BOTOX is made from botulinum toxin A, a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent approved by the FDA for several different uses. It is administered directly into the targeted facial areas as an injection to relax the muscles and smooth the skin.
BOTOX® Treatments
These days, BOTOX® is a household name because of its reputation for, excellent results and simple, convenient treatments. This anti-aging cosmetic injectable works by reducing the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. Botox is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the country and one of our most requested services.
BENEFITS OF BOTOX®
Botox is such a popular procedure because of the many benefits it provides for patients who want to maintain or achieve smooth, youthful-looking skin. Botox benefits include the following:
- MINIMALLY-INVASIVE, REQUIRING NO INCISIONS
- SMOOTHS AWAY WRINKLES AND LINES IN THE FOREHEAD AND OTHER AREAS OF THE FACE
- VERY SHORT PROCEDURE TIME (ABOUT 20 MINUTES)
- NO DOWNTIME MINIMAL, IF ANY, RECOVERY PERIOD
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR BOTOX®?
Men or women who would like an injectable option rather than surgery to achieve anti-aging effects are candidates for Botox. Botox candidates are looking to turn back the clock on signs of aging that have already appeared, or they are younger and want to stop wrinkles from forming for years. Ideal candidates for Botox injections should meet the following requirements:
Generally in good health
Not pregnant or breastfeeding
Atleast 18 years old
Do not have a skin infection or breakout in the treatment area
Have no history of neuromuscular diseases
WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED?
- SMOKER’S LINES AT THE MOUTH
- BUNNY LINES AT THE NOSE
- ASYMMETRICAL BROWS
- A GUMMY SMILE
- NECKLACE LINES
- AN OVERLY PROMINENT JAW OR CHIN
- VERTICAL LINES BETWEEN THE EYEBROWS
- HORIZONTAL FOREHEAD LINES
- CROW’S FEET
DID YOU KNOW?
BOTOX is also medically useful for migraine headaches, excessive sweating, and muscle spasms of the eyes and neck.
BOTOX® TREATMENT DETAILS
Botox is used in a procedure known as cosmetic denervation to relax the overactive facial muscles responsible for prominent expression lines. As the muscles relax, the lines disappear. When administered by an experienced professional, the right amount of Botox will be injected and your familiar facial expressions will remain unaffected. In addition, Botox does not affect sensory nerves, so there is no numbness in the area of the injection.
No anesthesia is required for Botox, and discomfort is usually minimal and brief. The treatment involves injecting a very small amount of Botox through a tiny needle precisely into the overactive facial muscles responsible for expression lines. Because the needle is very fine and only a small amount of liquid is injected, the discomfort associated with treatment is very little.
Many patients compare this sensation to a mosquito bite. After your specialist has administered a few tiny injections of Botox directly into the muscles that cause those moderate-to-severe lines, you’ll be able to return to your regular day. It takes approximately 10 minutes for the entire treatment.
WHAT RESULTS TO EXPECT
Your wrinkles will begin to fade within the first 24 hours, with continued improvement over the next 5 days. Maximum efficacy can be seen at two weeks.
Initially, the results of Botox last an average of 3-4 months. With repeated treatments, we find that many patients are able to go longer and longer between treatment sessions to maintain their results. This seems to be due to a gradual weakening of the overactive muscles.
For new patients, a two-week follow-up is recommended to assess how well the Botox is working. Since everyone responds differently to Botox, the follow-up allows us to evaluate before-and-after results and to fine-tune treatment regimens as needed.
AFTER YOUR BOTOX® TREATMENT
No downtime is needed after BOTOX injections in Baton Rouge. You’ll be able to resume your normal activities immediately following treatment, with just a handful of physical restrictions. Our team at Stephens Plastic Surgery + Skincare Aesthetics of Baton Rouge will give you specific aftercare instructions.
WHAT SIDE EFFECTS ARE INVOLVED?
- THE MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECT OF TREATMENT IS A SMALL BRUISE AT THE INJECTION SITES.THE DEGREE OF BRUISING VARIES FROM PERSON TO PERSON, BUT IS RARELY OF ANY SIGNIFICANCE.ANY BRUISING IS EASILY COVERED WITH MAKEUP UNTIL IT RESOLVES, USUALLY IN A FEW DAYS.
- PATIENTS OCCASIONALLY COMPLAIN OF A MILD HEADACHE LASTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER TREATMENT.
- UNCOMMONLY, BOTOX CAN MIGRATE TO NEARBY MUSCLES. IN THESE CASES, THERE CAN BE A TEMPORARY DROOPING OF AN EYELID OR MILD ASYMMETRY OF FACIAL EXPRESSION. THE RISK OF THIS DEPENDS UPON THE AREAS BEING TREATED.
- OTHER SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH BOTOX INCLUDE LOCALIZED PAIN, INFECTION, INFLAMMATION, TENDERNESS, SWELLING, REDNESS, AND BLEEDING.
- BECAUSE THE EFFECTS OF BOTOX ARE COMPLETELY REVERSIBLE, ANY SIDE EFFECTS ARE TEMPORARY.
- ALLERGIC REACTIONS ARE RARE.
BOTOX FAQ
WHAT IS BOTOX MADE OF?
IS BOTOX A TOXIN?
BOTOX is a purified protein produced by the clostridium botulinum bacteria. Although BOTOX is a toxin, there are no systemic side effects. This is because, for the treatment described, it is used in extremely small amounts and does not spread throughout the body.
WHAT ARE THE MOST REQUESTED PLACES FOR BOTOX?
BOTOX injections help with reducing the rhytides (wrinkles) between the eyes, forehead, and around the eyes (crow’s feet). It can also be used to soften lines around the mouth. There are other uses, but these are the most popular.
DOES BOTOX GO WELL WITH OTHER TREATMENTS?
A combination of BOTOX and fillers achieve the best results when combined with aesthetic services such as Matrix RF™ or microneedling for fine lines, wrinkles, texture and pore improvement, and medical-grade skincare products. A good skincare regimen should be the root of any aesthetic goal and sets the tone for every other aesthetic procedure performed.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS OF BOTOX?
BOTOX cannot improve wrinkles that are due primarily to aging and sun-damaged skin since they are unrelated to facial movement.
BOTOX will not improve sagging skin.
BOTOX cannot replace the need for a facelift, brow lift, or blepharoplasty.
