As we age, it’s common to develop wrinkles like frown lines, crow’s feet, and worry lines. Over-the-counter creams can only do so much; the most effective way to target these issues is to go under the skin. That’s how Botox works and it’s what makes it one of the most powerful and popular anti-aging treatments available. Here at The Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton, FL, we can use this treatment to smooth the skin, diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and giving you a gorgeous, more youthful look.
What Exactly Does Botox Do?
This minimally invasive, FDA-approved treatment corrects wrinkles and deep lines that develop from – and become more pronounced with – repetitive facial movements. These lines are called “dynamic wrinkles”. Treatment works by targeting not the skin, but the muscles underneath it. With time, the acts of frowning, squinting, and other dynamic facial movements cause many prominent wrinkles to form on the face.
But in this treatment, the product is injected directly into the muscles below problem areas on the face. The product relaxes the muscles so that they don’t move. When the muscle activity is reduced, the skin on top smoothens visibly and doesn’t crease with movement. Patients love that they can emote freely and know that wrinkles aren’t forming as they talk and laugh. It’s effective on even very severe wrinkles, such as deep frown lines or worry lines. These gorgeous results last for as long as four months and the treatment itself takes a maximum of half an hour.
What Is Treatment Like?
Before
Prior to your treatment, we’ll ask you to come in for a consultation at our beautiful Bradenton office. This meeting gives us a chance to review your medical history and any medication you might be on to ensure you’re physically in a good condition for treatment. We’ll also talk about your cosmetic goals and make sure that this treatment is the most effective way to help you achieve them. We’ll design a treatment plan tailored to your needs and then you’ll be all set to come back in for your appointment!
On the Day
We’ll ask that you come in with a clean face for your appointment so there’s no risk of any foreign substance interfering with the injections. We perform treatment in-house so that the experience is comfortable and relaxing.
This session can take between ten and thirty minutes, depending on how many areas you’re looking to treat. It will also depend on how deep lines are and even the thickness of your skin tissue. We generally perform between three and five injections in a session to best target and treat the problematic areas. We’ll follow the plan we developed during your consultation, so you’ll know exactly what’s going to happen.
Injections are made into problematic areas. Thanks to the treatment being highly targeted, the product will never affect surrounding areas. It is quick and virtually painless, with some patients asking for a topical numbing treatment to be applied beforehand. Even without numbing cream, the needle is so fine that patients report no discomfort throughout.
Afterward
Unlike many invasive surgical methods of rejuvenating the skin, this treatment requires no downtime following your session. Many of our patients carry on with their days as per usual right after, whether that’s returning to work or carrying out errands. Because we don’t use anesthetic, you can even drive yourself to and from your appointment. You’ll notice changes develop over the next few days, with optimal results becoming apparent after about three days.
Are There Any Steps To Follow After Treatment?
As mentioned above, you won’t need any rest period after your treatment. There are, however, a few guidelines we recommend so that your skin can heal quickly and you can enjoy the best results. Avoiding extreme heat, direct sunlight, and rigorous exercise will protect your sensitive skin from getting damaged. While you can likely return to your normal skincare regime quickly, we may advise against using products with active ingredients like retinol for twenty-four hours or so. We may offer more specific guidelines during your consultation based on your lifestyle or any specific skin concerns.
What Results Can I Expect From This Treatment?
People love how quickly their results develop following treatment. You may even notice your wrinkles diminishing straight away! It takes roughly three days to see the full results, which in comparison to many surgical alternatives is no time at all. This is a world of difference to at-home treatments and creams, which can take months to make any changes to the appearance of wrinkles. Not only that, but they’re usually faint changes that only reduce wrinkles and lines rather than eliminating them entirely.
Your skin with smooth as the muscles underneath them relax. Deep wrinkles will fade away and lines will even out. You’ll also find that regardless of how much you move your face, creases and folds no longer appear. You can say goodbye to crow’s feet when you’re squinting, lines between your eyebrows when you’re frowning, and long horizontal lines when you raise your eyebrows.
Because the treatment is so precise, untreated areas nearby will remain completely unaffected. This helps results look even more natural, so patients can enjoy their privacy. Subtle results mean no one will have to know you underwent treatment unless you want to tell them.
How Long Do Results Last and What Happens When They Fade?
