We are so excited to announce that the incredibly talented Trista will be joining Dr. Golshani’s team of experts! Celebrity Facial Artist Trista Shakeridge, RN is a seasoned professional, licensed nurse with over 12 years experience as a nurse injector specializing in Botox, Dysport, Juvederm, Restylane, Voluma, Belotero & Radiesse.
With over six million Botox treatments administered each year, Botox, or Botulinum toxin, injections are certainly the most popular cosmetic surgery in the world. Botox is used to reduce wrinkles and fine lines by paralyzing underlying muscles, though it can also be used to treat migraines, excessive sweating, muscular disorders, and some types of bladder/bowel disorders.
Botox is made from a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacterium called botulinum toxin. The bacterium exists in the natural environment in its inactive form, and can be found in cultivated soils, the forest, and in sediments of streams, lakes, coastal, or other untreated waters, as well as in the intestinal tracts of fish and mammals.
The bacteria and spores are harmless in their inactive form, but once they transform into vegetative cells and start multiplying, they start producing the highly poisonous neurotoxin responsible for botulism (a life-threatening illness) – botulinum toxin. The toxin is so poisonous that a couple of kilograms could kill the entire human population.
That said, botulinum toxin has been proven to be a valuable therapeutic protein when the dosage, frequency of administration, and variety of treated clinical conditions is put into consideration. It has medical applications to treat specific muscular conditions, as well as cosmetic applications for the removal of wrinkles by paralyzing muscles on a temporary basis.
The bacterium – Clostridium botulinum – was first discovered in 1897 for causing food poisoning. Between the 1920s and ‘40s, scientists discovered that it was possible to purify the bacteria in crystalline form, and use it in small doses to relax overactive muscles and spasms. It was then used in experiments on monkeys in the 1970s, and then used on humans in the 1980s to treat eye disorders.
In 1989, the Botox substance was approved by the FDA as treatment for eye problems resulting from malfunctioning muscles, like strabismus (wandering eye), amblyopia (lazy eye), blepharospasm (twitching eye), and squinting. In the course of the treatments, eye specialists realized that when the drug was administered, the area around the eye seemed more relaxed and wrinkles less prominent.
In 2002, the FDA declared Botox safe for cosmetic use. So, it could now be used to improve the appearance of facial wrinkles under specific regulations. The effect lasts between 4 and 6 months.
By 2006, Botox had transformed into a billion dollar industry, and continues to be used for both cosmetic and medical purposes. In fact, it is expected to hit the $4 billion mark in the international market by 2018, with the US contributing about 50 percent. Its rapid growth can be attributed to the fact that is non-invasive, safer compared to surgery, and cost-effective, plus celebrities have relied on Botox injections to appear years younger on screen, boosting consumer confidence in the product.
Migraine headaches are characterized by painful, debilitating sensations in the brain, and patients are willing to try just about anything to find relief. Individuals with chronic migraines have to endure these severe headaches – that last between 4 and 72 hours – for 15 or more days every month. Their quality of life is adversely affected, with patients experiencing nausea accompanied with photo and phonophobia.
Various preventative therapies have been used to treat migraines, but one of them has gained momentum, namely botulinum toxin type A – also known as BOTOX®.
Botox first came to the limelight in the 1990s and early 2000s as a wrinkle reducer. A few years later, researchers realized that Botox could be used to treat other conditions, and in 2010, the FDA approved it as a preventive treatment for chronic migraines.
Botox is administered through injection. The drug itself is made from Clostridium botulinum, a toxic bacterium that is also known to cause a deadly food poisoning called botulism.
Read more on the FDA’s warning on black market Botox injections.
When used for the treatment of migraines, Botox is administered once every three months, for a period of 15 months. The doctor injects multiple doses of the drug in specific points along the bridge of your nose, forehead, temples, neck, back of the head, and upper back. The treatment is aimed at reducing the symptoms of migraine headaches, which include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to smells, sounds, and lights.
Relief does not happen instantly. In fact, the American Headache Society claims that improvement can take between 10 and 14 days, while some may not experience any relief after their first set of injections: in which case, it is recommended that additional treatments be sought.
Botox is recommended for individuals who do not tolerate migraine medication. It is to be used as an alternative solution.
Dr. Golshani may not recommend it until other treatment options have failed to adequately address your chronic migraines. Botox treatment for chronic migraines is safe, considering that there no serious complications or side effects. The most common effects of the injections include neck pain, temporary muscle weakness in the upper shoulders and neck, and stiffness at the injection site, which often resolves in only a few days.
It is an affordable option since most insurance providers cover the expense of Botox injections used for the treatment of chronic migraines, as opposed to cosmetic purposes (i.e. wrinkles).
In some cases, insurance companies require you to undergo other tests or procedures before they authorize Botox treatment.
Dr. Golshani offers Botox treatment in Beverly Hills for use in treating migraines, as well as for cosmetic purposes including reducing wrinkles and smoothing out facial skin. If you are interested in Botox treatment, then please call our office @ (310) 274-3481 to speak with a Botox specialist.
The FDA has recently sent out a warning
on April 16, 2015 regarding a fake, counterfeit version of Botox circling around that eager consumers should be
aware of. The FDA has deemed these counterfeit versions as “unsafe and should not be used.”
The real, actual Botox (100 units/vial) used by certified doctors is manufactured by Allergan, which has been
approved for use by the FDA. Counterfeit products can be spotted one of these 3 ways:
Dr. Golshani is a double-board certified plastic surgeon that administers
Botox and other dermal fillers to his patients. Board certification is a seal of approval given by prestigious
accredited associations to top tier plastic surgeons.
You will not find fake, bogus, or counterfeit versions of any product – including Botox – in Dr. Golshani’s office.
If you are looking for trusted Botox treatment in Beverly Hills, then look no further
than Dr. Golshani.
