BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the many treatment options McLean & Potomac Dermatology offers to address expression lines like crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead wrinkles. Through a carefully-administered series of virtually painless injections, certain wrinkles can be effectively smoothed to bring a more youthful appearance to the face. Treatments are fast and comfortable – in fact, many patients even choose to perform this treatment during their lunch break!
How BOTOX® Cosmetic Works
BOTOX® Cosmetic can effectively target wrinkles that develop due to the movement of facial muscles. Everyday actions like smiling or frowning can cause creases to develop in the skin over time, resulting in wrinkles like frown lines (also known as glabellar lines) and crow’s feet.
This is further exacerbated by the depletion of collagen, which can make the creases even more prominent, as the skin loses part of the support structure that helps it bounce back and keeps it elastic.
How Do These Treatments Work?
BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments focus on reducing the facial muscle movements responsible for wrinkles. The key ingredient is Botulinum toxin A, which temporarily reduces neurotransmitter activity within the treated area, thereby relaxing the muscle.
With decreased muscle movement, the appearance of crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead wrinkles can be significantly reduced.
Do The Results Look Natural?
If the treatment is performed correctly and injections are made into the right areas, the results will look natural. The key to achieving natural results is understanding the intricate muscle structures under the skin and how they interplay to create our facial expressions.
Do The Treatments Hurt?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a virtually painless and very comfortable procedure. The expert providers at McLean & Potomac Dermatology use very thin needles to administer the injections and may even suggest a topical anesthetic for extra comfort.
How Long Does BOTOX® Cosmetic Last?
BOTOX® Cosmetic results tend to appear gradually. After your treatment, you will see some results almost immediately, as the treatment begins to relax the facial muscles responsible for certain wrinkles, like crow’s feet and frown lines.
However, patients typically notice the full results about one week after treatment, when the injection has had time to affect the targeted area fully.
Results from these injections will last approximately 3-4 months, depending on the patient. Touch-up treatments may also be performed to increase the longevity of the results. Further, many patients find that regular treatments with BOTOX® Cosmetic further improve results due to increased muscle memory in the treatment area.
What BOTOX® Cosmetic Doesn’t Treat
It’s important to note that this injectable only treats situations where the predominant cause of the wrinkle is muscle movement. By relaxing the right facial muscles, the wrinkle appearance is reduced.
However, BOTOX® Cosmetic is not effective for sagging skin or facial volume loss. In these instances, the underlying causes are the loss of collagen and elastin and the loss and migration of fatty tissues underneath the skin. Treatments like dermal fillers may be a more viable option for such cases.
Combining BOTOX® Cosmetic with Other Treatments
BOTOX® Cosmetic can also be effectively combined with other treatments like dermal fillers, light peels, or facials. This is often done to achieve enhanced results by improving several factors simultaneously.
For example, BOTOX® can smooth out crow’s feet and frown lines, while a hyaluronic acid filler can bring more volume to the cheeks, chin, or lips. Or, the patient may choose to receive a light chemical peel as part of the treatment, to enhance overall results by reducing the appearance of fine lines through exfoliation.
Before and After Photos
Schedule BOTOX® Cosmetic Injections in McLean, VA, or Potomac, MD
BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the most effective methods of easing wrinkles. If you’re interested in an anti-aging option that can give you long-lasting results, this injectable formula may be right for you. Schedule a consultation with our team to learn more today.
You can get in touch by messaging us on this site or calling us at (703) 356-5111.
