SOME FACIAL WRINKLES ARE THE RESULT OF AGING, THE DECREASING PRODUCTION OF COLLAGEN AND ELASTIN, AND SUN DAMAGE.
Static wrinkles show themselves at all times. But other wrinkles are caused by muscle contractions when we perform certain common behaviors such as frowning, squinting, and laughing. These are called dynamic wrinkles. While static wrinkles are the domain of facial fillers, dynamic wrinkles are for BOTOX.
BOTOX is made of the botulinum toxin A, which is the bacteria that cause botulism.
A couple of decades ago doctors discovered that if minuscule amounts of the toxin were injected into a muscle they caused the muscle to stop contracting. BOTOX was formulated and originally used on conditions such as eyelid spasms, lazy eye, and migraines. Then in 2002 the FDA approved BOTOX for the cosmetic treatment of facial wrinkles. That’s when BOTOX became a household word.
When injected into a muscle that creates a wrinkle when it contracts.
BOTOX blocks the signals sent from the muscle nerve to the brain telling the muscle to contract. Because the brain doesn’t receive the message, it doesn’t signal the muscle to contract and the wrinkle either disappears or dramatically lessens in appearance.
BOTOX injections work only on dynamic wrinkles that are caused by muscle contractions. On the upper face, BOTOX works on frown lines between the eyebrows (also known as the 11’s), crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes, and forehead lines.
BOTOX is injected with a very fine needle.
Most people don’t have a problem with the slight pricks, but you can request a topical anesthetic if you’d like. Your BOTOX session lasts just 15 minutes. There is no downtime. There can be slight bruising at the injection sites, but this passes quickly. It’s important for Dallas BOTOX patients not to rub the injection sites for the first 18 hours after treatment, as this can cause the BOTOX to migrate to other muscles where it is not meant to be.
Results are not immediate because BOTOX has to first paralyze the muscle. The process usually takes around three days for results to begin to show. Results usually last from four to six months; at that point the muscles will start contracting again and the wrinkles will return. To maintain your results from BOTOX Dallas plastic surgeon, Dr. Trovato may suggest a treatment plan with regular injections.
The risks with BOTOX are usually the result of novice injectors who incorrectly place the BOTOX causing eyelids to droop and other unwanted effects. But with an experienced injector, the risks are minimal.
Call (214) 827-2873 for our Dallas location or call (973) 509-2000 for our New Jersey location to schedule a consultation and learn more.
Experience what it feels like to walk into a room knowing you look your best. Matthew J. Trovato MD has been Dallas’ best plastic surgery experience for nearly a decade. Discover why by scheduling a consultation today.
