Normal muscle movements when frowning, laughing, squinting or furrowing the brows cause the overlying skin to crease and wrinkle. Gradually, these “dynamic” wrinkles become more pronounced and visible, even when the muscles are not contracted, giving the face a perpetually tired or angry appearance. Dynamic wrinkles usually appear across the forehead, between the eyebrows and at the outer corners of the eyes.
Creams and lotions cannot minimize the appearance of these lines, but a simple, non-surgical, physician-administered treatment called BOTOX® Cosmetic can. Botox is FDA-approved for the temporary reduction of moderate to severe forehead lines, frown lines between the eyebrows and crow’s feet (the lines at the corners of the eyes) in people over the age of 18. The cosmetic injectable is sometimes used “off-label,” or for non-FDA-approved purposes, such as smoothing wrinkles around the corners of the mouth.
How Does Botox Work & How Long Does It Last?
Botox is a purified protein from the clostridium botulinum bacterium. When injected into specific facial muscles, the product temporarily relaxes those muscles, and the overlying wrinkles or creases soften. The skin in the treated area quickly becomes smoother and more youthful-looking. The effects of treatment are noticeable within days and typically last three to six months.
Botox injections must be placed very precisely, and should only be administered by a qualified, experienced practitioner. Our team has many years of delivering great results with the product and minimizing the risk of side effects and complications.
Botox Treatment Process
Botox treatment takes about 10 minutes to complete, and there is no recovery downtime, so it is an easy treatment to schedule during your lunch hour. No anesthetic is required, although you may have the area numbed if you desire.
The number of injections and amount of product needed depend on the size of the treatment area and the severity of the wrinkles.
Botox Treatment Downtime and Results
The recovery from Botox treatment is very minimal. You can immediately resume work and your regular routine, as long as you avoid touching the treated area or performing strenuous activity for the rest of the day.
The skin in the treated area may be slightly red, swollen or bruised, but these side effects disappear within a few days of treatment.
Botox is not a permanent solution for facial wrinkles and creases. The effects of treatment generally last three to six months, at which point the treated wrinkles and lines start to reappear. Regular treatments are required to maintain the results.
