Dr. Rohrich is a nationally recognized expert on the use of Botulinum Toxin Type A in facial cosmetic surgery. BOTOX® Cosmetic injections should be done in a proper medical setting with appropriate sterilization and dilution. If you would like more information about BOTOX® Cosmetic injections and the options available, click on the "Frequently Asked Questions" from the link provided.

* American Board of Plastic Surgery

What is BOTOX® Cosmetic and what does it accomplish?

Botulinum toxin type A, also known as BOTOX® Cosmetic, is a purified protein toxin produced by the clostridium botulism bacteria. Because it is used in extremely small amounts and in specific areas, there are no harmful side effects. The effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic are confined to the injected region and do not travel throughout the body. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted approval to BOTOX® Cosmetic for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines, in adult men and women 65 years of age or younger.

Some wrinkles are creases that have been worn into our skin by making the same expression thousands of times. These "expression lines," often called "frown lines" or "crow's feet," are due to the contraction of a muscle under the skin in that area. Dr. Rohrich injects BOTOX® Cosmetic into the overactive muscles whose repeated contractions cause wrinkles to form. The most common areas he treats are the frown lines between the eyebrows, the horizontal forehead lines, the area around the outer eyes, the neck lines and the lip lines. Dr. Rohrich's key element to treatment is to inject into specific muscles in order to raise/lower or reshape the brow and eyes. Because of his experience and expertise, he can artistically reshape the patient's features.

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Am I a good candidate for the procedure?

There are very few restrictions regarding BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments. Patients who are pregnant, who are nursing or who are trying to become pregnant should not be treated. If you are healthy and have no underlying health problems and are between the age of 18-65, you should be a good candidate. Patients must discontinue use of all aspirin products at least 10 days before having the injections. Anyone that has a neuromuscular disorder, such as myasthenia gravis and Eaton Lambert syndrome, should not have BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments. Patients who have taken amino glycoside antibiotics should also not have BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments.

It will not radically change your appearance or make you look twenty years younger. It also will not improve sagging skin or replace the need for a face or browlift. Understanding the limitations of BOTOX® injections and having reasonable expectations can help make you a good candidate.

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What can BOTOX® Cosmetic do for wrinkles?

The BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment is a simple, non-surgical procedure that involves injecting small amounts of BOTOX® Cosmetic into specific areas in order to relax the expression muscles that make wrinkles appear.

Using a tiny micro-needle, Dr. Rohrich injects a very small amount of BOTOX® Cosmetic, very precisely, into several areas on the face. The most typical areas injected are the frown line between the eyebrows, the forehead's horizontal lines and the smile lines around the eyes.

Because the needle is so fine and only a small amount of BOTOX® Cosmetic is used, there is minimal pain associated with this procedure. There is an initial minor sting for a few seconds but once the injection is complete there is usually no discomfort. No sedation or local anesthetic is required and you can resume normal activities within 90 minutes following treatment.

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What should I know about my results?

For most patients, the effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic injections usually occur within 5-7 days and last 3-4 months and then give you diminishing returns for about another 3-4 months. After several treatments, the effects of BOTOX® treatment may begin to last longer, sometimes up to 6-8 months. Different areas have longer lasting results than other areas of the face and neck. For example, the effects of BOTOX® injections last the longest on the frown lines between the eyes whereas areas around the mouth last a little less.

The younger you are when you start having BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments, the better your chances are at preventing wrinkles from forming. Helping your skin resist aging is a good side effect of your treatments.

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How safe is BOTOX® Cosmetic?

Potential risks for patients is a droopy eyelid after injection. This occurs less than 1/2 of 1% of the time. There are some risk factors that can predispose you to having this reaction which should be looked for and discussed during your examination. Rarely, someone may develop a small bruise but this can be easily concealed with make-up. Patients should avoid all aspirin products at least 2 weeks prior to treatment to reduce the risk of any unwanted side effects such as bruising and headaches.

Some patients have described having a "numb feeling" of the skin after having the injections but BOTOX® Cosmetic does not affect the sense of touch and your skin's sensation is completely intact. Patients have also complained of mild headaches after injection. You should avoid alcohol for at least 2 hours after your treatment since drinking increases the circulation throughout your face.

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What does the procedure cost?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the least expensive facial aesthetic procedures. Like other appearance-related investments, such as hair coloring and teeth whitening, the cost must be weighed relative to your expectations.

The procedure is paid the day of the appointment. The cost will vary depending on the number of areas treated. Checks, money orders, cash and credit cards may be used for payment.

BOTOX® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.

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