What is Microdroplet botulinum toxin treatment?
Microdroplet™ botulinum toxin treatment, or more simply called Microdroplet™ BOTOX®, is a specialized method of cosmetic BOTOX® treatment protected under US Patent 7,846,457 B2. This treatment was designed and researched to address the problem of the “forehead freeze” sometimes seen in standard BOTOX® treatments, improving this minimally invasive cosmetic procedure with more reliable, precise, and natural results. In short, Microdroplet™ BOTOX® improves upon earlier treatments by avoiding the “flat” or “frozen” or “nonexpressive” look that is sometimes associated with BOTOX®. BOTOX® is an extremely popular cosmetic service for good reason–it’s safe, it’s effective, and its benefits are clinically proven. Now with Microdroplet™ BOTOX®, you can achieve a youthful appearance that elevates the eyebrows and improves forehead lines, but still retain your full range of natural facial expression.
How does Microdroplet™ BOTOX® work?
Microdroplet™ BOTOX® utilizes the same foundational principles that make BOTOX® effective. Botulinum toxin or BOTOX® is a natural muscle relaxant that, with proper placement, can restore balance to the face by correcting overactive muscles often responsible for wrinkles, creases, and forehead lines. What is unique about the breakthrough Microdroplet™ BOTOX® method is the highly controlled placement of tiny microdroplets of botulinum toxin to treat the muscles responsible for pulling the eyebrows down, without “treating” other parts of the face that don’t need it. Microdroplet™ BOTOX® is an individualized treatment targets the precise muscles responsible for your concerns, meaning that you achieve positive results but still maintain normal forehead movements and expressions.
How was Microdroplet™ BOTOX® developed?
The placement of Microdroplet™ BOTOX® is positioned according to the depth, treatment patterns, volumes, and other technical factors developed by patent holder Dr. Steinsapir who researched and invented the method, which is regarded today as revolutionary. The method is so unusual that is was granted a very rare United States patent. Dr. Steinsapir trained alongside the inventor of BOTOX® and has been providing BOTOX® since 1988, along with other specialized facial cosmetic procedures. Upon observation, Dr. Steinsapir noticed that many individuals received great benefits from treatment yet still experienced some side effects. This is why he developed Microdroplet™ BOTOX®, to continue helping individuals achieve the results they desire and maximize natural improvements. To learn more about how an individualized Microdroplet™ BOTOX® plan with Dr. Steinsapir can benefit you, call us today to schedule a consultation.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician or surgeon and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
I am having BOTOX treatment complications and my wedding is in two weeks. What do I do?
BOTOX® complications can range from minor problems like bruising, frozen forehead, or swelling, to more severe problems like eyelid ptosis, to the even more rare systemic effects including difficulty swallowing. Typically, even these more severe problems will resolve themselves over a period of 4 to 6 weeks without intervention. However, given a very short time frame, it is essential to see a treating physician immediately to determine the best course of action.
Fixing Minor Problems
BOTOX treatments are popular because they are noninvasive and effective in relaxing tense muscles and smoothing wrinkles. BOTOX is a naturally-occurring purified protein that relaxes muscles but is eventually broken down and expelled from your body completely. The effects usually last 4 to 6 months.
With botulinum toxin A products (BOTOX, Dysport, Xeomin), adverse issues are usually the result of an unbalanced treatment. Forehead treatment can be associated with upper eyelid or eyebrow ptosis. Unbalance forehead treatment can result in issues of asymmetry. It is possible to improve your treatment results using the appropriate counter treatment along the eyebrow using Dr. Steinsapir’s Microdroplet method.
