Getting older typically means getting wrinkles. The healthy, naturally moisturized, resilient skin of our youth gradually dries out and grows less flexible, leading to the development of lines and creases. Muscles also contract into the same expressions over and over, and surrounding tissues aren’t able to keep pace. But even if wrinkles form, they do not have to stay. With the careful application of BOTOX® from Cypress, dermatologist patients can get older without broadcasting their age from their facial skin.
The FDA-approved injectable BOTOX® Cosmetic has many applications, and is primarily used to temporarily stop muscle activity that reveals telltale lines on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and at the outer corners of the eyes. We trains physicians in the safe and effective use of BOTOX® both nationally and internationally. While results with any cosmetic treatment can vary from patient to patient, We personally handles each injection at the practice, allowing patients to be confident that they will receive a high standard of care from dermatologists with practiced hands and precise eyes for detail.
And BOTOX® is not just for women: The injectable has also been clinically tested on men to yield very effective results. In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has noted that it is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments men request from cosmetic providers across the United States each year.
To understand the power of BOTOX®, you need to know that not all wrinkles are the same. Some of them, known as “static” wrinkles, appear on their own as skin loosens and loses moisture. Others, known as “dynamic” wrinkles, form as muscles pull tissues into the same set of expressions over and over again, day after day, year after year.
But skin tissues lose their flexibility over time, which hampers their ability to return to a smooth, rested state after muscle contractions. These repetitive motions in decreasingly elastic skin gradually create lines that become apparent with every lift of the eyebrow or wrinkle of the nose.
The active ingredient in BOTOX® is botulinum toxin type A, which is a purified form of a toxin from specific bacteria, and is very good at stopping chemical signals from getting from Point A to Point B in your body. When produced by a reputable manufacturer and injected by a trained and experienced dermatologist—as with BOTOX® at Cypress Dermatology—the ingredient can temporarily stop specific muscles in key areas from moving. With precise targeting, BOTOX® injections will not stop other facial muscles from moving, and will not hinder the natural expressiveness of the face.
As noted above, BOTOX® is ideal for horizontal lines that span across the forehead, vertical frown lines between the eyebrows (popularly known as 11 lines or devil horns), and the fine web of wrinkles that form at the outer corners of each eye, known as crow’s feet. Beyond these FDA-approved applications, the injectable cosmetic has long been safely used to treat a variety of other cosmetic issues, including:
BOTOX® Cosmetic at our Cypress, SC, practice can relax muscles to improve issues such as
1) wrinkling from platysmal band strain,
2) lines appearing at the sides of the nose when smiling,
3) too much gum revealed when smiling,
4) parentheses lines or nasolabial folds,
5) dimpling in the chin,
6) marionette lines formed by downturn of the mouth,
7) devil horns or eleven lines between the eyebrows.
Your doctor will analyze the condition of your facial skin to determine if BOTOX® is right for you. If so, she will discuss your treatment goals with you, and where injections will be placed to achieve the best possible results.
The results of BOTOX® rely heavily on the technique and expertise of the injector. As board certified and trained dermatologist, works carefully and efficiently, so a patient’s BOTOX® injection session typically lasts only about 15 minutes, though the exact length depends on the specific areas being treated. Because BOTOX® treatments don’t normally take very long and have minimal visible side effects, they have gained the reputation of being “lunchtime procedures,” as patients are usually able to continue their daily activities after a session.
Many patients have noted that a BOTOX® injection feels like a little pinch with minimal discomfort. There will likely be some slight redness and swelling at the injection site, which is normal. Patients can expect these side effects to resolve in the days after their treatment.
Initial results may be visible as soon as three days after the injections, and they will continue to improve for about two weeks.
The skin smoothing effects typically last for several months. Patients can maintain their results by coming in for regular follow-up sessions every three to four months.
There is some indication muscles develop a “memory” and become habituated to resting over time, meaning benefits may eventually extend to periods between injection sessions. Talk to our dermatologists to learn more about what sort of results to expect after one treatment, as well as long-term results.
Though it is the most popular cosmetic treatment in the world, used millions of times each year around the globe, BOTOX® is not the only injectable that relaxes muscles to prevent the appearance of dynamic wrinkles. Two others—Dysport® and Xeomin®—use the same active ingredient as BOTOX®, though their formulations are unique, each offering subtly different results.
Our dermatologists work with patients to determine which injectable or other treatment would best deliver the results they want.
Many patients who address their dynamic wrinkles with BOTOX® also want a treatment that can soften or smooth out their static wrinkles. Fillers are particularly suited to this task, as they add volume and moisture to areas where reduced collagen and other components of healthy skin has led to wrinkles and lines, especially around the mouth and nose. Since every patient is unique and has specific needs, We offers a range of gel fillers, all based on hyaluronic acid: Juvederm®, Restylane Lyft®, Restylane Silk®, and Perlane®. Learn more about what each can do by visiting our dedicated dermal fillers page.
Laser skin resurfacing and microneedling are two other treatments frequently chosen for their ability to significantly reduce fine lines and even out skin tone. These work by boosting collagen production and encouraging natural healing processes in the skin.
When used together as part of a well-coordinated facial rejuvenation plan, BOTOX® and other treatments can provide an overall rejuvenated and revitalized look. The key is working with a board-certified dermatologist whose focus on skin means each patient gets personalized attention from someone who will look at the face as a whole.
