BOTOX® is the most common non-surgical cosmetic treatment in the United States among both men and women, as more people who are not ready for surgery turn to non-invasive means to look younger.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is the trade name of Botulinum Toxin Type A, a purified toxin produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. Very low doses are administered via a few tiny injections directly into overactive muscles that cause these lines to form.
Botulinum toxin injections gently block the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected sites and prevent the muscles from contracting and forming a crease or a wrinkle. Botulinum toxin injections are now FDA approved to treat Glabellar lines, which are the wrinkles located between the brows, and has been shown to soften and reduce crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, and the neck line.
Frown lines are caused by the bunching of skin from facial muscle contraction. When we frown, the skin between our eyebrows is gathered into a fold which eventually causes a chronic furrow. This gives our face a frustrated, discouraged, angry look which is distracting to others and a bother to ourselves.
BOTOX Injections
Prior to your procedure, inform the doctor if you have received any form of botulinum toxin injections within the last four months. You may also need to discontinue any non-prescription blood thinners a few days before the injections to reduce the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Dr. Agarwal, Dr. Maloney, and Dr. Gill, Naples Plastic Surgeons, determine exactly where to administer several tiny injections to receive the best results. Although no anesthesia is required, topical anesthetic cream and ice are used to minimize any discomfort. The injection sites should be iced before and after the treatment. The entire procedure takes about ten minutes and is performed as an in-office procedure.
The number of units required to markedly reduce wrinkles depends on the treatment area and the severity of the wrinkles.
After your procedure, you may resume normal activities immediately. Results may take up to seven days to be visible, with the maximum benefit seen at two weeks. BOTOX results last for three to four months, depending on the area treated. You may choose to schedule additional appointments to maintain your results.
Some patients choose to combine botulinum toxin injections with other injectable treatments, including Juvederm, Voluma, Radiesse, Restylane, and Artefill. While BOTOX paralyzes muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles, it cannot address static wrinkles or lost volume as other injectables can. Patients who wish to fill in sunken areas of the cheeks or under the eyes, fill deep nasolabial folds, or plump the lips may consider these other options, which may be performed at the same time.
What Can BOTOX® Treat?
- The most common use of this treatment is temporarily relaxing facial muscles that cause wrinkles. The following are common treatment areas, with the typical number of units required:
- Frown lines that develop between the eyebrows (10-35 units)
- Crow’s feet, which fan out from the outer corners of the eyes (10-50 units)
- Forehead furrows, or the horizontal lines that form when the eyebrows are raised (10-35 units)
- Skin bands of the neck (10-30 units)
- “Bunny lines,” or horizontal lines at the bridge of the nose (4-8 units)
- Upper lip (4-8 units)
- Chin to reduce dimpling/pitting of the chin (10 units)
Botulinum toxin injections have also been used to treat a wide range of conditions, including lazy eye, which is caused by an imbalance in the muscles the position the eye; hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating; chronic migraines; and contracted muscles.
How BOTOX® Works
Botulinum toxin may be injected in very, very small amounts and prevents signals from nerve cells from reaching muscles. This leaves muscles without instruction to contract, leaving them temporarily paralyzed and unable to contract into frown lines and other wrinkles.
For muscles to contract, nerves release a neurotransmitter at the junction where nerve endings meet muscle cells. Botulinum toxin prevents the release of this neurotransmitter.
BOTOX® Side Effects
It is unlikely that any significant side effects would occur, but some people develop slight temporary bruising at the injection site, as with other injectable treatments. Any swelling or redness at the injection site is typically minor and resolves on its own within a few days. Patients may develop a headache or flu like syndrome.
This procedure is considered very safe, although rare side effects include mild nausea and transient numbness. Very rare risks include difficulty speaking or swallowing if the toxin spreads.
