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About Botox

Why is Botox such a dominant force in the treatment space? The answer is pretty simple: it addresses fine lines and wrinkles, one of the most common conditions that men and women experience as they age. Plus, when one of the only other alternatives is surgery, it is a lot more convenient for patients to go for regular Botox appointments instead.

Botox is a brand of botulinum toxin. There are various brands that may be used.

How does botox work?

Botox is made up of botulinum toxin type A, a substance that prevents the targeted muscles from contracting when injected into the body. While it might sound like a bit of an extreme to paralyze your muscles, the toxin is applied to highly targeted areas of the face to create specific, intentional outcomes.
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Botox is most commonly used to treat three moderate-to-severe conditions: frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines. By injecting the toxin directly into the muscles that control these problematic areas, your regular, daily facial expressions will no longer cause those muscles to contract. The maximum effects are seen up to 2 weeks and the effects last approximately 3 to 4 months.

Am I a candidate for botox?

If you are experiencing moderate-to-severe iterations of conditions like crow’s feet, frown lines or forehead lines, and would like to have those conditions corrected without having to go through surgery, then you are likely a candidate for Botox treatment.
It is important to remember that the best candidates for any procedure have good general health, are maintaining a healthy body weight and do not smoke. It is also critical that you have realistic expectations of the results that can be achieved with Botox.

Some people believe that you need to be over a certain age to start receiving Botox treatment, but that is not the case. It is your anatomy that determines your eligibility — not your age.
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In fact, the same 2019 ASPS report showed that of the 7,697,798 botulinum toxin type A injections performed last year, 19% of them — about 1,433,231 injections — were completed on people between the ages of 30 and 39.

What can I expect from a botox procedure?

One of the best parts about Botox is how quick and easy the procedure is. Typically, it only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. Anesthesia may or may not be used, depending on your pain threshold. You may opt to use an ice pack to numb the treated area if you desire.
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The procedure needs to be performed by someone who is trained and experienced in Botox injections. There is a total of 43 muscles in the face, and knowing how to correctly target them to provide effective and subtle results takes skill and precision.

What will recovery be like from botox?

There is usually no downtime or recovery period associated with this treatment. This means that you can resume your regular activities and get back to work as soon as you leave our office.
It is usual for patients to experience minor pain, discomfort, swelling or redness in the injection areas, but these symptoms usually fade within 24 hours.
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We advise all of our patients to do their best to avoid rubbing their face directly after the treatment. In some instances, it can cause the botulinum toxin to spread to a different area of the face, causing some temporary muscle weakness and drooping.

What kind of results does botox provide?

You will notice significant improvement in any moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles and folding, especially in crow’s feet, forehead lines and frown lines. You can expect to enjoy your results from Botox for as long as you continue treatments. Most patients get a relatively good idea of their results two days after the procedure was performed, when any post-treatment swelling and redness have faded.
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The regularity of your treatments will depend on your unique conditions and anatomy, but most patients enjoy results from a single treatment for up to four months.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal filler injections are a type of nonsurgical cosmetic procedure. Dermal fillers plump up wrinkles, smooth lines and restore volume in your face. Your healthcare provider injects these substances just under your skin.

People choose to get dermal fillers to enhance their facial features or gain a more youthful appearance. This elective treatment usually takes less than half an hour, and recovery time is minimal. Results are seen right away and last months to years depending on the type of filler and the location.

There are several kinds of dermal fillers. Your healthcare provider will discuss your options with you. As with any cosmetic procedure, there are risks, including infection, bleeding and bruising. Health insurance plans generally don’t cover elective cosmetic procedures such as filler injections.