Iopidine Ophthalmic Drops May Help

Oculoplastic surgeons are trained to assess and follow upper eyelid ptosis.  They are familiar and have experience treating upper eyelid ptosis.   A prescription for Iopidine (aproclonidine ophthalmic solution) can be helpful in this circumstances.  This medication is a glaucoma medicine 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 of ptosis.  Dr. Steinsapir recommends trying the drop twice a day for a week.  If the drop is working to open the eye, then it is likely that the ptosis will resolve in 4-6 weeks.

What if the Drops Don’t Work?

If the drops do not cause a change in the position of your upper eyelid, you have a more profound BOTOX-induced upper eyelid weakness.  In these cases, the ptosis can last up to three to four months―in very rare cases, this might last even longer.  If the drops are not working, don’t keep using them.  Instead, try the drops approximately every fifth day or so.  Use them twice a day when they work.  The drops in no way speed up the final resolution of the upper eyelid ptosis and only appear to be effective when the BOTOX effect is mild.

How Can I Avoid This Kind of Problem?

The incidence of upper eyelid ptosis in the hands of an experienced injector is very, very small.  Less experienced injector 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.  Looking at one series of eight patients, for example, presented to Dr. Steinsapir in Los Angeles, only one of them had their actual dose of BOTOX recorded in his medical chart.  Years ago, when doctors were still trying to understand the best method of BOTOX treatments, upper eyelid ptosis was reported in as many as 5 percent of cases. The incidence of upper eyelid ptosis in the hands of experienced injectors is much less than 1percent. For example, Dr. Steinsapir has treated only three mild cases of ptosis in his last 3,500 treatments.

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 minimally invasive 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.

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.

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.

In general, BOTOX is very safe and has proven itself in studies to be a great choice for reliable improvements.  Millions of people enjoy BOTOX benefits every year, and they are confident in their choice given BOTOX safety and demonstrated efficacy.  However, while BOTOX is a great treatment for millions of people, it is not the right choice for everybody.  For some, their unique needs may indicate that another procedure will be more suitable, like a forehead lift or undereye Restylane, and there are others who have special medical conditions that may indicate BOTOX is not the best option or should be approached with extra care.  Even though it’s statistically unlikely you’ll be allergic to BOTOX, it is possible that you’ll be one of the rare few, and there can never be a guarantee that you will not experience a complication.

However, if you seek treatment from the best cosmetic surgeon available who has thorough expertise in BOTOX, its application, and addressing its risks, you are more likely to have satisfying results.  Seek a doctor who can usually recognize and address complications, should they arise.

Minimizing Side Effects

Under most circumstances people are thrilled with the improvements and new look they receive from BOTOX, and BOTOX side effects are most often mild and wear off with time.  If you experience any, it could be as simple as having results that are disappointing, in which case you can seek an additional consultation or wait for treatment to wear off over the next several months.  You may experience bruising that will also heal soon like other bruises.  There is also a new black box warning for BOTOX by the FDA.  When BOTOX is used at doses much higher than used in cosmetic treatments, there have been serious side effects for some people, like asthenia (generalized weakness), double vision, blurred vision, eyelid droopiness, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, and urinary incontinence.   When very high doses for BOTOX are used for medical reasons in infants, deaths have been caused.  However, even the FDA notes that these types systemic of side-effects are not seen in the doses used for cosmetic treatment.

Be completely open and honest about your medical history, family history, and current conditions, including: medical conditions and any prior reactions you’ve had to botulinum toxin agents and other allergies or hypersensitivities.

Generally when people report that they allergic to BOTOX, what they often mean is that BOTOX does not seem to work for them.  There are individuals who have what are called neutralizing antibodies to botulinum toxin due to repetitive exposure to large doses of botulinum toxin used for medical as opposed to cosmetic purposes. This does not seem to occur with the very small doses used for cosmetic purposes.  However it is not impossible either.  Most often the loss of effectiveness is related to a change in how an injector is administering BOTOX.  Since the product is very expensive, it appears to be human nature to try to get away with using less product to increase profit.  Offices should tell you how much BOTOX you are getting in Units.  It is not meaningful if you are told you are getting a “syringe.”  How much BOTOX is contained in a give syringe is totally controlled by the doctor.  By knowing Units, if your usually number of Units does not give the same treatment results, you can more readily compare treatment among different offices.

