Drug Erases Frown Lines By Relaxing The Muscle

One of the hallmarks of aging on a face is the progressive development, and increase in depth, of lines and wrinkles.

Several cosmetic surgical procedures have been developed over the years to permanently improve wrinkling. Most of these procedures are surgery, and they require a definite recovery period after the treatment.

If, however, the wrinkles that bother you radiate out from the eyes, or are between the eyebrows, you might consider a non-surgical treatment called Botox.

Botox is a complex chemical protein that is injected directly into the muscle whose contraction causes the undesirable lines, or furrows. Although it has been used for the treatment of facial spasm for about 20 years, cosmetic surgeons have only recently used it for treatment of the hyperfunctional lines ?? “frown lines.”

Botox works as a “nerve impulse blocker” by binding to the nerve endings, thus preventing the release of chemical transmitters that allow the muscle to contract. This paralyzes the muscle, making the wrinkles less noticeable.

The most common muscle of the face in the corrugator muscle, the primary muscle used to frown. It causes furrows between the eyebrows. This muscle has no function other than to express emotions such as anger, anxiety or concern. Some people use it as a “thinking muscle” and with age, the vertical lines between the eyebrows deepen into permanent grooves.

The effect of Botox, causing paralysis of the corrugator muscle, allows these lines or grooves to smooth out and ?? in many cases ?? disappear entirely.

Usually, several treatments are necessary to achieve the desired result. These treatments are always performed in the doctor’s office. A measured dose of Botox is injected directly into the muscle. It usually takes three to six days for the full effct to be observed, since Botox has a rather slow onset. Since the dose is small, the effect should be limited to the individual muscle.

Usually an additional injection is done after three to six months, as soon as any return to function in the muscle is noticed. The cost for two treatments is around $500.

As with any medical procedure, there may be associated complications. Your cosmetic surgeon will always discuss these before beginning treatment. In experienced hands, the complications should be minimal.

Botox is just one of several non-surgical treatments of unattractive lines and wrinkles. Since it is an office procedure, recovery is rapid. It can be done in 15 to 20 minutes. A topical anesthetic is used on the skin so the injection is hardly felt. Normal activities can be resumed immediately after the treatment.