Botox
For some people, lines and wrinkles around the face represent all of the laughter, smiles, and tears we’ve shared throughout the years. To others, they’re less endearing. With age comes wisdom and experience, but wrinkles do not have to be an inevitable part of getting older. If you’ve noticed that frown lines, crow’s feet or forehead wrinkles have begun to dominate your appearance, injectable anti-aging treatments are an effective solution that have exploded in popularity in recent years. When you look at the effectiveness and safety profile of these products, it is easy to see why. Injectables like Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport offer a proven, cost-effective way to minimize wrinkles and skin folds that can make you appear older than your actual age.
If you’re interested in Botox treatments, WiserMD has you covered! Dr. Itay Wiser and his team of skin care experts provide a range of Botox treatments for anti-aging, hair restoration, excessive sweating and more. Learn more about our Botox treatments by contacting our office.
What is Botox?
Botox is the brand name of a type of injectable treatment containing botulinum toxin, a compound produced by a bacteria. Most often used for anti-aging purposes, Botox injections work by blocking the nerve signals that tell your muscles to contract. As facial muscles contract, the repetition throughout the years creates grooves beneath the skin that are usually hidden beneath a healthy layer of collagen and elastin. As these components diminish with age, the grooves become more noticeable and appear as dynamic lines and wrinkles that deepen with each smile, laugh or frown. By relaxing the affected facial muscles in treated areas, Botox treatment can effectively soften the appearance of horizontal forehead wrinkles, frown lines, smile lines, squint lines and nose wrinkles, restoring smoother, younger-looking skin in a single treatment.
In addition to facial lines and creases, botulinum toxin can also treat other facial cosmetic concerns. By working in small amounts around the face, Botox can lift the brows, correct a sagging or downturned mouth and reduce the appearance of cobblestoned or dimpled chins. By paralyzing facial expressions, botulinum toxin injections help create softer, more relaxed features, leading to a more pleasant overall appearance.
Is Botox Right for Me?
As the gold-standard for wrinkle reduction since 2002, Botox has a track record of success and safety in helping both men and women minimize the signs of aging. Botox is also FDA-approved to treat some medical conditions, including migraines and excessive underarm sweating. If you’re thinking about Botox injections, ideal candidates are those who:
Why a Plastic Surgeon Should Do Your Injectables
For cosmetic applications, Botox is effective for dynamic wrinkles, which are those formed by repetitive facial movements such as smiling, squinting or frowning. Botox doesn’t work well for static wrinkles, however, which are caused by volume loss and a decrease in collagen and elastin. These types of wrinkles are present even when the face is at rest and are best treated with dermal fillers. Most people have a combination of dynamic and static wrinkles, and Botox can be combined with dermal fillers and other rejuvenation treatments for more comprehensive results.
Botox for Men
As one of the most popular anti-aging treatments available, Botox isn’t just for women. A growing number of men are turning to Botox to smooth out wrinkles and minimize the signs of aging, giving them the confidence they need to stay competitive in the workplace or improve their dating life. Botox works the same regardless of gender, but men have different facial anatomy and require a special approach to achieve an optimal outcome. Injections should be placed in the right areas for subtle, natural-looking results that don’t look stiff or overdone, and treatments can be customized to produce more conservative or dramatic changes depending on patient preference.
Preventative Botox
Another application that is growing in popularity is the use of preventative Botox. Wrinkles start to form in the mid-to-late 20s, and men and women are starting to think about Botox at an earlier age as social media makes us more visible than ever. Preventative Botox works by limiting the movement of facial muscles that cause wrinkles in the first place, retraining them to slow the onset of lines around the eyes, forehead and mouth. Those who begin preventative treatments in their 20s or 30s typically need fewer injections than others with more visible wrinkles, and later treatments may be more effective since the duration of anti-aging benefits from Botox seems to increase over time. Even if you stop treatments in the future, preventative Botox can give you a head start on maintaining a youthful appearance by slowing down the formation of lines and wrinkles in common problem areas.
Can Botulinum Toxin Help with Hair Restoration?
Recent observations of the effects of botulinum toxin suggest that it can be helpful for those dealing with some types of hair loss by relaxing scalp muscles and increasing blood flow to the hair follicles. Botox injections for hair loss can also enhance the delivery of the essential nutrients that contribute to hair health and density. This approach effectively treats hair follicles that are still active, however, so Dr. Wiser will need to determine if your hair loss can be treated with Botox during an in-person consultation. Dr. Wiser offers botulinum toxin for hair restoration in both men and women.
What to Expect During Your Botox Treatment
Botox treatments are relatively quick and simple but require skill, precision and knowledge of facial anatomy to produce subtle, natural results. When you arrive for your appointment, Dr. Wiser will review your areas of concern and answer any questions you may have before proceeding. Then, he will cleanse and mark treatment areas before proceeding with your Botox injections to ensure accurate results. Each dose of Botox will be strategically injected into specific areas, with each injection lasting just a few seconds. Dr. Wiser uses a very fine needle to minimize any discomfort, but you may feel a brief pinch or pulling sensation at the injection site. While generally well-tolerated, some areas are more sensitive than others and numbing cream will be available for your comfort.
The procedure generally lasts about 20 minutes, but the number of injections you need will vary depending on your goals and concerns — those getting preventative Botox typically need less, for example, while men tend to have thicker muscles that may require higher doses for an optimal outcome. After your treatment, you can immediately return home and resume all normal activities without any downtime.
What Happens After My Botox Treatment?
Following your Botox treatment, you may experience some slight redness or bruising at the injection site, but this is a normal and temporary side effect. Any bruising that does occur is probably going to be in the form of tiny marks that may take up to one week to resolve completely, but can be covered with makeup in the meantime. Another common type of side effect after Botox is minor swelling in treated areas. This is perfectly normal and indicates that the botulinum toxin has penetrated the muscle tissue. You may also see some tiny bumps that vanish about 20 minutes after your injections, and some individuals may experience headaches that can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen.
In some rare cases, the botulinum toxin can migrate from the site of injection and cause temporary weakness in nearby muscles. To minimize this risk, it’s recommended that you avoid rubbing treated areas immediately after your appointment and don’t lie down for at least four hours. Strenuous activities like exercise should also be limited until the following day, as the increased blood flow can worsen bruising and affect your results with unwanted diffusion. To ensure an optimal outcome. Dr. Wiser will provide you with aftercare instructions and be able to address any questions or concerns you may have after your treatment.
When Will I Begin Noticing Results After My Botulinum Toxin Injections?
Botox takes some time to settle after being administered, but most patients start noticing results within two to four days after their treatment. It can take up to two weeks for full results to emerge, with the most dramatic improvements appearing around this time. Within the two week mark, you should expect to notice a significant reduction in lines and wrinkles in treated areas.
How Long Can I Expect My Results to Last?
The results of botulinum toxin usually last between three and six months, depending on the location of treatment. It is normal to feel a gradual return of muscle movement after three months, but full muscle movement shouldn’t return for about six months. Smooth, youthful-looking skin can be maintained with touch-ups or follow-up appointments and the longevity of your results may improve with subsequent treatments.