Botox® Cosmetic® is a state-of-the-art facial treatment for temporarily smoothing moderate to severe facial wrinkles around the eyes, brows, mouth, and cheeks. Botox® is used on wrinkles caused by muscle contractions, such as frown lines between the eyebrows. Made of a purified protein in low doses, Botox® is administered by a few tiny injections directly into the muscles that cause the stubborn lines.
The formula blocks the chemicals that cause your facial muscles to contract, thereby relaxing them. It is an easy, affordable, and highly effective method to ease the signs of aging. Botox® has been used therapeutically to treat a variety of medical conditions and is approved for cosmetic use in more than 75 countries.
The skill of your injector is very important to achieve a natural-looking result. At South Bay Dermatogoly, we have many years of experience with Botox®. We know how to determine the proper dosage and placement of the injections for optimal results.
For wrinkles caused by loss of volume rather than muscle contractions, we offer the dermal fillers Restylane®, Sculptra®, and Juvéderm®.
What Can Botox® Do For Me?
Botox® can correct:
- Frown lines between the eyes
- Crow’s feet
- Worry lines
- Bunny lines
- Forehead creases
- Drooping eyebrows
- Asymmetrical eyebrows
- Lip wrinkles
- Drooping mouth corners
- Bands on the neck
- Wrinkles on the chest
Botox® can also treat hyperhidrosis – severe sweating of the underarms, palms, or feet – and it is now being used to reduce migraine headaches in some patients.
What is a Botox® Treatment Like?
To better understand your overall health, we will evaluate your medical history prior to a procedure. In addition, a complete examination of your eyes is made in order to decide the most effective injection sites. All issues and concerns will be discussed.The areas that will be treated are marked and digital photographs are taken in order to determine the amount of improvement after surgery.
Botox injections are performed without anesthesia because it is virtually painless. Only a very small sting is felt when the injections are made. The effects are not permanent and may need to be repeated two to three times per year to retain the effects. Research has suggested, however, that long term use of the injections leads to a longer duration of each treatment’s effect. Patients over the age of 65 may not experience as dramatic of results. Botox is only useful in treating expression lines and cannot be used to repair sagging skin caused by aging.
How Long Do Botox® Results Last?
Botox® injections last approximately four months. The effects take a few days to become visible.
What Will I Experience While Recovering From Botox® injections?
After the operation patients may experience slight bruising around the area that quickly fades. Normal activities can be performed immediately. Possible side effects are temporary weakness of nearby muscles or in rare cases an eyelid may droop. Botox is completely reversible so any side effect is only a temporary condition. The doctor will explain all risks associated at the time of your consultation.