The injection contains a muscle relaxant obtained from the bacterium Clostridum Botulinum. It is used to treat overactive muscles in certain medical conditions such as cerebral palsy, eyelid tics and others. Chances are the overactive muscles that you are interested in treating are those which make you frown or those which give your eyes their smile lines, or "crow's feet".
What is in the Botulinum injection?
Each vial contains Clostridium Botulinum toxin type A-haemagglutin complex as the active ingredient. It also contains human albumin and sodium chloride.
How does the Botulinum injection work?
Botulinum works by temporarily weakening overactive muscles.
Availability
The Department of Health has approved Botulinum injection for certain medical uses. It is approved for the treatment of wrinkles; however, there is no Medicare or private health insurance rebate for Botulinum injection.
What To Expect From The Procedure
First you will see Lindy Hare, practice nurse, and she will answer any questions you may have.
We will take your photograph so we can compare the before and after.
In our treatment room you will lie down, and Lindy will inject the Botulinum with a very fine needle.
We will apply an ice pack afterwards to reduce swelling and ease any discomfort.
We will give you a cup of tea and time to recover if you need it.
After The Procedure
Take it easy for the rest of the day.
Do not exercise that day.
Be careful operating machinery until you know how Botulinum will effect you.
When you lie down, keep your head elevated on a couple of pillows to reduce swelling. (First 24 hours)
Please let us know if you have any ill effects, or if you are worried about any aspect of your treatment.
What To Be Careful Of
Botulinum injection should not be used if you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed.
Botulinum injection should not be used if you have an infection in the muscles where it would normally be injected; for example if you have acne or a pimple in the area to be treated you must wait for it to clear before proceeding with treatment.
You have any muscle disorders in other parts of your body, including myasthemia gravis, Eaton Lambert Syndrome or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Tell Mr. Breidahl If:
You have any muscle disorders in other parts of your body, including myasthenia gravis, Eaton Lambert Syndrome or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
You are taking or are likely to take antibiotics, especially aminoglycoside antibiotics.
You are scheduled to have surgery using a general anaesthetic.
You have an inflammation or severe weakness in the muscles where Botulinum would be injected.
You are pregnant or have the intention of becoming pregnant.
You are breast-feeding or planning to start breast-feeding.
If you have ever had facial surgery.
You have any allergies, particularly to eggs or vaccines.
In these circumstances it may not be possible to use Botulinum. Tell the nurse if you are taking other medicines, including any from the supermarket or health food shop.
Effect
The initial effect occurs in about 4 or 5 days, with the maximum muscle relaxation reached within 1-2 weeks, and lasting somewhere between 3 and 6 months. After this, you should return for a repeat dose. There is a total maximum dose, which should not be exceeded in a two-month period so you should return to this surgeon only for any required follow up in that time.
After several treatments you may find that even when the Botulinum effect wears off, your wrinkles are less obvious. This is the best outcome, and it comes about because whilst your muscles are weakened, you get out of the habit of frowning.
Side Effects
Most people do not have any adverse effects from their injection but you should know that the following rare and temporary side effects have been noted in the literature which has mainly followed patients being treated for medical conditions: - Drooping of the eyelids, irritation or tearing, dry eye, not being able to close the eye, sensitivity to light, dizziness and tiredness. Less commonly, inward or outward turning of the eye, inflammation of the eye, double vision and swelling of the eyelid skin lasting several days.
