow's milk protein.
Botulinum toxin must be used only under a doctor's care. It's important that injections be placed precisely in order to avoid side effects. Botox therapy can be dangerous if it's administered incorrectly. A skilled and properly certified doctor, like Dr. Spiess, can advise you on the procedure and help determine if it best suits your needs and health.
Tell us if you've had any type of Botox injection within the past four months. Also tell us if you take muscle relaxants, sleeping aids or allergy medications. If you take blood thinners, you may need to stop taking them several days before your injection to reduce your risk of bleeding or bruising.
Botulinum toxin may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Call our office or get medical help immediately (Emergency Room) if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of Botulinum toxin:
If you’re ready to explore whether you are a good candidate for Botulinum toxin therapy, reach out to Dr. Spiess’s office and schedule your first consultation today.