Consult with a Cosmetic Surgeon with BOTOX Expertise

Dr. Steinsapir provides BOTOX in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, with his widely-acclaimed, patented Microdroplet BOTOX technique demonstrating his leadership in balanced results for those seeking facial improvement.  As both a board certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained cosmetic, facial, and eye plastic surgeon, Dr. Steinsapir specializes in minimally invasive cosmetic facial procedures that yield natural outcomes for your optimal look.  Learn about Dr. Steinsapir’s full qualifications to administer BOTOX and get your questions answered by a caring cosmetic surgeon who will give you the straight facts.  Contact us today to learn more about BOTOX and the best solutions for your individual aesthetic needs.

The Science behind the FDA’s Approval of BOTOX for Migraines

First you must realize that the FDA approval was for individuals with chronic migraines, with benefits observed only in individuals who suffer from migraines at least 15 days per month—in other words, more than half of your days you experience serious migraines.  As you can imagine or may already experience, such high frequency of migraines can be debilitating, and individuals who fit this provile need help from a doctor to find a solution.  While many adults experience migraines at times, most do not endure them this often.

The studies that led to the FDA approval showed increase in days without migraines in both patients who received a placebo and in patients who received BOTOX.  But the BOTOX patients did experience a moderately higher amount in migraine-free days than the placebo group, which is crucial to demonstrating a given treatment’s efficacy in these kinds of studies.  For these individuals, about 150 units of BOTOX—a significant amount—was needed to achieve improvement.  There was an additional 1% of study participants who experienced a worsening in their migraines, while another 2% of study participants dropped out due to side effects.

Given the variety of responses in this trial, we see that BOTOX is probably not going to be a cure-all for anyone who has ever had a migraine.  Will this treatment be right for you?  Maybe.  That depends on a lot of factors like your medical history, your current condition, and what kind of response you have to the treatment.

What Are Some Likely Insurance Stipulations?

Your insurance company will probably want to see significant documentation about your condition before they agree to pay for these treatments.  So be sure to get appropriate authorization before you seek this treatment.  Your general practitioner or specialist can help you with this, but be sure to take responsibility for finding out what all you need to do.  It may be beneficial to call your insurance company and ask them for more details about your insurance plan and coverage.

Your insurance company likely won’t allow your cosmetic surgeon to provide this type of treatment, and instead they may prefer for your treatment to be performed by a neurologist.  This will help them to prevent fraud and abuse.  If you are simply looking for a way to have someone else pay for your cosmetic treatment, your insurance probably won’t cover it and there is no reason why they should.  However, if you are a true candidate for BOTOX for migraines then you may qualify for insurance coverage.  Talk to your doctor and insurance provider to learn more about your situation.

Your Treatment Should Be Appropriate to Your Situation

If you have very frequent migraines, you and your doctor can discuss appropriate treatments or lifestyle changes to improve your health.  If you are dissatisfied with your appearance due to issues like forehead wrinkles, frown lines, and pinched features, it is also a good idea to consult with a top cosmetic physician to find out if BOTOX or anther treatment like the facelift is right for you.  But if you have both migraines and aging facial features, does this mean that BOTOX is the best option for both and that your insurance will cover BOTOX?  Not necessarily.

Migraines and aging features are separate issues, so it is important not to take any medical shortcuts or be dishonest with your insurance company or doctor.  There is professional medical help for both migraines and your aesthetic goals, but trying to “kill two birds with one stone” is not a reasonable approach.  We advise you to talk to your general practitioner or neurologist openly about the nature of your migraines, and be truthful about why you are inquiring about BOTOX.  We also advise you to talk openly with a leading BOTOX cosmetic surgeon to find out how treatment from the best BOTOX doctor can meet your aesthetic goals. These conversations will help your doctors to determine the best treatment plan for you.

Help with BOTOX in Los Angeles

Dr. Steinsapir is a leading cosmetic surgeon in Beverly Hills and at UCLA who focuses on minimally invasive treatments that emphasize natural results for balanced facial features.  He is respected for being among the finest and most qualified BOTOX providers, and his patented Microdroplet BOTOX treatment is popular among high profile executives and celebrities who wish for natural, youthful improvements.  To find out how the best BOTOX can meet your needs, contact us today.

