Botulinum toxin is a treatment that is injected into the skin, and is an effective and quick way to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. There are several types of botulinum toxin available, but in 2022, with over 7.4 million people in the US receiving Botox treatments, Botox is the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment, and the number one botulinum toxin used. Botox is also the only botulinum toxin that is approved by the FDA for all three of the most commonly treated areas of the face for wrinkles: forehead lines, frown lines (lines between the eyebrows), and crow’s feet (lines along the sides of the eyes). Botox is also frequently used around the jaw, neck, and other areas.
Overtime, the skin can gradually develop lines and wrinkles with repeated muscle contractions from making facial expression such as frowning, squinting, smiling, and raising the eyebrows which causes the skin to fold. Botox works by temporarily decreasing the activity of the muscles responsible for causing these wrinkles to help them look smoother and reduce their appearance.
The effects of Botox can start within 2 days, but the maximum benefit may take 2 weeks. Keep this in mind when scheduling your Botox treatment. We recommend scheduling at least 2-3 weeks prior to an event or special occasion, which will give you enough time to see the effects of Botox and get an adjustment treatment if needed. There are some other considerations to help reduce potential side effects and optimize treatment results. Click here to read R&R Rejuvenation’s pre-treatment instructions.
Botox works to smooth your skin and decrease lines and wrinkles by decreasing your ability to produce facial wrinkles. It will not change your underlying face. You will just look rejuvenated and more refreshed.
No. This is a common concern and myth. If you keep getting your Botox regularly and on schedule, the muscles will get weaker and weaker, decreasing their ability to cause wrinkles, and over time can help the skin heal itself by building up collagen in the areas of the wrinkles. Regular Botox use may mean you will need less and less for maintenance over time.
When the Botox wears off, the muscles will be able to make the associated wrinkles appear on your face again, such as the forehead lines, frown lines, and the crow’s feet. However, you won’t look older than before starting Botox — and you might even look younger.
Botox also has a preventive effect, meaning besides treating wrinkles that have already developed, it can also prevent them from appearing. Dynamic wrinkles appear when you use your facial muscles when you frown, laugh, smile, squint, etc. Overtime, the associated wrinkles can deepen and become larger. Eventually, the wrinkles stay on your face even when your face is at rest and these are called static wrinkles.
Since, Botox injections temporarily weaken the facial muscles, and just like all other muscles, not using a muscle for a long time will weaken the muscle and it smaller. Therefore, if you get Botox injections regularly, before you have wrinkles, it can prevent the development of wrinkles and help you stay youthful longer. Both men and women are turning to Botox to look their absolute best.
Botox treatment does involve injection with a needle, so there can be some minimal discomfort. But, this is very dependent on an individual person’s tolerance to injections. Some people say they barely even feel anything, while others say it feels like a sting or pinch when the injection is taking place. For those that do not tolerate injections well, a numbing cream can be applied for 15-20 minutes before the Botox treatment. Botox injections are very quick, using a very thin needle, and overall very well tolerated.
Botox is a quick procedure, typically taking around 10-20 minutes. Because it is quick with no downtime, it is well known as a “lunchtime treatment.” You will start to see effects from your treatment within three to 10 days, wherein the muscle’s ability to contract will gradually reduce in the targeted area. It will also simultaneously smooth and rejuvenate the appearance of your skin. Results last about three to five months and require continued treatments to increase the permanency of the Botox.
There is minimal recovery from Botox and it is relatively straightforward. The goal of Botox aftercare is to encourage optimal treatment results. It can also minimize the risk of side effects, such as bruising and spreading to other areas.
There are just a few simple post-treatment precautions:
• Avoid intense or strenuous physical activities for 4-24 hours
• Don’t massage the treated area, and try not to touch it all for at least 4 hours
• Avoid bending over for 4 to 6 hours after treatment
• Avoid excessive time spent in direct sunlight on the day of treatment
Our patients will be provided a list of aftercare instructions which can also be found here, and will be able to get any questions answered that they might have.
On average, Botox lasts between 3-4 months. First-time patients may find that their initial treatment may not last as long but the effects may last longer after further treatments.
Botox is priced by the unit. The number of Botox units you will need will depend on your facial anatomy and desired result (more units = a more dramatic smoothing effect, while fewer units = a subtle softening effect). Also, how strong your facial muscles are will affect how many units are needed for proper treatmnet.
Most adults get 20 to 30 units in their forehead for their horizontal wrinkles and another 10 to 30 units in their glabella (the area between your eyes that’s prone to the frowning “eleven” lines/wrinkles). A typical treatment of the crow’s feet takes 10 to 15 units on each side.
Botox is the most popular cosmetic treatment in the world, with 7 million treatments done every year. Botox is incredibly safe and well tolerated, and usually has minimal side effects. Severe side effects from Botox, when administered by a trained and qualified healthcare profession, are very uncommon. Nevertheless, as with all such injectables, the potential for risk does exist. Temporary Botox risks may include, but are not limited to:
• Slight pain, swelling or bruising at injection sites
• Allergic reactions
• Headache or temporary nausea
• Flu-like symptoms
• Dryness in the eyes, or excessive tearing
• Breathing problems
• Vision problems including double vision
• Drooping of the eylid or brow, or a peaked eyebrow
• Numbness or tingling
• Weakness in muscles
Again, these risks are uncommon but do exist. The best way to avoid these risks is by only getting Botox from a qualified healthcare professional.
Botox can be used in various areas of the face and neck to renew the look of your skin. The three most common areas that are treated with Botox, which are also the three FDA-approved areas to be treated with Botox for wrinkles, are forehead lines, frown lines between the eyes, and crow’s feet around the eyes. There are also many off-label areas of the face and neck that are commonly treated with Botox.
– Frown Lines (between the eyebrows)
– Forehead Lines
– Top/sides of the Nose (bunny lines)
– Eyebrows/Eyebrow lift
– Wrinkles Around the Eyes (crow’s feet)
– Under eye wrinkles
– Lipstick Lines/Perioral (around the mouth)
– Dimpled chin (to prevent dimpling)
– Jawline
– Botox Lip Flip (fuller lip without dermal filler)
– Vertical neck bands/Platysmal bands
– Jaw shaping (decrease size of the jaw muscles for a thinner looking jaw/face)
Botox is a great and powerful treatment to treat wrinkles when used properly, but does require experience and expertise to produce the results you want. Dr. Kim has years of practical experience providing injection treatments with Botox. He understands facial anatomy and how Botox interacts with our muscles, to provide smooth, refreshing, and youthful results.