Eyelid Ptosis
If your BOTOX treatment has caused eyelid ptosis, Dr. Steinsapir recommends finding an oculoplastic surgeon to help you with this particular issue. Oculoplastic surgeons are trained to assess and treat upper eyelid ptosis. A prescription for Iopidine (aproclonidine ophthalmic solution) can be helpful in this circumstance; this medication is a glaucoma drop that can elevate the eyelid a couple of millimeters. The drops can also be used to assess the severity of the ptosis and predict the likely time frame for the resolution. Dr. Steinsapir recommends trying the drops twice a day for a week. If successful in opening the eye, the ptosis will likely resolve in 4-6 weeks and the drops will help improve the eyelid ptosis until resolution takes place.
The likelihood of upper eyelid ptosis is extremely small in the hands of an experienced injector. Less experienced injectors are more likely to perform a treatment that causes ptosis. It’s important to carefully research a doctor or nurse’s credentials and their track record for successful injections. The individual performing your treatment has a profound effect on the risk of side effects. Upper eyelid ptosis has been reported in as many as 5% of cases. The incidence of upper eyelid ptosis in the hands of experienced injectors is much less. Dr. Steinsapir has seen only three mild cases of ptosis in his last 3,500 treatments.
Other Options
What if your doctor tells you that there are no treatment options? Rescheduling an event like a wedding can be impossible. Consider having a heart to heart with your photographer. Can they photograph you to minimize the appearance of a droppy eyelid or photoshop your images after the fact? If so, consider going forward with your plans and let the photographers cure your eyelid position digitally.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a much sought after oculofacial surgeon. He is an innovator in minimally invasive cosmetic and reconstructive procedures and has invented new methods for treating with BOTOX, Fillers and cutting edge reconstructive eyelid and midface surgery. He specializes in high precision eyelid surgery and is a leader in correcting prior facial and eyelid surgery, including multiple revised cosmetic eyelid reconstructions. He attended medical school at the UCLA and completed ophthalmology residency at The University of Chicago. He is multiple fellowship trained including three years of fellowship training in oculofacial plastic surgery at UCLA, and a two-year cosmetic surgery fellowship in Rancho Mirage. He is widely published and lectures to other surgeons nationally and internationally. He is an associate clinical professor of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. His private practice is located in West Los Angeles, immediately serving the Los Angeles and Bevery Hills communities. Additionally, individuals from all over the country and the world regularly come to Los Angeles for his expert care.
To learn more about Dr. Steinsapir’s specialized BOTOX treatments, please contact us today.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
What should I expect with my BOTOX treatment?
There are a lot of different rumors out there about what you can expect from BOTOX®, Dysport®, or other botulinum toxin A injections; rumors about harmful side effects, who is qualified to perform the injections, and long recovery periods. The truth is, BOTOX injections have an amazing track record for safety and require little to no down time. The results last from 4 to 6 months before you may feel the need to freshen your appearance. Receiving BOTOX relaxes your facial muscles to remove crows feet, lines in your forehead, and that angry pinch at the eyebrow that robs you of a more youthful, relaxed, and friendly appearance. There is no substitute for having a leading authority in cosmetic surgery personally perform your service.
Where is surgery commonly performed?
BOTOX injections are an office-based service. You may see estheticians and unqualified individuals like medical assistants offering injections illegally in spas and salons under the justification that they have a “medical director.” There are no states that permit this arrangement. Unless a doctor is present and performs the service, this type of situation is the illegal practice of medicine. Don’t let an unqualified individual perform your BOTOX or Dysport service.
Only a licensed medical doctor or a nurse under the direct supervision of a licensed medical doctor can inject BOTOX. The exact details of the required qualifications vary by State so it’s important to research the individual you wish to perform the injection to ensure he or she is qualified. However, just because your doctor or nurse is minimally qualified to perform the injection does not necessarily indicate he or she is the ideal choice for the procedure. As with many other medical procedures, the best results require a certain level of qualification, skill and experience; these concerns are perhaps even more important when considering modifications to your physical appearance.
What is the typical recovery course and physical restrictions?
BOTOX injections may cause a little bruising from the treatment and you may notice redness in your skin for an hour or two. Many people find that they can return to work immediately after treatment. Others find that they like to apply a little ice to the injection points before facing work again.
