4. Cons
The effects of botulinum toxin fade after about three months. When it's used to treat eye movement disorders, some patients develop a droopy eyelid, while patients with neuromuscular disorders can have trouble swallowing.
The cosmetic use of Botox has been associated with minimal side effects, according to a review that Carruthers and his wife, Dr. Jean Carruthers, clinical professor of ophthalmology at UBC, did of 50 of their Botox patients. The subjects had received at least 10 cosmetic treatments -- most of them in two or more areas -- and no adverse events were observed in 99 per cent of the sessions. Of the few that did occur, none were serious. The risk of adverse events also did not increase with the number of treatments.
5. Where to get it and at what cost
Plastic and aesthetic surgeons and dermatologists trained in cosmetic procedures are best qualified to offer cosmetic Botox injections. (To find Canadian physicians trained in the cosmetic use of Botox, visit www.trueexpressions.ca.) Other specialists, such as neurologists, who treat movement disorders, spasticity and excessive sweating may have training in its use as well. "As physicians get more experience with Botox, their results improve, and as each specialty gets this material, the number of things that are treated with it will increase," predicts Carruthers.
Botulinum toxin is expensive to produce, so the treatment cost depends on how much Botox the physician uses. A small cosmetic procedure might cost as little as $200, but if multiple sites are injected, the price is likely to be closer to $1,000. When Botox is used to correct medical conditions, the cost may be covered by a health-care plan.
Page 2 of 2
Comment reported
Thank you for reporting this comment as inappropriate.
Back to Comments »