Botox ® Cosmetic is the first FDA-approved prescription product that temporarily improves the appearance of both moderate to severe frown lines between the brows and moderate to severe crow’s feet in adults. There are multiple “off label” uses for Botox® as well in other areas of the face (like the forehead) or for other problems such as excessive sweating.
Unlike other invasive facial rejuvenation procedures, the treatment takes minutes and requires zero downtime. Using the finest needle, Botox ® is injected into the facial muscles that are responsible for creating wrinkles or fine lines and relaxes those muscles. At MGMD Aesthetics, Dr Green takes pride in evaluating each muscle for movement and strength to provide a customized treatment plan which will minimize the lines in the best way possible.
“It always amazes me how the customized approach can result in a more youthful, refreshed appearance. That is why I pay attention to the detail and the way each individual muscle moves the face” -Dr Green
How does it work?
Over time, repeated muscle contraction above and between the eyebrows causes wrinkles. It happens every day and you don’t even realize it. You may do it when you concentrate on something or look across the room to focus on something or even when listening attentively. But the end result is a furrowed brow causing lines that leave you looking angry or stressed when you may not be either of those things. Do you look at your spouse or kids and they think you are angry? Then you know what I mean. These lines that make you look stressed also make you look, let’s face it, older. Neuromodulators like Botox® and DYSPORT® target the underlying muscle activity that causes frown lines and crow’s feet and work to relax wrinkles by blocking the signal from the nerve to the muscles. The muscles begin to weaken within about 48 hours from the time it is injected into the muscle. You will begin to notice weaker movement in 3-5 days with most people achieving complete results in 7-10 days. While results are often most noticeable in dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles that appear when a muscle contracts), these well placed injections can also help soften wrinkles that are present even without muscle contraction. If you are looking for the most frequently used cosmetic injection for improving the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines, one of these may be the right treatment option for you.
Why Choose Botox®?
Botox® and Dysport® are great treatments to help smooth fine lines in the upper face that reveal your true age. They are very similar in their action, and duration. There are studies and debates as to which one works faster and which one lasts longer. It doesn’t seem that either one is better than the other. There is some evidence that Dysport® works a little faster and that it spreads out a little more in each area. That is good for some things and not good for others. Some of my patients have a preference for one or the other, so I use both in order to comply with that preference. They are essentially slightly different tools which I employ in the customized treatment approach to making patients look more refreshed. Why not put your best face forward with a more youthful appearance? (We won’t tell anyone.) Other than how great you will look, there are many reasons to consider Botox® or Dysport®:
- Smooths wrinkles in the forehead, crow’s feet, and frown lines between the eyes
- FDA-approved
- May prevent wrinkles from developing
- No downtime or recovery
- Botox is the number one selling product of its kind in the world
When should you start using Botox®?
Good question! There was a study completed in 2006 on two identical twins to examine the effects of Botox® over time. One received Botox® regularly 2-3 times per year over the course of 13 years; the other received Botox® only twice initially, but then did not receive any more. (Essentially, the second twin was not treated with Botox® compared to the first, who was treated the entire time). Here is the official conclusion of the study:
Long-term treatment with Botox® can prevent the development of imprinted facial lines that are visible at rest. Botox® treatment can also reduce crow’s feet. Treatment is well tolerated, with no adverse events reported during 13 years of regular treatment in this study.
See the study HERE