Botox® therapy is the cosmetic industry’s gold standard for smoothing certain types of wrinkles. Among other restorative procedures, its diverse therapeutic uses have made Botox the most reliable FDA-approved treatment to minimize forehead wrinkles, deep frown lines, crows feet, and other types of wrinkles.
Our highly trained team of experts at Dolce Vida Med Spa in Westport, Trumbull, and Hamden, Connecticut, have given many patients Botox treatments to make their skin smoother. Read on to find out how Botox works and if you’re a candidate for treatment.
What is Botox made from?
Botox is a neurotoxin. Although this may sound dangerous, it’s entirely safe and effective when used professionally in small doses. Botox is made from a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, a naturally occurring substance found in organic matter, such as soil.
When injected, Botox temporarily relaxes the muscle it’s injected into. Scientists began using Botox in the 1980s to treat people suffering from strabismus (crossed eyes).
How does Botox treat wrinkles?
There are two types of wrinkles: static wrinkles and dynamic wrinkles. Static wrinkles, such as sagging skin, occur due to aging and sun damage. Dynamic wrinkles — which is what Botox treats — occur due to years of making repeated facial movements. As time goes by, the muscles underneath your skin can begin to stay in a semicontracted state.
These tightened muscles can then push the skin above them into folds. A Botox injection can disrupt the nerve signals that are causing the muscles to stay contracted. And when the muscles relax, the skin above them can smooth out.
What types of wrinkles can Botox treat?
Botox has had incredible success treating many types of wrinkles, including the following:
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Bunny lines (nose folds)
- Forehead wrinkles
- Chin dimpling
- Marionette lines (vertical lines between the mouth and chin)
- Lipstick lines (vertical lip wrinkles)
You should be able to see the full effects of a Botox treatment after 14 days, and most treatments last an average of 4-5 months. The advantage of this temporary effect is that the injection points can be readjusted for each treatment. This means that changes in facial features over the years can be taken into account with each treatment.
Are Botox treatments painful?
Botox treatments are nearly painless. Your provider at Dolce Vida Med Spa will use a needle so tiny that you won’t even need anesthesia or a topical numbing cream.
Any discomfort you experience should be mild and temporary. Botox facial rejuvenation is a safe, fast, and effective non-surgical procedure that can take years off your face.
Am I a good candidate for Botox?
Most people who want to enhance their appearance by reducing dynamic lines and wrinkles are good candidates. There are a few exceptions, however. If you’re pregnant or nursing or have a neuromuscular disorder, Botox isn’t the right procedure for you. If you fit into one of these categories, we can discuss other aesthetic treatment options.
Botox injections can leave you looking younger, more refreshed, and more alert without having a rigid or unnatural appearance. If you’re ready to take advantage of one of our most requested services, we can give you a thorough evaluation and go over your options. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Dolce Vida Med Spa today.