What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Who should  consider BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Will a BOTOX® treatment give me food poisoning? Is it Botulism? Isn’t it a toxin? Poison?
Who should NOT use BOTOX®?
When will I see results from a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment?
Will I still be able to make facial expressions?
Will my lines look worse if I choose not to continue treatments?
Do the injections hurt?
Are there any side effects?
How should I prepare for my first appointment?
Can any of my medicines interact with BOTOX® Cosmetic?

What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a simple, nonsurgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily smooth moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people from 18 to 65 years of age. It is the only treatment of its type approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Who should consider Botox?

Anyone who has:

• Furrow or deep frown lines between  the brows (also referred to as “11’s”)
• Deep forehead lines
• Crow’s feet around the eyes

Will a treatment give me food poisoning? Is it Botulism? Is it a toxin?  Is it a Poison?

No, it is not toxic to you- nor is it poisonous to you in the amounts used in Botox® Cosmetic.  Botox Cosmetic is NOT botulism, and it will not cause food poisoning.  To claifry, Botulism is the name of an illness not the name of the active drug.  The product is a purified protein which is extracted from a naturally occurring bacteria and then rigorously processed under strict pharmaceutical manufacturing guidelines.  It is very similar to how penicillin comes from mold.  It is an approved drug that is used in VERY tiny doses.

Who should not use BOTOX® Cosmetic?

BOTOX®  Cosmetic 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 neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

Do NOT use BOTOX® Cosmetic if you:

• Have an infection where BOTOX® Cosmetic will be injected
• Are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX® Cosmetic
• Are pregnant or think you might be pregnant

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

• Patients with moderate to severe frown lines can expect to see results within 7-14 of injection
• Results are NOT immediate
• Results vary based on age, ethnicity, and skin type
• FDA approves BOTOX®  between ages 18-65
• Lines continue to improve for up to 1 month

Will I still be able to make facial expressions?

• BOTOX® Cosmetic will not radically change your facial appearance.  You can still frown or look surprised, without the wrinkles and creases between your brows.
• BOTOX® Cosmetic works by temporarily reducing the contractions of the muscles that cause line which develop over time

Will my lines look worse if I choose not to continue treatments?

• Your lines gradually revert to their pre-treatment appearance.

• A very tiny needle is all that is needed for the procedure.  Some patients report minor and temporary discomfort immediately following the injection.
• An Anesthetic  cream(numbing) is available by prescription. This cream significantly decreases pain associated with needle injection.  If you would like to use this cream, please mention this to the receptionist when making an appointment.  The use of anesthetic cream should be applied at least 45 minutes prior to injections.

Are there are any side effects?

The most common side effects following the use of BOTOX® Cosmetic:

• Temporary eyelid droop
• Temporary nausea
• Temporary headache (when injecting the glabella)
• Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness,  bleeding  or bruising may also be associated with the injection

• Anesthetic  cream(numbing) is available by prescription. This cream significantly decreases pain associated with needle injection.  If you would like to use this cream, please mention when making an appointment.  The use of anesthetic cream should be applied at least 45 minutes prior to injections.
• Do NOT take any anti-inflammatory*** medications 24 hours prior to Botox injections

• You should expect to see small bumps at each injection site.  These bumps usually disappear within a 24 hour period.  You should refrain from using any make-up products or topical creams until all redness and bumps are completely gone.

Can any of my medicines interact with BOTOX® Cosmetic?

Be sure that Dr. Carr knows the names of all the medicines you are using, including:

• antibiotics used to treat infections, such as gentamicin, tobramycin, clindamycin, and lincomycin
• medicines used to treat heart rhythm problems, such as quinidine
• medicines used to treat different conditions, such as myasthenia gravis or Alzheimer’s disease.

As with all prescription medicines, you should also notify Dr. Carr if you are taking any over-the-counter medicines or herbal products.

Please note this is not a complete list of medicines that can interact with BOTOX® Cosmetic. Ask Dr. Carr or your pharmacist for the Professional Package Insert for complete information.

KEVIN D. CARR, MD

Kevin Carr, MD has achieved national recognition as founder of the TRUST model of community-wide informatics and seasoned clinical transformation professional. He has significant experience in medical informatics, clinical process improvement, 100% provider adoption of clinical information systems including CPOE, and the management of clinical content as a part of advanced clinical information systems. Dr. Carr has served as Chief Medical Information Officer of a Yale-affiliated community-based teaching hospital, helping guide the rapid implementation of Cerner’s electronic medical record system with 100% physician adoption. He also served as a key founder of the multi-institutional programs Waterbury Health Access Program and eHealth Connecticut, Inc. He currently volunteers as Board of Directors Treasurer and Co-chair of the Clinical Committee for eHealth Connecticut. Dr. Carr attended medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Thereafter, he completed his internal medicine residency at Yale University, going on to serve as Chief Resident due to his reputation for clinical excellence. Today, Dr. Carr continues to serve as an Assistant Professor of the Yale Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency. As co-founder of Trusted Medical, Dr. Carr went on to become certified in Botox Cosmetic as well as Dermal Fillers. Joiya Day Spa welcomes Dr. Carr to our staff.