Dynamic wrinkle reduction with Botox Cosmetic is one of the most popular anti-aging treatments available today. Botox injections are used to correct wrinkles on the face and neck, as well as lift sagging eyebrows and treat excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, in millions of patients each year.
Botox Indications
Botox Cosmetic is FDA-approved to temporarily correct horizontal forehead creases and frown lines (also known as 11's) in men and women aged 18 to 65 years. It is sometimes used off-label to temporarily correct:
- Crow's feet, or eye wrinkles
- Bunny lines, or nose wrinkles
- Platysmal bands, or neck bands
- Smoker's lines, or mouth wrinkles
Physicians also commonly use Botox injections to reduce excessive sweating in body areas such as the underarms, hands and feet.
Botox Treatment
Like Dysport, Botox targets dynamic wrinkles, or wrinkles that appear after muscle movement. These wrinkles typically fade when muscle movement (a smile or frown) stops, but over time the dynamic wrinkles can become static wrinkles that are permanently visible.
To reduce dynamic wrinkles and slow the rate at which static wrinkles develop, Botox uses a neurotoxin (onabotulinumtoxinA) to temporarily paralyze hyperactive muscles that control facial expression. As Botox breaks down, the effects wear off after about three to six months, and repeat Botox injections are necessary to maintain results.
Botox injections are quick and relatively painless, so anesthesia is typically not necessary. Botox is measured in units, and anywhere from five to 30 units may be injected in different treatment areas. Botox injections are often combined with injectable fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane to provide more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
Botox Recovery
There is no downtime after Botox. Slight redness or swelling may be present for a few hours after treatment. If bruising occurs, it may take a couple of weeks to fully resolve. Avoiding NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve, et al., can help prevent bruising.
Do not touch or rub the treated area, lie flat on your back, bend at the waist or participate in vigorous exercise for the remainder of the day after your treatment to avoid other unwanted migration of the Botox. Following post-procedure instructions and having Botox administered by an experienced injector will help you avoid side effects in general.
Initial Botox results are usually apparent within 5 days, but in some cases it takes as long as two weeks to see the full effects of your Botox treatment.
Would you like to learn more about Botox? Call 212-772-7242 to schedule a consultation at Sadick Dermatology.
