BOTOX | Raleigh, NC
Since its FDA approval in 2002 for aesthetic use, BOTOX® Cosmetic has become one of the world’s most famous brands. The reason is simple — BOTOX® effectively erases lines and wrinkles on the upper third of the face.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of our available injectables at Skin & Cosmetic Solutions.
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What Is Botox Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is derived primarily from the Clostridium botulinum toxin type A, the same bacteria that cause botulism. This sounds frightening, but it’s not. In the 1950s scientists discovered that when injected in miniscule amounts into a muscle, the botulinum toxin could temporarily paralyze that muscle. After further testing, BOTOX® began to be used to treat conditions where muscles aren’t being effectively controlled, such as involuntary eyelid spasms. Since that initial use, BOTOX® has proven valuable treating a host of conditions, everything from TMJ disorder to excessive sweating to migraine headaches.
But in 2002 BOTOX® Cosmetic was approved for the treatment of wrinkles on the upper third of the face, and it became a worldwide sensation. BOTOX® works on what are known as “dynamic” wrinkles. These are wrinkles that form due to muscle contractions under the skin. These occur when we make various expressions, such as squinting, frowning, showing surprise, and others. You can feel the muscles on the forehead and around the eyes engage when you make a frown. When injected into a muscle creating a wrinkle, BOTOX® blocks the nerve messenger, acetylcholine, from being released. This means the brain never receives the message to contract the muscle, so the wrinkle never forms on the skin above the muscle.
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Where Can BOTOX Be Used?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is effective for lines and wrinkles on the upper third of the face. It erases or dramatically lessens the appearance of crow’s feet, forehead lines, and the 11s between the brows. Some patients have success with BOTOX® used to address vertical and horizontal neck lines.
How Long Do BOTOX Cosmetic Results Last?
BOTOX® does not deliver immediate results because once injected it takes a few days to immobilize the muscle creating the wrinkle. In most patients, it takes four days for BOTOX® to fully take effect. It will then erase the targeted wrinkles for around four months in most patients. At that point, the body will absorb the now-inert botulinum toxin and the muscle will begin to contract again. Another BOTOX® session with the team at Skin & Cosmetic Solutions will maintain your results.
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Who Is a Good Candidate?
BOTOX® does its best work on the expressive area of the face, the upper third. If you’re bothered by wrinkles and lines, such as crow’s feet, the 11s, and forehead lines, BOTOX® is a great option.
What Is The Difference Between BOTOX And Dermal Fillers?
BOTOX® does its best work on the expressive area of the face, the upper third. If you’re bothered by wrinkles and lines, such as crow’s feet, the 11s, and forehead lines, BOTOX® is a great option.
People often assume BOTOX® and dermal fillers are one in the same. They are not. BOTOX® is classified as a neuromodulator, not a dermal filler. The two injectables go about getting rid of wrinkles in wholly different fashions.
As mentioned above, BOTOX® stops muscles from contracting. This erases wrinkles that form when certain muscles contract. These are dynamic wrinkles.
Dermal fillers are true to their name — they fill in the depressions or areas with volume loss. Dermal fillers, such as Restylane® and Juvederm®, are injected beneath a wrinkle or area of volume loss and they simply fill the space and push the skin back upward. These wrinkles are known as “static” wrinkles. Static wrinkles show themselves at all times, and they are usually the result of sun damage, declining collagen production, and environmental and personal factors. BOTOX® has no effect on static wrinkles because they are not formed by muscle contractions.
What Are The Side Effects?
The typical side effects/reactions after BOTOX® injections are slight redness, bruising, or swelling at the injection sites. Some people may develop a headache during the first 24 hours after their BOTOX session.
Inexperienced BOTOX® injectors are more of an issue. If the injector doesn’t understand facial anatomy, the BOTOX® can be injected into an incorrect muscle. This can lead to problems such as temporary eyelid drooping. That’s the benefit of the experience of Dr. Puente at Skin & Cosmetic Solutions. His knowledge of facial anatomy and extensive experience with BOTOX® ensure your results will be as you expect.
Patients need to be sure not to rub their injection sites for 24 hours after their BOTOX® injections. Rubbing the injected BOTOX® can make it migrate to an unwanted muscle.
What Is a Botox Session Like? Is it Painful?
BOTOX® takes just a few minutes to inject. A BOTOX® session at Skin & Cosmetic Solutions is a true lunchtime procedure. Because Dr. Puente injects BOTOX® with a very tiny needle, topical anesthetic is not necessary. Most patients say the feeling is nothing more than a pinprick for the few quick injections.
Be sure to register for the Allergan Brilliant Distinctions® Program before your scheduled appointment. This program allows you to earn points for each eligible treatment you receive of JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC, JUVÉDERM®XC and BOTOX® in our office. You can also earn points on purchases of Skin Medica products and Latisse®. Points can be accumulated and used to issue discount coupons that you can redeem for future treatments or purchases.
Go to www.BrilliantDistinctionsProgram.com to register!