Frown lines and fine lines on the forehead can distract from your beauty every time you look in the mirror. But while these lines are signs of the natural aging process, you should know that there are easy ways to smooth the appearance of wrinkles. At DrYoungForever in San Antonio, TX, we know that Botox is an easy, safe, and effective way to treat fine lines and pronounced wrinkles for most patients.
Botox is an injectable treatment formulated with purified botulinum toxin. The essential principle of this treatment is the way neurotoxins like botulinum toxin interact with the neurons in the body. Specifically, when this neurotoxin is injected into the muscles, it interferes with the communication of the neurotransmitters that control muscle movements. When muscles are no longer tense in the face, the appearance of wrinkles smooth out and disappear.
As for your treatment itself, an injectable treatment such as this one is considered minimally invasive and can be completed in as little as 30 minutes for most patients. During your treatment, a topical numbing cream will be applied to the surface of your skin to ensure your comfort during the treatment. One of our skilled skin experts will then make several small injections on targeted areas of your skin until your aesthetic goals have been reached.
Yes, this treatment is considered safe for most people. If you have never used a neurotoxin treatment before, then you may be asked to complete a simple allergy test to verify that this treatment is a good option for you. Allergy tests can be completed within as little as 20 minutes. Botox has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of wrinkles for several years and has proved to be an effective anti-aging option for the vast majority of users.
Perhaps even more importantly, this treatment is also considered safe for the skin. There are virtually zero risks of scarring associated with the injections used to complete this treatment. Because we use a very thin, small needle to perform your treatment, patients can benefit from improving the appearance of the skin without leaving permanent marks on the skin surface.
Frankly, there is no “perfect” age to have a treatment like Botox. When it comes to injectable treatments, the general rule is that you should have these treatments when you aren’t satisfied with the appearance of your skin or you have specific concerns related to aging. For many people, this can mean waiting until the signs of aging are particularly visible, such as between the ages of 40 and 50.
That said, there are plenty of patients who view this neurotoxin injectable as a preventative treatment. Many people in their 30s use this treatment on the very first visible signs of aging, such as newly emerging fine lines between the brows. By using this treatment while the signs of aging are still relatively minor, it’s possible to slow the natural aging process by preventing wrinkles from worsening over time as you age.
Traditionally, this neurotoxin treatment is used on the upper face to treat fine lines and wrinkles, and so this is the area of the face that most people treat when they seek this injectable. However, recent years have seen this injectable being used in novel ways to relax the appearance of wrinkles all over the face. Some common areas of treatment include:
Your provider will go over all the areas of the face where you may benefit from this treatment. It’s common to use this injectable as an anti-aging treatment for many areas of the face at once time. It’s also common to combine this neurotoxin with other injectable treatments, such as dermal fillers, to address different types of visible aging signs.
An injectable treatment like this one is considered a “lunchtime” appointment that can be completed in under an hour. Because this is a simple in-office appointment, you will be able to have your treatment and return back to work or your other daily activities.
Many patients share the misconception that this neurotoxin treatment will prevent any sensation and movement of the face, but this is not true. You will still be able to feel your face and make muted natural facial expressions after your treatment.
This is because the neurotoxin used for this treatment only interferes with the function of motor neurotransmitters, which are different from the neurotransmitters that communicate sensation to the brain. Your face will not feel numb after this treatment, aside from the topical numbing cream used to perform the treatment.
The amount of Botox that you will need for your treatment will depend on your exact aesthetic requirements. For example, if you are treating multiple areas of the face, then you will likely require more neurotoxin than someone who is only treating one area of the face. Likewise, the severity of your aging concerns will determine how much neurotoxin is required to achieve optimal results.
People who have mild to moderate wrinkles may only need 50 to 100 units of neurotoxin to smooth the appearance of wrinkles on the forehead. Those who have moderate to severe wrinkles may require up to 200 units, which is the equivalent of two vials, to complete their treatment. Typically, your provider will err on the “less is more” side since the goal of this treatment is to provide anti-aging results with natural-looking results.
Unlike other cosmetic treatments, neurotoxin injectables always carry the possibility of developing a tolerance. Tolerance is what happens when the body’s immune system learns to recognize and block the stabilizing protein that is in the purified botulinum toxin injectable. It’s possible for those who have had several consecutive treatments for several years.
That said, it is possible to prevent developing a tolerance if your treatments alternate with another neurotoxin. For example, many patients use Dysport every other treatment to enjoy continuous results without developing a tolerance.
Because it will take some time for the neurotoxin formula to “settle” in your skin, it will require several days to a week for you to see the full effects of your treatment. Your initial results will include the appearance of your wrinkles gradually becoming smoother. As the neurotoxin continues to work, your results will improve and you will be able to see the full results of your treatment within 10 to 14 days.
You should expect the results of your treatment to last for about three to five months at a time. Sometimes, the longevity of your treatment will depend on how many neurotoxin treatments you have had before and sometimes even your age. For example, those who have never had a neurotoxin treatment may only see results for three months, while those who regularly have treatments will be able to enjoy results that can last five months or longer.
Your age is another factor because it concerns how quickly your body’s natural metabolism will try to process the botulinum toxin, as well as how much neurotoxin is required to produce your aesthetic goals.
Maintaining your results is usually a matter of how well you take care of your skin and your health between your appointments. There are several factors that can contribute to results lasting longer than anticipated. For example, wearing SPF during the day will help protect the neurotoxin in your skin from prematurely breaking down due to UV ray exposure. Proper SPF will also prevent further visible signs of aging from developing.
Other important factors include keeping your stress down, as the stress hormone called cortisol is known to cause premature aging. You should also factor in your lifestyle habits, such as how often and how vigorously you exercise since this can also impact how quickly your body metabolizes the treatment.
Of course, one of the other things you can do to maintain your results is to maintain good skincare habits, such as using the right skincare products every day. Using quality skincare products aimed at preventing signs of aging can support the results of your treatment. By using the right skincare products, you can prevent further visible signs of aging.
For example, products containing collagen, retinoids, and hyaluronic acid can all help the skin produce its own collagen and fill in any areas of the skin where fine lines are forming. Between your treatments, using skincare products containing these ingredients can help your results look better.
If your results seem to be lasting longer than the estimated timeframe of three to five months, then you may have to play your next treatment appointment by ear. The results of your treatment will fade gradually over the course of several weeks, so if you are experiencing longer-than-average results then you will need to wait until new wrinkles to appear to have additional treatments. It’s common to use follow-up appointments to estimate how soon you will need another treatment so you can benefit from the best possible continuous results.
In general, most people schedule additional appointments for this treatment at least three to four times a year. Depending on how long your results last for each treatment, you will be able to schedule regular maintenance appointments to enjoy seamless anti-aging results. An appointment every three to five months is usually sufficient.
Botox treatments are generally good choices for those who have moderate to severe facial wrinkles, particularly on the upper face. However, this treatment can also be used by younger patients or those who have mild signs of aging. This treatment is especially appropriate for those who have deep facial wrinkles that have not been resolved by other cosmetic treatments, such as dermal fillers. You are likely a good candidate if you are not allergic to the injectable formula and you are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
Don’t let wrinkles on your forehead be the thing that brings down your self-confidence. With the right injectable treatment, you can smooth the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles in as little as 30 minutes. Contact DrYoungForever in San Antonio, TX to schedule your first appointment today.
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