BOTOX® is a highly purified protein that is derived from the bacteria that causes botulism.

No. BOTOX® injections contain a minuscule amount of the chemical secreted by the botulism bacteria. There is no bacteria in the BOTOX® injection. It does not give you an infection.

BOTOX® is injected into a muscle, where it affects the nerve by preventing the release of the chemical that tells the muscle to move. This paralyzes, or relaxes, the muscle. Since tight muscles cause certain wrinkles on the face, BOTOX® can smooth them.

In addition to over 180 medical uses, BOTOX® has many cosmetic uses, including treatment of frown lines, worry lines across the forehead, crow's feet lines, smile lines, lines around the mouth, downturned corners of the mouth, chin wrinkles, neck lines, "marionette's" lines running down from the corners of the mouth, and excessively sweaty armpits, palms, and feet.

The needles for BOTOX® are much smaller than those used for collagen and Restylane; patients are often surprised at how little pain BOTOX® injections cause.

The most common side effect is a mild amount of droopiness in an eyelid ("sleepy" eye) that lasts about 10 days without treatment. This is a rare occurrence. As with any time you get an injection anywhere in your body, a small bruise is possible.

Theoretically. Typically patients who receive BOTOX frequently for one or two years require less BOTOX each time.

Results will fade after a few months.

BOTOX® can be used every 3-4 months, depending on how the muscles respond.

Women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or who hope to become pregnant, and people who are taking certain antibiotics, have neuromuscular disorders or an allergy to BOTOX® should not have injections.

No. At your first treatment visit it may appear the Sculptra worked immediately. That is because of swelling from the injections and the water used to dilute Sculptra. In a few days, when the swelling goes down and the water is absorbed by your body, you may look as you did before your treatment. Sculptra takes time to gradually correct the depression in you skin by allowing your own bodies collagen to form. Your physician will see your again in a few weeks to decide if you need more Sculptra injections.

Your physician will decide with you’re the number of treatment sessions and the amount of Sculptra you will need at each treatment session. Patients with severe facial fat loss may require three to six treatment sessions. Touch-up treatments may be needed to maintain the desired effect after several years.

Your physician will see you every tow to four weeks after each treatment to assess whether you need additional treatments. Treatment effects will differ for each person. In a clinical study the treatment results lasted for up to 2 years after the first treatment session in most patients.

Injections with Sculptra may have some discomfort and your physician will use topical or local anesthetic to reduce your discomfort.