Botox treatments are relatively painless. Some patients compare the feeling to an insect bite.

Injections take just a few minutes. You may schedule a Botox injection and return to work with no sign of treatment. The wrinkles begin to relax gradually over about three days.

Many people feel that Botox improves their appearance in a way that is noticeable, yet subtle. No recovery time is required, and the procedure is safe and used by many patients. A recent study conducted for Allergan, Inc. by our own Dr. Dailey here at Casey shows that with continued regular use, the frequency of Botox injections can be reduced to every 4 or 5 and even 6 months making it more affordable and convenient to be done only twice a year in many cases.

Doctors have used Botox in humans since 1976. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it to treat wrinkles between the eyebrows in 2002. However, doctors have used it since 1989 for medical purposes, such as treating strabismus and spasms of the facial muscles.

Unlike fillers, Botox does not fill in facial lines. It works by relaxing the muscles under your skin that cause wrinkles. At OHSU Casey Aesthetic Facial Surgery Center, we also use fillers such as Evolence, Restylane, Perlane, Radiesse and Juvederm. Our doctors and aesthetician can help you decide which procedures will give you the most benefit.

Botox works on wrinkles that deepen when the facial muscles contract, such as wrinkles between the eyebrows and in the crow's foot area. Wrinkles caused by sagging skin do not respond to Botox treatments. It can also help elevate sad looking corners of the mouth with or without the help of fillers.

If you have an infection near the injection site, you should not use Botox. Some people are allergic to Botox. A few patients with rare neurological conditions, including ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton syndrome should avoid Botox. You can not be pregnant or nursing at the time of injection. If you are unsure about pregnancy, please let us know and we can order the appropriate test for you.

The amount of Botox typically used to treat wrinkles is significantly less than one vial (25 to 100 units). This amount is far too small to cause botulism.

All medications can cause allergic reactions. Severe allergy to Botox is rare, and we have not seen it at Casey Eye Institute, despite 40 years of combined experience.

Some patients experience temporary side effects, such as dry mouth and flu-like symptoms. Fewer than 15% of patients have bruising, which is usually mild. Problems with the eyelids or mouth are the major concerns. Drooping of the corner of the mouth or problems with speech can happen with injections around the mouth. Eyelid or eyebrow drooping can occur with injections around the eyes.

The risk of complications is minimized when an experienced physician perform the injections. When these side effects occur, they resolve when the Botox wears off.

Botox injections for sweaty armpits, hands, and feet are very effective in most patients. Botox blocks the nerve impulse to the sweat gland so that the nerve cannot stimulate sweating. Most patients have injections twice a year.