Aging and wrinkles go together like peanut butter and jelly. As we age, the production of collagen, the protein responsible for supporting the skin, decreases by one percent each year after the age of 20. Throw in sun and environmental damage, and lifestyle choices and your skin can’t win.
How about adding wrinkles that occur from repetitive behaviors such as squinting, laughing, or frowning? Ouch.
Static Vs. Dynamic Wrinkles
That’s the difference between static wrinkles and dynamic wrinkles. Static wrinkles show themselves at all times and are the direct result of sun damage and the natural effects of aging. Dynamic wrinkles, in contrast, are formed by muscle contractions beneath the skin creating a wrinkle on top.
Dynamic wrinkles are the domain of Botox. Botox stops the muscle from contracting, removing or seriously reducing the appearance of the wrinkle on the surface. Since its introduction to the aesthetic industry in 2002, Botox has taken the world by storm. Year in and year out it is far and away the most performed cosmetic procedure the world over.
Why all the success? Botox works.
What’s The Secret Behind Botox?
Botox is actually created from the botulinum toxin, the same bacteria that cause botulism. But decades ago scientists discovered that Botox, when injected in very small amounts, could paralyze a muscle for a certain length of time. Botox became popular for treating involuntary eyelid spasms, certain TMJ symptoms, even migraine headaches.
But it was when the FDA approved Botox for aesthetic use in treating wrinkles in 2002 that the lid blew off.
Botox is called a neuromodulator. When injected into a facial muscle, say the muscle creating crow’s feet, Botox blocks the nerves in the muscle from communicating with the brain. And if the brain never receives a message to contract, it won’t contract. Without the contraction, the wrinkle formed by that muscle disappears or dramatically lessens in appearance. The dynamic wrinkles that Botox bosses around are found on the top third of the face: crow’s feet, the 11s between the brows, and forehead wrinkles.
Botox has no effect on static wrinkles, those wrinkles that are always on display.
What Can Botox Treat?
Botox can be used for many indications, but our practice uses Botox cosmetic for the reduction of wrinkles in the forehead, areas around the brow and eyes.
What To Expect During Botox Treatment?
Botox is delivered with a very small needle, injected directly into only the muscles responsible for creating the wrinkle. A Botox session with Dr. Ferraro takes just a few minutes and you can return to work immediately afterward. It’s important to not rub the injected sites for 12 hours after your injections because that can move the Botox into unwanted adjacent muscles. Otherwise, there may be some slight redness or bruising at the injection locations, but that’s it.
What Results Should I Expect?
Unlike dermal fillers such as Juvederm, your Botox results are not immediate. It generally takes from three to seven days after your injections for Botox to fully block the muscle contractions. It will continue doing so for four to six months. At that point, your body absorbs the now-harmless Botox and the muscle activity will gradually return and along with it the wrinkles. When that happens, it’s time to schedule another Botox session to maintain your results. Research has shown, however, that after repeated Botox treatments, the targeted muscles tend to relax and not contract as aggressively.
Botox Before And After
Information About Juvederm
What Our Patients Have To Say
“I will never trust anyone one else with Botox and Fillers . Dr Ferraro is truly a master of his craft. Never again will I put my face in the hands of anyone but Dr Ferraro. If you truly want beautiful natural results performed by a Real Plastic Surgeon look no further. Thank you , Dr Ferraro for always taking the time to explain everything your doing and making me beautiful. Beyond happy !”
Dr. Ferraro Answers Patient Questions On Botox
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