Seattle and Bellevue Botox® Treatments

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?

BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA), a prescription medicine, is a purified protein that temporarily improves the look of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the brows in adults younger than 65 years of age.

Dr. Stern administers BOTOX® Cosmetic as a simple, nonsurgical treatment that is injected directly into the muscles between the brows. It works by blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles. This reduces muscle activity that causes persistent lines to form between the brows. Individual results may vary.

How does BOTOX® Cosmetic work?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of the “11s,” the moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines). It works by blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles. This reduces muscle activity that causes persistent lines to form between the brows.

When will I see results from a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment?

Within days, you may see a marked improvement in the moderate-to-severe frown lines between your brows. Lines continue to improve for up to 30 days, and results can last for up to 4 months. Individual results may vary.

How long does BOTOX® Cosmetic last?

Visible results have been shown to last up to 4 months.1 Your own results may vary – be sure to talk to Dr. Stern or his staff about what you can expect and when to schedule your next appointment.

Is treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic painful?

Discomfort is usually minimal and brief. Prior to injection, Dr. Stern may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. Most patients are in and out of Dr. Stern’s office without downtime following BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment.

Side effects associated with the injection include localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising.

Will I still be able to make facial expressions?

Although the results are visible, a treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) will not radically change your facial appearance or make you look as if you’ve “had work done.” The muscle activity that causes frown lines between the brows is temporarily reduced, so you can still frown or look surprised without the wrinkles and creases between your brows.

Who should not be treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic?

You should not be treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic if you have:

• a disease that affects your muscles and nerves (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease], myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome).  See “What is the most important information I should know about BOTOX® and BOTOX® Cosmetic?” in the Medication Guide.
• allergies to any botulinum toxin product
• had any side effect from any botulinum toxin product in the past
• a breathing problem, such as asthma or emphysema
• swallowing problems
• bleeding problems
• plans to have surgery
• had surgery on your face
• drooping eyelids
• any other change in the way your face normally looks
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic passes into breast milk.

It is not known if BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic can harm your unborn baby.

What are the possible side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic?

BOTOX® Cosmetic can cause serious side effects. See “What is the most important information I should know about BOTOX® and BOTOX®Cosmetic?” in Medication Guide.  Other side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic include dry mouth, discomfort or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, eye problems such as double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to BOTOX® Cosmetic may include: itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, or dizziness or feeling faint. Tell Dr. Stern or get medical help right away if you are wheezing or have asthma symptoms, or if you become dizzy or faint.

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 return to the way they looked before treatment.

Do treatment results differ?

Yes, individual results may vary. To get the best results, it’s important to go to a doctor who is experienced in administering BOTOX® Cosmetic. Dr. Fredric Stern is one of the top Botox® doctors in Bellevue, Seattle and all of Washington State. Dr. Stern also serves as Instructor of the Botox® Cosmetic National Education Faculty.

BOTOX® Cosmetic Important Information

Indication

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults younger than 65 years of age for a short period of time (temporary).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION, INCLUDING BOXED WARNING

BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX® Cosmetic:

Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months.

Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice (dysphonia), trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria), loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing.

There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect when BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used at the recommended dose to treat frown lines.

Do not take BOTOX® Cosmetic if you: are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX® Cosmetic (see Medication Guide for ingredients); had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc® or Dysport™ have a skin infection at the planned injection site.

Tell your doctor about all your muscle or nerve conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease], myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects including severe dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and respiratory compromise (difficulty breathing) from typical doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have: plans to have surgery; had surgery on your face; weakness of forehead muscles, such as trouble raising your eyebrows; drooping eyelids; any other abnormal facial change; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (It is not known if BOTOX® Cosmetic can harm your unborn baby); are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed (It is not known if BOTOX® Cosmetic passes into breast milk).

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal products.

BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, or vision problems. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.

Other side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic include: dry mouth, discomfort or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, and eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes.

For more information refer to the Medication Guide or talk with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see BOTOX® Cosmetic full Product Information, including Medication Guide.

The BOTOX® Cosmetic mark is owned by Allergan, Inc.