Botox at LaserCare Cosmetic Centers, MA, Massachusetts

Many people have lines or creases on their foreheads and between their eyes which makes them appear worried, tired or older than their age. Botox is a breakthrough approach in treating these wrinkles as well as in treating the crow's feet lines around the outer aspect of the eyes.

Crease lines and wrinkles on the face are a result of aging, heredity, muscle action, sun damage and gravity. Forehead lines, crow's feet and the vertical creases between the eyes are a results of the strong muscle contractions that occur when making facial expressions year after year. When these lines are dynamic, (made worse by intentionally squinting or raising the eyebrows) they can be successfully treated with small injections of Botox directly into the muscle. Other areas that can be successfully treated with Botox are the wrinkles on the anterior neck or jowls.

What is Botox?
Botox is a very, very dilute form Botulinum Type A, a highly purified extract of the bacteria that causes Botulism. It sounds dangerous, but is actually very safe. There have been no known allergies to Botox, and it has been tolerated for a lot longer than is widely known. The use of Botox for facial wrinkles was pioneered over 10 years ago by dermatologists and has been used for other medical conditions even longer.

Botox has a paralyzing, or freezing effect on the muscle. It causes a blockage at the site where a nerve stimulates a muscle. This prevents the muscle from contracting. Botox has been used in various surgical procedures to freeze muscles so surgery can be performed. It has also been used in eye conditions to stop twitching. After a Botox injection to the forehead, for example, the dynamic wrinkles disappears with 1-7 days. This effect lasts from 3-6 months. The paralysis gradually wears off, and periodic re-treatment is needed. With repeated use, the interval between treatments may increase to 7 to 10 months. There is also a preventative benefit to Botox treatment. Because the facial muscles are no longer able to make the frown causing the line, the lines do not get worse.

Botox injections are very well tolerated and have very few side effects. The ones we have seen include slight bruising at the injection site, headache for 1-2 hours after treatment, and very rarely, the drooping of an eyelid can occur. This can be reversed with eye drops.

Recently Botox injections have been shown to actually have a positive "side effect". They have been reported to decrease the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. According to two studies presented at the 1999 annual meeting of The American Association for the Study of Headache in Boston, injecting Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Allergan) into the muscles of the forehead can reduce the frequency of migraines in both men and women. The need for pain medication was reduced or eliminated in most patients.

Botox Treatment
Botox treatment is very quick and involves a minor sting for only a few seconds. Patients are instructed to remain upright for 4 hours after injection to facial areas. Within 24 to 48 hours the effects can be seen, and the maximal effect occurs within 2-7 days. The lines are then dramatically reduced or even erased entirely.

What other conditions can be treated with Botox?
Recently Botox injections have been used successfully to treat migraine headaches, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating under the arms), and age lines UNDER the eyes and around the MOUTH. The first two conditions are sometimes covered by health insurance, as the cost is much less than the many drugs used as alternative treatments. For more details on Botox, please call us at LaserCare Cosmetic Centers. We will be happy to answer all questions including inquiries on pricing. Only a price range can be given over the phone, however. The actual cost is determined at the time of treatment, and depends on how much Botox is needed to effectively treat the condition. The amount of Botox needed varies from person to person and depends on several factors, such as size of the area, amount of wrinkles, skin thickness, muscle tone, age etc.

FDA Approval of BOTOX for Severe Underarm Sweating
Allergan has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved BOTOX for the treatment of severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis(severe underarm sweating) that is inadequately managed with topical agents.
Hyperhidrosis is a medical disorder that results in sweating that significantly exceeds the normal amount required to maintain consistent body temperature. Severe primary hyperhidrosis that is not adequately managed with topical agents has been shown to significantly interfere with one’s daily activities.
Primary axillary hyperhidrosis often goes undiagnosed and untreated due to lack of awareness among patients. Although not a cure, BOTOX therapy can represent an effective nonsurgical treatment option for many patients.
Treatment consists of a series of small injections of BOTOX into the axillary (underarm area). A topical anesthetic can be used to anesthetize the skin. The medication causes the tiny muscles that secrete perspiration to become paralyzed, thus eliminating the excessive sweating. The results are seen 3-4 days after injection and on average the effect lasts 6.7 months.

Special Offer
BOTOX Treatment of Frown Lines Between the Eyes
$350
OR
BOTOX Treatment of Frown Lines and Crow's Feet
$575

LaserCare Botox® treatments are offered in Reading, MA by Laser Surgeon Mark A. Latina, MD. Same day appointments or walk-in. His office is located in the Reading Health Center, 20 Pond Meadow Drive, Suite 203. Treatments are also performed at our 2 Haven Street, Reading location. Please call (781) 942-1613 for a consultation.

Directions to the office of Mark A. Latina, MD: From I95 (128) take exit 39 (North Ave.). Proceed towards Reading and take the first left onto New Crossing Rd. Follow the purple and gold signs to the Reading Health Center. Dr. Latina's office is located on the second floor, Suite 203.

From the South: 128 (95) N to exit 38B, Route 28, North Ave. Go to third light (which is just after McDonald's. Go left at the light onto Washington St. Then take the second right onto High Street. Bear right at the fork. You will see a train station on the left. We are in the 3 story office building directly across from the train station.

From the North: 128 South to exit 39. (North Ave.) Go right off the exit and stay on North Ave. all the way to Main St., route 28. Cross Main St. and take your second right onto High St. At the fork bear right. You will see a train station on the left. We are in the 3 story office building directly across from the train station.

To learn more about Botox treatments, or for an appointment in Massachusetts, please call (781) 942-1613.