Botox. Is there any cosmetic treatment that has greater name recognition? Botox is incredibly popular and for good reasons. It’s the only cosmetic treatment of its kind that is FDA-approved to be used in three different areas. It’s well tolerated by patients, delivers consistent and lasting results, and has a long track record of safety and success.
If you have fine lines or wrinkles and are looking for a less-invasive alternative to surgical face lifts, we recommend considering Botox injections. Here are the key benefits our Botox patients enjoy.
Creates Natural Results
So often, we have patients tell us that they want to look more youthful – like a younger version of themselves – but they are afraid cosmetic treatments will leave them looking too plastic or made-up. In other words, these patients are seeking natural results. That’s exactly what Botox can offer.
Botox contains a neurotoxin that works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles beneath your skin. In doing so, it reduces muscular movement, so those wrinkles and fine lines become much less obvious. Your face won’t look puffy or plastic. It will just look younger and naturally less wrinkly.
You may have seen photos of celebrities who look like they went a little overboard with anti-wrinkle treatments. It’s important to note that these results are not usually from Botox. Those celebrities most likely had extensive plastic surgery, or perhaps some filler injections. (We love helping patients achieve natural results with dermal fillers, but it’s also possible to use more and create a more dramatic appearance.)
Works in Many Areas
Botox treatment is quite customizable. You can have just one area treated, or you can treat multiple areas. It all depends on the look you’re trying to achieve. Your doctor can create a specific injection plan to suit your needs.
Botox is FDA-approved for use on the forehead, for canthal lines to the outside of the eyes, and for glabellar lines between the eyebrows. In other words, it’s a great treatment for crow’s feet and frown lines. Botox is also frequently used to lift and tighten the jawline, and to ease drooping to the sides of the mouth. These are just the locations at which Botox can be used for cosmetic enhancement. It can also be used in other areas to decrease excessive sweating or to help manage migraines.
Suitable for Most Patients
There are a few patients for whom Botox injections may not be appropriate. But for the most part, it’s a safe cosmetic treatment option for the majority of patients.
If you do have any underlying health conditions, make sure you inform your doctor prior to scheduling your Botox appointment. It is important for them to have a full understanding of your health history in order to be sure that Botox is right for you. At the same time, know that it’s rare for anyone not to be deemed a good candidate for Botox. Even chronic conditions like diabetes don’t usually exclude you from treatment.
Less Invasive Than Surgery
Cosmetic surgery can be a good choice for some patients, and if you want dramatic results, it may be the only way to achieve them. However, when it comes to basic wrinkle reduction, Botox is quite effective and far less invasive than surgery. There are no incisions – just tiny injections that pinch a little. The needles used are smaller than those used to administer vaccines and most injected medications.
Because it’s non-invasive, Botox can be administered in your doctor’s office. Treatment usually takes just 10 – 20 minutes. There’s no need for anesthesia, so you do not need to fast beforehand or arrange for someone to drive you home.
Virtually No Recovery Time
What should you do after your Botox appointment? Whatever you want! There’s virtually no recovery time required. Your face may be a little red, swollen, and sore for a day or two, but this should not keep you from engaging in the activities you love. Some patients take the rest of the day off after treatment, but if you want or need to go back to work, you can.
The fact that Botox has virtually no recovery time makes it a great option for parents. You don’t have to schedule a babysitter or avoid running after a rambunctious little one post-treatment.
The one thing you’ll want to avoid when recovering from Botox treatments is taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) or fish oil. Practitioners generally recommend staying away from these substances for one week after your injections. If you routinely take any other medications, ask your doctor whether you should temporarily discontinue them before or after your Botox treatments.
Side Effects Are Mild
Some people do experience slightly more prominent side effects than others following Botox. But these side effects are still comparatively minor and easy to manage. Your face may appear swollen and bruised. Applying ice packs to the area can help, as can applying topical arnica creams. In the meantime, you can safely apply makeup to the bruised or discolored skin, if desired.
Lasts Three to Six Months
Botox is not like a wrinkle cream that makes your skin look smoother for a couple of hours. It’s not even like microdermabrasion, which delivers a few weeks’ worth of smoother skin. The results of Botox last for three to six months, depending on the location, the severity of your wrinkles, and how quickly your body clears the active ingredient in the injections.
Some patients find that when they continue to get Botox, their results last longer and longer each time. For example, your results from your first treatment may last three months, but by your fourth treatment, you might get a full six months of wrinkle relief. Since the injections are so easy to recover from, you can schedule repeat treatments as often as is needed to maintain your results. Your doctor will work with you to determine and adjust your perfect treatment regimen.
Improved Confidence
Botox injections are really about more than just easing the appearance of wrinkles. They are also a great way to boost your confidence. When you feel confident in your appearance, your whole life can change. You may find it easier to reach out and make new friends. You may take bigger risks at work, resulting in a new promotion or position.
For some people, Botox injections even give the confidence they need to start working out and living a more active lifestyle. This can lead to overall improvements in both mental and physical health. It all starts with a few injections for wrinkle relief.
Can Be Used as a Preventative
This is undoubtedly one of the biggest advantages of Botox. You don’t have to wait until you’re already bothered by wrinkles and fine lines to use it. If desired, you can start getting Botox injections earlier, before wrinkles start to appear. This early use of Botox can serve as a preventative. It can help slow the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines as you age.
When can you start using Botox as a wrinkle preventative? Botox is FDA-approved for use in patients over the age of 18, but there’s usually no need to start so early. Opinions in the industry vary, but most practitioners recommend beginning in your late 20s to early 30s. This is typically when collagen levels are just starting to fall and fine lines are on the verge of appearing.
Preventative Botox treatments work, more or less, in the same way as Botox treatments for existing wrinkles. They paralyze the muscle under the skin. In doing so, they reduce the amount that the muscle – and the skin over that muscle – move. Less movement leads to fewer fine lines and wrinkles as you age. As a result, you may need fewer Botox injections and other anti-wrinkle treatments to maintain your youthful appearance long-term.
Long Record of Safety
Botox is not a new cosmetic treatment by any means. It received its first FDA approval in 1989, and in 2002, it was specifically approved for the treatment of frown lines in adults. It is now available in more than 98 countries.
This long record of use and approval should reassure you of the safety and effectiveness of Botox injections. Over the years, plenty of ongoing scientific research has been done regarding its safety.
For instance, in 2019, a review published in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology concluded that, based on recent literature, Botox is a “good and safe medicine to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles.” The same review notes that complications due to Botox injections are rare, and that the risk of such complications can be minimized by sitting or standing upright for 3 – 4 hours after treatment.
Are you starting to notice a few new wrinkles or fine lines when you look in the mirror? Maybe your family members have a pattern of wrinkles, and you’d like to prevent your skin from aging in the same way. Whether you’re seeking Botox as a wrinkle treatment or a wrinkle preventative, feel free to contact You First Medical Aesthetics for a consultation. We take a patient-first approach and can help you achieve the natural, youthful look you desire.