The Basics of Botox

There are tremendous advantages to growing older, but the transformations it brings to the face are generally not appreciated. As you age, unsightly facial lines and wrinkles litter your appearance and can cause some serious self-esteem issues.

There are a handful of procedures, both surgical and nonsurgical, that can effectively address your premature aging concerns. While a facelift can provide a dramatic transformation, we recognize that some patients are seeking a non-invasive way to turn back the clock on their skin.

If this sounds like you, then a Botox treatment could be the perfect solution. Although this injectable is one of the most common facial rejuvenation treatments today, we know you still have questions.

Here are five of the most popular Botox inquiries we receive at Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics.

How Does Botox Work?

The Botox treatment is an injectable solution that smooths out facial wrinkles and creates a more youthful-looking appearance. Botox, also known as onabotulinumtoxinA, works by relaxing the muscles that you use in making facial expressions.

Through the years, repeated muscle contractions—like squinting and burrowing your eyebrows—causes unattractive wrinkles on the face. The natural, purified proteins in the Botox solution allows your overworked muscles to be temporarily weakened or paralyzed.

Once your face receives the injections, your muscles will completely relax and eventually lose their ability to contract. Since you won’t be able to make the expressions that caused your unsightly wrinkles, your facial lines will gradually begin to smooth out.

Which of my Winkles Can Be Treated?

Although you won’t receive as dramatic as results as you would with a facelift, many of our patients appreciate the subtlety of Botox. While family and friends will likely notice your more youthful glow, they won’t be able to tell that your facial rejuvenation is due to a cosmetic procedure.

Millions of men and women have had great success with Botox treatments on the upper half of their face. With this injectable, Dr. Smith can effectively treat both vertical and horizontal facial lines, including:

• Crow’s feet (the creases that radiate outward from your eyes)
• Forehead lines (horizontal lines when you raise your eyebrows)
• Frown lines (the vertical lines that form between the eyes when you frown)

Will it Hurt?

Many of our patients don’t feel anything when receiving Botox injections, but you may experience slight stinging or burning during your treatment. While an anesthetic is not required, Dr. Smith does offer a topical numbing agent to those who feel nervous or are extremely sensitive to pain.

Botox injections are made with an ultra-fine needle, and are generally performed in under 10-20 minutes so you will be back to your routine in no time.

What is the Recovery Time?

As a non-invasive procedure, Botox recipients can expect almost no downtime. While you may experience some initial redness or swelling, these symptoms will subside within just a couple of days.

You are free to return to your everyday activities, including school and work, almost immediately following treatment. As with any cosmetic treatment, we do suggest limiting strenuous exercises for the first couple of days to ensure proper healing.

Am I a Good Candidate? As an FDA-approved treatment, Botox injections are great for essentially anybody with mild to moderate facial lines. If you are currently pregnant, nursing or dealing with a neurological disorder, we suggest getting cleared by your doctor before considering Botox.

When you come in for an initial consultation, Dr. Smith can help determine if anti-wrinkle injections are right for you. If you’re ready to achieve a more youthful, relaxed complexion, come see us at Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics. Set up an appointment with Dr. Smith today by calling 952-460- 1970.