BOTOX
®
Are you thinking about BOTOX®? Maybe one of your friends or coworkers has used it and now looks amazing. Maybe you want to look a little younger or simply feel more confident day to day. Whatever the reason, you’re considering this popular treatment...
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BOTOX Cosmetic is the leading treatment for softening or eliminating wrinkles and preventing new wrinkles, especially around the eyes and forehead. BOTOX Cosmetic works by relaxing the muscles that create wrinkles to reduce the appearance of fine lines. It may be used to prevent wrinkles if started early enough. However, it is never too late to start! Because BOTOX may also be used to prevent the wrinkles from getting worse. BOTOX is best used to target the wrinkles of specific areas of the face caused by repetitively making the same facial gestures such as frowning or squinting over the years.
BOTOX® Reduces Facial Lines
Put simply, BOTOX® (also known as botulinum toxin A) is injected under the skin where it blocks nerve signals that tell muscles to contract and relaxes areas of muscular tension. The result is a softening of the lines we associate with aging, resulting in a smoother and younger-looking complexion. BOTOX® is most commonly used on the following parts of the face:
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Crow’s feet, or lines in the corners of the eyes
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Forehead lines, also called forehead rows
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Glabellar lines, or vertical lines above the nose
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Nasolabial folds, also called smile lines or laugh lines
How does BOTOX® work?
BOTOX® Cosmetic works by temporarily paralyzing the facial muscles beneath the skin that create the lines and wrinkles. BOTOX® Cosmetic blocks the impulses from the nerve to the facial muscles, thereby relaxing them. The result is that the underlying facial muscles relax, and the skin begins to smooth out. The effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic will last approximately three to four months, after which time the patient may choose to repeat the procedure.
What to Expect with BOTOX®: Before and After
Knowing what to expect can help alleviate any nervousness about your first treatment. After carefully examining your face to determine the best injection sites, a medical professional will use a fine needle to inject a small amount of BOTOX® into specific muscles.
The process only takes a few minutes and no anesthesia is required. Most people say any discomfort is minimal.
There’s also no downtime. You can get on with your day post-treatment.
Botox is also a popular procedure for men and can be accomplished by Dr. Danielle Causey in such a way as to preserve masculinity and the “manly” features of the face for his male clients while creating the desired cosmetic change. We all want to feel comfortable in our own skin, that’s why Causey Med Aesthetic in Baton Rouge, Louisiana takes great pride reinvigorating your skin for a fresh look. Our team will guide you through your choices to help you make an educated decision so that we can work together to build a plan personalized to your individual needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW DOES BOTOX WORK?
Botox is a neuromodulator (a form of botulinum toxin type A) that is injected into targeted treatment areas using an ultra-fine needle. It works by blocking the nerve signals needed for muscles to contract. It’s the repetitious contraction of facial muscles that causes the folding of skin and the appearance of expression lines and wrinkles. Once injected, the neuromodulator relaxes the muscles and decreases their movement to reduce the appearance of lines or wrinkles in the area. You will see your results gradually over 3-7 days following injection.
WHAT AREAS OF THE FACE CAN BE TREATED WITH BOTOX?
Botox can be used to address lines and wrinkles on a number of different facial areas, including the forehead, eye area (crow’s feet), and lip lines. It may be injected to soften dimpling of the chin, reduce the downward pull of the mouth, or soften exaggerated necklines. Botox can be used to enhance the lip or reduce a gummy smile. Botox can also be injected into the muscles of the jaw to help alleviate pain from teeth grinding or TMJ or for a jaw slimming effect. Botox can be used to decrease the frequency and severity of headaches and migraines. Botox can also reduce excessive sweating. Some of these treatment areas may be considered off-label.
WHAT DOES A BOTOX TREATMENT FEEL LIKE?
Botox treatments are quick with minimal discomfort. The treatment requires no anesthesia or recovery time. Many people get Botox during their lunch hours and are able to return to work right after their appointment.
IS BOTOX PAINFUL?
The procedure is not considered painful. Most patients report a brief period of discomfort during the injection, which does not persist once the procedure is complete. Many of my patients consider their Botox injections to be less painful than a mosquito bite.
HOW SOON WILL I SEE THE RESULTS?
While the experience of each patient may differ, it usually takes 3-5 days to see the effects of Botox. For some, it may take up to 2 weeks to realize the final effects.
HOW LONG DOES BOTOX LAST?
The results of Botox typically last between 3-5 months from the date of injection. Over time the body metabolizes the Botox, leading to the slow return of muscle movement in the treatment area. Patients can choose to maintain their Botox results for longer periods by undergoing periodic maintenance treatments every 3-4 months. Some people will burn through Botox faster than others. Lifestyle, diet, and movement are all factors that will affect the lasting effects of your Botox. Dosing also plays a part in the lasting effects. Underdosing an area, or muscle, will typically result in the Botox wearing off much faster.
WHEN SHOULD I START GETTING BOTOX?
Some patients may wonder if they are ‘too young’ or ‘too old’ to try Botox. There is no right or wrong age to start using Botox. Patients should be evaluated and receive a consultation by a medical professional prior to treatment. Many of my patients are starting to use Botox in their twenties when they first start to notice lines and wrinkles or as a preventative measure. As long as someone is able to get a benefit from Botox, then there is no age limitation.
IS BOTOX SAFE?
Yes, Botox is an FDA-approved treatment for reversing lines and wrinkles. However, patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain neurological diseases should not receive Botox treatments.
SHOULD I DO ANYTHING TO PREPARE FOR THE TREATMENT?
For three days prior to your injection, I advise my patients to stop consuming alcohol or taking medications or supplements that thin the blood like aspirin, ibuprofen, Gingko Biloba, or Ginseng. This will help minimize bruising after the procedure. If you are especially prone to bruising or plan to be injected in a high-risk area (like around the eyes) then I recommend taking arnica supplements 3 days before your treatment. Arnica is known to minimize and clear bruises.
ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS?
Side effects from a Botox treatment may include bruising, swelling, redness, or tenderness around the injection site, all of which will resolve without intervention after a few days to a week.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOTOX AND OTHER NEUROMODULATORS LIKE DYSPORT AND XEOMIN?
While Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin treat the same symptoms in a similar manner there are some minor differences between these products. Botox has been around the longest and is most commonly known in the U.S.
Dysport is another FDA-approved neuromodulator used in the U.S. Dysport has a slightly smaller molecule so for some people, Dysport seems to start working sooner than Botox. The biggest difference between Botox and Dysport is the unit differential. One Unit of Botox equals 3 units of Dysport. So to get the same effect for one area, you would need three times the amount of Dysport as you would of Botox. Many experienced injectors like myself who provide both Botox and Dysport will be able to guide you through the choice between the two.
Xeomin is another neuromodulator that works very similar to both Dysport and Botox. Xeomin is most similar to Botox in that the dosing is similar and the molecular size is similar. The only major difference is the absence of a few stabilizing molecules. For the very few patients who develop Botox resistance, switching to Xeomin may help.