One of the most well-known injectables, Botox, is often sought for its efficacy in treating dynamic wrinkles like crow’s feet and laugh lines. Dynamic wrinkles are only visible during facial expression and occur due to repeated muscle movement. Static wrinkles are also the result of repeated muscle movement but occur over time and eventually become visible even at rest (without facial expression/movement). Static lines can also be due to changes in the skin itself related to chronic sun exposure, gravity, nutrition, smoking, and hereditary aging.
These wrinkles in the skin tend to be more permanent; however, in specific locations, some may be prevented or reversed with Botox. Dr. Thompson performs Botox® Cosmetic on men and women in Denver who hope to achieve smoother, younger-looking skin by treating these unwanted wrinkles. His surgical knowledge of facial anatomy allows him to inject Botox with precision and prevent unnatural expressions or unwanted complications. He also prides himself on using the minimal amount of Botox necessary to achieve the patient’s desired result. When considering your facial aesthetic options, FDA-approved Botox® Cosmetic is quite affordable and effective.
How Botox® Cosmetic Works
Frown lines and crow’s feet form over time as the result of frequent muscle activity. When injected directly into the target areas, Botox Cosmetic freezes the underlying muscles by blocking the nerve signals to it. This stops the muscle from creating the creases caused by persistent facial expressions. Additionally, for mild static/permanent wrinkles, repeat Botox injections freeze the underlying muscle over a period of time. This allows for skin cell turnover to take place and eventually causes the line to disappear. Combining Botox with additional treatments like topical retinoids, chemical peels, fillers, or laser resurfacing can enhance the treatment of static wrinkles.
Patients often wonder why their wrinkle creams are ineffective. Dr. Thompson counsels these patients that unlike Botox® Cosmetic, wrinkle creams cannot block muscular signals and stop facial contractions. Wrinkles like those treated with Botox® do not respond to topical treatments.
Benefits of Botox
The most obvious and significant benefit of Botox® Cosmetic is that it can give patients the chance to enjoy a younger look without undergoing any surgery. It is considered a minimally-invasive procedure that can smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and increase a patient’s confidence. Additionally, precise injections of Botox around the eyes and eyebrows can help men and women appear less tired and more alert. Often these patients complain they look tired, angry, or upset when they are not.
It can also be used to safely taper the jawline for cosmetic purposes by decreasing the size of one of the muscles that overlie the angle of the jaw. Additionally, it is used to treat chronic teeth grinding (bruxism), reduce excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), prevent abnormal muscle spasm, and improve headaches and migraines.
Good Candidates for Botox® Cosmetic
Men and women who have the desire to minimize their facial wrinkles without undergoing surgery are typically good candidates for Botox® Cosmetic. Fortunately, Botox® Cosmetic does not require an allergy test, making it the ideal option for anyone in good general health. While older men and women typically opt for this treatment, it is becoming more popular with younger patients as well. In younger patients, Botox® Cosmetic is used in a preventative fashion to minimize wrinkles or keep them from ever forming.
Botox® Cosmetic should not be performed on patients with a previous hypersensitivity or allergy to its ingredients. Those who suffer from neurological disorders like ALS or Myasthenia Gravis may run the risk of severe side effects and should stay away from this treatment as well. The doctor encourages patients in Denver to schedule a consultation to determine whether this treatment is right for them.
Your Botox Consultation at our Denver Practice
Men and women who live in the Denver area and are interested in Botox® Cosmetic are encouraged to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Thompson. Each consultation begins with a review of the patient’s medical history and a physical examination of the fine lines and wrinkles that bother them.
Dr. Thompson then listens to the patient’s expectations and informs them of whether or not this treatment can help them meet their goals. If not, other treatment options will be discussed that are more in line with the patient’s needs. During the consultation, Dr. Thompson will also answer any questions patients may have and share before and after photographs of real patients who have undergone Botox® Cosmetic for comparison purposes.
Additionally, the doctor may suggest other treatments to help the patient reach their goals. This might involve combining Botox® Cosmetic with treatments for other signs of aging, such as brown spots, hyperpigmentation, and spider veins. The consultation is the ideal time for a patient to learn about our offerings and figure out an anti-aging plan that is right for them.
Recovery
Since Botox is a minimally-invasive procedure, recovering from treatment is easy. Most patients return to work and their daily activities as soon as they’ve received Botox. They can begin exercising lightly 4 hours after treatment. The doctor urges Patients to keep their head elevated for at least 3 hours if their forehead was treated.
Botox Cosmetic FAQs
Botox can be used around the mouth for certain complaints or conditions. Judicious care has to be employed in this area to prevent an abnormal or altered smile. We recommend a formal consultation with Dr. Thompson to explore all possible treatment options for these specific complaints.
While Botox immunity is not common, it does occur. Chances are very low. Each patient should be given the lowest possible effective dose to minimize the chance of resistance. If resistance does occur, there are other alternatives to Botox that may work without issue.
We do not perform any treatments in our office that are dangerous. Believe it or not, Botox® Cosmetic is one of the safest and most tested drugs on the market. It has been used to treat a variety of issues for more than 30 years.
Patients of all ages have come to us for Botox treatment. We believe the ideal age to begin Botox is dependent on the individual patient’s goals. Specifically, preventative treatments should start before lines or wrinkles appear in the patient’s 20s or 30s. However, it’s never too late to start Botox. If you notice wrinkles during facial expression or fine lines that aren’t going away at rest, you are likely still an ideal candidate for treatment!
Results from treatment with Botox® Cosmetic can last for up to 3-4 months. For optimal results, we recommend you regularly schedule your Botox sessions to keep the anti-aging effect active. In some muscle groups, results can last for up to 6 months.
Botox between the eyebrows is one of the most effective uses of the treatment. These frown lines respond well to the treatment, and the results can resolve a resting, angry, or tired expression that can develop over time.
The doctor uses small needles and area-numbing techniques to maximize patient comfort, though most of our patients handle the Botox injections well.
If you’re pleased with the results of Botox® Cosmetic treatment, you’ll probably want to get on a treatment schedule for touch-ups every three months for optimal results.
Some patients worry they won’t be able to express themselves after these injections, but with Dr. Thompson’s expertise, you should be able to move your face without any issues and express yourself as you desire.
Schedule a Botox Treatment in Denver Today
If you’re concerned with lines and wrinkles and you wish you could look younger, we encourage you to schedule a private Botox consultation with Dr. Thompson at our Denver office. Call our office at (303) 667-1474 to schedule an appointment today!
