Botox treatment
botox Treatment in South Pasadena, CA
Treatments
Practice Note: How We Inject With Botox
*Important note about our Botox treatments. We DO NOT OVER INJECT or aim to “freeze” the face. We utilize Botox conservatively so that there is some movement in the face so that the treatment appears natural.
Botox Wrinkle Treatment: A Comprehensive Guide
As you grow older, your skin becomes thin and makes less collagen. As a result, fine lines and wrinkles develop on the forehead, cheeks, and around the eyes and mouth. These skin creases and folds can make you look old and tired.
One of the most popular treatments for facial wrinkles is Botox. It is a safe and effective, FDA-approved office treatment for wrinkles with no downtime. More than 7 million Americans get Botox injections every year. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Botox wrinkle treatment, one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures worldwide. Find out how Botox can turn back the clock and restore a more youthful appearance to your face.
What is Botox?
Botox is the brand name for a substance called botulinum toxin type A or onabotulinumtoxinA. This substance is produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. These bacteria temporarily paralyze the facial muscles, preventing the facial muscles from contracting and thus improving fine lines and wrinkles. Think of your wrinkles as a fold on a cardboard box. The more you fold, the deeper the line goes. When your muscles are given Botox, or a “vacation”, collagen has a chance to settle into the wrinkle, improving appearance.
How does Botox work?
Crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes and frown lines on the forehead are dynamic wrinkles. They develop due to repeated facial muscle movements. Botox works by temporarily blocking the nerve signals from these muscles and paralyzing them. The relaxation of these facial muscles leads to a smoothing of wrinkles. Botox also slows the formation of more lines and creases by preventing the contraction of facial muscles.
What parts of your face can you get Botox?
- The glabellar area (between the eyebrows) where frown lines commonly develop.
- The area at the corners of the eyes to treat fine lines called crow’s feet.
What to expect when you get Botox? Is Botox painful?
Botox treatment for facial rejuvenation is a non-surgical, minimally-invasive, office treatment that can usually be completed in less than half an hour. No anesthesia is required and there are no incisions or cuts.
There is minimal preparation before Botox. We ask that you temporarily stop taking certain medications such as blood thinners or NSAIDs before your Botox appointment because they can increase the risk of bleeding.
Botox injections are performed with fine needles and are not painful. You will need 3-5 injections in the forehead and eye area. To reduce discomfort, Dr. Shieh may use a topical anesthetic (numbing cream) or ice in the treatment area.
You can go home immediately after your Botox treatment and resume all normal activities. There is no downtime after Botox. However, you will need to avoid rubbing or massaging the area for 24 hours (this can spread the Botox to the surrounding areas and cause problems). You may also need to avoid lying down or bending for a few hours for the same reason.
How long do Botox results last?
There will be immediate improvement in your facial wrinkles after Botox (within 1-2 days). The effect of Botox lasts 3-6 months. Most patients need 3-4 Botox treatments each year to maintain the results.
What are the negative effects of Botox?
There may be some minor redness and discomfort in the treated area for a couple of days. This does not require any specific treatment and goes away on its own.
More serious side effects of Botox injections include headache, flu-like symptoms, double vision, dry eyes, excessive tearing, neck pain, crooked smile, and drooping eyelid. An allergic reaction to botulinum toxin can potentially occur with symptoms such as rash, itching, or difficulty breathing.
These side effects are rare. If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, you should get in touch with us right away. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are generally advised to delay Botox treatments.
How much does Botox cost?
The cost of Botox injections will depend on the severity of your facial wrinkles and the size of the treatment area. On average, Botox treatment costs $350-$400.
Top 5 Botox Myths
Myth: Botox injections are painful
Most patients say Botox injections “barely hurt” and describe the treatment as a slight sting at the injection site. The expertise of the provider at Rejuva Medical will help make Botox even less painful.
Myth: Botox treats all wrinkles
Botox only treats dynamic wrinkles caused by facial muscle contraction. Dynamic wrinkles mostly develop on the forehead and around the eyes from years of smiling and frowning. Static wrinkles, which are caused by loss of volume, cannot be treated with Botox (other treatments like dermal fillers can improve the appearance of static wrinkles).
Myth: You can get cheap Botox at spas
Botox treatments can be cheaper in non-medical settings like spas, but the providers at these locations may not be trained in performing facial injections. Also, sterile conditions may not be maintained, increasing the risk of complications.
Myth: Botox can ruin your face
Botox will not ruin your face. It does not make wrinkles worse. However, Botox wears off over time and your wrinkles can slowly return. Repeat Botox injections can help you maintain younger-looking skin.
Myth: Botox will freeze your face
Botox limits the movement of only a few carefully selected facial muscles. All the other muscles in the face continue to move normally. At Rejuva Medical, we believe in utilizing Botox responsibly, so that there is some movement in the treated areas and the results look natural. A frozen face occurs only when you over-inject Botox. Our conservative approach to Botox means you will be able to smile, laugh, frown, and look surprised as naturally as before treatment.
Are Botox treatments right for me?
If you are currently dealing with visible signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, Botox is a fast, convenient, and safe solution. Not sure if you are a good candidate for Botox? At Rejuva Medical, we offer a free skin evaluation to determine if Botox is right for you. Our evaluation includes a free Visia Skin Analysis ($150 value) and we will be happy to answer any questions you have about Botox or other cosmetic treatments.
Call us or fill out the form below to set up your FREE skin evaluation.
