What Issues Can You Treat With Botox?
When we get older, we expect to develop wrinkles and lines around the face. But just because these signs of aging are common, doesn’t mean they’re welcome. In fact, they can be a huge hit to a person’s confidence and sense of self. But with Botox, you can smooth out the skin and achieve a gorgeous, youthful glow with just a few simple injections! Our highly skilled team here at O’Donnell Vein & Laser in Annapolis, MD, are excited to help you achieve your dream skin.
What Issues Can You Treat With Botox?
Botox is used to treat “dynamic wrinkles”, which are the wrinkles and lines that develop over time from repeated facial movements. For example, crow’s feet around the eyes, horizontal lines across the forehead, the “eleven”-shaped lines between the eyebrows, smiles lines, the lines that run from the nostrils to the corners of the mouth, and bunny ears at the top of the nose. It’s not just cosmetic; this treatment can also be used to treat lazy eyes, muscle spasms, migraines, and excessive sweating.
Dynamic wrinkles become more pronounced when a person moves their face. For this reason, many people try to limit how much they emote, so as not to further define these wrinkles; they might stop themselves from laughing too hard or squinting too much. But this treatment stops these wrinkles from appearing, no matter how you move your face. We love that this treatment lets people relax and not worry about the facial expressions they’re making, which can be a tedious thing to spend all day worrying about.
How Does Treatment Work?
This treatment is a “neuromodulator”, meaning it targets nerves. The product used is made of an ingredient called Botulinum toxin, which when injected into the skin blocks the communication between the nerves and the surrounding muscles. When the nerves can’t tell the muscles to contract, they relax, even as you laugh, smile, frown, or whatever else. Product is only injected into the specific treatment area, so the surrounding parts of the face remain unaffected, moving as per usual and giving patients a natural-looking result.
Is This Treatment Safe?
Botox has been approved by the FDA since 1985 and, in 2020, was used by more than 4 million Americans. This enduring popularity gives patients a sense of security, even if it’s their first time using it. Our expert team is highly trained in administering this treatment, so you can trust that you’re in the best hands possible. We’ll also provide you with steps to follow after your treatment so you minimize any risk of bruising or swelling.
What Should I Expect Out of Treatment?
Before
Your first step will be to come in for a consultation with a member of our team. Here, you can tell us what exactly your skin concerns are, and what you’re hoping to get out of treatment. We can make sure this treatment will be a good fit for you, and that you’re a suitable candidate based on your medical history. If we’re satisfied with everything, we’ll design you a treatment plan that’s tailored to your specific concerns, including how much product we’ll use and exactly where the injections will be made.
On the Day
Treatment is performed in-office here in Annapolis. Patients should come in with a clean face so no foreign substances can touch the needle. We’ll first apply a numbing cream to the treatment areas and wait for that to take effect. Once you’re feeling comfortable, we’ll make the injections with the super-fine needle, which many patients report they can’t even feel thanks to the cream. The process is very straightforward and only takes a few minutes total, after which time you’re free to go!
Afterward
Unlike surgeries such as a facelift, there’s no downtime required following treatment. Patients can get back to work or errand-running immediately, even driving themselves to and from the appointment. In the hours after treatment, we encourage patients to avoid aspirin and other blood-thinners that could lead to bruising, plus they should stay away from high temperatures and intense exercise. But these adjustments are minor and short-term, as regular life can resume after a few days.
When Will I Be Able To See Results?
Results develop in the days following your appointment, with optimal results appearing after about two weeks for most patients. Some people see changes in as little as seventy-two hours, when they may notice lines becoming slightly less prominent, but it takes a bit longer for the Botulinum toxin to properly settle into the body. By the two-week mark, you should be able to move your face without creating creases in the targeted areas.
What Kind of Results Should I Expect?
This kind of treatment is perfect for those who want to rediscover their natural beauty, rather than restructure their entire face. Patients look like a more refreshed, rejuvenated version of themselves, maintaining their face shape and looks but enjoying smoother, more youthful-looking skin. Unlike more intense procedures like rhinoplasty or a facelift, this is the kind of natural-looking treatment that yields subtle results and affords you privacy; nobody has to know you underwent treatment unless they decide to tell you.
How Long Will the Results Last?
The gorgeous effects of this treatment last for up to six months, but for some patients, they notice the results fading after about four months. When this happens, you’ll start to see creases appearing in the treated areas once more. Luckily, this treatment can be performed again and again, so if you were in love with your results, you can simply come back in for a maintenance session! It will be as quick and easy as the first and get you the same gorgeous look.
Who Is a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
Candidates must be over the age of 18 and not pregnant or breastfeeding to undergo this treatment. Certain medications and medical conditions may render some people ineligible for treatment. Beyond this, we encourage anyone struggling with dynamic wrinkles to reach out for a consultation. These aesthetic concerns can affect anyone, regardless of gender or skin tone, so we don’t believe there’s one right kind of candidate who is more suited to treatment.
During your consultation, we may conclude that your wrinkles aren’t caused by repeated facial movements. So many factors can contribute to the development of wrinkles, including lifestyle habits like drinking and smoking, weight fluctuation, sun damage, genetics, and even air pollution. If this is the case, Botox may not be an effective way of treating your concerns. Luckily, we offer an impressive suite of cosmetic treatments here at O’Donnell Vein & Laser and will be happy to suggest some other options for you.
What Are Some Alternatives to This Treatment?
Dermal Fillers
If we determine that your wrinkles haven’t been caused by muscle movements, but rather aging skin that’s lost its volume and elasticity, we may recommend dermal fillers. These are still injections, but rather than targeting the nerves, they’re sent straight to the skin to replenish it with volume. Creases and hollow areas are filled out, sagging skin is lifted, and the result is a much more youthful, supple look. They can also be used as lip fillers for thin lips.
Microneedling
Another great way to rejuvenate the skin is microneedling, which involves applying a series of tiny needles to the skin’s surface to create very small, deliberate injuries. The body gets to work healing these injuries, producing new skin cells and creating new collagen; the protein that keeps the skin supple and lifted. Because it uses the body’s healing processes, the results are incredibly natural-looking. It’s perfect for those who want to look refreshed and brighter without changing their faces too much.
Laser Skin Rejuvenation
If you’d prefer to stay away from needles altogether, then you might be interested in laser skin rejuvenation. This treatment involves sending pulses of light to the skin’s surface, which stimulates the production of collagen. It’s not only an excellent tool for diminishing wrinkles and lines, but can also be used to combat freckles, acne scars, rosacea, enlarged pores, and signs of sun damage. It can be performed not just on the face, but the chest, neck, and arms too!
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you’re done feeling like you don’t recognize the person looking back at you in the mirror, Botox may be the solution for you. Patients can enjoy softer, more supple skin that doesn’t crease when they emote, instilling them with renewed confidence. If you’re ready to learn more about this incredible treatment, we’re ready to help. Call us today at O’Donnell Vein & Laser in Annapolis, MD.
