As the most popular non-surgical treatment currently available, almost everyone has heard of Botox. This injectable is the go-to treatment for smoothing lines and wrinkles in the upper face for a more rejuvenated appearance. If you are interested in learning more about this popular injectable or are considering receiving treatments, read on to learn more about what exactly Botox can and cannot do!
Botox: The Basics
Did you know that not all wrinkles form the same way? As we age, we lose elasticity in our skin, and permanent creases can sometimes develop in our skin. This can be caused by repeated facial muscle movements that happen when we make expressions. These wrinkles are called dynamic wrinkles and are the type of wrinkles that Botox is specifically formulated to treat.
Botox is an injectable treatment made up of the protein, botulinum toxin type A. It works by relaxing overactive muscles and preventing repetitive muscle movements for a smoother, more youthful look.
Injectables that are made up of botulinum toxin type A are known as neuromodulators. There are a number of neuromodulators on the market today along with Botox, including Xeomin and Dysport. At Reflections, we carry all three types of neuromodulators to help meet your individual aesthetic goals.
Many people ask us if there are alternatives to neuromodulators. However, because of the way neuromodulators work to relax overactive muscles and prevent future damage to the skin, no other procedure offers the same kind of results.
The Benefits of Botox
Botox has many benefits, which is why it is the most popular nonsurgical treatment to date! These benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Relatively painless procedure
- Low risks (when performed by a skilled physician injector)
- No downtime
- Can help you look less angry or tired
- Makes subtle changes that give you a refreshed and natural look
- Can help with a boost in confidence
What Can Botox Treat?
While Botox is most commonly known to treat lines and wrinkles in the forehead area, it can also address other cosmetic and health issues as well. At Reflections, Botox can be used to address a variety of issues, including the following:
Lines and Wrinkles
Botox is most commonly used cosmetically to address lines and wrinkles in the upper face, including across the forehead, between the eyebrows, and at the corners of the eyes (AKA crow’s feet). Botox has been proven to last for three months in new patients, however, longevity usually increases over time, with regular treatments. More info on how to make your results last longer with Botox can be found here.
Hyperhidrosis
Are you dealing with excessive sweat that seems to be interfering with your everyday life? If you are tired of stubborn sweat ruining your favorite clothes, Botox can help! Botox can also be used for the treatment of Hyperhidrosis excessive sweating. This condition can affect men and women of all ages, and can cause embarrassment and frustration. Botox works by disabling sweat glands for 6-9 months and can help you feel more confident without the anxiety associated with excessive sweat.
Lips and Chin
Botox can also be used on the lips, mouth, and chin to help improve your appearance. It can turn up corners of the mouth for a naturally pleasing look, smooth away smokers’ lines above the lip, and correct an overly-gummy smile. Botox can also smooth out a “peach pit” chin, which is dimpling or wrinkling on the chin.
As you can see, Botox is a very versatile product that can address a variety of cosmetic and health issues, which makes it one of the most sought-after injectable treatments in the industry.
Are You A Good Candidate for Botox?
Healthy individuals who are looking to treat their developing lines and wrinkles on their upper face can often benefit from Botox injections. Botox can also help those looking to treat hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. Ideal candidates will have reasonable expectations for the outcome of their procedure and follow a healthy lifestyle. The best way to determine if Botox is a good match for you is to schedule a consultation at our office.
During your consultation, we will go over your health history, any medications you are taking, and discuss your personal aesthetic goals. If you are a good candidate for Botox, our team will then create an individualized injection plan for beautiful, natural-looking Botox results!
What to Expect During Your Botox Treatment
Before your Botox treatment, you will be asked to stop taking any NSAIDs, such as Advil or Aleve, and other blood thinners, such as fish oil, and this may cause unwanted bleeding during the treatment. You also want to avoid alcohol for 24 hours before injection, as alcohol does have a blood-thinning effect. Never stop prescription medications without first speaking to the physician who prescribed them.
The Botox treatment is generally quick and simple. After meeting with a physician who specializes in cosmetic injections to determine whether Botox is the right choice for your goals, he/she will gently and precisely inject the Botox into the treatment area(s) using very fine, thin syringes. The entire injection process usually only takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete, which makes Botox a great treatment option for those with busy schedules.
Following your Botox treatment, you may experience some slight redness and, very rarely, bruising, but this will dissipate quickly and can easily be covered by makeup. Be sure to avoid rubbing or massaging the treatment areas for at least 90 minutes, as this may cause unintended spreading of the Botox. The best part? There is no downtime, so you can return to work or school as soon as you feel comfortable. Results can often be seen after just a few days.
Want to see some real Botox results? Check out our Non-Surgical Before and After gallery.
What Botox Cannot Treat
Neuromodulator treatments such as Botox do not work the same way as dermal fillers, and therefore, cannot treat the same issues that dermal fillers treat. While dermal fillers help to add volume to the face and lips, Botox cannot. It also does not focus on smile lines around the nose and mouth or sagging or loose skin. If you are dealing with these sorts of issues, then dermal filler injections may be a better choice. At Reflections, we also offer a large array of dermal fillers to help meet your individual needs.
If you have any questions regarding Botox vs Dermal fillers, a complimentary consultation is a great place to receive answers!
Why Choose Reflections?
While Botox can be administered by many different practitioners such as dentists, nurses (in other states – this is not legal in NJ), and other doctors who don’t specialize in injectables, they may be inexperienced, which can cause a much higher rate of complications. Our team at Reflections perform Botox injections throughout the day, every day, and take a reserved approach when injecting for a more natural look. This has led to an array of happy patients who appear younger-looking yet still expressive.
At Reflections, we also carry all types of FDA-approved neuromodulators to help ensure that each of our patients can achieve the look they desire. So, if for some reason Botox isn’t a good match for you, we also carry Dysport and Xeomin to help smooth those stubborn dynamic lines and wrinkles!
Contact Us Today!
Time to say goodbye to those stubborn facial lines once and for all! To learn more about Botox injections at Reflections Center, contact our Martinsville or Livingston office today to schedule a consultation! We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have to ensure that you feel confident with your choice to undergo Botox treatment with us.