Generally, Botox lasts for between four and five months. After this time, the muscles become active again, and wrinkles reform. Most of our patients loved their results so much that they happily book in what we call a “maintenance” or “touch-up” session.
We can talk about this during your first consultation, or you can call us when you start to notice wrinkles returning. Because it’s such an easy treatment, another appointment slots seamlessly into even the busiest of schedules. It will be very similar to your initial session and just rejuvenate the skin again.
How Does This Treatment Work?
The product used in injections is called Botulinum toxin, also known as Botox. When injected, it blocks the signals between nerves and the muscles nearby. So no matter how much your brain tells muscles to move and contract, without the nerves passing on the message, they won’t. This kind of treatment is called a “neuromodulator”. With relaxed muscles not affecting the skin and causing dynamic wrinkles, patients can enjoy moving and emoting freely.
Can Men Have This Treatment?
People of all genders develop these lines and wrinkles over time. For that reason, this treatment isn’t gendered in any way. It’s designed for anyone experiencing frustrating, stubborn wrinkles. In fact, men often experience the negatives of deep lines even more than women do, as these lines can make them look particularly angry or frustrated.
Doing Botox at Home
Unlike some face masks and peels, this treatment should never be tried at home. Our team has spent years studying and training to be able to professionally and expertly perform this treatment. They have access to the best resources and a state-of-the-art facility here in Bradenton, FL. Even if a person has access to the right products, the person performing the treatment is just as critical in the process.
Trying this at home could be very painful and even lead to lasting damage. At the very least, it won’t achieve optimal results. Not only do the staff at The Plastic Surgery Center know exactly what they’re doing, but their friendly and considerate demeanor will offer you a relaxing and stress-free experience.
Where Can This Treatment Be Applied?
This treatment targets deep lines that form when facial muscles contract, so we can use it on almost any of these wrinkles. That usually ends up being around the eyes, eyebrows, and forehead. We also treat around the mouth a lot.
No matter where you’re experiencing these lines, if they’re bothering you, it’s worth bringing them up with us during your consultation. Dr. Jeffrey Scott and his knowledgeable, attentive team will offer you expert advice about how this treatment can help you, how to manage your expectations when it comes to results, and what might be some good alternatives if it isn’t the right path.
What Are Some Alternative Treatments?
Sometimes, Botox doesn’t target the cosmetic concerns patients have. For example, many people are less troubled by dynamic wrinkles and more worried about sagging skin that’s creating marionette lines around the mouth, hollow cheeks, and a droopier jawline.
These signs of aging are caused by a loss of elasticity in the skin, which stops it from staying plump and lifted. We lose elasticity because of aging, sun exposure, unhealthy lifestyle habits, and even stress. If these are your skin concerns, we highly recommend dermal fillers.
These are injectables with a very similar treatment process, but they aren’t neuromodulators. Instead, they replenish the skin with hyaluronic acid, which plumps it and smooths out lines and folds. They also stimulate the growth of proteins like collagen and elastin, which keep the skin voluminous and supple. They can be very effective on nasolabial folds, the cheeks, and even plumping the lips. Like Botox, they’re quick and painless, producing fast and noticeable results with zero downtime. During your consultation, we can decide which treatment might be a better option for your skin concerns.
Why Should I Choose This Treatment Over Surgery?
Whilst surgery can be an incredible way to combat the signs of aging, it’s a big commitment. Patients are usually required to take time off work to heal, plus they need to organize a ride from their procedure and maybe even care for a few days. Some people are also worried about using anesthetic if they’ve found they have reactions to it.
If you have the time and are interested, however, then we highly recommend it. Procedures like facelifts and eyelid surgeries can refresh the skin in truly dazzling ways, leaving patients looking more youthful and thrilled with their new looks.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
As mentioned above, wrinkles and lines can affect people of any gender. The same goes for skin tone and even age (as long as you’re over eighteen). Dynamic wrinkles are caused by factors beyond age, such as genetics and lifestyle, so if they’re bothering you, come and have a chat.
Pregnant women or people on certain medications may be advised against this treatment. During your consultation, we can decide if you’re ineligible and happily talk through some excellent alternatives that we offer here.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you’ve been unhappy with deep, dynamic wrinkles on your face, you might be a good candidate for Botox. It can do what pharmacy-bought creams can’t and combat these lines from within, so you can enjoy lasting, beautiful results in no time at all. Ready for smoother, younger-looking skin? Visit The Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton, FL, today.