Is BOTOX Dangerous?

Generally speaking, BOTOX is not dangerous, but it’s important to recognize that there is always at least a small risk with any medical practice.  We consider a procedure safe when the associated risks are very low and tend to be mild.  Such is the case with cosmetic BOTOX and Dysport.  Problems with BOTOX are usually limited to disappointing cosmetic results such as the forehead or “BOTOX freeze,” which can usually be avoided by choosing an experienced cosmetic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic facial procedures and has performed hundreds of BOTOX treatments.  In turn, you must listen to your doctor’s advice and not ask him or her to give you more treatment than recommended.  Since BOTOX results are temporary, this is not a major problem, and it is one that can be avoided with a qualified specialist physician.

There is a concern about a rare but potentially serious complication if BOTOX is used to treat small children with cerebral palsy, but this has never been observed with cosmetic applications where smaller doses are used and the FDA’s own Dr. Unger has stated that this risk may be zero.

So where does that leave us?  We have seen that BOTOX is remarkably safe and effective, making it an ideal treatment option for many people with problems like forehead lines and overactive facial muscles.  But does this mean we condone BOTOX for pregnant women?  Absolutely not!  While we have no evidence that BOTOX will harm either you or your child, we simply do not have evidence to confidently say that it does not.  Before we can do that, we will need hard scientific data from controlled research studies, but we likely will never have that, because conducting such a study is unethical.

Please Wait to Get BOTOX Treatment

We do not condone any unproven treatment, including BOTOX during breastfeeding or pregnancy, because we don’t want to find out if there is a risk.  Wait until you are no longer pregnant and are finished breastfeeding to seek treatment with BOTOX or really any cosmetic service.  Please by an adult about this and  “conveniently forgetting” to tell your doctor that you might be pregnant just because it’s “probably okay.”  This is irresponsible and believe it or not, some would argue that it is a reckless act tantamount to child endangerment.  You will not be pregnant forever, so please wait until you know that there is absolutely no risk of hurting your child before you get BOTOX.  BOTOX benefits can dramatically enhance your appearance under the right circumstances, so it is something to keep in the back of your mind to consider after you have given birth and are no longer breastfeeding.  At that time ethical practitioners will be happy to help.

The Best BOTOX in Los Angeles

Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified doctor with expert training in both cosmetic and oculofacial surgery, so he understands the complex anatomy and needs of the face.  Dr. Steinsapir is the inventor of the acclaimed, patent-pending Microdroplet BOTOX procedure, which successfully elevates the brow and lifts the forehead without causing the “freeze” effect that the media loves to talk about.  This creates a natural, youthful appearance through a safe and minimally invasive treatment.  If you are ready to find out if you are a good BOTOX candidate, consult with the best.  Contact us today to learn more about how Dr. Steinsapir can make your safe treatment experience exactly what you need at a time that’s best for you.

Microdroplet BOTOX Before and After

However, this does not mean that BOTOX is the right choice for everyone, and this is a decision your doctor can help you make.  The short answer to “Is there any reason to avoid BOTOX?” is that it is extremely unlikely that you will experience any complications from BOTOX, and given the temporary nature of the treatment, you needn’t worry that your looks will be changed permanently; on the other hand, side effects can occur even if you are treated by a highly qualified injector.  It is also reasonable to expect that side effects will be more likely when treatment is performed by relatively inexperienced injector.

Are BOTOX and Dysport safe and effective?—absolutely.  But like every medication, these drugs need to be used in an expert fashion, which includes knowing when treatment is not appropriate.

New Black Box Warning for BOTOX

The FDA has recently required the manufacturer of BOTOX, Allergan, Inc. and the distributor of Dysport, Medicis, Inc. to include a special health warning regard the use of these drugs, which both contain botulinum toxin A as the active ingredient.  Experience with these drugs since they were approved has demonstrated these drugs to be very safe and effective when used in the small doses needed for cosmetic treatment.

