As we age, so does our skin. One sign of aging includes increased number of wrinkles. One primary cause of wrinkles is involuntary action of muscles in the face. BOTOX® Cosmetic works by relaxing these muscles and therefore reducing the appearance and formation of these wrinkles and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.
While BOTOX® Cosmetic is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States, it is not always the best solution to every wrinkle. There are other procedures that may be used alone or in combination with BOTOX® Cosmetic to achieve your maximum goal. It is important to discuss your goals with Dr. Som Kohanzadeh—our board-certified plastic surgeon—before choosing to undergo injections of BOTOX® Cosmetic to help you understand your treatment options and decide which is best for you.
How Muscles Cause Wrinkles
Facial muscles are unique in our body in that they are the only muscles that insert into the dermis of the overlying skin. These are referred to as Mimetic muscles of the face. Thereby allowing us to express emotion. Repeated muscle contractions, in this case facial expressions, leads to folds in the skin: wrinkles. Thus, by eliminating the muscle action we block the formation of these wrinkles.The most common formation for these lines include the forehead, corners of your eyes, and glabella (space between the eyes, which lead to the 11’s).
These lines then become further accentuated as your skin loses its elasticity and develops creases where the habitual contraction creates folds.
How BOTOX® Cosmetic Reduces Wrinkles
BOTOX® Cosmetic reduces the appearance of some wrinkles by overcoming your muscles’ repeated contractions. BOTOX® Cosmetic tells these muscles to relax. Once these muscles relax, the folds created by repetitious motion smooth. Depending on the quality of the skin, a crease or other trace may remain. These traces can be reduced using various skin care methods, including skin resurfacing with the SKINPEN®, and through the use of Dr. Som’s personally tailored skin care line: SK by Dr. SOM.
BOTOX® Cosmetic can often be used to treat these wrinkles:
- Horizontal lines in the forehead
- Vertical “11” lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines)
- “Crow’s feet”
- “Bunny lines” on the side of your nose
- “Lipstick lines” around your mouth
Dr. Som will evaluate you and your goals to determine if BOTOX® Cosmetic is appropriate to treat your wrinkles during your consultation. The effects of BOTOX® injections are temporary, lasting about 3-6 months, which means you will need repeated treatment to maintain your results.
“Dr Som is a special human. He takes his time, he listens, he cares about your best interest. He’s the only person I let do my injections from Botox to fillers in my lips, he makes everything look so natural! And might I add painless! I highly recommend Dr Som, he’s a gem!”
Is BOTOX® Cosmetic Safe?
Yes. BOTOX® injections are the most common cosmetic medical procedure performed, with millions of procedures performed every year. Some people experience side effects such as droopy eyelids when injected too close to the upper eyelid, but most people just see the results they desire. Reports of serious side effects are generally associated with the use of botulinum toxin for the treatment of tremors or other involuntary muscle movements, which requires injections of much larger quantities.
Side effects associated with cosmetic use of BOTOX® injections are generally minor and are often the result of use by an inexperienced injector.
Why Choose Dr. Som for Your BOTOX® Cosmetic Injection?
Although many people offer BOTOX® Cosmetic injections, not everyone is equally qualified to perform the injections. Performing the injections well depends on a detailed knowledge of facial anatomy, especially the musculature that moves the skin – these factors make a specialty trained Plastic Surgeon like Dr. Som the ideal injector. Also important, is to work with an injector who has experience with performing the injections and therefore understands the likely effects on a wide variety of individuals. Dr. Som has spent 3 years of specialty training with the world famous Luis Vasconez as well as learning special techniques in International Plastic Surgery Meetings and working in South America.
Give us a call or contact us online today to schedule your BOTOX® Cosmetic consultation with Dr. Som.