Most people know that Botox can erase the telltale signs of aging on your face – the 11’s between your brows, wrinkles on the forehead, and crow’s feet around the eyes. What you probably don’t know is that eye M.D.’s (ophthalmologists) were the first doctors to use Botox medically and the first doctors to treat facial wrinkles using Botox. Yes, it is true. Eye M.D.’s (ophthalmologists) were the first doctors to discover the medical and cosmetic use of Botox. In the 80’s, an American ophthalmologist discovered Botox could be used to treat crossed-eyed children and facial spasm. Later in the 90’s, a Canadian ophthalmologist recognized that Botox was an effective treatment for facial wrinkles while treating her patients with facial spasm. Since then other doctors have learned about Botox and now Botox is used to treat everything from migraine headaches to sweaty hands to vocal chord disorders. At Strecker Eye for over 20 years, we have been treating patients medically for facial spasm (Hemifacial Spasm, Benign Essential Blepharospasm, Lid Tics) as well as cosmetically for facial wrinkles, droopy eyebrow, and other facial disorders. I am one of the first doctors in New England to use Botox both medically and cosmetically and am a proud member of the Botox Cosmetic Physician Network.

Why choose BOTOX at Strecker Eye? As with any procedure, experience counts. I have performed thousands of Botox treatments and administer ALL Botox injections myself. I treat my patients the same whether they are having Botox, dermal fillers (Juvederm®, Radiesse®), eyelid surgery (cosmetic “lid lift”, eyelid reconstruction), or microscopic eye surgery (premium cataract, all laser LASIK). At Strecker Eye Center, I perform all my own procedures to insure the very best results and the highest level of patient satisfaction.

How does BOTOX work? Botox is a protein purified from the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum, and produced under the strictest standards by a US manufacturer. It works by blocking the chemical messenger (acetylcholine) that travels between the nerves and muscles there-by causing those muscles to contract less strongly. The effect lasts 3 to 4 months.

Where can BOTOX be used? Botox is a fabulous treat for wrinkles primarily in the upper face – the 11’s between the brows, forehead wrinkles, and crow’s feet. It also can treat bunny lines on the nose and lip stick lines around the mouth. Botox can be used for a “nonsurgical brow lift”. It is also used to treat down turned mouth, gummy smile, “jelly roll” lower lid, and nose tip droop.

Is BOTOX safe? Botox is very safe. In fact, Botox is used to treat cross-eyed children and also children with spastic paralysis from cerebral palsy. The typical cerebral palsy patient receives a dosage of several hundred units whereas the average cosmetic patient receives only around 40 units.

Who should not receive BOTOX? Woman who are pregnant or breastfeeding and patients with neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, Myasthenia Gravis, or Lambert-Eaton Syndrome should not receive Botox.

Is BOTOX affordable? Botox used cosmetically is not covered by insurance. However, at Strecker Eye, we try to make treatments more affordable by offering a 50% discount to first time Botox Cosmetic patients. Also, Botox Cosmetic patients who book appointments every 3 months get the fourth treatment for FREE! Our Fourth Treatment for FREE Botox program encourages patients to schedule their Botox Cosmetic treatments every three months so that their facial muscles do not fully recover from their last treatment. Over time using this program, the facial muscles gradually weaken so wrinkle treatments extend out from the typical 3 months to 4 months and eventually out to 6 months. Some of our longtime Botox patients who have followed this program for a few years require wrinkle treatments only every 6 months thereby affording patients considerable savings. Think of this Fourth Treatment for FREE Botox program as an investment in you.

Botox Cosmetic is the number one doctor administered cosmetic procedure in the world. In my opinion, it is the best value among all cosmetic treatments for facial rejuvenation. At Strecker Eye, we try to make Botox Cosmetic an even better value through our First Time Patient discount and our Fourth Treat-ment for FREE program. If you have any questions about Botox Cosmetic or the other services we provide at Strecker Eye, feel free to schedule a com-plimentary consultation with me at one of our three convenient South Shore locations in Cohasset, Plymouth, and Buzzards Bay.

Dr. Strecker is a board certified ophthalmologist specializing in Cataract, LASIK, and Cosmetic Eyelid surgery for over twenty years on the South Shore of Massachusetts. He can be contacted at 781-383-2555 (Cohasset), 508-747-3338 (Plymouth), and 508-759-9110 (Buzzards Bay).