As we age, it’s common for many of us to notice unwanted lines and wrinkles around the eyes, forehead and brows. While many people use creams and lotions to try and restore a more youthful appearance, Botox can target these wrinkles at the source by temporarily relaxing the facial muscles that cause expression lines to develop in the first place. After just one quick in-office treatment, you can achieve smoother skin and a rejuvenated look that lasts for months.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sanjay Sharma and his team are some of Austin’s premier Botox providers. He has spent years refining his technique to ensure subtle, beautiful results that will bring out the best in your face, skin and facial features. Schedule your consultation at Plastic Surgery Austin today and discover how Botox can soften the appearance of unwanted lines and wrinkles.
Botox is an injectable anti-aging treatment that creates a smoother, younger appearance. The Botox solution contains small amounts of botulinum toxin, which relaxes the facial muscles that lead to the appearance of fine lines and deeper facial creases. Injections of Botox take just a few minutes to complete and involve little or no discomfort for the patients.
Botox is ideal for targeting dynamic lines and creases that appear with our facial expressions. If you also notice static wrinkles that are present even when the face is at rest, Botox can be paired with dermal fillers that work to restore lost volume beneath the skin. Together, Botox and dermal fillers can target and temporarily erase the most common signs of aging.
Botox works by blocking nerve impulses that tell the facial muscles to contract. This helps to reduce the signs of aging because over time, repetitive muscle movements can etch deep lines and creases into the face that appear with every wink, smile or raised eyebrow. By relaxing these muscles, your skin remains smooth and wrinkle-free in treated areas.
Botox is commonly used on the following treatment areas:
In addition to cosmetic uses for Botox, the solution has also been used for the medical treatment of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), cervical dystonia and migraine headaches.
Botox is the gold standard in nonsurgical wrinkle reduction and has a long history of success in helping both men and women achieve a more youthful appearance. It is FDA-approved and considered safe when performed by an experienced doctor. If you have dynamic lines or wrinkles that appear with every expression you make, Botox can temporarily smooth them away to minimize the signs of aging and help you look your absolute best.
During your consultation, Dr. Sharma will help determine if Botox is right for you. However, this nonsurgical treatment is ideal for most people, including those who:
Contrary to popular belief, Botox isn’t just for the visible signs of aging. When treatment is started earlier, Botox injections can help minimize the formation of expression lines and wrinkles before they start by “training” the facial muscles to stay relaxed. Over time, patients typically need fewer injections to maintain a youthful appearance and later treatments are often more effective, with studies suggesting it can even delay the aging process.
Most people begin preventative Botox in their late 20s or early 30s, starting with smaller doses near the eyes, forehead or brows. By injecting into the muscles that cause wrinkles to appear before they’ve developed, you can get a head start on the signs of aging and prevent deep lines, wrinkles or creases from becoming permanently etched into your face.
Botox is a quick and simple in-office procedure that typically takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete, depending on how many areas are being treated. During your appointment, a small amount of Botox is injected beneath the skin with a fine needle. Only a small amount of liquid is needed and each injection is over within a few seconds.
Proper placement of Botox injections is essential to ensuring the best possible results. In some cases, patients may be given a topical anesthetic prior to treatment to ensure comfort during the procedure. However, the small needle used to administer Botox injections rarely causes discomfort, even without anesthetic.
After your appointment, you’ll be free to return home and resume your normal activities immediately. Dr. Sharma will provide you with aftercare instructions to ensure the best results, but Botox typically won’t interfere with most personal or professional obligations.
After your treatment, you may experience some mild bruising and swelling around the injection sites. This is normal and usually subsides within a few hours. You’ll be advised not to rub or massage the treated areas or have any other facial procedures for 24 hours to prevent the Botox from spreading beneath the surface of the skin. Other restrictions include not laying down or participating in strenuous exercise for at least four hours after treatment.
Your results will begin to develop within the next three to five days and continue to improve for up to two weeks. As Botox takes effect, your skin may feel tighter or heavier in treated areas. You’ll also start to notice that expression lines and wrinkles become less noticeable.
Most patients enjoy good results from Botox for up to three to four months before it starts to wear off. However, regular touch-ups can help you maintain a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance all year round. Some find that the more Botox procedures they have, the longer they can go between treatment sessions.
Botox is a proven method for achieving smoother, younger skin. To learn more about this injectable treatment, contact Plastic Surgery Austin at 512-838-3658.
Typically, Botox lasts an average of three to four months. However, some patients find that with repeat injections, they can go longer in between touch-up appointments.
The amount of Botox you’ll need varies depending on your unique needs, goals and facial anatomy. The appropriate dose will also be determined by your age and overall skin quality. However, the typical patient can expect to receive between 10 and 30 units for forehead wrinkles, up to 15 for crow’s feet, and 10 to 25 to erase frown lines. Men often need more Botox than women due to differences in muscle mass and composition.
Botox starts to work immediately once it’s injected beneath the skin, but you won’t notice the results until a few days after your treatment. It takes some time before the weakening effect on treated muscles becomes apparent. Most patients notice improvements begin to appear within a few days and continue to develop for the next two weeks.
There’s no exact right frequency with which you should get Botox injections, but most people come back for touch-up treatments once every four months. Depending on your individual needs and goal, you may want to undergo Botox more or less often to maintain your results. If you’re a long-time Botox user, you may need it even less frequently than others.
Contact our office to schedule a private consultation with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Sanjay K. Sharma, M.D., F.A.C.S.