These drugs are also used for medical purposes in much higher doses.  At these higher doses, there have been serious side effects leading to the new FDA warning regarding systemic or so-called spreading effects.  Specifically, larger doses of either of these drugs can cause systemic side effects including a generalized weakness, medically referred to as asthenia, double vision, blurred vision, eyelid droopiness, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, and urinary incontinence.  Note that droopiness of the eyelid and double or blurred vision is possible, though fortunately rare, if cosmetic treatments spread to other parts of the face.  Breathing and swallowing difficulties can be life threatening and have contributed to death in already very sick individuals in the treatment of medical conditions.  It is thought that very high doses of these drugs used to treat certain medical conditions in small children present the greatest risks.  Individuals with life threatening heart conditions should also be treated with caution.

No definitive systemic side effects have been reported for the doses typically used for cosmetic purposes or for treating excessive sweating in the armpit area.  However, certain precautions seem reasonable even for cosmetic use.

If you have had any prior episodes of any of the systemic side effects described above, you should advise your doctor and not accept additional treatment with any botulinum toxin agents unless it is for medical purposes and your treating physician and you agree that the potential treatment benefits out weigh the adverse side effects.  If you are not sure, discuss your prior reactions with your doctor.  Although, quite rare, if you have a known allergic response or hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin preparations it is advisable to avoid these treatments in the future.

It is your responsibility to be completely honest with your doctor about your medical history and anything that may affect your treatment.  BOTOX has a great track record for safety in both clinical studies and in practice, helping to relax select facial muscles at the eyebrow and restore a more youthful appearance.  While systemic side effects of these drugs probably occur even for cosmetic treatments, these effects must be very rare or mild.  But for this reason, there are a few instances when BOTOX should be avoided.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not be treated with BOTOX or Dysport.  There is a very small study of women who were treated with BOTOX while pregnant with no problems, but this is not enough evidence to state that BOTOX and Dysport are safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.  What should you do if you discover you were pregnant when you received BOTOX?  Don’t panic. While this practice is not recommended, this single study suggests that the exposure may be safe enough that there may be no reason for action.  However, it is recommended that you see your gynecologist/obstetrician for personalized care recommendations. For the same reasons, reputable physicians will not treat you for cosmetic reasons if you are known to be pregnant or breastfeeding.  Treatment with these agents for medical reasons is determined on a case-by-case basis.

If you have a known neuromuscular disease, you should generally avoid cosmetic BOTOX and Dysport treatment.  These are unusual and debilitating health conditions like myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, and peripheral motor neuropathic conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.  If you have an existing difficulties breathing or swallowing, it is important to make your doctor aware of these issues.  Because BOTOX and Dysport treatment could make these conditions worse, it is generally advisable to avoid treatment under these circumstances due to the potential spreading effect of these treatments in higher doses.  Again, no definitive problems have been reported for the smaller doses used for cosmetic treatment, but caution is warranted with these types of medical conditions.

Botulinum toxin products contain a tiny amount of human albumin, a derivative of human blood. Based on effective donor screening and product manufacturing processes, it carries an extremely remote risk for transmission of viral diseases. A theoretical risk for transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) also is considered extremely remote. No cases of transmission of viral diseases or CJD have ever been identified for albumin.

BOTOX and Dysport can be potentiated by aminoglycosides, a type of potent antibiotic, or other medications that interfere with neuromuscular transmission including curare-like nondepolarizing blockers, lincosamides, polymyxins, quinidine, magnesium sulfate, anticholinesterases, and succinylcholine chloride.  If you are using any of these drugs, the effect of the toxin may be potentiated and caution is advised.  For this reason, it is important that you fully discuss with your doctor all medication that you may be using.

If you develop any unusual symptoms (including difficulty with swallowing, speaking, or breathing), or if any existing symptom worsens, notify your doctor at once.  If the symptoms seem serious, call 911 for emergency help and notify your treating doctor when this is convenient.  If you do experience loss of strength, muscle weakness, or impaired vision avoid driving a car or engaging in other potentially hazardous activities and seek medical care.

Very few people reading this and getting BOTOX or Dysport will have any of these issues.  However, if these warnings do apply to you, be honest with your doctor and seek alternatives to these products.

