Botox™ - Related FAQ's

Q: I had Botox injected for my Crow's feet five months ago and it seems to still be effective. Is this normal or do I have a permanent effect?

A: It is very doubtful that your effect is permanent. Botox's effect is always temporary. I do have some patients who have had up to six months duration, although the amount of relaxation does decrease as time progresses. Some patients are able to retrain their habits and once not able to "scrunch" their frown muscles, they lose that habit and when the Botox disappears, they hardly scrunch and almost forget how to do so. The lines therefore stay away until the muscles are stimulated to scrunch again.

Q: Can I expect to get 6-8 months benefit from Botox?

A: No. Despite the region being treated, Botox lasts about three to four months for cosmetic regions with the exception of the neck bands which can last up to six months. Botox used for hyperhidrosis of palms, soles and underarms may last longer too.

Q: Can Botox thin a fat face?

A: NO. Botox has been used to reduce the bulk of an enlarged masseter muscle in the cheek, the one that we used to chew. In some people there muscle becomes large and makes the face look fat. Botox can slim down the contour.

Q: Why does my friend look like she had a stroke after having Botox done by a new doctor for her smile creases?

A: Fillers are the better choice for smile folds as the Botox relaxes muscles and theoretically is used to flatten the smile crease by not having one of the smile muscles contract and elevate the corner of the mouth. IF the Botox affects too much of these muscles, that side of the mouth won't smile normally and when the mouth opens, the side that had Botox won't, and it may look like it had a stroke.

Q: I had Botox for my lower eyelids, now there are more tears in my eyes, why?

A: If the drainage pump and tear duct are not working because the lower eyelid does not sit against the eye anymore as it's too loose, temporarily, then the tears build up and run over the eyelid rather than into the tear duct. Some might think they're making more tears, but in reality there just not draining the normal production of tears. This will go away but you can see an ophthalmologist.

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