Is BOTOX Cosmetic Safe?

    NEWPORT BEACH, CA, April 15, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In recent years, BOTOX Cosmetic has become one of the most popular nonsurgical facial rejuvenation procedures performed in the United States. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 4.5 million BOTOX Cosmetic injections are performed each year.

All medical treatments are accompanied by some degree of risk, and BOTOX Cosmetic is no exception. However, the risks associated with BOTOX Cosmetic have proven to be very small, and complications are rare.

How BOTOX Cosmetic Works

BOTOX Cosmetic works by paralyzing the facial muscles in the region being treated. As a result, the muscle contractions which cause wrinkles, creases, and folds in your face are inhibited. This allows the wrinkles in the treated region to smooth out, providing you with a more youthful complexion.

Your plastic surgeon will deliver your BOTOX Cosmetic injections with a small needle. You should experience very little, if any discomfort. Common areas treated by BOTOX Cosmetic include:

- Crow's feet
- Forehead wrinkles
- Nasolabial folds

BOTOX Cosmetic Safety

The FDA has approved BOTOX Cosmetic for the treatment of facial wrinkles and fine lines. The agency has established strict dosage guidelines to ensure high levels of safety. However, the FDA does not regulate how BOTOX Cosmetic is administered. It is important to have your BOTOX Cosmetic injections performed by a highly qualified plastic surgeon in order to ensure that your treatment is administered safely and delivers the high quality results you deserve.

The vast majority of complications occurring from the use of BOTOX Cosmetic are due to the treatment being administered improperly. In recent years "BOTOX parties," events where BOTOX Cosmetic injections are administered to large numbers of people at someone's house, have become extremely popular. However, it is rare that a plastic surgeon will administer BOTOX Cosmetic treatments at these parties, and it is likely that the person performing the injections has not undergone the necessary training. It is best to avoid undergoing BOTOX Cosmetic injections at these events, since it can greatly increase your risk of complications.

In recent years, BOTOX Cosmetic has also been approved by the FDA for a variety of other uses. At your initial consultation, your doctor can discuss these uses with you and help you determine how BOTOX Cosmetic can best serve your medical needs.

BOTOX Cosmetic Complications

While extremely rare, there are some complications associated with BOTOX Cosmetic. These include:

- Pain at injection site
- Infection
- Bruising
- Paralysis of nearby muscles

However, when your treatment is performed by a highly skilled plastic surgeon, these complications are unlikely to occur.

There are certain conditions which may rule you out as a candidate for BOTOX Cosmetic since they may increase your risk of complications. In general, you may want to look for an alternative method to achieve your aesthetic goals if you have one of the following conditions:

- Hypertension
- Infection near the treatment site
- Motor neuropathy
- Cardiovascular disease
- Thick skin
- Ptosis

To learn more about the safety of BOTOX Cosmetic, please visit the website of Dr. Eugene Kim, serving patients in Newport Beach, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Glendale, California at www.ekimplasticsurgery.com.

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