BOTOX

BOTOX injections are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world. BOTOX or botulinum type A is a medication used to relax the muscles of the face that create wrinkles. The injection causes a temporary paralysis of the muscle, and the effect wears off after several months.

Facial wrinkles occur in part because skin folds and creases develop where our muscles squeeze the most. At the corner of the eye we usually call these “laugh lines” or “crow’s feet.” In between the eyebrows some people have “frown lines.” Lines also commonly develop across the forehead and around the mouth and lips.

The wrinkles that BOTOX most effectively treated are those of the upper face. The smile lines at the corner of the eyelids (from squeeze of the orbicularis muscle) and frown lines in the middle of the eyebrows (from squeeze of the glabellar muscles) are most commonly treated. Injections can also help erase forehead wrinkles as well as helping the lift eyebrows a little.

BOTOX can be used for some wrinkles around the mouth such as vertical lip lines. However, care must be taken to not paralyze the lip muscles too much. The lower face wrinkles are often best treated with wrinkle filler injections such as Restylane or Radiesse. These natural materials are injected underneath the wrinkles to fill in and lift up the wrinkle allowing the skin to smooth again.

BOTOX injections are a safe, simple, short office procedure. The injections cause very little discomfort. Numbing cream may be applied to the skin before the injections if desired. The skin is cleansed and a tiny amount of medicine is injected under the skin near the wrinkles. An ice pack may be placed for a few minutes before and after the injection. Normal activities can be resumed and make-up can be reapplied immediately after the injections.

Within a few days of injection, the muscles relax and the skin will smooth. In addition to reducing wrinkles, BOTOX injections of the forehead and glabella also reduce many patients’ migraine headaches.

If you would like more information about BOTOX injections or other cosmetic procedures, please contact us.