BOTOX cosmetic treatments are popular around the world because they are simple, effective, and quick. The active ingredient immobilizes the muscles in the treatment site and stops the patient from creating facial movements that ultimately lead to wrinkles. Because this effect wears off over time, most people get treated several times a year. At Peachtree Dermatology in Atlanta, GA, we create an individualized treatment plan for each of our patients.
How Often Can You Get BOTOX Cosmetic Treatments?
The active ingredient in BOTOX is called botulinum toxin. Over time, it gets absorbed and excreted by the body, so the effects of this treatment fade. Most patients experience excellent results for three or four months at a time, so they come to the clinic multiple times each year. However, those who take excellent care of their bodies, have a naturally slow metabolism, and have very subtle signs of aging sometimes only need two annual appointments.
Long-distance runners or cyclists, who typically have a fast metabolism, might require one BOTOX session every two months. It’s best not to have more frequent treatments because the body needs time to absorb the botulinum toxin. The risk of immunity is very low unless patients get too much BOTOX or come to the clinic too often.
When Should You Start Coming to the Clinic?
Some people start getting BOTOX injections in their early 20s, while others don’t come to the clinic until they are in their 50s. People who want to augment their lips or prevent the first signs of aging often see us before their 30th birthdays. BOTOX is one of the best ways of preventing wrinkles because it stops patients from creating expressions that eventually lead to lines in the face.
Although we recommend that patients have their first injections in their 30s and 40s, it’s never too late to get started. BOTOX can enhance a patient’s appearance at any age. Because the treatment is nonsurgical, it’s appropriate for a wide range of people, even those who are no longer in excellent health. The best way to find out more is to come to the clinic and ask for a personalized skin evaluation.
Is Immunity an Issue?
Some people delay treatment because they think that they will become immune to the effects of BOTOX if they start getting injections too early. However, this isn’t a good strategy for most patients because the signs of aging are easier to treat when they are still subtle. Botulinum toxin immobilizes the muscles and therefore stops the formation of wrinkles.
That’s why it works best as a preventative treatment, but it’s less effective in patients who have severe wrinkles and lines. Immunity is very rare, affecting less than 2% of long-term patients. If you’re unlucky and your body starts to develop antibodies to BOTOX, we can offer you several alternatives. Dysport is a similar treatment, but the active ingredient contains different proteins, so it’s harder for the body to become immune.
What Does BOTOX Treat?
Most people think that BOTOX is just a wrinkle treatment. While addressing fine lines and wrinkles is one of the main jobs of this cosmetic injection, it isn’t the only one. Aside from getting rid of the signs of aging, BOTOX also plumps up the lips. It is a great alternative to lip fillers for patients who would like noticeable, but natural-looking results.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
As we grow older, our bodies stop producing large quantities of the structural proteins elastin and collagen. By the time patients reach their 30s or 40s, they start to notice lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. This can be very distressing, and many people become self-conscious about their appearance. BOTOX is a great treatment for the dynamic wrinkles that form when patients make certain facial expressions.
The active ingredient immobilizes the muscles and prevents them from creating certain shapes. When applied by a skillful professional, BOTOX doesn’t look unnatural or prevent the patient from expressing their emotions. It simply relaxes the tissues and helps patients to look more youthful. Botulinum toxin can be injected into many parts of the face. Some popular treatment areas are the forehead, the space between the eyebrows, and the temples.
Lip-Related Concerns
The lips define the appearance of the lower face, and they are one of the most prominent facial features. Plump lips are often considered youthful and attractive. If you have thin or unevenly shaped lips, you might feel self-conscious or concerned about your appearance. Fortunately, several minimally invasive treatments can improve the shape and size of the lips.
BOTOX is a great choice for people who would like a minor or moderate correction. When injected into the area around the mouth, botulinum toxin relaxes the muscles. This makes the lips fold outwards and appear bigger and plumper than before. Patients of all ages come to the clinic for lip augmentation. Although this cosmetic concern is sometimes related to age, it is often genetic, so people start getting treated in their 20s.
Why BOTOX?
Nowadays, there are dozens of minimally invasive cosmetic treatments available. So, why do millions of people still choose BOTOX cosmetic injections? The answer is that botulinum toxin is one of the most effective rejuvenation methods. It can address wrinkles and fine lines in almost every area of the face, and most patients experience excellent results.
Each appointment only takes a few minutes, so patients don’t need to spend hours waiting at the clinic. Because BOTOX doesn’t require a long recovery time, the sessions can be booked in the middle of a workday. Patients can return to their regular activities almost straight away. This makes the injections suitable for people with very busy schedules and those who can’t take any time off.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
As mentioned, patients don’t have to be in perfect health to take part in BOTOX injections. Those with minor health issues or allergies are still eligible, as long as their primary physicians agree that botulinum toxin is safe for them. Many people get BOTOX for several decades. They might start in their 30s or 40s and keep coming to the clinic until they are 70 or older.
To make sure you’re a good candidate, we’ll ask you to attend an initial consultation, during which we discuss your cosmetic concerns, health history, allergies, and desired outcome. Then, we’ll create a treatment plan that helps you achieve your goals. In addition to BOTOX, you might need other treatments, like dermal fillers. We might also recommend skincare products that intensify your results.
What Happens During a BOTOX Appointment?
Plan to spend around an hour at the clinic for your first appointment. Arrive early, so we can apply numbing cream to your treatment site. Make sure you have all your medical information with you, so there are no delays. Once your tissues are numb, we’ll inject the botulinum toxin under your skin. It’s unlikely that you’ll experience any pain because the needles we use are very fine.
You don’t have to stay at the clinic for observation after your appointment. Instead, you can drive yourself back to work or home right away. If you’ve never had an injectable treatment before, you might want to take the rest of the day off and relax. However, there’s no reason why you can’t work or do light exercise after your session if you feel up for it.
Aftercare
We’ll provide you with detailed aftercare instructions during the initial consultation. You don’t have to do much after your session, but try to avoid strenuous exercise and activities that heat up your skin. Don’t take NSAIDs or other blood-thinning drugs because they could cause problems with the healing process. Protect your skin from direct sunlight, and use our recommended cosmetics for at least a week.
To keep your results fresh, eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. If you struggle to get enough vitamins and minerals from your diet, take a supplement. Avoid consuming nicotine and large quantities of alcohol because these substances slow down wound healing and prevent your body from functioning optimally. Protect your tissues from direct sunlight, and always wear high-quality sunscreen when you go outside.
Keep Your Youthful Complexion
Most patients require BOTOX cosmetic treatments three to four times a year. It’s best not to have injections more than once every two months because the body needs some time to absorb and excrete the botulinum toxin after each session. Reach out to us at Peachtree Dermatology in Atlanta, GA to find out more about BOTOX injections. We look forward to creating your customized treatment plan.
