As you age, your face develops lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging. While these visible effects of the aging process are inevitable, you don’t have to live with them for the rest of your life. Botox is an injectable muscle relaxant that relaxes away wrinkles caused by muscle hyperactivity.Today, our aesthetic experts at Laser Aesthetics Body & Wellness in Cordova, TN are discussing what this injectable muscle relaxant does to your face.
What Does Botox Do to Your Face?
Repeated muscle contractions, such as making facial expressions, eventually lead to wrinkles and folds. These are known as dynamic wrinkles and folds and can only be treated by an injectable muscle relaxant. The A botulinum toxin protein found in Botox injections binds to the muscles in the treatment area.
Since the communication between your brain and these muscles is impeded, muscle hyperactivity ceases. What’s incredible about this injectable muscle relaxant is it doesn’t freeze your muscles completely. Therefore, you can still make facial expressions and use your muscles in other intentional ways. However, your muscles will be relaxed when you don’t want them to move. This treats existing dynamic wrinkles and prevents new dynamic wrinkles from forming.
What Areas Can Be Treated?
The Forehead
The forehead is the most popular Botox treatment area. This area is commonly targeted for treatment because the glabellar muscles in your forehead are incredibly strong. They are also large and used regularly, so wrinkles and folds in this area quickly become deep and permanent. That said, these powerful muscles don’t stand a chance against Botox. This injectable muscle relaxant will erase deep glabellar folds after just one injection session.
The Mouth
People also form dynamic lines and wrinkles around the mouth, including smoker’s lines and marionette lines. Since the mouth is used so frequently to talk, drink, eat and smile, these lines and wrinkles rapidly become permanent fixtures on your face. Even yawning and breathing in and out through your mouth can deepen lines around the mouth.
That said, this injectable muscle relaxant can relax away lines around the mouth with ease. After a few quick, painless injections, the skin around your mouth will be smoother than it has been in years and you can smile for impromptu pictures with confidence.
Other Areas
You should advise us of all the cosmetic concerns you have during your initial consultation. It is possible some of your other facial wrinkles and folds are caused by muscle hyperactivity. For example, nasolabial folds can sometimes be caused by excessive muscle contractions. Furthermore, muscle-related lines can form around the eyes. These lines are known as crow’s feet and deepen whenever you smile or squint.
Additionally, this injectable neurotoxic protein can be used to augment the lips non-invasively. When injected into strategic locations above the upper lip, it can make the lips look larger, plumper and more youthful.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered
Will This Treatment Hurt?
No, this treatment will not hurt. With just a single, painless injection session, you can enjoy wrinkle-free skin for months at a time. Additionally, this treatment isn’t even uncomfortable.
Is This Treatment Safe?
Yes, this treatment is completely safe. In fact, the FDA approved it for the safe relaxation of overactive muscles decades ago. However, this powerful injectable isn’t appropriate for everyone. An initial consultation is required to review your medical history, current health and aesthetic goals to ensure this treatment is right for you. If we find you are a good candidate, you do not need to worry about any dangerous side effects following the treatment.
Does This Treatment Really Work?
It may sound too good to be true that you can shave years off of your face with just one injection session. That said, this treatment is truly effective. It would not be FDA-approved if it didn’t work. Additionally, it would not be one of the most commonly requested anti-aging treatments for decades if it didn’t erase the deepest wrinkles and folds with ease.
This treatment is so effective against deep wrinkles because it treats the root cause of the wrinkles. Topical treatments are rarely effective because they only affect the top layers of the skin. At best, they affect the middle layers of the skin, but they can’t relax the overactive muscles causing the deepest wrinkles and folds. That said, in extreme cases of muscle hyperactivity, two treatment sessions may be required for complete relaxation and smoothing. However, this is rare.
How Should I Prepare for This Injectable Anti-Aging Treatment?
Minimal preparation is required in advance of this injectable muscle relaxant treatment. You can continue your typical skincare routine. However, there are certain drugs and supplements you should avoid for a few days before your session.
For example, you should stop taking oral muscle relaxants and certain sleep aids. Furthermore, you should not take any drugs or supplements that thin the blood. We will provide you with a comprehensive list of drugs and supplements you should avoid before your treatment during your initial evaluation.
How Quickly Will I See the Results of My Injections?
You should expect to see the initial results of your treatment session within 72 hours of your injections. That said, some people can see their initial results within 48 hours of treatment. However, it can take between 10 and 14 days to see the final results of your treatment.
Will My Results Look Natural?
Yes, this injectable anti-aging treatment provides natural-looking results. You will look like a younger version of yourself because we do not alter your underlying facial structure. Additionally, we’d like to reiterate that you will have full control over your treated muscles. Your wrinkles will be relaxed away because your underlying muscles will be relaxed, but you’ll still be able to contract them consciously.
Do I Need Separate Treatment Sessions for Different Treatment Areas?
No, you do not need to schedule separate treatment sessions if you have several areas you would like to treat. For example, you may erase crow’s feet, nasolabial folds and augment your lips in one convenient session rather than scheduling three separate appointments.
Regardless of how many areas you would like to treat, if you can block out enough of your day, you can address everything at once.
How Long Do the Results of This Treatment Last?
Again, the results of this treatment last for months. The exact length of time your results will last depends on a number of factors. For example, your metabolism and the severity of your cosmetic concerns will affect the durability of the results.
While the average treatment will provide results lasting four to six months, mild-to-moderate cases can be treated effectively for 12 months. On the other hand, if your wrinkles are so severe you need two treatment sessions, your results may only last a quarter of a year. We will advise you on how long you can expect your results will last once we have evaluated the severity of your wrinkles and folds and discuss your lifestyle.
How Often Should I Receive Follow-Up Treatments?
You may need to receive a follow-up treatment four to six months after your first treatment session. That said, if you receive treatments consistently, the results of your treatments will become more durable.
For example, you may need to come in twice in 12 months for maintenance after your first session. However, after your first few sessions, you may notice your results last between nine months and a year.
How Much Downtime Is Required After This Treatment?
There are a few things you should do after your treatment to ensure the best results. However, there is no significant downtime required following your injection session. You are free to return to work and most of your usual routine. That said, you should do your best to avoid sweating during the first 48 hours after your injections. Therefore, you should not participate in strenuous exercise.
What Else Should I Avoid After Treatment?
You will receive a comprehensive list of things to avoid during the first couple of days following your treatment. Among these are:
- Sun exposure
- Alcohol
- Tobacco products
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
You don’t have to live with wrinkles and folds caused by muscle hyperactivity. Unfortunately, topical anti-aging treatments are ineffective because they do not treat the root cause of these wrinkles. Contact us today at Laser Aesthetics Body & Wellness in Cordova, TN to schedule your initial consultation and learn if you are a good candidate for Botox. We look forward to helping you safely and effectively achieve your desired aesthetic.