With millions of treatments given every year, Botox® continues to be the go-to approach to reduce the common signs of aging in the upper face. Here’s a comprehensive guide to all of the common questions about this amazing anti-aging treatment.
Why Is Botox so Effective?
The secret behind the benefits of Botox is that it stops what causes lines and wrinkles in the upper face to appear. Injections work to subdue the repetitive muscle activity that leads to moderate to severe lines and wrinkles in the brow, crow’s feet, and forehead. By controlling muscle contractions, the overlaying skin will be temporarily relieved of those tell-tale signs of aging.
But Will My Face Look “Frozen” After Treatment?
This is probably the most frequently asked question we get when it comes to this remarkable wrinkle-reducer. There’s a common misconception out there that Botox injections will zap your face of its natural motions, leaving you frozen and expressionless. But like most urban myths out there, there’s little basis in fact. In reality, when in the hands of a qualified and experienced injector like Dr. Robinson, precise Botox injections will work to extinguish those lines and wrinkles, all while leaving you with plenty of muscle movement in your upper facial areas to look and function normally. You’ll still have all of your unique facial characteristics and you’ll be able to express whatever emotion you’re feeling, you’ll just look younger while doing it!
Are There Any Side Effects?
Side effects from Botox injections are minimal. Patients may see a little bruising, bleeding, pain, redness, or swelling at the site where the solution was delivered. Fortunately, those after effects typically subside pretty quickly following treatment. While much more rare, there are some other side effects that were seen in clinical trials. Three percent of Botox patients experienced eyelid drooping after injection into the brow, and just one percent of patients saw some eyelid swelling when used to address the crow’s feet. Other potential negative effects like dry mouth, fatigue, headache, neck pain, ocular issues, muscle weakness, and allergic reactions can occur.
As an added precaution, you should be aware that certain medications can adversely interact with Botox, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. That why it’s extremely important that you discuss with Dr. Robinson all of the medicines and treatments you use before your procedure to ensure a positive and healthy Botox experience.
Can Botox Be Used on Any Facial Wrinkle?
While Botox can work wonders on fine lines, wrinkles, and creases in the upper face region, unfortunately it doesn’t have the same effect on other areas of the face where you may be noticing the signs of aging setting in. That’s because what’s causing wrinkles and folds to appear in the mid and lower face isn’t the same underlying muscle activity, but skin laxity and a loss in dermal volume. That’s where soft tissue fillers like Juvéderm Voluma® and Juvéderm XC come in to play.
Can Botox Be Combined with Another Procedure?
Yes! Botox injections are a great complement to a wide variety of the other skincare services we offer. There’s no need to worry about another anti-aging procedure affecting your Botox treatments. You can improve the quality of your skin with a Collagen P.I.N. microneedling procedure or a chemical peel. And Botox can also be a great tool to extend the results of a surgical procedure like a brow lift or eyelid surgery.
Reverse the Signs of Facial Aging with Botox at Indiana Plastic Surgery
Botox can work wonders for an aging appearance. If you’d like to find out more about this remarkable wrinkle-fighter, please contact us to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Robinson at Indiana Plastic Surgery.