What is BOTOX?

BOTOX is a natural, purified protein has been proven to be a safe, reliable, and effective treatment for reducing wrinkles since 1982. If you would like to learn more about BOTOX, please visit the Allergan Corporation website at www.botoxcosmetic.com for more information.

How does it work?

When you have BOTOX injected directly into the underlying muscles, it blocks nerve impulses to the injected area and prevents further muscle contractions. This relaxes the muscle which ultimately smoothes out the wrinkles. Botox is only confined to the treatment site. It does not travel through your body. Botox will not affect your ability to smile, laugh, or otherwise show expression. BOTOX Cosmetic is the only product of its kind that has been approved for use in this area.

What result can I expect?

BOTOX temporarily smoothes out wrinkles around the eyes (crows feet), forehead line and between your eyes (frown lines). The treatment procedure usually takes about 15 minutes and usually take 3-5 days for results to be noticed. Results vary from person to person, but the effects generally lasts from 3-5 months.

What causes frown lines between the brows?

The lines that appear between your brows actually result from muscle movement and the passage of time. When powerful muscles between the brows contract, they draw the brows together, causing the skin to fold or furrow. As skin becomes less elastic with age, those folds or furrows result in stubborn lines. Because frown lines are dynamic lines caused by overactive muscles, they can usually be treated with tiny injections of BOTOX Cosmetic.

What are the common side effects?

The most common side effects following injection include temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may be associated with the injection. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

What is the treatment like?

BOTOX^R Cosmetic is a quick and minimally invasive procedure consisting of a few tiny injections. Your doctor will determine exactly where to administer these injections to achieve the best results for you. No anesthesia is required, though he or she may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream prior to injecting. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes, and there is no downtime afterward. Discomfort is minimal and brief. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may be associated with the injection.

Who is being treated with BOTOX Cosmetic?

Men and women of varying ethnicities have been treated with BOTOX Cosmetic. Because it works only on the underlying muscles, it is not expected to affect skin color. Take a look at the results of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) 2006 statistics report:

• BOTOX Cosmetic was the most popular physician-administered cosmetic procedure in the United States for the fifth year in a row (surgical and nonsurgical combined) with nearly 3.2 million treatments in 2006.
• Racial and ethnic minorities accounted for 22% of all physician-administered cosmetic procedures
• Men accounted for nearly 1 million physician-administered cosmetic procedures
• Patient ages 19 to 34 accounted for 22% of all physician-administered cosmetic procedures

Will I still be able to make facial expressions?

Although you may see a marked improvement, a treatment with BOTOX cosmetic does not make you look like you've "had work done." The muscle activity that causes frown lines is simply reduced, so you can still frown or look surprised without the wrinkles and creases between your brows.

How soon will I see a difference?

You can expect to see results within days after your treatment, and the appearance of the area between your brows may continue to improve or up to a week. By day 30 in a phase 3 clinical studies, 89% of patients judged he severity of their frown lines between their brows as moderate or better. Visible results have been shown to last up to 4 months. After that, many patients are ready to return or a follow-up treatment. Your own results may vary-be sure to talk to your doctor about what you can expect.

How do I know if BOTOX Cosmetic is right for me?

If you are between the ages of 18 and 65 with moderate to severe frown lines between your brows, you may be a candidate for BOTOX Cosmetic. Ask your doctor if BOTOX cosmetic is right for you.

Is BOTOX Cosmetic expensive?

Actually, it's quite affordable. Although many people think of BOTOX Cosmetic as a luxury treatment for the "rich and famous," recent statistics show otherwise. According to the 2005 ASERF BOTOX Cosmetic Use Survey, people just like you make up two thirds of the patient base:

• Those with annual household incomes of less than $100,000 (44%) were more likely to be treated with BOTOX cosmetic than those with annual incomes greater than $150,000 (36%).
• Working mothers between the ages of 40 and 55 are the most common users of BOTOX Cosmetic

How can I be sure I'm getting real BOTOX Cosmetic?

licensed and trained healthcare professionals have the experience necessary to administer BOTOX Cosmetic. Allergan, Inc., the maker of BOTOX Cosmetic, is the only source for healthcare professionals to purchase the product, and each US FDA-approved vial label has the "Allergan" hologram.