As you age, you may notice lines or wrinkles in your face that become more pronounced when you make certain facial expressions. These are known as dynamic wrinkles. They are formed slowly over time due to repetitive muscle movements, such as smiling, frowning, squinting, or laughing.
Several other factors — including dwindling collagen levels, diet, genetics, and smoking habits — can also contribute to wrinkle formation as you age. But just because wrinkles start popping up doesn’t mean you’re stuck with them.
At Premiere Aesthetics in Fort Myers, FL, we can help you achieve smoother and younger-looking skin using Botox Cosmetic. Botox Cosmetic is a botulinum toxin–based injectable treatment that the FDA has approved to treat several areas of the face to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Keep reading to learn the answers to eight of the most frequently asked questions about this popular cosmetic procedure.
Botox is injected directly into the facial muscles whose contractions are responsible for dynamic wrinkles. The main ingredient in Botox — botulinum toxin — works to relax the targeted muscles and prevent them from contracting by disrupting the normal communication pathways to the brain.
As a result, the muscles are not able to contract, and fewer wrinkles peek through, even when you emote.
Dermal fillers and Botox share some similarities, but they are two very different injectable treatments. Botox is a neuromodulator; it interferes with communication between your brain and specific muscles.
On the other hand, dermal fillers do not interfere with neural communication. Instead, they include hyaluronic acid or other ingredients to add subtle volume to areas that need it, such as hollowed-out cheekbones or thinning lips.
In short, Botox temporarily restricts muscle movement to prevent and reduce wrinkles, whereas dermal fillers add temporary volume to smooth out the skin.
Botox injections are a versatile treatment and may be used to treat various signs of aging at once, including the following:
You may be surprised to learn that Botox also has non cosmetic uses. For example, we can use Botox injections to help relieve excessive underarm sweating.
Botox treatment is an outpatient procedure that is performed right in our Fort Myers, FL, office. Before treatment, we will map out the optimal injection points based on what areas you want to treat and how severe your wrinkles are.
During treatment, we strategically and precisely inject small amounts of Botox solution into the targeted muscles. Most patients need three to five injections, but this number may look different if you’re treating multiple areas.
Treatment is usually done within ten minutes. We then review all the pertinent aftercare instructions with you one more time before you leave our office.
The effects of Botox injections do not set in immediately; it takes a little time for the Botox solution to fully settle into the targeted muscles. As such, the results of treatment can usually be seen within three to five days.
Early results may appear as soon as 24 to 48 hours after treatment, but it can take up to two to four weeks to see the full results.
The effects of Botox usually last about three to four months. As the neurotoxin begins to wear off, the once dormant muscles become active again and begin to react to neural stimuli. This means your wrinkles will start to reappear as you make various facial expressions.
Luckily, follow-up treatments for Botox are simple and usually just as quick as the initial procedure. An ongoing Botox treatment plan usually consists of two to four treatment sessions each year, but we will help you decide what treatment interval is best for you.
There is minimal downtime associated with Botox treatment since it is non-surgical and does not require anesthesia. As long as you don’t have a very physically demanding job, you can even go back to work after the treatment.
However, a few aftercare instructions are important to follow to achieve the best results. For example, you should avoid laying down for at least four hours after treatment and avoid any strenuous activity or exercise for at least 24 hours.
We will review all of the aftercare instructions with you during your consultation and again on treatment day.
Botox injections are generally suitable for anyone in good health who wants to minimize the appearance of fine lines or dynamic wrinkles around their face. Although some think Botox is only for women, many men with moderate to severe signs of aging also benefit from this wrinkle-erasing treatment.
However, it’s still important to come in for a consultation before undergoing any treatment to determine whether you’re a good candidate. A consultation allows us to assess your current state and ensure that your expectations align with what’s possible from Botox treatment.
At Premiere Aesthetics, we are proud to help men and women in Fort Myers, FL, and the surrounding areas take control of their bodies to be the best version of themselves. If you think you might be a good candidate for Botox treatment — or just want to learn more about the procedure — give us a call today.
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