BOTOX^® Cosmetic

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BOTOX in Maryland

What is Botox?    Why Be Treated with Botox?    Botox FAQ's    Botox Safety

Dr. Chrisine Helinski performs Botox treatments in Maryland at Samsara Salon & Spa in Sykesville, MD. Call 410-552-6900 to schedule your BOTOX appointment!

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BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a safe and effective wrinkle treatment correcting frown lines in the forehead and crows feet around the eyes. Dr. Christine Helinski administers BOTOX to her Maryland patients in her office at the Samsara Salon and Spa in downtown Sykesville, Maryland. If you are looking for safe, effective and affordable BOTOX treatment options in Maryland, call Dr. Helinski today at 410-552-5410.

What is BOTOX^® Cosmetic?

BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a simple, non-surgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily smooth moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people from 18 to 65 years of age. Botox is the only treatment of its type approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

One 10-minute Botox treatment—a few tiny injections—and within days there's a noticeable improvement in moderate to severe frown lines between the brows, which can last up to 4 months. Results using Botox may vary. Dr. Chrisine Helinski performs Botox treatments in Maryland at Samsara Salon & Spa in Sykesville, MD. Call 410-552-6900 to schedule your appointment.

Why Be Treated with BOTOX?

You've probably heard a lot about BOTOX^® Cosmetic. It's been in the news, in fashion, health, and beauty magazines, and on TV. Your friends may even be talking about how it works.

Could this be what you’ve been looking for—a procedure that can temporarily smooth those moderate to severe frown lines between your brows with no surgery and no recovery time? An improvement can be seen within days, lasting for up to 4 months. Results may vary.

Almost 3.3 million procedures were performed in 2005 alone—a 16% increase over 2004. Not just models and movie stars, but people from all types of professions have tried it.

In fact, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) ranked BOTOX^® Cosmetic as the most popular physician-administered aesthetic procedure in the United States for the fourth year in a row (surgical and non-surgical combined).

What's more, the ASAPS surveys ranked BOTOX^® Cosmetic as one of the low-entry-cost facial aesthetic procedures in the United States.

Botox May Be Right for You

When it comes to selecting a physician-administered aesthetic treatment, chances are you’ll want proof, not just claims. The proof for BOTOX^® Cosmetic is in the numbers.

In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women surveyed rated the improvement in the appearance of frown lines between their brows as moderate to better 1 month after treatment. Results vary.

Results can last for up to 4 months, and may vary.

BOTOX^® Cosmetic was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 for the temporary treatment of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people ages 18 to 65, and almost 3.3 million procedures were performed in 2005 alone.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery ranked BOTOX^® Cosmetic as the most popular physician-administered aesthetic procedure in the United States for the fourth year in a row (surgical and nonsurgical combined).

Maybe you heard a friend talk about her experience with BOTOX^® Cosmetic—and you think your friend looks great—but before you get treated, you’d like to know more about it first.

BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a non-surgical, physician-administered aesthetic treatment for moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people ages 18 to 65. BOTOX^® Cosmetic works by reducing the contractions of the muscles that cause those persistent frown lines that have developed over time.

BOTOX Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is BOTOX^® Cosmetic?

BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It is a nonsurgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily reduce moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people 18 to 65 years of age. During treatment, very low doses of BOTOX^® Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the muscles that cause those stubborn lines. The treatment is usually done in about 10 minutes, and no recovery time is needed. Within days, you may see an improvement that can last up to 4 months. Results may vary.

How does BOTOX^® Cosmetic work?

Those moderate to severe frown lines between your brows form over time as the result of muscle activity. BOTOX^® Cosmetic is injected directly into the muscles between your brows. It works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles; this reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those persistent lines to form.

When will I see results from a BOTOX^® Cosmetic treatment?

Within days, you may see a marked improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows. Lines continue to improve for up to a month, and results can last for up to 4 months. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women rated the improvement in their appearance as moderate to better 1 month after treatment. Results may vary.

How long does BOTOX^® Cosmetic last?

Results from treatment with BOTOX^® Cosmetic can last for up to 4 months. If you discontinue treatment, the frown lines between your brows gradually will look like they did before treatment.

Who should administer BOTOX^® Cosmetic?

Any authorized healthcare professional can administer BOTOX^® Cosmetic, but dermatologists, plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors), or other physicians specializing in cosmetic procedures are generally more experienced. One of these physicians can help you decide if BOTOX^® Cosmetic is right for you.

Is treatment with BOTOX^® Cosmetic painful?

Discomfort is usually minimal and brief. Prior to injecting, your physician may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. Many people are in and out of the physician’s office without downtime following BOTOX^® Cosmetic treatment.

Who should not use BOTOX^® Cosmetic?

BOTOX^® Cosmetic should not be used in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s) and in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation. Patients with neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

Will I experience any side effects?

The most common side effects following injection include temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may be associated with the injection. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

Will my facial expressions continue to look natural?

Although the results are visible, a treatment with BOTOX^® Cosmetic will not radically change your facial appearance or make you look as if you "had work done." The muscle activity that causes frown lines between the brows is simply reduced, so you can still frown or look surprised without the wrinkles and creases between your brows.

What will happen to the frown lines between my brows if I choose not to continue treatments?

If you do not continue treatments, the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows will gradually look like they did before treatment.

Is BOTOX^® Cosmetic affordable?

When considering your facial aesthetic options, BOTOX^® Cosmetic is quite affordable. According to an American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery survey, BOTOX^® Cosmetic is one of the low-entry-cost facial aesthetic procedures in the United States. Like other appearance-related investments, such as hair coloring and cuts, teeth whitening, and chemical peels, the cost must be weighed relative to your expectations. Consult your doctor for further information.

Do treatment results differ?

To get the best results, it's important to go to a doctor who is experienced in administering BOTOX^® Cosmetic.

BOTOX Safety

Side Effects of Botox

Do not use BOTOX^® Cosmetic if you:

- have an infection where BOTOX^® Cosmetic will be injected

- are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX^® Cosmetic

- are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.

What should I tell my doctor before using BOTOX^® Cosmetic?

Only your doctor can decide if BOTOX^® Cosmetic is right for you. Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you:

- have any diseases that affect your nerves and muscles. These diseases may increase your chance of side effects with BOTOX^® Cosmetic treatment.

- are breastfeeding

- are planning to become pregnant soon.

Can any of my medicines interact with BOTOX^® Cosmetic?

Be sure that your doctor knows the names of all the medicines you are using, including:

- antibiotics used to treat infections, such as gentamicin, tobramycin, clindamycin, and lincomycin

- medicines used to treat heart rhythm problems, such as quinidine

- medicines used to treat different conditions, such as myasthenia gravis or Alzheimer’s disease.

As with all prescription medicines, you should also notify your doctor if you are taking any over-the-counter medicines or herbal products.

This is not a complete list of medicines that can interact with BOTOX^® Cosmetic. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for the Professional Package Insert for complete information.