Although you can return to your usual routine following treatment and may feel physically ready to take on the world, Dr. Steinsapir strongly advises you refrain from exercising and engaging in strenuous physical activity for at least 24 hours.
What are some common complications after a cosmetic botulinum toxin treatment and how are they addressed?
Many prospective patients worry about side effects or potential dangers of Botox® injections. In the case of BOTOX® and Dysport®, the FDA issued a “Black Box Warning” in 2009 because there was concern regarding a rare but potentially fatal complication when they are used to treat very small children with cerebral palsy. The dose used for these medical treatments can be 10 or more times higher that what is used for cosmetic purposes. More information regarding these issues can be found here.
“Dose is very important in the safety of all drugs, not just BOTOX® and Dysport®” says Dr. Steinsapir a leading authority, teacher, and much sought after BOTOX® injector. Even the safety of aspirin, which is present in almost every American household, is dependent on dose: two aspirins helps your headache feel better, but 20 aspirins are poisonous..
Many unwanted results like the BOTOX forehead freeze, droopy eyebrows, the appearance of the eyes being smaller, and the “bat-face” caused by muscle recruitment in areas of the face that have not been treated, are the result of physicians injecting BOTOX incorrectly. Carefully researching your chosen physicians credentials and experience can greatly reduce the risk of one of these side effects.
An innovative alternative
Dr. Steinsapir has invented Microdroplet™ BOTOX® to address the need to retain authentic facial expression and natural eyebrow placement. Unlike standard BOTOX® procedures, Microdroplet™ BOTOX® creates brow lift without forehead paralysis. If you have had BOTOX® treatments in the past but were not satisfied, Microdroplet™ BOTOX® may give you the results you need by working with greater precision with your facial muscles. The care and interest Dr. Steinsapir has shown in inventing this treatment demonstrates his dedication to achieving a beautiful, more youthful appearance without impeding the ability to express emotion.
Using standard injection methods, there is no way to selectively treat the muscles that pull the eyebrows down. Instead these methods tend to freeze the forehead. Perhaps you have experienced these types of results yourself or have seen them in your favorite actresses: The forehead can’t move and the eyebrows drop like stones. What looks good is a gently lifted eyebrow, no crows feet lines or brow pinch, and a forehead with reduced lines that is still able to move. Imagine a BOTOX® treatment that allows you to have natural expressions!
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir trained alongside the inventor of BOTOX and has performed thousands of BOTOX treatments in Los Angeles since 1988 and recently patented his Microdroplet BOTOX technique. He is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Southern California where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in BOTOX, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
How young is too young to receive BOTOX?
In March 2011, Good Morning America aired a story about a pageant mother who regularly injected her 8-year-old daughter with BOTOX®. As shocking as it is to see a child worrying about wrinkles at such a young age, it’s equally shocking to learn that her mother, an esthetician, was performing the injections herself. It is illegal for anyone other than a licensed medical doctor or nurse under the direct supervision of a licensed medical doctor to inject BOTOX. In May 2011, Child Protective Services took the young girl from her mother and while no one likes to see a child removed from their parents’ custody, it’s a relief to hear that this behavior is not normal. The story has a lot of people asking: How young is too young to use BOTOX?
Food and Drug Administration guidelines
The FDA has approved cosmetic BOTOX and Dysport® for anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 and medically-necessary BOTOXv for children as young as 12. However FDA approvals and recommendations operate as guidelines, not legal mandates. This means that a physician may use his or her judgment when administering BOTOX, Dysport, or Xeomin®; a physician has the freedom to use it in ways that are not FDA-approved. Using BOTOX, Dysport, or Xeomin in this manner is referred to as “off-label use” and many drugs are used in this fashion with great benefit to the individual receiving treatment.
