Are you sometimes surprised by the person who looks back at you when you look in the mirror? Do the crow's feet make you look more like your mother than you'd like? Do the forehead wrinkles give you a tired or angry look?

While inner beauty is always important, it is becoming easier to make your outside more attractive. Albert Cram, M.D., University of Iowa Health Care plastic surgeon, says new procedures and shifts in public opinion make cosmetic surgery more inviting. "Baby boomers are more likely to consider how they feel about their looks as part of their quality of life. Women between the ages of 35 and 55 are the most likely to come in for treatment, but about 10 percent of our patients are men."

One of the most popular anti-aging treatments available today is the non-surgical injection of Botox®, an extremely effective muscle relaxant.

It is the years of smiles and frowns and surprises that deepen the lines on your face. Botox® is ideal for improving and smoothing the skin between your eyebrows, the lines of your forehead, and the crow's feet around your eyes. It is generally used on the upper one-third of the face so it doesn't affect a patient's smile.

It may take five to seven days for Botox® to work, but once it does, the results are dramatic. The results last from three to five months when another shot of Botox® restarts the process. Over time, some patients may require less frequent treatments as their muscles break the habit of contracting into frown lines.

If you have a health-related question, or to make an appointment, call UI Health Access - 800- 777-8442 or 319-384-8442.

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