The natural aging process results in a loss of elasticity in the skin, diminished collagen production, and the formation of wrinkles. Wrinkles may begin to appear as early as your mid-20s or as late as your 50s. Each person’s skin responds differently to aging.
Certain factors, such as genetics, sun exposure, and smoking, may encourage the formation of wrinkles. However, there are treatments available to people who want to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and maintain a more youthful appearance. One of these options is Botox.
What Is Botox?
Botox is an FDA-approved cosmetic injectable that is used to smooth out wrinkles that appear on the face or neck.
This substance consists of a protein made from botulinum toxin. When small amounts of Botox are injected into facial muscles, these muscles are temporarily immobilized. This smooths out wrinkles that have formed in response to frequent muscle contractions.
Because it is a neurotoxin, Botox injectables target the nervous system. It causes a disruption of the nerve signaling processes that normally stimulate muscle contractions. Since the muscles are temporarily paralyzed, the toxin allows muscles to become more malleable.
In the cosmetic world, Botox treatment provides relief for a number of problem areas that people commonly battle as a result of aging. The use of Botox injectables can result in the following benefits:
- Reducing wrinkles between the eyebrows (“number 11s”)
- Diminishing crow’s feet that appear at the outside corners of the eyes
- Fading horizontal lines in the forehead
- Filling in and smoothing a cobblestone texture on the chin
- Reducing lines at the corners of the mouth
- Lessening the appearance of vertical lines that appear on the neck
In some cases, Botox may be able to treat other cosmetic concerns as well.
Can Botox Restore Volume to My Face?
In a word, no. Botox is known as a wrinkle-smoother. Its primary usage is for the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.
Those seeking to add volume to their face or improve contouring will likely benefit more from dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm or Restylane. In some cases, a combination of Botox and dermal fillers can provide enhanced results that significantly reduce the signs of aging.
If you have multiple concerns with the appearance of your face or neck, discuss what you’d like to achieve during a thorough consultation at Enriched Aesthetics with one of our expert team members. We will work with you to develop an appropriate treatment plan to meet your desired goals.
What Happens During a Botox Procedure?
Before receiving Botox injectables, you’ll undergo a thorough consultation with one of our skilled aestheticians. During the appointment, we’ll ask for your medical history as well as any current medications that you are taking. This will help us determine whether you are a good candidate for Botox.
We’ll also examine the condition of your skin and ask you to make certain facial expressions. This allows us to determine the location of the facial muscles that are causing wrinkles to form and will be the site where Botox injections are performed.
We’re normally able to perform a Botox treatment directly after your consultation if your schedule allows it. Before injecting Botox, we will carefully cleanse your skin. Next, we’ll inject Botox into the areas to be treated.
The entire appointment, including the consultation, should last less than an hour. You’ll be able to return to your normal activities directly after your session with minimal disruption to your day. We’ll also provide you with instructions on how to care for your face following the Botox treatment.
Results from Botox generally last between three and six months. This can vary depending on how quickly your body absorbs the ingredients in Botox. Some people may find that Botox is absorbed fairly quickly, while for others, the results last longer.
Once the Botox has been absorbed, we can schedule a maintenance treatment to keep your results.
How Much Botox Will I Need?
The amount of Botox that you will need will vary depending on the number of areas that you are seeking to treat as well as the severity of your wrinkles. Deeper lines will result in the need for more Botox.
However, after the first Botox procedure, most people require fewer units of Botox for future appointments if they routinely maintain their results and stick to a predefined touch-up schedule.
What Kinds of Results Can I Expect After Botox Injections?
At Enriched Aesthetics, Nurse Practitioner Cristina Morin specializes in providing aesthetic procedures designed to enhance your overall natural beauty and reduce the signs of aging. As our lead injector, her skilled eye will ensure that you have the appropriate amount of Botox injected, resulting in a fully natural appearance.
To further enhance the benefits of Botox, Cris might recommend other options to enhance your results. These may include dermal fillers to gain facial volume and promote the development of new collagen.
We also have other solutions to improve skin tone, reduce hyperpigmentation, and fill in acne scars, such as our RF microneedling procedure or acne scar treatments.
Everyone has different goals that they seek to achieve through aesthetic practices. Our job is to ensure you have the right tools and recommendations available to achieve them.
How Can I Get Started with Botox?
If you’re interested in learning how Botox can reduce the appearance of wrinkles on your face and neck, contact Enriched Aesthetics in Morristown, NJ. You may schedule a consultation with us to discuss the various treatment options we have available to meet your skincare goals.