BOTOX for medical applications
BOTOX and the other clinically available botulinum toxins are often used to treat muscle spasms, cerebral palsy, migraines, excessive sweating, and a number of other medical conditions. In these situations, physicians will often use BOTOX in an off-label manner and administer it to children younger than 12. If a physician recommends BOTOX for a young child with one of these medical conditions, the physician has reason to believe that the child’s quality of life will be improved by BOTOX treatments even though medical treatment with these agents for young children is associated with death and life-threatening side effects.
BOTOX for cosmetic applications
The benefits of BOTOX and Dysport on worry-lines in the forehead and around the eyes are undeniable. However, children have very elastic skin and sub dermal fat to give their faces volume that adults lose as they age. This elasticity and sub dermal fat is what makes children’s skin so smooth and wrinkle-free. Receiving cosmetic BOTOX before you’re skin begins to lose these youthful features is not necessary. So what’s the right age to begin receiving cosmetic BOTOX injections? That’s a question only you can answer with help from your doctor. However any reasonable person can understand that injecting an 8 year-old to make her more competitive for a beauty pageant is shockingly inappropriate and abusive.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir trained alongside the inventor of BOTOX and has performed thousands of BOTOX treatments in Los Angeles since 1988 and recently patented his Microdroplet BOTOX technique. He is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Southern California where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in BOTOX, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
I live outside the country, can you recommend someone to perform Microdroplet BOTOX outside the United States?
Microdroplet BOTOX® is a specialized technique developed and patented by Dr. Steinsapir (US Patent US 7,846,457). Dr. Steinsapir is currently the only physician to offer this service; to enjoy the benefits of this particular treatment, you need to see Dr. Steinsapir as a patient. Dr. Steinsapir is currently in the process of developing a training program that will make this method of administering BOTOX available everywhere.
Midrodroplet BOTOX process
The Microdroplet BOTOX process controls the depth and distribution of the BOTOX to maximize a natural lift of the eyebrows while preserving natural forehead movement. This method differs from the way BOTOX is traditionally injected because it prevents unwanted eyebrow pinch and allows you to continue to move your eyebrows naturally. Microdroplet BOTOX lifts the brow, opening up the eyes to give you a more youthful appearance, but without causing the traditional forehead freeze.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir trained alongside the inventor of BOTOX and has performed thousands of BOTOX treatments in Los Angeles since 1988 and recently patented his Microdroplet BOTOX technique. He is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Southern California where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert provider of BOTOX.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
How do I avoid the BOTOX® “frozen forehead”?
The frozen forehead, or “BOTOX® freeze,” leaves you with a forehead that is glass smooth, without a line in sight. But the aesthetic costs of this effect are significant; it causes the eyebrows to fall and the eyes look small and closed in, an effect seen in many well-known models and actresses. These types of results are undesirable, but with proper placement of the BOTOX they are also completely avoidable.
Dr. Steinsapir has a solution
Dr. Steinsapir is the inventor of the newly patented Microdroplet™ botulinum toxin (BOTOX, Dysport®, Xeomin®) method. The Microdroplet method of administering cosmetic botulinum toxin is a breakthrough invention that revolutionizes the way we think about BOTOX treatments. The Microdroplet BOTOX treatment is applied less densely in the ‘worry line’ area to maintain the ability to furrow. The Microdroplet BOTOX treatment along the eyebrows and crow’s feet is very natural and does not interfere with the activity of the forehead. There is absolutely no reason to have a frozen forehead with this new technology.
To achieve natural results without the “forehead freeze” sometimes associated with BOTOX, Microdroplet BOTOX relies on highly controlled placement of tiny microdroplets of botulinum toxin to balance out the give-and-take of the muscles pulling around the eyebrows and causing the all too familiar pinching and frown lines.
The benefits of Microdroplet BOTOX
The result of the precise and balanced placement of your Microdroplet BOTOX treatment is that you can attain natural-looking results that balance your facial features while avoiding the side effects that you see with traditional BOTOX treatments. While there is a chance with any cosmetic procedure that you will not be completely satisfied with your results, Microdroplet BOTOX can maximize your chances for a natural outcome by relaxing overactive facial muscles and emphasizing features that make a face look more youthful.
