Botox
Wrinkles And Frown Lines
Frown lines are caused by the repeated contraction of underlying muscles associated with facial expression. Years of squinting tend to leave deep wrinkles in the skin between the eyebrows and on the nose, across the forehead, and at the corners of the eyes. On many people, these folds produce an angry or sad look that detracts from a pleasant facial appearance.
Dermatologists can now remedy these wrinkles and lines without scars and without any “down time” by a simple injection of BOTOX.
Why Choose A Dermatologist For Your Skin Rejuvenation
Dermatologists are trained and experienced in the use of a wide variety of surgical, cosmetic, reconstructive and non-surgical methods to repair the function and appearance of your skin.
As experts on how skin ages, dermatologists are uniquely qualified in a variety of both corrective and preventive techniques to keep skin looking healthy. In fact, dermatologists pioneered many of the current anti-aging treatments including BOTOX.
What Is Botulinum Toxin?
Botulinum toxin type A is a purified toxin and, when given orally in large doses, blocks the nerve signals from the brain to the muscle, causing botulism. However, by injecting very tiny amounts into a specific muscle, only the targeted impulse of that muscle will be blocked. In this way, botulinum toxin acts as a muscle blockade to stop the underlying cause of the unwanted lines.
Botulinum toxin has been used since 1980 to treat many muscle disorders, such as lazy eye, eye ticks and uncontrolled blinking. The use of BOTOX for the treatment of glabellar wrinkles is now FDA Approved.
Treatment Areas
Botulinum toxin is injected directly into the target muscle to treat:
- vertical lines between the eyebrows and on the bridge of the nose
- squint lines or crows feet at the corners of the eyes
- the forehead horizontal lines
- the platysma muscle bands often visible on the neck, commonly known as turkey neck.
Once the muscle is weakened and relaxed, it cannot contract. Since there is no way to make the undesirable facial expression, the lines gradually smooth out from disuse, and new creases are prevented from forming. Other muscles like those needed to raise the eyebrows are not affected so a natural expression is maintained. Botulinum toxin is not very effective for use on the smile lines around the mouth because the muscle action in this area is needed for expression and important functions like eating.
Botulinum Toxin Therapy Treatment involves injection of very small amounts of botulinum toxin into the underlying muscles to immobilize them. The actual treatment is well tolerated and takes just a few minutes with no “down time” or prolonged recovery period. After your treatment: 1. Do not manipulate the treatment sites by rubbing or pushing. 2. Do not lay down for 4-6 hours. 3. Work the treatment areas by moving the muscles (frown, squint, raise eyebrows, etc.) over the first 2-3 hours after treatment.
Botulinum toxin takes effect about 3 to 7 days after treatment. The improvement generally lasts about 3 to 4 months before the effect gradually fades and muscle action returns. It is anticipated that the average patient will require reinjection at various intervals. With repeated treatments, atrophy (thinning) of the muscle may occur which usually produces longer-lasting results.
Other Applications
Excessive sweating can be also be treated with injections of a highly diluted form of botulinum toxin directly into the underarm skin or skin on the palms and soles of the hand. There it paralyzes the sweat glands of the skin, which are responsible for excessive perspiration. A single treatment session can provide months of relief, and experts believe that injections can be repeated indefinitely once or twice a year to maintain dryness.