How Individualized Treatment Plans Make All the Difference

The key to effective BOTOX treatment and other cosmetic treatment in Los Angeles is to find a doctor who specializes in the help you need and has experience, education, recommendations, and results to prove that he or she is skilled and the best qualified.  If you are worried because you have heard of unsatisfactory results like the “BOTOX freeze,” you are likely hearing about a few examples of people either going to unqualified practitioners (they may not even be doctors; for example assistants and “physician extenders”).   Just because one of your favorite actors or actresses show up with a frozen forehead, don’t assume that this is a desirable treatment result.  There are great alternative to this type of treatment result.

Seek Help from Qualified Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin Specialist

Only a private consultation with a physician who is fully qualified to administer BOTOX and Dysport will be able to help you understand your best course of action.  BOTOX is a minimally invasive, safe, and effective treatment that helps millions of people each year restore balance to their face.  Dr. Steinsapir is multi-fellowship trained in both cosmetic surgery and oculoplastic surgery, and with many years of practical experience.  He is a Clinical Associate Professor at UCLA and has the practical know-how needed to understand complex facial dynamics and establish unique treatment plans that work.  Please contact us today to find out if you are a good candidate for BOTOX or Dysport treatment.

before and after Restylane and BOTOX photo

Are the scary stories I’ve heard true?

A lot of people are apprehensive when it comes to receiving cosmetic treatments.  With all the media scares, rumors about celebrity BOTOX disasters, and misinformation abound, it can be a challenge to sort the truth from the hype.  It can be even more of a challenge to separate an extremely rare risk from typical outcomes.  For example, an unusual story of something that happened one time may technically be an accurate story, but it ventures into dishonesty as soon as it’s misrepresented as a typical event.  In the cases of BOTOX and Restylane, it’s true that in rare cases there can be side effects that are usually mild and not long-lasting, but if you are thinking of a particular public face that just hasn’t been the same in years, then you probably aren’t looking at before and after photos of Restylane and BOTOX, as these treatments wear off over time.  It is treatments like silicone oil, excessive surgery, and simply the ravages of excessive lifestyles that create long term damage to the faces of our celebrities.

People love to talk about dramatic, dangerous situations.  But the truth is, BOTOX and Restylane have an incredibly safe history with results that aren’t permanent.

How will BOTOX and Restylane change my face?

Treatments like BOTOX and Restylane are popular because they are noninvasive treatments that together can smooth wrinkles, relax tense muscles, and fill in hollow areas.  They are remarkably safe and, since they aren’t permanent, create a win-win situation.  If you are happy with your BOTOX or Restylane treatment, touch-up the treatment when need.  If you are not thrilled, let it wear off and move on to something else.  Sometimes we hear patients ask questions like, does BOTOX make wrinkles worse?  Sometimes they express concern about what happens after Restylane injections wear off.

We cannot emphasize enough that BOTOX and Restylane will not permanently alter your looks.  BOTOX is a naturally-occuring muscle relaxant compound, and Restylane is made from a biodegradable sugar-gel that occurs naturally in the body.  Both of these are eventually broken down and expelled from your body completely.  You’ll notice as this happens that your wrinkles will slowly return.  They may stand out to you after months of looking much better, in some cases, fantastic, but if you look at photos of yourself from before treatment, you will see that your problems have not been made worse by treatment.  You are simply getting your old face back.  Will this make you feel like you need more treatment-absolutely because these treatments are truly effective.

In the short run, BOTOX and Restylane will give you a youthful appearance and resolve many problems.  In the long run, BOTOX and Restylane will not affect your looks after you allow their effects to wear off.  A difference between BOTOX and Restylane is that BOTOX treatments are generally needed twice a year, while Restylane is needed once a year.  Most patients opt for retreatment when they see their old problems beginning to return.  This will maintain the natural-looking results gained from treatment.

Can BOTOX and Restylane prevent problems?

