Botox - Before The Injections

It is important to determine what areas the patient desires to be paralyzed and whether muscle paralysis of these areas will produce the desired cosmetic result. With the aid of a mirror, the patient points out their facial areas of concern. The forehead and around the eyes is particularly well-suited for Botox® and is the most consistently proven area for an advantageous effect. (elimination of frowning and squinting of the eyes) Bands of the neck can also be minimized with injections along their lines. Other areas of the face, such as the lips, are more difficult to obtain the desired effect due to the number of different muscles that work the region and the risk of adverse effects (such as drooping) is higher.

Botox can also be effective for certain types of migraine headaches, particularly those that are known to start just above the eye area or behind the ear. Botox can also be helpful for excessive sweating of the armpits, hands and feet.

Dr Eppley has also found Botox to be effective in reducing the size of the jaw (masseter) muscles in those patients who have the condition of masseteric hypertrophy, which can cause excessive width to the lower face and muscle pain and headaches.