We love Botox here at U Plastic Surgery + Aesthetics. Our patients do, too, and we’re not alone—thousands of Botox treatments are performed every year in the US alone, making it one of the most popular procedures available. This is partly due to its convenience, ease, and efficiency, but there are many other reasons people keep coming back to this injectable treatment. Let’s take a look at how Botox works to turn back the hands of time and give you a more youthful appearance!
First things first: what is Botox?
Clostridium botulinum bacteria produce a class of chemical compounds known as toxins. The botulinum toxin type A Toxin can be processed and purified to produce Botox, a sterile product that’s suitable for specific therapeutic uses. Botox has been approved for cosmetic use in the United States since 2002 and is a very safe procedure. You can’t contract botulism from Botox, as the bacteria itself is not being injected.
There are different types of Botox treatments derived from botulinum toxin type A, including Botox Cosmetic (Allergan), Botox (Allergan), and Dysport (Ipsen). As an injectable filler, Botox is FDA-approved for temporarily reducing or eliminating frown lines, forehead creases, crow’s feet, and thick neck bands. It can also be used to treat several medical conditions, including neck spasms, excessive sweating, an overactive bladder, and chronic migraines.
How does Botox work?
Most of our frown lines and wrinkles are created by the repeated movements of certain facial muscles. Botox works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the specified muscles. This temporarily relaxes them, which helps to soften or eliminate wrinkles and lines.
If you don’t like needles or have a low pain tolerance, we’ve got good news: Botox injections are non-invasive, and treatment is virtually pain-free! We use extremely thin needles to inject Botox directly into the muscle, causing dynamic wrinkles. These are the wrinkles that appear temporarily when a muscle contracts, like the ones you see when you smile or frown.
This procedure typically results in minimal discomfort. The injections don’t tend to cause irritation or inflammation, either, although there may occasionally be a mild stinging sensation. If you’re still concerned about being uncomfortable, we can apply a topical numbing cream to the area before treatment.
The entire process only takes about 10-15 minutes and requires little to no downtime or recovery. This makes it extremely convenient if you have a busy schedule! Botox will usually begin working within the first few days, but may take 7-10 days to take full effect. While results vary from patient to patient, Botox is clinically indicated to last for up to three months on average. Once the treatments are discontinued, the muscles will return to their pretreatment state.
What areas can Botox treat?
Botox can be used to soften or eliminate several facial wrinkles and lines, such as:
- frown lines
- crow’s feet
- forehead creases
- eyebrow asymmetry
- upper/lower lip creases
- marionette lines
- bunny lines on the sides of the nose
- dimple in the middle of the chin
In the neck and chest region, Botox can minimize horizontal “necklace” creases,
vertical neck bands (also known as “turkey neck”), and wrinkling of the central mid-chest (décolleté.) It can also be used to alter the shape of the eyebrows to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, elevate or lift the brow, lengthen the lip to correct a gummy smile, and improve the appearance of some facial scars.
Are there any side effects with Botox?
Botox is one of the safest cosmetic procedures there is, even when administered for an extended period of time. There is very little risk associated with the injections, and few minor side effects are possible. These may include:
- headaches
- bruising, numbness, discomfort, or pain at the injection site
- temporary drooping of the eyelid
- temporary eye problems, such as double vision, blurriness, or swelling
- mild nausea
That being said, it’s important for you to choose a licensed medical professional to administer your Botox injections. Pay attention to their experience, qualifications, and recommendations if possible. When you choose our practice, you can be sure your Botox will be safely administered by an expert! This reduces the risk of infections, allergic reactions, and any other uncomfortable side effects from occurring.
We’ll never leave you with an overdone “frozen face,” either! You’ll love the natural results our team provides and the softening effect it has on your appearance. More than 95% of patients who have Botox injections administered are extremely satisfied with their experience, and we’re certain you’ll be one of them!
Botox with U Plastic Surgery + Aesthetics
If you’re looking to address frown lines, crow’s feet, or other wrinkles, you could be a good candidate for our Botox treatments. The effects of Botox can be seen after just one session, so if you’ve been on the fence about it, it won’t take much to convince you!
An overwhelming majority of patients continue to visit us on a regular basis in order to maintain the beautiful results Botox offers. These treatments are ideal for younger patients whose skin is just beginning to show signs of again as well as older patients with visible fine lines and wrinkles who wish to reduce or eliminate them.
A consultation with Sam, our Aesthetic Nurse, or Dr. Tag will help determine if Botox is the right treatment for you! To learn more about how Botox and U Plastic Surgery can turn back the hands of time and enhance your natural beauty, get in touch with us today to schedule a visit to our Owings Mills office.