Botox
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Many of us have wrinkles around our eyes that we see worsen over the years as our faces age. Botox can be a great way to reduce these wrinkles and even help prevent more from forming, but only if it is used early and consistently. Botox injections are a quick, effective procedure that can provide excellent results very quickly.
How do wrinkles form around the eyes?
There are 2 types of wrinkles that form on our faces. Static wrinkles are deep, fixed wrinkles that are present regardless of how our faces move. These wrinkles are visible even when we are not emoting with our face. The lines form because of years of muscle contraction essentially creases the skin. These wrinkles are commonly in areas such as the nasolabial fold – the line from the corner of the nose to the corner of the mouth. Dynamic wrinkles, on the other hand, become visible when we move our faces. Think of the common wrinkles such as frown lines between our brows, or smile lines at the outside corners of our eyes. These lines are visible because as the muscles under our skin contract to create facial movements, the overlying skin folds, giving us the wrinkles.
How does Botox work?
Botox works by blocking the communication between the nerves and the muscles. When we want to move our facial muscles, our brain, via the nerves, tells specific muscles to activate and contract. This contraction moves the overlying skin, creating the various facial movements we see. Botox works by putting up a blockade at the nerve-muscle junction, preventing the muscle from contracting. Because Botox works by blocking muscle activation, it works best to reduce dynamic wrinkles. It can help prevent static wrinkles from getting deeper over time, but it can’t fully eliminate those wrinkles once they are formed.
What are the common places around the eyes to have Botox treatment?
The most common places for Botox use around the eyes include:
- Forehead – many of us have deep forehead lines caused by elevating our brows over the years. Botox can help smooth the forehead and prevent these lines from deepening
- Brows – Brows can be elevated, lowered, or contoured using Botox. Brow asymmetry is a common facial feature many of us have and Botox is an excellent way to improve it.
- Glabella or frown lines – Also called the “11s,” these lines between the eyebrows form when we frown. Botox can prevent these lines from deepening, and soften the lines you may already have.
- Crow’s Feet or Smile Lines – When we smile, the muscles at the outer corner of our eyes often contracts, causing these lines to form. Botox can prevent these lines from appearing, as well as deepening over the years.
- Under the eyes – Occasionally patients will notice a fullness of the lower eyelids that appears when they smile. This may be contraction of one of the muscles under the eye. Botox can soften this contraction, lessening this fullness.
I’m worried about a “frozen face” after Botox! Is that a risk?
Botox injections are usually targeted to certain problem areas. When Dr. Dewan injects Botox, he uses the finest needle possible, both to decrease pain, but also to place the Botox into only the muscles needed to achieve the best results. By targeting only the appropriate muscles and areas, you will have natural results with normal facial expression afterwards.
Is it painful to get Botox? What is the recovery like?
Dr. Dewan uses a very fine needle to inject Botox around your eyes. The patient experience is that of a small needle pinch lasting only 1-2 seconds. Patients generally describe the procedure as painless. Patients also have essentially no recovery. The areas that are injection might show small amounts of swelling or a touch of blood for up to an hour. No pain medicines or after-care are necessary.
I’ve heard Botox is temporary. How long does it last?
The effectiveness of Botox works on a curve. It usually takes 3-7 days after your injections for the effect of Botox to begin. After 1-2 weeks, the Botox has reached its maximum effect, which then lasts for 3-4 months. At that time, if you were happy with the results, you can repeat your Botox injections.
I’ve heard that there are different types of Botox. Are they all equally effective?
While the term “Botox” is used as the generic name of the medication, Botox is actually a brand name (like Kleenex). In fact, there are three different major brands of botulinum toxin (the medical name of the medicine) available in the US. Botox is the most well-known, followed by Dysport and Xeomin. They are all variants of the same underlying medicine, but because they have minor differences, dosing for each drug may be different. Some patients may not respond as effectively to one medicine over another, so it is possible that different medications may be needed for you to achieve your best results.
Who does the injections at Eye Plastic Surgery of Minnesota?
At many offices, while you may have a consultation with a physician, an Aesthetician or Nurse Injector may actually do your Botox injections. At Eye Plastic Surgery of Minnesota, you will always have a consultation with Dr. Dewan, and he will always perform your Botox injections.
What is the cost of Botox?
The cost of Botox injections varies depending upon how much will be necessary for your treatment. Botox is sold by the “unit,” and Dr. Dewan will recommend the number of units necessary to achieve your desired effect during your consultation. You are only charged for the amount used, not the cost of the entire vial of Botox.
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