Most of us want a very natural, relaxed and youthful appearance. Botox/Dysport are injected in very small amounts to achieve this look.

Everyday facial movements, sun exposure and genetics can accelerate the formation of wrinkles as you age. The result is an appearance of looking tired or worse, angry. The injection of Botulinum toxin (Botox, Dysport) is the quickest and safest remedy. It’s also the most common minimally invasive procedure performed in the U.S., according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

TREATMENT AREAS

• Crow’s feet
• Forehead furrows
• Frown lines
• Skin bands on the neck

Botox and Dysport are botulinum toxin products used to treat frown lines and wrinkles between the eyebrows, the forehead and around the eyes. It also treats chin creases, horizontal neck lines and wrinkles around the mouth.

HOW IT WORKS

Botulinum toxin is a purified substance derived from bacteria. The injection of Botulinum enables the muscle to relax by blocking nerve signals or chemicals that tell muscles to contract. The result is skin that appears smoother.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• It’s safe. It’s extremely rare to see a complication from Botox/Dysport that has been related to distant spread effect (affecting a distant muscle) when given at the proper dosages. (If you have had a dropped brow with past injections, always mention that during your initial consultation. There are muscles that will be avoided for that not to happen.)
• It’s temporary. If it’s your first time to consider injections, it can be reassuring to know the effect won’t last without reinjection every 3-4 months.
• It’s not necessary to look frozen. Small doses at just the right time will create a soft, animated look. There is no need to relax the muscles to the point of no movement. The purpose is to relax the muscle so its movement doesn’t create a wrinkle in motion, which can then turn into a wrinkle at rest.
• Botox/Dysport are given with the tiniest of needles. Bruising is typically not an issue with Botox/Dysport injections.
• Botox/Dysport is often combined with other cosmetic skin procedures as part of a customized treatment plan. Chemical peels, dermal fillers or microdermabrasion can future improve your results and help prevent new lines and wrinkles.

RESULTS

Results begin to be noticeable in a few days but can take up to a week for full effect. Results typically last 3-4 months.

RECOVERY

Procedures generally last around 15 minutes and no anesthesia is required. You can get back to your routine immediately.

The only word of caution is to not rub or massage the injected areas, as the Botox can spread to another area of your face and cause temporary facial weakness or drooping.

FACTS ABOUT BOTOX

Botulinum toxin injections (e.g., Botox, Dysport) are the most commonly performed facial rejuvenation procedure in the U.S. In 2015, 6.7 million Botox procedures were performed, up 759 percent since 2000, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Botox has been found to treat true medical conditions (outside of our facial wrinkles) such as spastic bladder, migraines and spasms of the eyelid.

Often, children receive Botox for what we call “therapeutic” indications, around 400 units at any one given time. For most of us receiving Botox for our wrinkles, the typical dose is 20-70 units, far less than what is given for therapeutic indications.