What exactly is BOTOX and Dysport? It is a non-surgical, cosmetic treatment that can temporarily reduce moderate to severe wrinkles between your eyebrows, forehead, around the eyes, mouth, even neck. During treatment, very low doses of the medication is administered via a few tiny injections directly into the muscles that cause those stubborn lines. The treatment is usually done in about 10 minutes, and no recovery time is needed. Within days, you may see an improvement that can last up to 4 months.

How does Botox and Dysport work? Those moderate to severe frown lines between your brows, forehead or around your eyes form over time as the result of muscle activity. BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected directly into your muscles. It works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles; this reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those persistent lines to form.

When will I see results from a BOTOX or Dysport treatment? Within days, you may see a marked improvement in the moderate to severe wrinkles. Lines continue to improve for up to a month, and results can last for up to 4 months. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women rated the improvement in their appearance as moderate to better 1 month after treatment. In general, botox takes a day or two longer to begin working. Both products work equally well in most individuals.

How long does Botox and Dysport last? Results from treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic can last on average 4 months. If you continue to maintain the treatment, many patients report results lasting up to 6 months or longer.

Who should administer BOTOX or Dysport? Any authorized healthcare professional can administer BOTOX® Cosmetic, but physicians specializing in cosmetic procedures are generally more experienced. Dr. LaMond provides more botox procedures in WNC than any other provider.

Is treatment with Botox or Dysport painful? Discomfort is very minimal and brief. Prior to injecting, your provider may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream, although this is typically not needed. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. Most people return directly to work or normal activity following BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment.

Who should not use Botox or Dysport? BOTOX or Dysport should not be used in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s) and in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation. Patients with neurological disorders such as ALS, Myasthenia Gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

Will I experience any side effects? The most common side effects include headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eyelid droop, and nausea. Less frequently occurring (<3%) adverse reactions include pain in the face, erythema at the injection site, and muscle weakness. These events are thought to be associated with the injection and occurred within the first week.

Will my facial expressions continue to look natural? Although the results are visible, a treatment with Botox or Dysport will not radically change your facial appearance or make you look as if you "had work done." The muscle activity that causes frown lines between the brows is simply reduced, so you can still frown or look surprised without the wrinkles and creases between your brows.

What will happen to the frown lines between my brows if I choose not to continue treatments? If you do not continue treatments, the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows will gradually look like they did before treatment.

Is Botox and Dysport affordable? When considering your facial aesthetic options, treatment with Botox or Dysport is quite affordable. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery's 2003 survey, BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the least expensive facial aesthetic procedures in the United States. Like other appearance-related investments, such as hair coloring and cuts, teeth whitening, and chemical peels, the cost must be weighed relative to your expectations. Consult your doctor for further information.

Do treatment results differ? To get the best results, it's important to go to a provider who is experienced in administering Botox and Dysport. You may want to consider choosing a doctor from the BOTOX® Cosmetic Physicians' Network. Members of the Network have medical practices that focus on facial aesthetics, as well as detailed knowledge of facial anatomy and experience injecting BOTOX® Cosmetic. Dr. LaMond is a clinical trainer and administers more botox in this region than any other provider.

Is it true that Botox and Dysport also treats excess sweating (hyperhidrosis)?

Yes. For people who suffer from excessive armpit sweating (auxiliary hyperhidrosis),one Botox Cosmetic treatment may provide relief for as long as six months.

Tell me about using Botox Cosmetic to treat migraine headaches.

Recent clinical studies demonstrate that Botox Cosmetic treatments are effective at relieving a significant percentage of migraine

headaches. Compared with subjects who received placebo injections, the subjects treated with Botox Cosmetic experienced:

• significantly fewer migraine attacks per month

• reduced severity of attacks

• fewer days using abortive/rescue medications

• fewer episodes of vomiting

Click here for the Botox PDF information sheet.