Every year, BOTOX injections are the most popular cosmetic procedure worldwide. BOTOX’s popularity is easy to explain — it works. Ever since its initial FDA approval in 2002, BOTOX has become one of the world’s most well known brands. It effectively removes lines and wrinkles on the upper third of the face.
What Is BOTOX?
BOTOX is classified as a neuromodulator. It is not a dermal filler. Neuromodulators, such as BOTOX and Dysport, block the nerve messages from a muscle to the brain. The brain doesn’t receive the message, so it doesn’t contract the muscle. Before its FDA approval for cosmetic use in 2002, BOTOX had been used since the 1970s to treat conditions such as involuntary eyelid spasms.
BOTOX works on what are known as “dynamic” wrinkles. These are wrinkles that form on the skin when a muscle contracts beneath the area.
When injected into the muscle creating a wrinkle, BOTOX® temporarily stops the muscle from contracting. Without the contraction, the wrinkle above either doesn’t form or is dramatically lessened in appearance.
What Areas Can BOTOX Be Used On?
BOTOX only works on dynamic wrinkles that form on the upper third of the face when we make certain expressions. Go ahead, form a frown and you can feel the muscles around your eyes, your brows, and on your forehead all engage. Over time, as our skin thins and loses some of its elasticity, these contractions begin to form wrinkles on the surface skin.
These wrinkles are crow’s feet at the outside of the eyes, the 11s between the eyebrows, and forehead lines. In some patients, BOTOX can be useful with neck banding, but that is an off-label use (not approved specifically by the FDA), and these results vary with different people.
Who Is A Good Candidate?
If you have crow’s feet, the 11s, and forehead lines, BOTOX is a great option to remove these signs of aging.
What Is The Difference Between BOTOX And Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are true to their name — they fill in a wrinkle or area of volume loss. The filler is injected beneath the wrinkle and it fills the depression, pushing the skin back upward. Dermal fillers work on static wrinkles that show themselves at all times. These wrinkles and areas of volume loss usually are found on the lower two-thirds of the face.
BOTOX has no effect on static wrinkles. It works on dynamic wrinkles formed by muscle contractions. BOTOX works primarily on the upper third of the face.
Can BOTOX Injections Be Combined With Other Procedures?
BOTOX injections can be combined with just about any other procedure offered at our practice. That’s because BOTOX works to stop muscles from contracting on the upper third of the face. It doesn’t involve recovery or interaction. BOTOX injections can be combined with any of our dermal fillers to provide more extensive facial rejuvenation. These are natural complements, as fillers work on the mid to lower face, while BOTOX works on the upper third of the face. BOTOX can be combined with CoolSculpting, vein treatments, laser hair removal, really most any of our procedures.
Do BOTOX Injections Hurt?
Dr. Jensen injects BOTOX with a very fine needle, and BOTOX is not injected to great depth. For those reasons, patients rarely request any topical numbing cream. Patients equate the feeling of BOTOX injections to that of a pinprick.
Do BOTOX Treatments Require Anesthesia?
Dr. Jensen injects BOTOX with a very tiny needle, so a local anesthetic is not necessary.
How Long Will My BOTOX Session Take?
Your session takes just 15-20 minutes. Having BOTOX injected is a true “lunchtime” procedure.
How Many Treatment Sessions Do I Need?
It only takes a single injection session with Dr. Jensen for BOTOX. And he needs just 10-15 minutes to place your injections. This single-session provides your results. When your body eventually absorbs the now-inert BOTOX, another session will maintain your results.
How Long Does It Take For BOTOX To Erase My Wrinkles?
Unlike dermal fillers, BOTOX does not provide instant results. It takes a few days, usually 4-5 days, for the botulinum toxin to block the nerve messages sent from the muscles to the brain.
BOTOX Before And After Photos
How Long Will My Results Last?
Once injected, BOTOX takes around four days to fully take effect. It has to get to work blocking the nerve messages from the injected muscles to the brain. BOTOX effectively erases wrinkles for about four months, although these results can stretch to as long as six months in some patients.
In many people, repeated BOTOX injections over time cause the muscles to create their wrinkles to not contract as tightly. This usually requires less BOTOX to keep them from contracting.
Are There Side Effects?
BOTOX has been used millions of times around the world and has proven to be safe and effective. The typical side effects are redness, slight bruising, and possible swelling at the injection sites. These effects resolve quickly. Some people can develop a headache in the first day after their injections.
BOTOX injected by an inexperienced injector can be placed into an incorrect muscle, resulting in problems such as a drooping eyelid. That’s where Dr. Jensen’s extensive knowledge of facial anatomy and experience with BOTOX® comes in. He understands precisely where BOTOX should be injected for the most natural-looking results.
Patients must avoid rubbing their injection sites for 24 hours after their session. This can make the BOTOX® migrate to an unwanted muscle.
Does Insurance Cover BOTOX Injections?
When BOTOX is used to erase crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead lines, it is considered to be an elective treatment. As such, it is not covered by insurance.
Schedule A Consultation With Dr. Jensen Today!
To learn more about our BOTOX treatments, call us today at 1 (801) 728 - 9555 to schedule a consultation. Our practice is proud to serve Layton and the surrounding areas of Utah.