Candidates
Ideal candidates for this procedure are men and women of all ages who want to address dynamic wrinkles such as frown lines or crow’s feet and have realistic expectations. There is no ideal age for this procedure, although younger patients may see additional benefit as injections may help delay the formation of lines rather than just treating existing lines.
If you are interested in BOTOX Cosmetic and how it may work for you, give our Naples office a call at (239) 594-9100, or e-mail us to set up an appointment at The Aesthetic Surgery Center to discuss this exciting advancement in wrinkle treatment.
Botox in Naples, FL
Dr. Maloney talks about BOTOX® Cosmetic Quality Assurance. (WINK TV Naples Fort Myers Marco Island)
Dr. Maloney discussed the use of BOTOX® Cosmetic in treating excessive sweating. (Fox 4 Naples Fort Myers Marco Island)
A Naples Daily News BOTOX® Cosmetic article featuring Dr. Richard Maloney
Injectable & Facial Filler FAQs
How do I know which injectable is right for me?
The choice of injectable agent is critical to the successful treatment of wrinkles, folds, and facial depressions. An individual consultation with one of our Plastic Surgeons will give you an accurate assessment of what will be best suited for your face. Often, a combination of agents (i.e. BOTOX ® Cosmetic, Restylane, Radiesse) may be used to achieve optimal results in different portions of your face.
How long do injectables last?
Longevity of BOTOX® Cosmetic and Facial Fillers can vary from person to person. However, in general, BOTOX® Cosmetic lasts 3 to 4 months, Restylane and JUVEDERM® Injectable Gel last 6 to 8 months in facial folds, JUVEDERM® Injectable Gel lasts 3 to 4 months in the lips, Radiesse lasts 9 to 12 months in the folds, and Artefill lasts 1 to 5 years. These ranges are on the conservative side, and are often underestimates.
Is BOTOX ® Cosmetic safe?
BOTOX® Cosmetic has an excellent safety record and has one of the highest patient satisfaction ratings of any cosmetic procedure.
Who performs the injectables at your practice?
All of our injectables are physician administered by one of our plastic surgeons. They have the skill and aesthetic training required to provide three dimensional volumetric enhancement and facial muscle relaxation.
Do injectables hurt?
Any injection will cause mild pain. However, we use a variety of measures to minimize this discomfort. Ice, topical anesthetic creams, and/or nerve blocks with lidocaine are all techniques used to reduce pain, bruising, and swelling.
Will I bruise?
This varies from person to person. In general, BOTOX Cosmetic rarely causes bruising. However, facial fillers, especially near the corners of the mouth, often result in mild bruising. Avoidance of blood thinners can help reduce bruising, as long as you are cleared to stop these by your medical doctor. Make-up can be applied the same day for camouflage, if necessary.
How much do each of these cost?
Please call us at 239-594-9100 for a price list of all of our injectables. BOTOX Cosmetic is priced by the unit, while the facial fillers are priced by the syringe. Keep in mind that only one of our plastic surgeons can give you an accurate assessment of the number of syringes or BOTOX Cosmetic units that are needed to accomplish your goals.
I am only 30 years old. Am I too young to start?
Many lines, folds, and depressions are hereditary. It is not too early to address these. In fact, many facial fillers are made up of natural constituents of the skin, such as hyaluronic acid or collagen. Therefore, it makes sense to restore these to the skin.
Do injectables accomplish the same thing as a facelift?
No!!!. Injectables are often complementary to facelifts, but a needle will not restore facial fat pads, muscle laxity, or skin laxity to their youthful positions like surgery will. Vice versa, surgery often softens but does not eliminate deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines. In these cases, direct injectable fillers such as Restylane, Radiesse, JUVEDERM® Injectable Gel, or Artefill can complement surgical treatment.
Can BOTOX Cosmetic or Facial Injectable Fillers be performed on the same day as my consultation?
Absolutely. When you call to make your appointment with one of our plastic surgeons, just specify whether you are planning on having a consultation with or without actual injectable treatment on the same day.