BOTOX® Cosmetic

Botox Cosmetic is a simple, non-surgical treatment that temporarily smoothes moderate to severe wrinkles. By injecting a small amount of Botox into the muscles causing wrinkling, Dr. Stout can diminish the appearance of wrinkles for anywhere between 3 and 6 months. He has successfully treated thousands of loyal patients medically and cosmetically with Botox Cosmetic for more than 17 years. In particular, Dr. Stout uses Botox to relax the frown lines, worry lines (forehead lines), and crow's feet, giving his patients a more youthful and refreshed look. Background on Botox® Essentially, Botox is a purified, cosmetic form of the toxin produced by the clostridium botulinum bacteria. Despite being a toxin, it does not adversely affect the body; instead, it simply blocks the nerve impulses to prevent muscles from wrinkling.
While initially used to treat strabismus (or crossed eyes), Botox was designed to prevent the eye muscles from contracting or crossing inadvertently. In April 2002, the FDA approved Botox injections for cosmetic purposes for temporary improvement in the appearance of glabellar lines (lines between eyebrows that give a concerned or angry look). Using the same principle as with the strabismus treatment, Botox Cosmetic softens wrinkles by weakening the specific facial muscles that contract to form creases on the face. BOTOX therapy is approved in 70 countries for a broad range of conditions and is currently being investigated for the treatment of many different medical conditions, including migraine headaches. Still, BOTOX Cosmetic is best known for its effective, temporary softening of facial wrinkles and creases. As an oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Stout has a unique understanding of the anatomy and aesthetics of the eye region, making him one of the most qualified doctors for performing Botox. Having performed Botox injections for over 17 years, Dr. Stout has the skills and the expertise unparalleled in the Los Angeles area. BOTOX® Injections for Migraine Headache Relief As a sufferer of migraine headaches himself, Dr. Stout has long been an advocate of Botox Cosmetic for the treatment of migraines. For years, recipients of Botox injections have noticed treatments leave them headache-free for months. Subsequently, Botox Cosmetic has emerged as an effective treatment for both migraine headache relief and non-migraine headaches. If you are suffering from a headache, call (626) 449-6494 right away and we will fit you in for an emergency appointment at our Pasadena office. Dr. Stout can typically relieve headaches in 5 to 10 minutes using BOTOX Cosmetic.

Frequently Asked Questions about Botox® Cosmetic:

How Is Botox Cosmetic Used?
How Safe Is Botox Cosmetic?
Are Botox Injections Painful?
Where Is Botox Cosmetic Most Effective?
How Long Does a Botox Treatment Last?
How Will Botox Treatments Affect My Facial Expressions?
What Will Happen If I Discontinue Botox Treatments?
Who Shouldn’t Use Botox Cosmetic?
Why Should I Choose Dr. Stout for Botox Injections?

How Is Botox Cosmetic Used?

After numbing the skin with a topical ointment, Dr. Stout injects a few drops of Botox® Cosmetic, using a tiny needle, into the muscle that is causing a wrinkle on the skin’s surface. This blocks the nerve impulse from stimulating the muscle, and as a result, the muscle relaxes. When the muscle stops contracting, the skin overlying the muscle smoothes and the wrinkles in the skin soften.

Within a few days of the treatment, patients see a marked improvement of the area they received Botox® Cosmetic. Wrinkles relax along with the muscles, while the surrounding untreated facial muscles contract in a normal fashion. This allows patients to maintain normal facial expressions, while diminishing the appearance of wrinkles.

How Safe Is Botox Cosmetic?

For over 17 years, BOTOX® treatments have been used safely and successfully in oculoplastic surgery and for wrinkle therapy. Since the results of BOTOX® injections are not permanent, possible side effects are temporary and localized to the injection area.

Are Botox Injections Painful?

Dr. Stout uses tiny special needles to minimize discomfort, and most patients tolerate this quite comfortably. However, cold compresses and anesthetic cream are available and can be used to numb the skin prior to BOTOX® treatment.

Where Is Botox Cosmetic Most Effective?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is most commonly used to treat frown lines between the eyebrows, horizontal forehead creases, and crow’s feet. However, BOTOX® Cosmetic can be used to treat other areas, like thick bands on the neck, as well as an effective treatment for excessive sweating in the palms or armpits. Most recently, BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used to treat chronic migraine headaches.

How Long Does a Botox Treatment Last?

Allergan, the manufacturer of BOTOX® Cosmetic, states the effects last about three months. In the experienced hands of Dr. Stout, the benefits of Botox® routinely last four to six months. Patients usually return several times a year for maintenance treatments at our office in Pasadena. After a few BOTOX® treatments, the effects may begin to last longer, sometimes six to eight months in skilled hands and experienced application of Dr. Stout.

How Will Botox Treatments Affect My Facial Expressions?

Dr. Stout prides himself in softening your wrinkles without immobilizing your facial expressions. When BOTOX® injections are administered by a skilled and experienced cosmetic surgeon, such as Dr. Stout, they only rarely affect a patient's facial expressions.

What Will Happen If I Discontinue Botox Treatments?

If patients choose to discontinue Botox® Cosmetic, wrinkles will gradually return to their appearance before the start of the treatments.

Who Shouldn’t Use Botox Cosmetic?

Botox® Cosmetic should not be administered on individuals with neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome for they may have serious risk of side effects.

Why Should I Choose Dr. Stout for Botox Injections?

An oculoplastic surgeon like Dr. Stout truly understands the complicated muscular and tissue structure, mechanics, and aesthetics of the eyelids, eyebrows, and forehead. As one of the nation’s rare fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeons, Dr. Stout has provided the skills of his specialty to each of his patients for over 20 years.

When the FDA approved BOTOX® treatments for strabismus in 1989, Dr. Stout found it to be highly effective. Soon after, patients across the country pointed out that it was also softening their wrinkles and fine lines around their eyes. This discovery prompted the use of BOTOX® injections for facial rejuvenation. Some time later, patients also noticed that BOTOX® treatments provided relief from migraine headaches. Studies are currently being conducted that promise to shed light on why BOTOX® Cosmetic works so well to treat migraines.

Since 1989, Dr. Stout has been safely treating patients in Pasadena and across Los Angeles with BOTOX® Cosmetic. His philosophy when performing BOTOX® injections or any other cosmetic procedure is that the results should look natural. His experience and artistic application allows him to pay special attention to each patient's unique pattern and degree of wrinkling.

Botox® Cosmetic Website