Who is a candidate for Microdroplet BOTOX?
Microdroplet BOTOX is recommended for high-profile professionals such as executives, actors, and other individuals who seek an improved aesthetic appearance. Microdroplet BOTOX preserves natural forehead movement and expression without the all-to-familiar frozen appearance that has become the hallmark of getting treatment with BOTOX using traditional injection methods. The relaxed and lifted eyebrows with preservation of forehead movement sets this treatment apart from other off-label methods. Those who wish for a younger look with reduced wrinkles, frown lines, and crows feet will want to checkout Microdroplet BOTOX.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir trained alongside the inventor of BOTOX and has performed thousands of BOTOX treatments in Los Angeles since 1988 and recently patented his Microdroplet BOTOX technique. He is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Southern California where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert provider of BOTOX.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
Who can inject BOTOX®?
The short answer to the question of who can inject BOTOX® is: any licensed medical doctor or any nurse under the direct supervision of a licensed medical doctor. The exact details of the required qualifications vary by State so it’s important to research the individual you wish to perform the injection to ensure he or she is qualified. However, just because your doctor or nurse is minimally qualified to perform the injection does not necessarily indicate he or she is the ideal candidate for the procedure. As with many other medical procedures, ideal results require a certain level of qualification, skill and experience; these concerns are perhaps even more important when considering modifications to your physical appearance.
Nurses
Most States do not allow the independent practice of nurses performing BOTOX injections. The presence of a “Medical Director,” in name only, is no substitute for a personal examination by a supervising physician on the premises when you are treated by a nurse. It has become common to see nurses injecting clients at beauty salons. They might also suggest that they are supervised by a “medical director.” In the State of California for example, registered nurses are only permitted to inject under the immediate supervision of a licensed physician. The physician needs to have performed an examination and be physically present in the same office where the treatment is taking place.
When seeking a professional for this procedure, talk to the doctor to determine who will perform the procedure, what their qualifications are, if they have undergone specialized training, and how much experience they have performing the injections. If you don’t feel comfortable with the prospect of the nurse or the doctor performing the injections, it’s time to look for someone new.
Dr. Steinsapir never uses nurses or “physician extenders” to treat you. He personally performs all treatment himself. Don’t be fooled into thinking that cosmetic treatments are simple enough to be performed by an assistant under supervision. Dr. Steinsapir, like all reputable surgeons, makes sure that he is available to answer your questions in person and address your concerns individually, rather than directing you to a receptionist or simply brushing you off. He can individualize your treatment plan to help you meet your personal goals. Have treatment at the time of your consultation if it is right for you.
Dentists
Most States do not permit general dentists to inject cosmetic BOTOX. However, dentists who hold a dual, MD and DMD degree sometimes perform cosmetic BOTOX injections. These individuals are often highly trained Maxillofacial surgeons with residency training in Maxillofacial surgery. It is misleading to simply describe these individuals as “dentists.” Check with the licensing board for your State to learn what is, or is not permitted. When it doubt, remember, that there is no substitute for experience in performing these treatments.
The right doctor for the job
When seeking a medical professional for BOTOX injections, board certification in one of the four core aesthetic specialties is usually a good place to start: Dermatology, General Plastic Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, and Oculoplastic Surgery. Board certified professionals in one of these four specialties undergo rigorous and extensive training and have a wealth of experience working with BOTOX. Especially when seeking cosmetic injections in the facial regions, look for someone who understands the importance of adapting treatment for a given face.
Beginning your search with board certified professionals will greatly reduce the number of unqualified professionals you interview. Look for someone with the skills and experience to provide satisfactory results that make you happy.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir trained alongside the inventor of BOTOX® and has performed thousands of BOTOX® treatments in Los Angeles since 1988. He is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert provider of BOTOX, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
