Botox & Fillers
Wrinkle relaxers, such as Botox, work to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by preventing the contraction of muscles. Treating wrinkles in the early stages also prevents deep, set in lines, and wrinkles that may be resistant to treatment in the future. Wrinkle reducer injections can be used for fine lines and wrinkles on the lateral eyes also known as “crows feet,” forehead lines, lines between the eyebrows also known as the “glabella” region, “frown lines,” or “11’s”. Other areas that can be treated with wrinkle relaxer injections include gummy smiles, chin lines/dimpling, neck banding, lip lines, downturned mouth, and obtaining a lateral brow lift.
Medical Aesthetics
What is Botox and how does it work?
Botox is a botulism toxin that is injected into muscles. It works by relaxing the muscle by blocking the transmission of the nerve signal to the muscles. Typically, when the pull of the muscles relaxes, the overlying skin flattens. Sometimes we relax the underlying muscle, and the wrinkle, crease, fold or line is still visible. In that case, we use this injectable to relax the muscle, and we use a dermal filler to fill in the crease.
Discomfort is minimal and lasts only a few seconds. There are no recognized permanent side effects to Botox. Occasionally, the tiny needle may puncture a small blood vessel during the injection, and a little black and blue mark may develop. This can last from five to ten days and can require makeup to cover. If any Botox reaches a facial muscle not being treated, partial weakness of that muscle may last for several months.
How is this procedure performed?
Botox is injected into the facial muscle underlying the problem area. The Botox injectate is prepared fresh on the day of the injection. With a very tiny needle, small amounts of Botox are injected into the muscles to be paralyzed. Botox takes about a half a second to inject. The number of units needed varies depending on muscle strength and the extent of wrinkles/expression lines.
How long does Botox last?
Results will start to appear between 3-5 days with full results noticeable 2 weeks after injections. Injections usually last between 3- 4 months depending on your facial muscles. If we use a dermal filler in conjunction with the Botox, the filler will have its own timeline for effectiveness.
What is recovery like?
Botox is for wrinkles caused by the use of facial muscles, such as:
- the lines between the eyes (caused by muscles for squinting, glaring or frowning)
- crows feet (caused by squinting, laughing, crying)
- or the forehead (caused by a number of animated facial expressions).
If you have wrinkles on your forehead, between your eyes, or crow’s feet around your eyes, you may be a candidate for Botox. For wrinkles in any area where there is not a muscle or areas where the wrinkle is present when the muscle is at rest, then Botox is not a good option. There has to be a muscle movement causing the wrinkle, line or fold for Botox to be effective. Botox also works for blocking sweat glands in cases of profuse sweating (hyperhydrosis).
Have Questions?
While the selection might seem overwhelming, we can contour each visit to your needs to ensure that you get the most individualized, beneficial treatments.