reduces the etiology of facial expression lines.
Botox Overview
Botox injections are used in the skin to prevent wrinkles and facial folds from appearing on the face, neck, and other areas where skin may be creased. The active ingredient is botulinum toxin type A, which relaxes muscles and prevents wrinkles. Unlike HA (Hyaluronic Acid) dermal fillers, such as JUVÉDERM®, Restylane®, or other facial cosmetic treatments that fill in lines, BOTOX® Cosmetic reduces the causes of facial expression lines. These happen when the facial muscles are repeatedly contracted and contorted to the skin. In younger years when skin elasticity is plentiful, skin relaxes smoothly when muscle contraction stops.
Additional Reading
However, as age progresses, skin elasticity fades and previously temporary expression lines stay visible. It is preferable to start Botox treatment early, before lines turn into creases, as we can achieve more improvement. Pretreatment of the skin with a topical anesthetic cream will render the treatment essentially pain free. The full effect of the treatment takes two to three days. BOTOX® Cosmetic’s main drawback, like fillers, is that its effect will fade after three to six months. Injections into the forehead need to carefully placed and dosed to avoid droopy eyebrows as the forehead muscles, responsible for the forehead lines, are also the ones that hold the brows up.
Using Botox in the frown and crowsfeet areas softens the look around the eyes and can also help to raise the outer brow area, known as the “BOTOX® Brow Lift”. A physician may use Botox in other areas as well but its most effective application is around the eyes and the frown areas. One should use Botox in moderation or in stages in order to avoid a ‘frozen’ look which is not aesthetically desirable. Dysport® and XEOMIN® are BOTOX® Cosmetic’s competitors and are similar in their applications and effects.
