Botox, Dysport & Xeomin

Botox can help an adult patient of any age improve his or her appearance, not only giving a more youthful look, but also alleviating an overly concerned look, helping you look better refreshed or even more friendly. The most commonly treated areas are those where muscle activity influences facial features (i.e. laugh and frown lines), such as the following:

• Glabellar lines (a.k.a. “elevens” or frown lines)
• Wrinkles around the eyes, such as crow’s feet
• Forehead creases
• Corners of the mouth
• Lip flip
• Lip lines
• Gummy smile
• A “cobblestoned” appearance to the chin
• Bunny lines – creases on the nose when smiling
• Hyperhidrosis

It’s not uncommon for patients to receive other treatments along with Botox. Most commonly patients opt for an injectable dermal filler, which can plump up your skin and add much-needed volume. These fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a natural compound found in the skin. When used alongside Botox, a patient can get a “liquid facelift” which is a pan-facial treatment to address multiple concerns. Liquid facelifts are becoming a widely popular option since you can put off facelift surgery for some time.

A common question that our patients ask is how many Botox units they might need in order to get the desired treatment results. Unfortunately, there is not a universal answer to this question. The amount of product needed varies greatly from one person to another, depending on many factors.

The Variables:

• How large the muscle in question is
• How strong the muscle is
• The placement or position of the muscle
• Which part of the face is receiving treatment
• Whether you are a man or woman since the muscles present differently
• What your Botox goals are

Botox injections are non-surgical and completed during an office visit. Your initial treatment will begin with a consultation, during which you will meet with your Injector to discuss your concerns and goals.

Pre-treatment consultation

During your consultation, your Injector will evaluate your area of concern and go over your medical history. Even though there is little risk of major complications, it is still imperative that you share your medical history fully and openly with your Injector before treatment, as certain allergies, skin and neurological conditions, or medications can make treatment unsuitable for a patient. For instance, you need to tell your Injector if you have been taking NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) or blood thinners.

Your Botox treatment

Your Injector will inject the Botox solution into the muscle at strategic points. Most patients describe a pinching feeling during the injection, though not much pain as the needles used to inject Botox are very thin and the injections are not very deep.

You will be able to go back to your normal activities right after treatment, but your Injector may ask you to take the day off from exercise or other strenuous activity, and to keep your head upright for the rest of the day. Mild redness, swelling at the injection site, and bruising are the most common side effects.

Following treatment, you will not see results immediately. This is expected, so do not worry that treatment hasn’t worked. Depending on the individual, product used, and area treated, final results are typically reached 3 to 7 days after initial treatments. If this is your first Botox treatment, your Injector may initially inject a more conservative amount and touch up the results during a follow up treatment. This helps to ensure natural, optimal results without the risk of over-treating an area.

The wrinkle-reducing effects from Botox treatments will vary depending on the patient, the area treated, and the product used, but results will typically last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. To maintain your results, your Injector will simply repeat treatment, adjusting dosage and techniques as necessary to ensure optimal results.

Individuals may consider Botox for cosmetic reasons as they begin developing lines and wrinkles on their face due to common facial movements. Lines can appear on the face as early as your late twenties to as late as your early forties depending on genetics. Individuals who are prone to lines and making facial expressions may also choose to use Botox as a preventative measure. Overall, it is important to seek a consultation with an experienced Injector to ensure that this treatment is right for you.

Unlike dermal fillers, which can often be reversed with an enzyme called hyaluronidase, Botox cannot be reversed. Patients must simply wait until the Botox wears off, which is usually between 3-6 months.