Experts estimate that around 11 million people have been treated with Botox around the world. This makes it the most popular non-invasive cosmetic treatment. At Peachtree Dermatology in Atlanta, GA, we help patients achieve their esthetic goals and maintain their youthful looks. Read on to find out more about how neuromodulators work and what results you can expect.
How Long Does It Take for Botox to Work?
Botulinum toxin injections work by immobilizing your muscles and stopping them from creating certain facial expressions that cause wrinkles. When you walk out of the clinic, you might feel that your skin is a little tighter and your treatment area has become firmer. However, it takes a few days for the injectable to settle into your skin and start to stall your muscles’ movement.
Most patients notice the first results two to four days after their session, but the final outcome can’t be seen until ten to fourteen days have passed. To make sure you get the results you desire, follow all our instructions, and protect your injection sites from direct sunlight and harsh chemicals.
How Long Do the Results Last?
Because your body absorbs and excretes botulinum toxin over time, your results will fade, and you’ll need to return to the clinic for maintenance treatment. Usually, patients notice increased movement in their muscles three or four months after their injections.
At that time, you’ll book another session with us. Since every appointment is short, and you don’t have to spend a lot of time recovering from treatment, having three or four appointments a year is manageable for almost everyone: even those people with very busy schedules.
How to Improve Your Results
The patients who experience the most consistent and long-lasting results are those who lead a healthy lifestyle and avoid substances and activities that speed up the aging process. Before starting the injections, we’ll speak to you about your lifestyle to make sure you understand how you can support treatment with your lifestyle choices.
We advise all our patients to drink moderate amounts of alcohol only, quit smoking, drink a lot of water every day, and eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of nutrients. Exercising regularly is equally important since it keeps your body strong and in good shape. If you’re under a lot of pressure, consider what lifestyle changes you need to make to reduce your stress levels. Studies have shown that chronic stress accelerates the aging process.
When Is the Best Time to Start Injections?
Many people have their first neuromodulator injections in their late 20s, 30s, or early 40s. At that time, the first signs of aging start to appear, but the skin is still firm, and only a small amount of injectable is needed. Getting botulinum toxin early prevents the wrinkles from forming in the first place because you won’t create the facial expressions that are responsible for them.
However, that doesn’t mean people in their late 40s and beyond aren’t eligible. Come to speak to us, even if you’ve never had treatment. We’ll analyze your facial features and let you know whether neuromodulators are right for you. You might need to combine this method with our other minimally invasive treatments for the best results.
Will I Become Immune?
Sometimes, patients are worried about starting treatment early because they believe that they will become immune to botulinum toxin. While there is a slight possibility of this happening, it isn’t a concern for most patients.
In fact, only around 1.5% of people experience any issues with immunity, and as few as 1 in 1,000 are truly immune to the active ingredient. If you’re still in your late 20s or early 30s, and you’d like to enhance the appearance of your face and prevent wrinkles, don’t hesitate to get treated.
What Does the Treatment Feel Like?
Treatment doesn’t usually hurt because we numb your face before injecting the neuromodulator. When you arrive at the clinic, we’ll start by making sure your face is washed and free of make-up. Then, we’ll apply a topical numbing cream that reduces the sensation in your treatment area. This might take a few minutes to start working. We’ll spend this time marking your injection sites.
Once you can no longer feel your face, we’ll inject the botulinum toxin. On average, around 40-50 units are used in a session, but it all depends on your cosmetic concerns and what results you’re looking for. If you’d like to go for a subtle change, or your signs of aging are still minor, you might need a lot less than this. After we’ve completed the injections, you’ll wash and dry your face, and then you’re ready to leave the clinic and resume your regular activities.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Almost everyone who is worried about the negative effects of aging can take part in Botox injections. You’re a good candidate if you have dynamic wrinkles that disappear when your facial expression is neutral, you don’t have any major health concerns, and you’re interested in a simple yet effective treatment that doesn’t involve surgery.
You Have Dynamic Wrinkles
There are two kinds of wrinkles. Dynamic ones form when you make a certain facial expression, but they disappear when your face is neutral. Static wrinkles are always present, even when you’re not moving the muscles in your face. Neuromodulators are the perfect treatment for people who suffer from dynamic wrinkles because they immobilize the muscles and therefore prevent the formation of lines.
However, this treatment isn’t very good at addressing wrinkles that have become static. If you have both kinds, you might need to have dermal fillers as well as neuromodulator injections to get your smooth, youthful look back.
You Are in Good General Health
Before we approve you for treatment, we’ll invite you to an initial consultation. Bring your health records, information about past treatments, information about your allergies, and the names of any medications you take to this meeting. That way, we can make sure that treatment will be safe for you and that you aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients of the injectable.
While almost everyone is eligible, people who have muscle weakness, problems with their immune system, or a severe disease like cancer might not be great candidates. If you’re in doubt, speak to your healthcare provider before reaching out to us. Your doctor can tell you whether botulinum toxin is safe for you.
You Would Like a Minimally Invasive Treatment
Patients often believe that they have to get invasive surgery to prevent wrinkles, sagging skin, and a loss of volume in the face. But this isn’t always the case, and minimally invasive treatments like neuromodulators can be just as effective as a face lift, especially if treatment is started early and the patient attends all their maintenance appointments.
If you’re not eligible for surgery, or you don’t have the time to take several weeks off work, injectable treatment is perfect for you. You simply come to the clinic, get treated, and leave right away. Many of our patients take the rest of the day off, but some even go back to work straight away. This quick recovery time makes botulinum toxin injections perfect for busy professionals.
What Are My Other Options?
Sometimes, neuromodulators aren’t the right treatment, or they aren’t enough to give patients the results they desire. In this case, we’ll explore other options. Dermal fillers are a great solution for people with static wrinkles or those who’ve lost volume in their cheeks. These injectables are very similar to botulinum toxin, but they contain a different substance, usually hyaluronic acid.
Fillers don’t immobilize your muscles, but they provide additional volume and hydrate your tissues. As a result, your naturally smooth features are restored, and your cheeks regain their plump appearance. Fillers can also be used on the lips, so you’ll finally achieve the pout you’ve always dreamed of. Because there are many formulas, almost every patient can find a filler to suit their individual needs.
Stop the Aging Process in Its Tracks with Injectables
Botox is the perfect treatment for people who would like quick, reliable results without having to undergo surgery. On average, patients come to the clinic three or four times a year, but since each treatment only takes a few minutes, it’s easy to fit into busy schedules. Call us at Peachtree Dermatology in Atlanta, GA, and schedule an initial consultation. We’ll evaluate your cosmetic concerns and help you find the best injectable.