We are often asked questions like, can BOTOX prevent wrinkles?  We know that BOTOX does not aggravate wrinkles or make them worse in the long run.  We also know that the face is subject to gravity and general usage as we age, and that wrinkles can be caused by tense muscles.  When these overactive muscles relax, as they do in response to BOTOX, the skin is no longer constantly being creased.  This is similar to a folded piece of cloth; if you take a wrinkle-free piece of cloth and fold it over, then bring it back, you’ll see that it doesn’t “remember” the fold and is not wrinkled.  However, if you fold that same piece of cloth and place it under a book overnight, it will have a set crease when you come back to it.  When BOTOX and Restylane dissipate wrinkles, they are keeping the skin taut so it doesn’t “remember” those problems that BOTOX and Restylane prevent.

The Bottom Line

When Restylane and BOTOX wear off, you will look exactly as you did before treatment, although 6 to 16 months older.  You will not look worse as a result of Restylane or BOTOX wearing off.  If anything, you may have delayed the aging process.  It is understandable why people maintain treatment effects by refreshing their service when the feel it is necessary.

An Individual Treatment Program

Now that you’ve done some research on BOTOX and Restylane treatments, you’re ready to take the next step: research a doctor who can answer the rest of your questions and decide if treatment is right for you.  Dr. Steinsapir specializes in cosmetic facial treatments like Restylane and BOTOX in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.  Dr. Steinsapir is a leader in facial cosmetic treatments and has innovated advanced treatments like Deepfill Restylane and Microdroplet BOTOX.  Call us today to find out how Dr. Steinsapir can individualize your treatment plan.

We use our faces every day to communicate with others. If you laugh, frown, or make an angry face in front of a mirror, you will probably see lines appear on your face. Dynamic lines – those that appear when we smile, laugh, become angry, and so on – are very important to nonverbal communication and these natural lines are vital to self-expression. However, you may still see some lines present when you relax your face. This is because years of making facial expressions and environmental stressors can cause lingering imbalances in our skin. We may end up with unwanted worry lines, forehead wrinkles, or frowns etched into our faces, known as static lines, which cannot be remedied through use of over-the-counter “miracle” products and creams. Fortunately for those who don’t want surgery, BOTOX® is a natural protein treatment that relaxes the muscles responsible for the static lines on the face and improves aesthetics by helping the face return to its softer, relaxed, youthful look.

BOTOX® can also be used as a preventative measure for younger individuals who wish to retain a youthful appearance, reduce facial lines and prevent forehead wrinkles and frown lines from occurring before their first signs. No matter how well we take care of ourselves, even the healthiest, most care-free individuals can end up with these lines. It may be beneficial to think about how BOTOX® can prevent the signs of aging so that you don’t have to worry about them later in life.

Is BOTOX a Safe Treatment?

Many potential candidates wonder about the side effects of BOTOX®, but it is a safe procedure that involves injecting drops of highly purified protein into areas of the face. A skilled physician can use BOTOX® to relax the muscles that create unwanted static lines and often improve or eliminate them while still allowing you to retain your ability to make a range of expressions, including the Duchenne smile, which occurs naturally when we are genuinely happy. The stereotype that BOTOX® commonly causes the face to “freeze” is inaccurate and originates from misuse of the procedure. BOTOX® is in fact completely customizable to the needs of your particular appearance. Because BOTOX® works on individual muscles, an experienced physician administers the correct amounts of BOTOX® to the appropriate muscles and the results are entirely predictable.

Most people notice that their face appears more youthful, relaxed, and natural after BOTOX® treatments. They see a younger version of themselves looking back in the mirror. In smoothing facial lines caused by stress, BOTOX® patients no longer look perpetually worried and are still able to nonverbally communicate what they truly feel.

An Innovative, Tested Approach

Dr. Steinsapir has invented Microdroplet™ BOTOX® to address the need to retain authentic facial expression and natural eyebrow placement. Where standard BOTOX® procedures work great, Microdroplet™ BOTOX® works even better. If you have had BOTOX® treatments in the past but were not satisfied, Microdroplet™ BOTOX® can 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, youthful appearance without impeding the ability to express emotion.

Don’t Wait to Improve Your Facial Lines

Simply stated, BOTOX® improves facial lines. To find out how BOTOX® can improve yours, contact Dr. Steinsapir today to personally ask questions and discuss your particular needs and concerns. At an individualized consultation, you can find out how Dr. Steinsapir caters his expertise and experience to the needs of each individual and he can tell you more about how lines affect your unique face.