BOTOX is one of the most popular nonsurgical treatments in the world. Millions of patients get injections each year because they want to keep their youthful complexion and get rid of small lines and wrinkles. At Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa in Peru, IL, we treat people of all ages. Read on to find out more about how this injectable works and whether it could be a good option for you.
How Does BOTOX Work?
The active ingredient in the injectable is botulinum toxin, a neuromodulator. This substance immobilizes the muscles of the face and prevents the patient from creating facial expressions that cause wrinkling. Neuromodulator treatment works best on people who have dynamic wrinkles that appear when they contort their face and disappear when their expression is neutral.
Botulinum toxin treatment doesn’t come with many side effects because the protein is purified and therefore doesn’t cause infections or allergic reactions. The body absorbs and excretes it over time, so patients need to come to the clinic every three or four months for maintenance appointments. Many people start getting treated in their 20s or 30s, but the injectable is appropriate for patients of all ages.
What Happens During the Appointment?
Each neuromodulator appointment only takes 30-45 minutes. We numb your treatment area to make sure you don’t feel pain. Then, we mark the injection sites and inject the botulinum toxin. You can get cleaned up and leave the clinic right away. Since you’re not anesthetized during treatment, you can drive yourself home and return to your regular activities.
To make sure treatment is safe, we ask you to follow some guidelines before and after your appointment. Avoid drinking alcohol and taking blood-thinning drugs for several days. Don’t expose your treatment site to dirt, direct sunlight, and hot temperatures. It’s best not to have very hot showers, use saunas or hot tubs, and do strenuous workouts until 48 hours have passed.
What Conditions Can Neuromodulators Address?
Botulinum toxin is mainly used to treat dynamic wrinkles that disappear when the patient’s face is neutral. The substance is often used on younger patients to prevent the formation of wrinkles. Because botulinum toxin stops the person from creating certain expressions, wrinkles are much less likely to form. The face looks smoother, even if the patient stops getting regular injections later in life.
Sometimes, the substance is also used to make the lips appear plumper. Botulinum toxin causes the muscles to relax, so the lips curl upwards and look more defined and voluminous. The treatment reduces the appearance of vertical lip lines, sometimes called smoker’s lines.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Most people who are concerned about the aging process and would like to retain their youthful glow are good candidates for botulinum toxin injections. Because the treatment isn’t invasive, even those who can’t take part in elective surgery are good candidates. People with serious medical conditions need to ask their primary physicians before booking an appointment with us because they might have to delay their injections until they are better.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to find out more about botulinum toxin or our other minimally invasive methods. We will be happy to analyze your facial features and come up with a custom treatment plan for you.
What Is the Best Age To Start?
People often come to the clinic in their mid-30s and early 40s. This is a great age to start treatment because the effects of aging are becoming more visible, but the skin is still elastic. However, we are happy to treat patients of all ages. Some come to see us in their 20s because they would like to augment their lips or prevent the aging process from damaging their complexion.
People who are frequently exposed to UV radiation and lead an unhealthy lifestyle typically need treatment earlier than those who take excellent care of their skin. Patients in their 50s and beyond can still take part in botulinum toxin injections, as long as they are in good general health. They might need to have more frequent maintenance appointments or combine several treatments.
Can Treatments Be Combined?
We aim to help all our patients achieve their esthetic goals, so we offer a wide range of options. Fortunately, neuromodulator injections can be combined with several other treatments. Patients who have static wrinkles as well as dynamic ones might need to get dermal fillers or microneedling in addition to their botulinum toxin injections. Together, these treatments are often much more effective than on their own.
We don’t just help people retain their complexion. If you struggle with hair loss, or you’re worried about your body shape, we can help. Just let us know about your concerns, and we will put together a customized treatment plan. Combining several of our minimally invasive options is almost always best because it’s cheaper and more efficient than getting each treatment separately.
Smooth out Your Wrinkles with Injectable Treatment
Millions of people choose BOTOX because this injectable is minimally invasive and highly effective. It immobilizes the muscles in the face, so the patient can’t create expressions that cause wrinkles. Most people are good candidates because neuromodulator treatment doesn’t require surgery. Get in touch with us at Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa in Peru, IL to find out more and to book your consultation.
