FINAL RESULTS: 7 DAYS
Did you know that the upper one-third of your face—the eyes and forehead—has the most impact on how others perceive your mood? If you’re plagued by frown lines, crow’s feet or brow furrows that make you look constantly angry, frustrated, or tired, even when you’re feeling fine, it’s likely that you do. Fortunately, there’s a safe, effective, and downtime-free solution.
BOTOX Cosmetic is an extremely popular, safe treatment to soften expression lines and restore a smoother, more refreshed appearance to your eyes and forehead. Injections take only about 15 minutes to perform, and results are visible within days.
BOTOX is a medication called a neurotoxin. Unlike a dermal filler, which sits physically beneath the skin to restore volume, BOTOX is injected directly into specific facial muscles. The active ingredient, onabotulinumtoxinA, blocks nerve impulses from reaching these muscles, causing them to relax. This essentially stops the habitual squinting or “scrunching” contractions that lead to expression lines between the eyebrows, outside the eyes, and along the forehead.
BOTOX Cosmetic is FDA approved to treat glabellar lines (frown lines or “elevens”) and peri-orbital lines (crow’s feet). It’s also an excellent treatment to achieve the following:
Before & after BOTOX® Cosmetic. Photos courtesy of Allergan, inc.
Dr. Chen and our highly experienced medical team perform BOTOX injections during an in-office appointment. After reviewing your treatment goals, your provider will cleanse the injection areas and give you a topical numbing agent to enhance comfort during the injections. The precise amount of BOTOX is reconstituted just before treatment for maximum effectiveness.
The number of injections required depends on your unique anatomy and the location of treatment. Most patients report feeling a brief pinching sensation during treatment. The entire process is finished within about 15 minutes. Following treatment, you can return to most daily activities, although Dr. Chen may advise you to skip a more strenuous workout that day.
Typically, BOTOX begins to take effect about 48 to 72 hours after treatment. Results continue to improve over several days, and are in full effect within 10 to 14 days after treatment. Results last 3 to 4 months on average.
Many people are hesitant to try BOTOX because they fear the “frozen face” effect. You can avoid this by choosing a skilled, experienced BOTOX provider who has a thorough knowledge of facial anatomy. When injected into the precise muscle points, in the correct dose, BOTOX achieves remarkably natural results—bothersome wrinkles are greatly reduced, but you’ll be able to make all your normal facial expressions. The only difference is that you won’t be subconsciously making those expressions when your face is relaxed.