Botox® Cosmetic Specialist

In Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona

Dr. Paul Angelchik is a Phoenix plastic surgery specialist who offers Botox® Cosmetic at his practice. In the paragraphs below he describes this procedure and how Scottsdale, Glendale and Phoenix Botox® Cosmetic patients have benefited from treatment.

Botox® Cosmetic is a major breakthrough in treating wrinkles with minimal downtime.  Botox® Cosmetic works by weakening or paralyzing the muscles of facial expression. It is an injectable protein. Using a very tiny needle, small amounts of Botox® Cosmetic are injected into the muscles to be paralyzed. Discomfort is minimal and lasts only a few seconds.  Botox® Cosmetic is most commonly used for wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyes, and the “crow’s feet” area around the eyes. It also can be used on the lower face and neck. Most patients do not require anesthesia, but a topical cream can be applied in advance of the injections to reduce discomfort. This paralysis is temporary, and re-injection is necessary within three to four months. More definitive long term treatment with surgery may be used to enhance the appearance of the forehead, brow, and other areas treated with Botox® Cosmetic.

The injection of Botox® Cosmetic takes about 1 -2 weeks to reach maximum effect. Once the resting tone of the treated muscles is weakened, the pull of the muscles relaxes and the overlying skin flattens. This approach is different than the other local treatments for the aging face. It is unlike injectable fillers that plump the skin or fill in contour depressions. Restylane®, Radiesse™, Cosmoderm™, fat injections, and other filler materials all work by filling in wrinkles or depressions. These fillers are frequently not as effective as Botox® in treating wrinkles in the upper third of the face. They are often used however in complimentary fashion to enhance the effects of Botox® Cosmetic.

Botox® Cosmetic: Major Complications are Rare

There are no recognized permanent side effects of Botox® Cosmetic. Complications are rare but may include paralysis of a nearby muscle, resulting in its temporary loss of function (e.g., a drooping eyelid). For this reason, you are requested not to massage the injected areas for 12 hours following the injection. If the upper eyelid is droopy, then eye drops can be provided that counteract the effect of Botox® Cosmetic. In my experience, this is rarely a problem.Botox® Cosmetic has been used safely in the treatment of muscular facial spasms for approximately 20 years.  Occasionally, the needle may puncture a small blood vessel during the injection and a black and blue area may develop. Such an area can last 5-10 days and may require make-up to cover.

All procedures have some degree of risk. While most patients do not have complications, minor complications that do not affect the outcome of a treatment or surgery may occur after some procedures. Major complications are rare. The specific risks and the suitability of a particular procedure are carefully reviewed at your consultation (and preoperative visits if you are having surgery).  Your safety and comfort are our foremost concerns. We will provide additional detailed information for you at each stage of your experience from your initial contact with our office through your procedure and afterwards in an interactive fashion. We will ensure that you feel informed about your treatment options and recovery in advance and can actively and confidently participate in designing your treatment plan. We want you to have the best possible experience and will work with you to make it happen.

In addition to Botox® Cosmetic, Dr. Angelchik also performs facial plastic surgery procedures in his Phoenix plastic surgery practice. Visit these pages in the website to learn about how Dr. Angelchik treats Phoenix facelift, rhinoplasty, laser resurfacing, brow and forehead lift, otoplasty and blepharoplasty patients.