Is Botox the Same as Dermal Fillers?
No. As we mentioned, Botox stops your muscles from moving. Soft-tissue injectable fillers fill in wrinkles, lines or creases or fill in areas of lost volume. Fillers, such as Juvederm, Restylane and Radiesse, can also be used to increase the size of the lips or other facial areas.
Botox and dermal fillers can be used together, especially when wrinkles and creases are too deep to be treated with Botox alone.
Where Can Botox Be Used?
One of the benefits of Botox cosmetic injectable is that it can be used in several areas to treat dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles caused by muscle contractions) and give a more youthful appearance. The most common places Botox is injected are around the upper eyelids to treat facial wrinkles such as crow’s feet around the eye area and the area of the forehead known as the glabellar region, which includes the area between the eyes, the furrows of the eyebrows and horizontal forehead wrinkles.
Botox can also be used along the jawline to help improve the appearance of a downturned lower lip and correct bone loss, frown lines and laugh lines that can develop around the mouth.
Botox has other uses beyond treating dynamic wrinkles and other signs of aging. This powerful endotoxin can also be used to treat medical conditions such as hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. When injected into the sweat glands, sweating and odor can stop for months at a time.
Other medical uses for Botox injections include treating neck spasms associated with cervical dystonia, overactive bladder and lazy eye.
Best Candidates for Botox
Ideal candidates for Botox treatment are mature men and women who have healthy skin but still see thin smile lines or creases in facial areas where muscles can affect the skin’s tightness. These areas include the corners of the mouth, the sides of the eyes, above the nose’s bridge and the forehead’s center. Not sure if Botox is for you? Look in the mirror. Do you see lines or creases when you widen or narrow your eyes, smile, purse your lips or make other facial expressions?
However, there are a few things to remember. You should have realistic expectations and understand the important limitations of facial rejuvenation treatment. Botox is a good way of correcting or averting fine wrinkles, but there are times when it may not be appropriate. Another treatment may work better for improving the appearance of your forehead lines, facial wrinkles and creases around the eyes. Botox cannot treat acne scars, profound wrinkles or creases, double chins, or other cosmetic problems. If you have these issues, discuss your facial plastic surgery options or other facial rejuvenation treatments such as laser skin resurfacing with Dr. Peterson today.
While most people who seek out Botox or other botulinum toxin Type A injections such as Xeomin or Dysport are generally in their 40s or older, Botox can be used at any age. In recent years, many individuals have sought out botulinum toxin injections in their late 20s or early 30s as a preventative way to stop the development of wrinkles, frown lines or creases and maintain their youthful appearance.
How Long Does Botox Last?
One of the best features of Botox and other types of botulinum toxins is that they work very quickly to improve facial appearance. Most people notice results nearly immediately after getting the treatment, but for some, Botox may take anywhere from one to 10 days to take full effect. On average, Botox lasts about three to four months — the time it takes your body to regenerate new nerve receptors in the muscle.
While botulinum toxin is a relatively simple procedure, it’s a combination of both art and science, and like any injectable, it requires experience and education. Dr. Peterson has the experience and knowledge to perform your Botox treatment to maximize results and help you reach your facial appearance goals.
When you get Botox treatment, you will be numbed in the injection site area with a topical anesthetic. Using a very thin needle, Dr. Peterson will then deliver small amounts of botulinum toxin into certain muscles. Being specific about which underlying muscles are treated can help maximize results, preserve your natural facial expressions and prevent “frozen face.”
Botulinum toxin treatment typically takes about 15 minutes or less, and the injections are performed in the office.
Depending on the extent of your wrinkles and your facial features, the number of injections you receive will vary.
After Botox
After Botox, you may experience some bruising or redness at the injection site, which resolves in a day or so.
Botox also has minimal impact on your activity level, but there are few things you should avoid in the first 24 hours after treatment:
- Rubbing or massaging the injection site
- Skin care treatments, such as facials or microdermabrasion
- Strenuous exercise
- Lying face down
- Headbands or tight headwear
- Blood thinners
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Makeup
Do you want to hear more about Botox and how it can help rejuvenate your facial appearance? Call Dr. Peterson today at (785) 553-9012 for more information on Botox, injectable fillers, facial rejuvenation or other facial plastic surgery treatments. Still doing research? Learn why a plastic surgeon is the best and safest choice for all of your injectable treatments here.
