Botox™ is the most popular medical aesthetics procedure in the world. It is also the most misunderstood.
IT is very important to clarify some of the confusion about what it is, how it works and what it can do to improve a person’s appearance.
Botox has many uses within medicine including the treatment of chronic migraine, severe underarm sweating, blepharospasm (eyelid spasm), strabismus (misalignment of the eyes when one or both eyes turn inward or outward) and more.
Cosmetically, Botox is used to relax muscles that cause excessive animation of the face. Animation of the face is, of course, a good thing. Excessive animation, however, causes wrinkles that can eventually become static and permanently etched into our features. Not only can these deep lines age us in appearance, they can make us appear angry, sad, tired or stressed out when we are, in fact, happy, awake and relaxed. Botox can relax muscles to create a more relaxed and more youthful appearance.
Botox is administered by injection. The syringes are tiny. Dosing depends on the strength of the muscle, the degree of relaxation desired, and the gendre of the patient. Men generally require higher doses then women because their muscles are stronger. Botox is sold by the unit so the cost for treatment depends on dosing and how many areas are being treated. Approved and off-label uses for cosmetic purposes include:
• Forehead Lines: When the muscles in the forehead are overly strong, it creates vertical frown lines and horizontal lines across the forehead. Relaxing this area is the most common use of Botox.
• Crows Feet: These lines that appear at the outer corners of our eyes when we squint or smile can easily be relaxed.
• Eyebrow Shaping: A subtle elevation and arch in the brow can be created to open up the eye.
• Lip Lines: Smoking, puckering or just talking can cause lines to develop around our mouth. Relaxing the muscle around the lips is a cheap fix.
• Neck Bands: The platismal bands in the neck tend to become tight, prominent, and stringy in appearance as we age. They can be relaxed with Botox for dramatic improvement in appearance.
• Other uses: Bunny lines on the nose, a gummy smile, a masculine jawline, downturned lips and more.
Botox has a well-established safety profile and for cosmetic purposes the dose is very small. After treatment, Botox will start taking effect within 4 days, but full results may take up to two weeks. Results last approximately four months in most people. The cost for maintenance may come down with extended use, as excessively strong muscles will usually weaken over time and require lower dosing. If you use Botox for a few years and then stop, the muscles will gradually strengthen again. Wrinkles and lines will return but will always appear more subtle than they otherwise would have if you have never used Botox.
Botox should only be administered by trained physicians or registered nurses under a physician’s supervision and authority. There must be a high degree of precision in placement. If Botox is placed or disperses into the wrong muscles it can create temporary outcomes that are unintended. Administering Botox is an art! The goal is to relax the muscles to smooth out animation lines. Dosing that is too high can freeze features and create a rather odd looking appearance.
If you would like to investigate more about this marvelous treatment call and schedule a consultation. Our style of consultation is relaxed and educational. Our goal is to address your concerns in the order of your priorities and give you all of the information you need to make an informed decision. This will help you choose the right treatment or combination of treatments to achieve the result you desire within the budget you have to invest to make this dream come true.
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