When we frown, smile or laugh, we contract muscles in our face into folds of skin that create dynamic wrinkles and lines such as “crows feet”, forehead lines or “worry lines”. Over time these dynamic wrinkles and lines become deeper and more permanent.
A simple treatment with Botox ® can dramatically soften facial expression lines leaving you looking younger and more refreshed without surgery, scars or recovery time.
What is Botox® ?
BOTOX® is a brand name for the purified form of botulinum toxin Type A, which is produced by the bacteria, Clostridium botulinum. It is an injection of extremely small doses into specific facial muscles to stop the problem those muscles cause.
How does Botox® work?
Facial expressions occur when the brain sends a signal to muscle tissue. BOTOX ® blocks impulses from the nerve to the tiny facial muscles that are related to expression lines This relaxes the muscles to stop them contracting, leaving the overlying skin smooth and unwrinkled Botox® works only on the specific muscles injected leaving surrounding muscles to function as usual, producing normal facial expression without the wrinkles It cannot “freeze” your facial expressions because it only works where you want it to.
What is the treatment like?
BOTOX® is injected using a disposable syringe with a very fine needle. A very small amount of the BOTOX® powder is diluted with saline and injected very precisely into several locations on the face.
The pain associated with injections is minimal. Many patients describe it as an ant bite sting for a few seconds. No local anesthetic is required and you can resume normal activities immediately. Treatment takes around 15 minutes, depending on the number of areas you wish to treat
After injection, it takes 2-3 days for BOTOX® to begin taking effect and up to 7 days to see the full effect.
Where can it be used?
Botox® is used widely for the elimination of:
frown lines between the eyebrows
horizontal forehead lines
crows feet or smile lines around the eyes
It is being increasingly used to reduce neck lines and in brow lifts to achieve a more youthful arched brow which rounds and softens the eye.
Doctors have also reported good results in the nasolabial folds between the nose and mouth, perioral lip lines (“smokers lips”) and chin dimpling or creasing.
How long will it last?
The advantage of Botox® is that it is temporary. the effect lasts for 3 to 5 months or longer depending on the individual. You can decide if you like it then repeat the treatment regularly as you wish, increasing the number of facial areas you want to treat.
The result will wear off progressively and you will need repeat injections 2 to 3 times a year. Early clinical studies indicate the duration of the effect increases over time so you may require less frequent injections in the future to maintain the result you have come to like.
Is Botox® a common cosmetic procedure?
It’s the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In the United States 498 204 Botox® procedures were recorded in 1999, a growth of 216%, making it the second most common cosmetic procedure after chemical peels.
The result will wear off progressively and you will need repeat injections 2 to 3 times a year. Early clinical studies indicate the duration of the effect increases over time so you may require less frequent injections in the future to maintain the result you have come to like.
Is it only for women?
BOTOX® is equally effective on men and women In fact, men increasingly seek out this treatment to leave them looking younger in the workplace. Because it is effective for worry lines, it is popular with many businessmen to leave them looking more refreshed and approachable.
Dermal Fillers
Your skin naturally contains hyaluronic acid (HA), which provides moisture, volume, and structure that help it appear smooth and refreshed. Your skin produces less HA over time as we age. For this reason dermal fillers are injections that plump up wrinkles and smooth lines on your face. There are several types of dermal fillers. Healthcare providers usually inject dermal fillers in the areas around your eyes, mouth and nose. This common cosmetic procedure typically produces results right away, and can last months or years.
