Botox & Dysport Treatment in Toronto

ARE YOU A CANDIDATE?

BOTOX^® Cosmetic^® and Dysport^® are for men and women who dislike the appearance of wrinkles and creases on their upper face and are seeking a nonsurgical solution. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding cannot receive this treatment. Also, candidates should not be taking medications that thin the blood, including aspirin or Advil, for ten days before receiving this treatment, otherwise bruising and swelling can occur. Our doctors may avoid treating those patients who have had negative reactions to the injections in the past. Please keep these factors in mind and let us know if you meet with us regarding BOTOX® treatments in Toronto.

Our injectable specialists minimize the risk of breathing difficulties by always making sure to use appropriate dosing for any treatment targeting the neck. This significantly reduces the risk of these issues.

Spread of toxin effects: In rare cases, BOTOX^® and Dysport^® can affect areas that are far from the injection site, leading to these symptoms: blurred vision and drooping eyelids, double vision,  hoarseness or change or loss of voice (dysphonia) and trouble speaking clearly (dysarthria). These symptoms occur hours to weeks after a BOTOX^® and Dysport^® treatment. However, please note that there was no severe case of spread of toxin effect when BOTOX^® was used at the recommended dose to cure blepharospasm, strabismus, underarm sweating or frown lines.

BOTOX^® and Dysport^® have been proven time and time again as some of the safest medications in the world. That’s why millions of treatments are performed every year on men and women, for cosmetic and therapeutic reasons.

CONSULTATION

With a medical examination, only a qualified doctor can determine if BOTOX®® or Dysport® are the right treatment for you. Before taking it, tell your doctor if any of the following conditions apply or have applied to you:

• You have swallowing, bleeding or breathing (asthma, emphysema) issues.
• You have had facial surgery, for cosmetic or therapeutic purposes
• You plan to have surgery
• You are breastfeeding a baby or plan to in the near future
• You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the near future
• You have noticed a change in the normal appearance of your face for a known or unknown reason
• You have any diseases that affect your nerves and muscles (Lambert-Eaton syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis)
• You are allergic to botulinum toxin or any other ingredient in BOTOX^® or Dysport^®
• You had an adverse reaction after receiving a BOTOX^® or Dysport^® treatment in the past
• You have facial muscle weakness (trouble raising your eyebrows, droopy eyelids)
• You have received other botulinum toxin injections in the last four months

In addition, you should also tell your doctor about any medications, vitamins, herbs or supplements you are taking. Certain medicines can negatively interact with BOTOX^® or Dysport^® and lead to severe side effects. During your initial consultation, please bring a list of medications you take so that they can be reviewed.

Your safety is our primary concern. BOTOX^® and Dysport^® are not suitable for everyone and for this reason, it is crucial that you be honest during your consultation to protect your safety.

PREPARING FOR YOUR TREATMENT

You’ll receive a list of instructions to follow before your treatment. Make your treatment a safer, more effective one by following these instructions, allowing you to prepare for it properly.

YOUR TREATMENT

Your actual treatment takes only a few minutes to complete, and there is very little discomfort. A topical anesthetic can be applied, then the target areas are marked. A series of injections are made with a very small needle, delivering the desired number of units. There should be only a little swelling immediately after the procedure that disappears within an hour, and patients can simply apply makeup to the area after treatment and proceed with their regular activities.

FOLLOWING YOUR TREATMENT

After the actual injection, which takes only a few minutes, the area treated may be a little swollen and bruised. You may also feel a bit of discomfort. These symptoms will go away in a few days. It is important that you facilitate your recovery by following the post-treatment care instructions provided to you.

The following are some tips that can help with your recovery:

1. To minimize swelling or bruising, apply a cool compress. You may also want to consider stopping any medications that thin the blood for about a week before your treatment to minimize bruising. These medications include aspirin, ibuprofen and St. John’s Wort.

After your treatment, you should exercise the treated muscles for a couple of hours to help improve the absorption of the injected BOTOX^® or Dysport^®. Frown repeatedly if the muscles controlling frowning were targeted. If forehead lines were targeted, raise your eyebrows. For crow’s feet, squint and smile. You may find that performing these facial movements takes a little more effort than usual.

3. Avoid touching or rubbing the area(s) targeted for a couple of hours after your treatment. This is to minimize the risk of the injected BOTOX^® or Dysport^® spreading to muscles that were not targeted during your treatment.

4. Avoid working out or performing vigorous physical activity for the rest of the day.

5. Sometimes, patients experience a headache after treatment. This can be easily resolved by taking Advil or Tylenol.

YOUR RESULTS

The results of a BOTOX® or Dysport® injection can typically be seen between five and ten days after treatment. Some patients see their results in three days, while others see the improvement after two weeks. Wrinkles will be noticeably softer or totally erased, giving you a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance. Results last for about four months on average. After this time, the treated muscle will gradually be able to contract again and the aesthetic concern will return.

Please note that BOTOX^® and Dysport^® are only effective for wrinkles that appear with the contraction of facial muscles. These dynamic wrinkles form with the repetitive creasing that is created from facial expressions we make every day, such as forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet and glabellar lines. These include forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet and glabellar lines. Wrinkles that are visible without contracting the muscles in the area cannot be treated (injectable fillers are better suited for these). However, BOTOX^® and Dysport^® can soften these “static” wrinkles to a certain extent.

How to Prepare for your Botox Treatment

1. Kindly remove all makeup, including facial powders, foundation, tinted moisturizers, etc. before coming to your appointment.
2. Please avoid alcohol, as well as Advil/Aleve/Aspirin or other anti-inflammatories (e.g. Omega, Curcumin, Vitamin E, Ginkgo Biloba) for 3-5 days prior to your filler treatment to decrease chance of bruising, unless specifically advised by your doctor that you need to be on the medication daily (e.g.because of a heart condition).
3. Consider taking herbal remedies or supplements that help decrease the chance of bruising (e.g. Arnica pellets, Bromelain).
4. Please advise us if you have ever fainted or felt weak from needles or medical procedures. If you have ever experienced these issues, please make sure to have a meal or snack before your appointment.